A vicar with a passion for surfing has created his own drive-in church service in a car park in Newquay, Cornwall.

Reverend Matt Timms of Wave House Church was inspired to set up the outdoor session in an attempt to find a way around the coronavirus ban on church services after they were deemed “non-essential” by the government.

Mr Timms told Sky News: “It started off as a crazy idea in my head.”

Health and safety restrictions initially hindered his plans, but after some tweaks, Cornwall County Council said the event could go ahead.

He said his congregation were “elated to have the opportunity to be out together again after months of not being able to see people”.

The service, which attracted over 50 vehicles, featured a Bible reading and prayers, followed by a screening of surfing film Unstoppable.

Mr Timms says many have spent lockdown in isolation, and so to find a way to bring people together now is “so, so important”.

He is now encouraging people to write to their MPs to ask for churches to be allowed to worship together.

The reverend said: “Obviously, we’re not looking to break all the social distancing rules. We’re hoping that they will be relaxed soon. But what today has proved is that there has been a real need for it.”

For worshippers who couldn’t get a parking space, the service was also streamed live on Facebook.

Source: Read Full Article