They say the Lord moves in mysterious ways which is why the Rev Cindy Kent has turned to the internet.

She broadcast her Sunday service from Minster Abbey on the Isle of Sheppey live on Facebook.

The transmission on the church's Facebook page took place at 11am.

She said: "As the Church of England has said there will be no more public services for now, I was at the Abbey at 11am to broadcast live a few prayers and thoughts especially for Mothering Sunday.

"It went really well with some very positive comments.

"The only criticism was that the sound could have been louder so we will use a microphone next week."

The broadcast had 780 views and has also been shared on YouTube.

Cindy, a former 1960s pop star with The Settlers who has already tried using sign language at the Abbey to overcome the coronavirus scare, added: "We had lots of comments from people who don’t normally come to church, which is great.

"If people can't get to the church, then we will take the church to them!"

A similar service was broadcast from Holy Trinity Church in Queenborough by churchwarden and deputy mayor Cllr Ashley Shiel.

Also Sheppey FM has offered for the churches to do a pre-recorded ‘service’ which I believe is going to be shared out amongst the various churches. Lynne from the SA is sorting that.

The Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury, gave guidance to the clergy on Tuesday after the Archbishop of Canterbury announced the new rules.

She said: "The church isn't closing - it's changing.

"Far from 'shutting up shop' we must face this challenge by becoming a radically different kind of church as we seek to continue to be rooted in prayer and serve others.

"To that end, as far as possible, churches should remain open as places of prayer for the community while observing physical distancing recommendations."

She added: "If your church has a bell, you may wish to ring it before prayer to signify to the wider community that you are praying for them."

She said anyone in church should ensure they were two metres from anyone else. Communal prayer books have been removed from the pews to help avoid transmission of coronavirus.

She said weddings and funerals can still go ahead but with fewer people but added: "We advise that baptisms and confirmations be postponed except where there is a very strong case for going ahead."

Canterbury Cathedral remains open for private prayer only. The entrance fee to the Precincts has been axed but all public events have been suspended until the middle of May.

The Bishop said Mothering Sunday has always been a day of celebration for many and a sensitive and emotional day for some.

She added: "As one action, the Archbishops are calling on everyone to (safely) place a lighted candle in their window at 7pm tonight (Sunday) as a sign of solidarity and hope in the light of Christ that can never be extinguished."

Minster Abbey was founded as a nunnery by the widowed Queen Sexburgha in 664AD.

Crematorium introduces new rules on funerals for coronavirus and limits mourners to 25.

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