THE Church Times is committed to publication throughout the coronavirus pandemic, come what may. The staff are now all working from their homes and, despite the demands of childcare for some, are as productive as ever. Our printers in Horncastle are classified as key workers, and the vast print-works allows for social distancing. We are confident that the postal services will continue to ensure deliveries.
Besides this weekly newspaper, though, there is a tremendous amount happening on the Church Times website: there are daily, often hourly updates, and a new resources section where we post information and links that we think people will find helpful. All postal subscribers have full access to all our online copy. For information about logging on, email subs@churchtimes.co.uk.
Starting this week, we are producing an A4 sheet, “Lift Up Your Hearts”, which people can pass on to parishioners, neighbours, and friends. You should find a sample copy inserted in your paper. There is a pdf on the Church Times website for people to download and print out for distribution, as many copies as they like, free of charge.
After this week, we’ll continue to post the A4 pdf online, but will lay out the material on an extra faith page in the usual way. Next week’s issue features Mark Oakley.
A reminder of our special offer:
If readers cannot get to a newsagent to collect their usual copy, or if people have relied up until now on a second-hand copy passed on to them, we have a special offer for them. A one-off ten-issue subscription deal now exists alongside the usual Direct Debit introductory offer (details below). This costs just £10: a huge saving on the normal cover and subscription price. There will be no pressure to continue at the end of the ten weeks — although we would be delighted if readers chose to, of course.
Anyone wanting to take out this offer, or switch from being a newsagent subscriber to a postal subscriber for any reason, can fill in the form below, or visit www.churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe; email subs@churchtimes.co.uk; or phone Tracey on 01603 785911.
Advertising:
Our Classified/Jobs desk will remain staffed unless circumstances dictate otherwise, and can be reached by email or on 020 7776 1010.
Other advertising staff will be working remotely, but can be reached via email and on the usual phone numbers.
We are conscious that the virus is likely to introduce delays in the recruitment process for some of our clients. Our “Until Filled” option allows recruiters to repeat advertisements for posts, with altered application and interview dates, until the post is filled satisfactorily. There is every reason, therefore, to carry on advertising jobs as normal.
Church House Bookshop:
Our sister organisation, Church House Bookshop, in Westminster, is now closed to visitors, and all book sales are online. Until further notice, books will be delivered to customers in the UK completely free of any postage & packing charges. The same offer applies to books bought direct from the Canterbury Press, Church House Publishing, and SCM Press sites. Service might be a little slower than we would like.
Church House Bookshop has also compiled a list of suggested titles for these troubled times. This can be found on its website.
Read the digital version of ‘Lift up your hearts’ here