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WELCOME
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May God's grace and peace be with you!
We offer Family friendly worship to which we welcome you most warmly. Please feel free to browse our website and Face Book pages. Rev. Michael Burley |
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Summer at Christ Church
Old Testament Stories
and the art of
Sieger Koder- watch the following video
Notices for the 18th July -25th July 2021
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Sunday 25th July
10.00 a.m. Morning Worship
Followed by a Bring and Share lunch
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Morning Worship
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Holy Communion
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Covid and Christ Church from 19th July
On Monday 19th July we moved into stage 4 of the Government’s “Roadmap out of lockdown”.
All the new Church of England guidance came out on 19th July. The full details can be accessed on the Church of England website. https://www.churchofengland.org
You will read that we are allowed to return to Church life as it was before the pandemic BUT there is a strong message that we must be careful and consider the risks involved with all parts of our church life. The strong shift of Stage 4 is to move decision making away from the government or the Church of England. Each local community and organisation are to look at their own context and to make wise decisions.
When I read the guidance, I was amazed to read that the main responsibility passes to me!!!! The guidance clearly says this:-
Who makes the decision on what happens in church settings and at events held in church buildings?
The responsibility for making decisions about how to proceed lies with the incumbent. This applies to acts of worship, to events run by the PCC or church community, and to decisions on whether to hire out spaces or allow other events to proceed. Incumbents should feel empowered to make locally appropriate decisions, including taking different approaches to different types of services and events where the risks may vary. Your Archdeacon may be able to help if you would appreciate support with this.
Interpreting the guidance for Christ Church
There are two rules
2. It is important we do not attend worship if we have any symptoms of covid or have been in close contact with someone who has and have been told to isolate. If you ever test positive for Covid please contact me or a churchwarden as soon as possible
Key to our future is each of us acknowledging that every individual has the right to be responsible for their own decisions about what they feel is safe without comment or criticism. We ask everyone to respect people, whatever they choose in respect of mask wearing and practicing social distancing etc. Mutual love and respect are vital- I hope that these will be served with a large dose of common sense!
Now to more practical considerations for our community in Christ Church. It has been a safe place until now and we want to continue so that everyone can feel protected.
Thank you for taking time to read this. We will carry out a further review at the end of August. We will watch the numbers, listen to advice, and see how we act over the next month. I hope our newfound freedoms (with sensible precautions) will be part of the fight against this dreadful virus.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Michael
On Monday 19th July we moved into stage 4 of the Government’s “Roadmap out of lockdown”.
All the new Church of England guidance came out on 19th July. The full details can be accessed on the Church of England website. https://www.churchofengland.org
You will read that we are allowed to return to Church life as it was before the pandemic BUT there is a strong message that we must be careful and consider the risks involved with all parts of our church life. The strong shift of Stage 4 is to move decision making away from the government or the Church of England. Each local community and organisation are to look at their own context and to make wise decisions.
When I read the guidance, I was amazed to read that the main responsibility passes to me!!!! The guidance clearly says this:-
Who makes the decision on what happens in church settings and at events held in church buildings?
The responsibility for making decisions about how to proceed lies with the incumbent. This applies to acts of worship, to events run by the PCC or church community, and to decisions on whether to hire out spaces or allow other events to proceed. Incumbents should feel empowered to make locally appropriate decisions, including taking different approaches to different types of services and events where the risks may vary. Your Archdeacon may be able to help if you would appreciate support with this.
Interpreting the guidance for Christ Church
There are two rules
- We will still operate track and trace and keep a list of people who attend worship in the building. This will be done by a churchwarden.
2. It is important we do not attend worship if we have any symptoms of covid or have been in close contact with someone who has and have been told to isolate. If you ever test positive for Covid please contact me or a churchwarden as soon as possible
Key to our future is each of us acknowledging that every individual has the right to be responsible for their own decisions about what they feel is safe without comment or criticism. We ask everyone to respect people, whatever they choose in respect of mask wearing and practicing social distancing etc. Mutual love and respect are vital- I hope that these will be served with a large dose of common sense!
Now to more practical considerations for our community in Christ Church. It has been a safe place until now and we want to continue so that everyone can feel protected.
- Chairs:- the plastic chairs will be replaced by the more comfortable cloth chairs. They will be laid out in roughly the same arrangement they are now, with spacing, so people can distance if they wish.
- Masks:- are no longer compulsory and it is up to each individual to make a decision. We will respect your choice.
- Sanitising/Cleaning:- It is up to each person to make a sensible choice- the sanitisers will remain at the entrance and exit- we will continue to keep separate entrance and exits. If anyone uses the loo can they please wipe the surfaces with anti-bac wipes already provided after they have finished (loo seat, flush handle, taps and door knob).
- Social distancing:- it is no longer compulsory but please respect choices people make. You are free to sit with who you want wherever you want but the sensible course is to reduce close contact as much as possible.
- Touching:- We have missed the normal contacts of friendship and fellowship but please do be sensitive- not everyone will want a hug or even a handshake!!! To make it easier we will continue to have “no contact Peace” during the Communion service.
- Singing – will return to church. It is probably better for now if we remain seated to sing . We will ensure good ventilation.
- Refreshments- will return and people are welcome to stay after the service for tea and coffee. We are trying to increase the size of the refreshments space in church. It may be, in this lovely weather, you take refreshments outside. We will be using China mugs which will washed in a dishwasher at a high temperature after use.
- Holy Communion:- It is probably a risk too far to go back to a common cup at this point. We will continue the practices developed during the previous year.
- Conversation – By now you will know I prefer prayer before a service (I need it – We need it) and conversation after the service has finished. This has nothing to do with Covid guidance but, anything that helps us to direct our focus to God before worship is a plus.
Thank you for taking time to read this. We will carry out a further review at the end of August. We will watch the numbers, listen to advice, and see how we act over the next month. I hope our newfound freedoms (with sensible precautions) will be part of the fight against this dreadful virus.
If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Michael
A link to our Facebook page
: https://www.facebook.com/staineschristchurch
: https://www.facebook.com/staineschristchurch
