As I am sure you are aware that the Government guidelines now include opening our churches for worship as well as weddings, funerals and baptisms but with some restrictions.
The full Church of England guidelines can be viewed from this link but an overview of what public worship might look like is as follows:
- Over 70’s and the clinically vulnerable are being advised not to attend.
- Risk assessments on each Church will tell us how many people will be permitted for each service taking into account the possibility of social distancing at each church building (likely to be between 20-25).
- We will need to use some form of registration system for people to book beforehand so that we know that we don’t exceed the permitted numbers.
- Layout of Church will be redesigned to accommodate social distancing.
- No singing will be permitted although recorded hymns with singing may still be played to be listened to.
- The Peace cannot be shared and communion will be in one form only (bread only) and there will be no kneeling to receive it – two metre spacing between communicants when collecting bread.
- No physical contact or refreshments.
You can be assured that we will be carrying out all of the relevant risk assessments and will have all safety measures in place to minimise any risk to people who are attending or taking part in the service. We also plan to continue to live stream the services, so they can be viewed at home by those unable to attend.
We would like to gauge your views on if you would plan to attend services in our church buildings if these arrangements are all in place and would ask that you complete the simple survey from this link so that we can take into account our worshippers’ views.
Alex Pease