On behalf of the leadership, I am delighted to tell you that we will be reopening on Sunday morning (19th July) for corporate worship. However, there will be some changes to allow us to maintain social distancing and accommodate the HM Government guidelines and BUGB advice.
If you have any symptoms such as a new cough, raised temperature, loss of smell or taste, then please isolate yourself at home and call NHS Direct on 111. Also let me know!!
I understand that some of you may continue to shield yourself as a vulnerable person, and / or will not be able to attend personally, so we will be either broadcasting the service on our YouTube channel, and / or recording it for later publication. We still have a few technical challenges to overcome!
We will be increasing the ventilation of the chapel to reduce the risk of virus spread by keeping the double doors open, as well as the window hoppers, so if it is a chilly day, do wrap up warm!
We are required to keep a register of attendance for “track and trace” purposes and so a steward will take your contact details. There will be a GDPR policy available to read that describes the retention of your information for the purpose of “track and trace” which will be held for up to 21 days.
On entry to the chapel, please use the hand sanitizer provided. Unfortunately, there will be no shaking of hands or hugs as we maintain the 2-metre social distancing requirement.
As there is only one door to the chapel, we will be operating a “tidal-flow” system and would ask you to fill the chairs at the front of the church first so you will not be walking past others.
The seating will be spaced out to accommodate a minimum distance of 2 metres between households, so chairs may be moved to ensure that the distance is maintained. We estimate a capacity of about ten households downstairs and a further eight households approximately in the galleries if needed.
As we intend to maintain the 2-metre social distancing you do not have to wear a face mask unless you feel that you want to wear one for your own protection.
Please refrain from touching any door handles or surfaces, unless needed. If you do sit in the gallery, we expect you will need to hold the banister. This will be cleaned after each household uses the stairs.
If you cough or sneeze, please catch it in a handkerchief or tissue, or on your sleeve, if one isn’t available. Please do not use the bins to dispose of tissues but take them home for disposal If you present with Covid-19 symptoms during the service, you will be asked to leave and go directly home and phone NHS Direct for advice.
Do bring your own bible as the church books will not be available for distribution.
The offering basket will not be passed around but will be left on the table at the rear of the church for those wishing to give as part of worship. Please refrain from touching the basket. Alternatively, if you wish to give an offering via bank transfer, please ask the steward who will point you to the church bank account details.
Unfortunately, the guidance recommends that we do not sing at this time as this increases the risk of the virus spreading so we will be watching worship videos instead.
During the service we will share scriptures, prayers and a short sermon and we expect to keep the whole thing less than an hour. I would encourage you to share in the service as usual but remain in your seat instead of approaching the lectern.
At the end of the service, please remain seated until you are asked to leave. Those seated closer to the door will leave first.
Due to current restrictions, we will not be serving refreshments and we also advise you not to use the toilets unless absolutely necessary. Please go before you come!
I understand that this is not the type of fellowship we are used to, but it is the closest we can be in these circumstances. We hope to get “back to normal” when restrictions are lifted. Until then, we must adhere to this new “normal” to ensure that we protect each other at this time.
I am looking forward to welcoming you back into fellowship and leading worship and Revd John Taylor will be bringing God’s word.
Pastor Pete
What do you think?