The coronavirus outbreak is a chance to reset our sights, and “distinguish what is truly important from all that is fleetingly desired”, the head of the Catholic Church in the UK will say.

In a service to be broadcast on every BBC Local Radio station tomorrow morning,  Cardinal Nichols says the crisis allows us to ‘focus on our true needs’.

Each Sunday at 8am a different Christian denomination is leading a service on BBC Local Radio for worshippers now housebound because of Covid-19.

Speaking about the challenges facing – and uniting – people across the globe at the moment, the Cardinal says: ’This time of great testing enables us to distinguish what is truly important from all that is fleetingly desired, and has so often mistakingly been given pride of place in our ambitions. 

’Already we have to look froward to the rebuilding of our common life. May the light of the risen Christ guide and inspire us in that task.’

The hour-long service will include reflections, Bible readings and hymns, sent out to ’wireless congregations’ all around the country.

The series of Sunday broadcasts has so far seen services led by the Archbishop Justin Welby, the most senior Bishop in the Church of England, Revd Dr Martyn Atkins, Superintendent of the Methodist Central Hall Westminster, and Cathy Madavan, a Baptist church leader, international speaker and author.

Chris Burns, head of BBC Local Radio, said: ’We are delighted that Cardinal Nichols has agreed to lead worship for BBC Local Radio listeners. It is something that we have been planning with the Catholic Church since th outbreak began and it’s fantastic to see it come to fruition.

’Easter Day is extremely important to all Christians and we are privileged to have the leader of the Catholic Church in this country sharing his thoughts with our audiences at this important time.’

Meanwhile, Churches in South East Cornwall have been finding new ways to reach out to their communities during the lockdown.

In Liskeard, St Martin’s Church already had a good online presence, which it has extended to respond to the restrictions.

At St Martin’s Church in Liskeard, services are being live streamed each Sunday via the church Facebook page. Tomorrow’s Easter Sunday service will also be on the Church Youtube channel.

The Reverend Steve Morgan said: ’Everything seems to have been closing down but God is still in control and we are getting to grips with how to be a worshipping community in this new world. We think it is really important that our church gathers together at the same time - even if we are not all in the same place. At 11am and 6pm every Sunday we are streaming live services. The morning service will have music, a talk and a time where we can seek to move in the Holy Spirit. At 6pm, Phil is going to lead evening prayer. This will be quieter and you will have a chance to join him in saying prayers together.’

Liskeard and Looe Methodist Circuit is speaking to members on its Facebook Page, sharing ideas for worship as well as family activities, and sharing in Truro Methodist Church’s live streamed services.

And the Greenbank Community Church is also posting videos each day made by its members.

Saltash Churches Together invited people to go on a virtual Good Friday Walk of Witness yesterday, and has shared in the message that ’the building may be closed, but the Church is open’.

For those not able to go online, church members in towns and villages have created a phone network to help people keep in touch and to help reduce feelings of isolation.