** Sancreed welcomes everyone **

The Parish of Sancreed extends a welcome for all to attend a regular, reflective and traditional Book of Common Prayer service every Sunday at 9:30am. Details of upcoming services will be published below:

SEPTEMBER 2020

27th September Trinity 16 “Michael & All Angels” - Rev Jon Robertshaw

OCTOBER 2020

4th Trinity 17 - Rev Mike Pascoe
11th Trinity 18 - Rev Mike Pascoe
18th Trinity 19 - Rev Jon Robertshaw
25th Trinity 20 - Rev Jon Robertshaw

PLEASE NOTE: As per UK Government guidance from 8th August 2020 face mask / face coverings are mandatory in places of worship. In addition on the 28th September the Government changed the rules around life event services so that marriages are limited to 15 attendees, funerals 30 and all other life event services are subject to the rule of six.

There is an exemption from the ‘rule of six’ that covers places of worship making it possible for more than six people to gather for acts of communal worship. However, it is not a blanket exemption and people must not mingle in groups of more than six unless they are from the same household or support bubble.

* Communal worship means a service at which the general public can attend, not just an invited group, and normally means an advertised regular act of worship.
* Following discussions with government we have advice that a service to mark a ‘significant date in the Faith calendar’ can happen with attendance up to the Covid safe capacity of the building even though it is not a regular weekly or monthly service. This means that annual celebrations or commemorations or services to mark special dates can be understood to be communal worship.
* Government guidance permits a maximum of 15 attendees for a marriage ceremony and 30 people to attend church premises for a funeral. This is subject to the church carrying out a risk assessment and taking all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus. All other life event services, such as baptisms, ordinations and confirmations, are subject to the rule of six if they are private services and not communal worship.
* There is no numerical limit on other services, subject to physical distancing and Public Health requirements must being met.
* The two-metre ‘rule’ applies for public worship except in situations where closer contact cannot be avoided; extra Public Health precautions must then be taken.
* Consideration should be given to keeping numbers below the maximum possible to further minimise risk.
* People attending a gathering in church must not be part of a group of more than six unless they are from the same household or support bubble.
* Wearing of face coverings by all those attending a place of worship, including ministers and worshippers, where there may be other people present is mandatory. There are exemptions to this, including for those leading a service, detailed in our guidance on face coverings.
* While those at extra risk and the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ should be advised of the risks of attending public worship, a decision to do so is theirs alone.
* Government guidance includes a request for names of attendees to be recorded and kept for 21 days to assist ‘track and trace’ if required (further details from the government are expected to help parishes and cathedrals who wish to do this).
* Singing and music is only permitted for small groups of professional and non-professional performers in a physically distanced and safe way.
* Congregations are not permitted to sing.
* Detailed instructions on ‘consumables’ suggest that services of Holy Communion can be held if specific guidance is followed, including the continued suspension of the Common Cup (see the guidance document on Holy Communion).
* Public worship guidance includes surrounding grounds (including churchyards, car parks and courtyards); meetings in other places should follow other guidance for people meeting in public spaces.
* Refreshments can only be served at tables if a café is included in the church or cathedral building.
* Further Government advice about use of churches and church halls for non-religious activity is expected.

* Safeguarding*

The Church of England is wholly committed to ensuring that children and young people as well as adults are kept safe whilst in our care and is an integral part of our church life. If you have any concerns about safeguarding please contact:

In the Parish - Hugh Scantlebury, Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinator 07812 027244
In the Diocese - Sarah Acraman, Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser 01872 274351
Out of hours or after 5pm and weekends 01208 251300
In emergency situation: Local Authority Children's Social Care 0300 123 1116 or Local Authority Adult's Social Care 0300 123 4131

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