At St Giles, in the next few weeks we will be seeking to resume more normality as Covid recedes in the local community.So….The wearing of masks will be down to individual judgements, there will be no requirement to wear masks in the church, including when singing.The current spacing will be retained but will slowly change in the coming weeks. The balcony area and North Aisle continues to be available for more socially distanced seating for those who prefer it.Sanitisation stations will still be present; use is advised but individuals must make their own choice.Service in the café will continue to be at tables.The sharing of the Peace solely with those immediately around you continues to be the wisest practice. Please respect that your neighbours may not wish to have physical contact.Please note that wardens will still direct people to come up for communion in the ways that we have become used to.It is hoped that from Easter Sunday offering the chalice will once again be offered along with the host. There will be no provision to intinct (dip) wafers in the chalice but individuals are able to simply continue receiving just the host if that is their preference.Also, from Easter Sunday refreshments after Sunday worship will resume. Volunteers may well be needed!Lunch With Us hopes also to resume indoor service around the Easter period.We would hope that if you test positive for Covid you will be mindful of taking care not to transmit it within a community of people and staying at home until you feel better.
‘Within the church we believe that everyone is known and loved individually by God and that as many members within one body we are called to be responsible to and for one another, respecting the most vulnerable’. Covid-19 Opening and managing church buildings 25th January 2022. Following the latest update from the UK Government and Church of England, the wearing of masks whilst entering, leaving or moving around the church building is no longer mandatory, but ‘recommended in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet’. This is now a matter for personal judgement underpinned by considering what helps each other. At St Giles, in the next four weeks we are not making any big changes to our present Covid safe practices. Our hope is that in coming weeks the current high rates of infection in our District will reduce, making for safer public spaces. So…. The government still advises that the safest way of public mingling is outdoors, bear that in mind when worship ends. Hand sanitizer stations will continue to be available and their use encouraged. The wearing of masks throughout services (including the singing of hymns) continues to be advised, but is not mandatory. Those leading worship, or singing in the choirs will remove masks for these purposes We will continue following a one-way system for coming up for communion and moving around church. Doors will continue to be opened at certain points during worship in order to improve ventilation. Please wrap up if you are near to an exit. If you would like seat spaces left between you and the next person, please take a card(s) from reception to place on the seats beside you. Strict socially distanced seating will be retained in the balcony. The physical sharing of the peace with family seated alongside you is fine. We will continue to retain only taking communion in one kind. The collection will remain as a basket/plate placed near the north door. When seated in the café taking refreshments, masks are not required, but are encouraged for movement around the café. The above information applies to all other services in church, but we recognise that it proves difficult to ensure compliance at funerals and baptisms. Government guidance still advises increased frequency of cleaning to reduce contact transmission.
Following the latest update from the UK Government and Church of England, all are now required to wear masks whilst entering, leaving or moving around the church building (including the Centre spaces), unless exempt or aged under 11.Hand sanitizer stations will continue to be available and their use encouraged.The wearing of masks throughout services (including the singing of hymns) is required for the congregation.It is still permissible for those leading worship, or singing in groups or choirs to remove masks for these purposes.We will continue following a one-way system for coming up for communion and moving around church.Doors will continue to be opened at certain points during worship in order to improve ventilation. Please wrap up if you are near to an exit.If you would like seat spaces left between you and the next person, please take a card(s) from reception to place on the seats beside you. Strict socially distanced seating will be retained in the balcony.The physical sharing of the peace with family seated alongside you is fine.We will continue to retain only taking communion in one kind.The collection will remain as a basket/plate placed near the north door.When seated in the café taking refreshments, masks are not required, but they are for movement around the café.The above information applies to all other services in church, including funerals and baptisms.Masks are to be worn for any group meetings in the building and when working closely with others in the kitchen area.
Please note:• We hope that people will continue to wear masks whilst entering, leaving or moving around the church building, especially when larger numbers are present.• For services, if you would like seat spaces left between you and the next person, please take a card(s) from reception to place on the seats beside you. Strict socially distanced seating will be retained in the balcony.• Wearing of masks throughout the services and whilst seated is still advised as covid numbers increase in our area, but we do expect the wearing of masks for the singing of hymns and when moving around to receive communion. The congregational singing of the offertory hymn is to be reinstated on All Saints Day (31st October).• The physical sharing of the peace with family seated alongside you is fine.• We will continue to retain only taking communion in one kind.• The collection will remain as a basket/plate placed near the north door.• Church groups to make their own decisions on the necessity of masks whilst the group is meeting.• When seated in the café, masks are not required.• Hand sanitizer stations will continue to be available and their use encouraged. We will continue following a one-way system for communion and moving around church. Doors will continue to be left open to improve ventilation. Please wrap up if you are near to an exit.
