New weekly Wednesday BCP communion service
Following months of closure due to Covid-19, we’re delighted to announce that we will be re-opening for public worship on WEDNESDAYS at 12.15 every week from the beginning of September.
After consultation with the local congregation, for a trial period this will be a service according to the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. It will usually be a communion service, though as we need to stay flexible over what ministers will be available during this season, so on occasion it may be BCP matins led by our curate or reader.
We have risk assessed our church building and made plans to keep everyone as safe as possible: here is what to expect:
First, and most obviously, please don’t come if you have any symptoms of Covid-19! Get a test and only attend if you’ve received the all clear.
We will be using the main door into church (the arched door), and the community room entrance will remain closed as the hallway is quite small and it would be hard to maintain distance in there.
It is now the rule that everyone must wear a mask in church (unless you have one of the limited medical exemptions - please just make this quietly known to the verger at the door if this is the case). We will have a supply of disposable masks for those who need them, but please bring your own reusable mask if you have one to limit disposable waste.
We’ll ask you to enter the church one person or household at a time, and maintain a 2m distance. On entering, please sanitise your hands and give your details for Track and Trace (these will be kept securely for 3 weeks and then disposed of. Your details will only be used for T&T and not for any other purpose).
We can seat 22 individuals or 11 households or ‘bubbles’ of 2-4 people - please take a seat as directed by the churchwarden or verger on duty, to ensure that we can seat everyone safely.
Children of all ages are very welcome and we genuinely don’t mind if they make a noise. Normally we don’t mind at all if they run around enjoying the space, but for now children must stay with their parents at all times. You’re very welcome to bring pushchairs/prams into the church, and please feel free to bring toys/books/colouring activities/snacks from home - we’re not currently able to provide these.
The toilets will be open and available - please sanitise your hands before entering. If a queue is needed, please wait in the church rather than in the corridor.
Windows and doors will be open to increase ventilation, so you may want to wear a coat if the weather is nippy as we go into autumn!
There will not be any access to the kitchen or any refreshments after the service. Please leave the church one by one as directed by the verger, continuing to keep 2m distance. If you wish to talk with friends or get to know new people, please wait until you have reached the car park space to do so, so that others can exit safely, and keep at least 1m distance there whilst catching up with each other.
Clergy and ministers won’t be able to go to the door to shake hands and say goodbye individually, but will stay in their places as you leave. If you would like a private word, please email or ring to arrange an appointment.
If, within two weeks of attending church, you feel ill and/or have a positive Covid test, you must let us know immediately and inform the Track and Trace team that you were at church.