“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
(Ephesians 3:17-18)
We’re pleased to announce that we are able to begin gathering for Sunday services. We understand that not everyone will feel able to join us at this time and we wish to stay united and to stay in touch with those who choose to stay at home.
Written resources will still be available for those not coming in person and will be sent fortnightly by email and post.
We are asking people to come once a fortnight rather than every week (we will repeat the same service), so that we can manage the lower capacity in the building. By coming in turn we enable others to come. The services will be repeated at 11.00am and 12.30pm and at the same times the following week beginning 19th July 2020. We'd encourage you to choose one service and meet with the same 'sitting' so you meet the same people.
What to expect
Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before the start of the service. A welcomer will meet you outside the door and, if you’re happy to provide your details, they will record them for the NHS Test & Trace scheme. In the event that someone later develops symptoms, it will enable NHS Test & Trace to get in touch with you. This is voluntary, and you don’t have to provide your details, but if you do they won’t be used for any other purpose.
Please use one pew for each household. Pews can fit up to three adults (or more if the group includes children). If possible, please fill up from the front.
The words and any resources used will usually be projected onto a screen at the front in large type. If this will be a problem for you, there will be large print copies available at the entrance.
I’m afraid that as yet we are not able to sing, share the peace or have communion. But we will be able to encourage one another with the word spoken, heard, preached and prayed.
We ask that if you would like to give, please do so preferably online, by direct debit or standing order. There will be a plate at the rear if you are only able to give by cash. With many thanks.
A few other points of guidance:
Please maintain social distancing of 2m between households.
Please sanitise your hands on arrival and departure; hand sanitiser will be provided.
Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) should not attend due to the risk that they pose to others; they should self-isolate at home immediately with other members of their household.
We warmly welcome all children and young people. Young children should be supervised by the parent or guardian and appropriate hygiene precautions followed. We ask you to remain in your household group in your pew during the service.
We encourage you to bring your own Bible. We won’t be using reusable service sheets, hymnbooks or church Bibles for the time being.
Those at extra risk and the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ should take advice on the risks of attending public worship. It is entirely your decision and please feel under no compulsion to come before you are comfortable.
I’m afraid there will be no refreshments provided. If you wish to chat you may find it easier to arrange a time to meet socially distanced at another point in the week.
The PCC recommend wearing face masks if possible. At present there is no government requirement to wear face coverings in places where social distancing can be complied with. However, people may wish to do so, and this is a personal decision. It is one way of loving others by lowering the risk of inadvertent transmission in enclosed spaces.
We will be running a one way system and ask you to exit through the West door please.
Thank you so much for your patience as we settle back into church life together. I’m very thankful to the members of the PCC for all they’ve done to help us to get ready for meeting together. It will look quite different practically for a while, but I’m looking forward to meeting once again in our united faith. I hope that even though we’re meeting in smaller groups than usual, we might be encouraged us as we see one another week by week.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20–21)
With every blessing in Him,
Steve