Because of government legislation, services will be different to what we are used to, but we are sure that God’s presence with us will enable us to adapt and both honour and glorify Him when we gather together. Please note the following changes which we are required to make.
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We request that you do not attend services if you are ill or showing symptoms of Covid-19 (including a high temperature, persistent dry cough and loss of taste or smell.) We will have to keep a record of those attending each service for 21 days and you should notify us if, after attending a service, you become ill with symptoms of Covid-19 so that others can be notified. Anyone showing symptoms of Covid-19 is advised to contact the NHS Test & Trace service. If we have confirmed cases of Covid-19, it is recommended that contacts self-isolate for 14 days and it is possible services will have to stop at that point to minimise the spread of the virus.
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Social distancing measures will be in place and we ask you to observe these both inside and outside the building. This will mean only 1 person in the corridor or in each toilet and we have arranged chairs individually and in family groups in the Worship Room at distances of 2 metres to facilitate social distancing.
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We have installed hand sanitiser dispensers at entrances and hand sanitiser is available outside toilets as well. You are strongly advised by the government to use hand sanitiser or to wash your hands on arriving and on leaving the building. We have also installed paper towel dispensers and pedal bins in each toilet to allow you to wash and dry your hands thoroughly.
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We have removed communal objects such as toys to avoid cross-contamination. Parents are asked to bring their own toys/ books for their children to use during services. The foyer area is recommended for families with children. Church Bibles can be used, but must be left on chairs after use so that these can then be isolated for 48 hours as stipulated in the regulations.
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We have revised our cleaning protocols to include colour-coded cloths to avoid cross-contamination and will be cleaning more regularly, especially before and after services. Cleaning wipes will be on chairs so that members can wipe down chairs after each service to help with cleaning issues. We will also be wedging doors open to avoid having to touch handles.
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We will not be serving refreshments after services at present to avoid cross-contamination.
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We would request that members do not use other rooms in the building to avoid having to clean other areas.
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Members are asked to bring their own bread and juice for Holy Communion to avoid cross-contamination. Holy Communion will form a part of services each Sunday morning and on the 2nd Sunday evening of each month.
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A number of individually packaged face coverings will be available for use by members. Please leave these after services so they can be washed. It is not mandatory to wear face coverings, which is why we have retained social distancing at 2 metres.
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We will not be passing around the offering bag, but will have a receptacle and jar for the Compassion children on the table in the foyer for you to leave your tithes and offerings. If you are able to give using online banking, please ask us for bank details to help you do this.
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Congregations are advised not to sing, chant or shout during services. We are investigating ways of using music in our services, including recorded music, for we recognise the vital part singing and music play in our usual services.
We know that the above measures look daunting and will certainly have an impact on our services at first. But we believe that as we gather together to worship, pray and hear from God’s word, God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. (Eph 3:20) Let’s keep asking God to move in our area, to change this situation and to help us to go forward as His people with courage, faith and love.
