Dear Parishioner and community in Penwortham, 9th January, 2021COVID 19 – NATIONAL LOCKDOWN – CLOSURE OF ST MARY’S CHURCH FOR COMMUNAL WORSHIPTHE SUNDAY 10.15AM SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE STREAMED ON ZOOMOver the last 24 hours, there has been a vast increase in the number of people who have been diagnosed with one or other of the COVID virus strains. This was not solely restricted to the South of England but throughout the country with infection rates increasing up to four-fold in Lancashire and the North West, despite total lockdown 3 now in operation.A letter signed by Lancashire’s Directors of Public Health on 7th January was made public yesterday and I quote: “As Directors of Public Health representing Lancashire, we are strongly advising all faith communities to pause communal prayer and worship during the lockdown period, to reduce the possible spread of the new COVID variant.“We’re seeing increasing number of cases in Lancashire, and worrying number of people hospitalized from COVID, as well as increasing numbers of deaths. NHS and hospital capacity is under enormous strain across Lancashire”The full letter’s contents can be viewed following this link https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/latest-news/letter-lancashires-directors-public-health-about-communal-prayer-and-worship-during-lockdown During the course of yesterday and today, a number of Faiths across Lancashire have agreed to pause communal prayer and worship during this lockdown period. The Bishop of Burnley appeared on BBC Northwest yesterday evening and pointed out that some churches within the Diocese had already taken the decision to close for communal worship but added that Bishop’s nationally will be discussing the situation next week before they decide what to do next.Today, the Government launched a nationwide appeal for people to stay at home as if they had the virus. The Church Standing Committee, consisting of the Vicar, the three Churchwardens and two lay members of the PCC, have unanimously agreed that the church will be closed for all communal worship with immediate effect. The Sunday 10.15am service will continue to be streamed using Zoom and the link to access this service will be sent out every week on the Saturday by email to all parishioners as well as being put on the church website.David Thornton has rung everyone who has attended either the 8.15am or 10.15am Sunday services recently to make them aware as some of them are not on email. It would be helpful if parishioners receiving this letter could inform those whom they know are not on email of our decision to close the church for communal worship during this lockdown. With every blessing from your Vicar Chris
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Dear Parishioner,WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IN PUBLIC INDOOR SETTINGS -NOW A LEGAL REQUIREMENT IN CHURCHES FROM SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST, 2020Further to my letter of 24th July, about the strong advice by Government and the Church of England to wear a face covering in all public indoor settings including church buildings, this advice has now become mandatory as and from Saturday (8th August, 2020).There are valid exemptions for some individuals and groups not to wear a face covering in these settings. However, this exemption does not apply to worshippers who should wear face coverings consistent with the requirements for any other public indoor space UNLESS they come within the group specifically mentioned by the Government in the regulations. The full list of exemptions can be found on the Church of England The Church of England also reminded everyone again that a face covering:-“must be worn by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers, worshippers, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors, where there may be other people present; remembering that they are mainly intended to protect other people, not the wearer, from coronavirus COVID-19 and that they are not a replacement for physical distancing and regular hand washing.”In addition, they pointed out that some people had started to wear visors with clear plastic shields over the face in place of face coverings so that the face is visible. The Bishop of London has pointed out that the purpose of these is different - they may protect the wearer but will not protect others. They are therefore only effective if worn in addition to a face covering.With every blessingYour Vicar Chris,
Dear Parishioner, REOPENING OF ST MARY’S CHURCH FOR PUBLIC WORSHIP FROM SUNDAY 5TH JULY.At long last, this is the good news we have all been waiting for. Following the Government’s relaxation of lockdown from 5th July enabling church to reopen for public worship, our normal weekly pattern of services will resume as usual.SUNDAYS:8.15am Holy Communion – Order Two10.15am Holy Communion – Order OneTHURSDAYS:9.30am Holy Communion – Order TwoHowever, there will be some differences due to some COVID 19 restrictions still in operation.- Chairs will set out two metres apart but families living in the same household can sit together.- There will be a separate entry into and exit from the church duly indicated.- Hands must be washed using the sanitiser provided both on entry and exit from church.- A record of those who attend will have to be kept for test and trace purposes.- You will have to pick up the order of service booklet yourself from the desk top – it will not be handed out. All will then be quarantined for 48 hours before being able to be used again.- If there is an information sheet available, this can also be picked up by yourself but must be taken away with you on leaving church.- Services will be shorter than usual and at the 10.15am there will be no singing so no hymn books will be available.- The only sacrament offered will be the bread and both the celebrant and the communicant will exchange this at arm’s length.- Once the service finishes, people will be encouraged to leave the church as soon as possible.- No refreshments (food and/or drinks) will be available.- Toilets will not be available unless it is an emergency.- There will be no physical contact between individuals and social distancing should be maintained at all times.-There is no obligation for you to wear a face mask but there will be no objection if you do and feel more comfortable.We hope that further relaxing of these restrictions will take place when the risk factors are not as great.The opportunity to hold other services such as baptisms, weddings and funerals is constantly changing and these will beon our church web site www.penwortham-stmary.co.uk and continuously updated. For further information and/orqueries, please contact me by either phone or email as follows.Vicarage 01772 743143: Mobile 07858 772421: Email kitnel@btinternet.comWith every blessingYour Vicar Chris