The announcements from the Government around July 19th have led to a shift in culture. We are no longer held accountable by regulations and restrictions. Instead, we are now all ‘responsible’ for the actions we take and the way we respond to COVID. However, although no legal regulation there are various documents of guidance and recommendation with encouragement to do certain things – both issued by the Government and the Church of England. It was reassuring most of these appeared on the Friday before we were due to implement on the Monday! The PCC met to discuss the situation and how we as a Parish would respond. It was agreed that our guiding principle was to balance the various individual wants and wishes with the needs and weekly being of the whole Body of Christ. We have within our community the full spectrum of response – why can’t we just return to ‘normal’? through to ‘I don’t yet feel safe or comfortable being with others. – and a whole range of shades of thinking in between!The PCC has approved a gradual change over the coming weeks – testing and checking how comfortable people feel and monitoring the wider context in society. We will throughout the coming weeks always maintain in each Church areas set up and following the previous regulations – so please do come and sit there if you would feel ‘safer’ doing so.In general the following are the key steps:We are requesting and advising that we continue to wear face coverings for worship and while indoors. If you wish to not wear a face covering, we ask that you respect one another and sit in the area at the front (East End). From Sunday Aug 1st St Mary’s will establish an area at the front of some chairs in rows for those who wish to sit there. The West end of the Church will remain socially distanced. St Faith’s and St Wilfrid’s will also review their seating.Full details and coming events in the attached document.
Even though Monday is a day of change we continue our rhythm and pattern of prayer and worship - pause each day at 9am and 6pm and a daily Eucharist on line or in our churchesLikewise we continue with the chances to meet for Coffee and Chat each dayAs we reflect on the implications of the lifting of regulations we will be spending time reviewing the guidance from the Government, National Church and Diocese, there is a need for us to balance our personal choices and likes alongside the needs of our whole community of faith – for together we are the Body of Christ. The Ministry Team and Wardens will be exploring how and when we can take steps to change and will share this thinking with the PCC when it meets on July 27th. We will ensure that whatever steps are taken also enable there to be space in each of our churches for those who wish to maintain the practices we currently have. Our hope is to enable everyone to feel that they are able to share in our common life as fully as they wish. If you have any concerns or suggestions please share them with Fr Bob. or one of the Ministry Team. Next Sunday (25th) therefore there will be no changes introduced.
The announcement of the delay of the Step 4 on the Government’s Roadmap left us all with a mixture of feelings. Talking with people in the Church and wider community there is a growing weariness, alongside an uncertainty, and for some a continuing concern about resuming activities and lifting the various measures.As we shared in the last newsletter the PCC have considered the next steps and we have a number of proposals to implement as things happen. We will seek to ensure that all will be able, if they wish, to share in the life of our 3 churches. We will maintain areas in each church where people can remain seated at a distance, wear face coverings and have communion brought to them. We will also encourage all of us to respect each other and continue to show that care and support for all. If you have any concerns or questions, then please do not hesitate to raise them with any of the Ministry Team.
From 30th May 1021:St Mary’s will continue to be open each weekday (Monday to Friday) from 9am – Noon for Private PrayerAt Noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at St Mary’s there will be a Eucharist (which will continue to be streamed).In addition, on Tuesday at 9.30am at St Faith’s and on Thursday at 10.30am at St Wilfrid’s there will be a Eucharist (these will not be streamed)There will be a streamed reflection around Noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sundays there will be services at8am and 10am at St Mary’s;9am at St Faith’sand 11am at St Wilfrid’s
