To describe it as a re-opening may feel like something of an exaggeration. We are not going back to what we had in early March, but we are in a different place from last week—so there is some good news.
Funeral and Weddings
These life events can go ahead with no more than 30 people present in the building and with social distancing in place.
Private Prayer
We plan to open the church for private prayer from 12 noon to 2pm on a Wednesday each week. This will be supervised. Hands must be washed or sanitised on entering and leaving the building. You may pick up a Bible on the way in, and return it to a box in the foyer where it will be placed in storage for a week.
Services of Worship
Up to now we have been running two services each week online. On alternate weeks the Wednesday online service will be replaced by a Sunday morning service at 9am in church. The chairs will be removed and replaced at a distance of 1m from each other. This ensures that we can get 22 people in the worship area. At 2m that number falls to 11.
A mask is a requirement. If you do not have one, we can provide you with one. There will be no singing, though we will be able to have music played via Media Shout through the televisions. We will not be able to share the peace.
Holy Communion
We understand that communion, in the form of bread only, is a possibility. We will begin with a service of the word and see what guidance follows. Children’s work is sadly, not possible right now.
What if more people come than we have places for?
If we fill the available chairs, including the balcony, church room, and crèche, we regret that we will have to close the doors.
We do not expect people to come in such numbers that church members will be left outside the door, but if that should happen, we will have to think again and consider asking people to book in. We are expecting the services to start small and grow as people grow in confidence.