Dear FriendsWe’re really sad and sorry to have to announce that both the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day Family Service at St Andrew’s Presteigne have been cancelled.When we scheduled these services the Coronavirus situation across the UK – and particularly in Wales – was very different. However, with the serious increase in cases and hospitalizations seen in the last few days and the imposition of heavier restrictions, the Church Wardens and I feel that running these services, which always bring in large numbers of visitors, poses too high a risk to the safety and well-being of all present.The protection of our church members and our community is of the highest importance to us and we do not feel that we can offer these services with the same level of Covid-security that we have maintained in everything else we have done since the pandemic began.We are far from alone in this – indeed, many churches across the country are severely limiting the number and nature of their services this Christmas.We will, however, still be offering the Carol Service on Sunday 20th December at 6.30 and a Short Service of Holy Communion on Sunday 27th at 11am. The ‘Come and Behold Him!’ event will also continue as planned on Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd, and Christmas Eve from 4-6pm. The church will also be open to visitors for much of Christmas Day – why not drop in at some point to enjoy the Crib Scene and a moment or two of peace and quiet?The services in Lingen, Kinsham and Knill will continue as advertised, but attendance is limited to the local congregations due to the small number of worshippers we can accommodate.Although there is no service at Discoed this Christmas, the church will be open for visitors with the lights and heating on all day on Christmas Day.This decision to cancel the two services in Presteigne has been a very difficult one to make, but we hope you will understand and accept the reasons behind it.With our apologies for the disappointment and any inconvenience.The Rector and Churchwardens
Services in the Presteigne Group of Parishes on Sunday 20 December (Advent 4) are as follows:9.30 am Holy Communion (Common Worship) Lingen6.30 pm Carol Service St Andrew's, PresteigneNB While we will hope to make the Carol Service at St Andrew's as traditional in atmosphere as possible, we are not allowed to have congregational singing, so the carols will be sung by a small choir, and the service will be shorter than usual. We do have space to welcome the usual number of people and still observe distancing rules, but it would be a good idea to arrive early in order to ensure that you get a seat. Everyone attending must wear a face covering unless medically exempt, and we ask you to sanitise your hands on arrival. But everyone is welcome!NB Photo is of the St Andrew's Carol Service 2019 - no physical distancing required then!
<div>Services in the Presteigne Group of Parishes this Sunday, 13 December (Advent 3) are as follows:</div><div></div>9.15 Holy Communion (Common Worship) Knill11.00 Morning Prayer (Book of Common Prayer) PresteigneWearing a face covering is compulsory for everyone attending our services, unless they are medically exempt, and we are observing physical distancing in our seating arrangements. Sadly, the congregation is not permitted to sing hymns at the moment.You can download the readings via the link below, either to use if you are creating your own service at home, or you can print them off and bring them to church.
Services in the Presteigne Group of Parishes on Sunday 6 December (Advent 2) are as follows:9.30 Morning Prayer (Book of Common Prayer) Lingen11.00 Holy Communion (Common Worship) PresteigneSocial distancing measures continue to be in place, masks must be worn unless you are medically exempt and congregational singing is not permitted, but everyone is very welcome to attend either of these services.
