When lockdown hit and people could not go out or go to Church, Susan Burnett of Holy Trinity Church in Paulton had an idea.

She invited members of her congregation and other interested people to contact her by phone, if they would like to share a hymn each Sunday.

People were allotted a ten minute slot every Sunday in which they could choose a hymn to share.

Susan sings the hymn over the phone, with husband Kevin accompanying her on the church organ. This was done over twenty weeks during the pandemic and they are still continuing this service.

So impressed were members of the congregation that they nominated Susan for a “Make a difference Superstars Scheme” and she was interviewed on Radio Bristol for this award.

One grateful participant said: “Having hymns sung to me during these dark times has given me such comfort and has lifted my spirits.”

Hymns have included the great Victorian hymns like “How great thou art” through to revisiting Sunday School memories with “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam”.

So well done to Susan, along with husband, Kevin, who have offered what has appeared to be a lifeline for some people. Liz Hardman