Hello everyone, On behalf of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Giles’ and the Church Hall Committee, and the PCC of St Mary’s Weeford, I would like to thank you for your patience and your support over the last eighteen months when, at times, the church and church hall have been closed and, at other times, they have been subject to quite stringent Covid restrictions. The PCC has thought long and hard at each step to ensure we are doing all we can to keep people safe. We are mindful that people have different views and concerns about Covid-19, and in making the following changes as of 1st September we are trying to strike a balance where the majority will feel that our church has a place for them. St Giles’ Church We would ask that everyone is considerate of each other when in church and is respectful of one another’s wishes. St Giles’ will once again be open to visitors and for private prayer every day. There will be no restriction as to where you can sit for private prayer. Parish Eucharist services will continue to be held on Sundays only for the time being at 9.30am, except for the second Sunday of the month, which will continue to be an online Zoom service. Weddings, baptisms and funerals may be on any day of the week. We would ask that you continue to wear a mask when in church. Singing will be allowed behind masks for the congregation and without masks for the choir, singing from the choirstalls. Hand sanitizer will continue to be available in church and we continue to recommend that you use it. 2m tape markings on the floor will remain in place as a guide for those who wish to continue socially distancing. You will no longer need to sign in for services but the QR code for St Giles’ will continue to be displayed for those who wish to use it. Ventilation will be maximised by keeping the doors open (subject to the weather conditions outside). The church will be ‘zoned’ for Sunday services, with the current socially distanced arrangement maintained at the front (as indicated by blue circles on the pews) and a free seating area at the back under the balcony. For those receiving Holy Communion we will move from the congregation receiving the bread only, to a position where the bread is partially dipped in the wine by the priest (before he or she consumes any wine) and placed in the communicant’s hand. There will be no drinking from the chalice except by the priest after all other communicants have received. Communicants who wish to continue to receive the bread only can indicate this to the priest. This is now standard Church of England practice. We will continue to share the Peace by waving to one another. The maximum number for a Sunday service will be 40, and for weddings, baptisms and funerals it will be 80. St Giles’ Church Hall The maximum number in the hall will be 80. The kitchen and meeting room can be used once again. There will be no restrictions on how many can be in the toilets at any one time. A good degree of ventilation will be maintained throughout the building. The one-way system for entry and exit will cease. Hand sanitizer will continue to be provided at the entrance and we recommend that everyone uses it. We continue to recommend that masks are worn during arrival and departure and when waiting in the lobby to collect or deliver children. Please be considerate of others at all times. Our guidelines will be reviewed again at the end of September. In the meantime, we hope that you will feel able to return to church and that the services and events will feel closer to ‘normal’. We look forward to welcoming you in church! God Bless, David Clarke, Churchwarden 07836 334796 daclarke55@hotmail.com
Following lengthy discussions the Churchwarden and the PCC have decided to maintain the current Covid-restrictions for Sunday services at St Giles’. This is in response to the high level of cases in the general population and is in line with many other activities in Whittington that are being scaled back, postponed or cancelled. It is our aim to keep our congregation and their families as safe as possible as far as it is within our gift. We are therefore recommending: <ul type="disc"> <li>Please be aware of others, and be considerate toward one another</li> <li>Please maintain 1m+ social distancing whenever possible</li> <li>Please sit in the designated pews</li> <li>Please continue to wear a face mask unless exempt</li> <li>Please do not sing, even behind your mask </li> <li>Please continue to use hand sanitizer when entering the church and prior to receiving Communion</li> <li>Holy Communion will continue to be administered at the chancel steps as the wafer only, with just the priest consuming the wine</li> <li>St Giles’ will continue to be open on a Sunday only, for a service (if there is one) and for private prayer between 1100 and 1500</li> <li>The NHS QR code will still be available and we will continue to take a list of attendees with phone numbers</li> <li>Social distancing markers will remain on the floor</li> </ul> Thank you very much for following these recommendations. They will next be reviewed on 16 August 2021 - watch this space!
This month sees our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCM) taking place at each of our three churches. It is a significant event in the parochial year during which the Churchwardens are elected. In co-operation with the priest in charge (or, in cases of vacancy, the Bishop), Churchwardens are generally responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the parish. These responsibilities include various aspects of administration, plant operations, and personnel. Their work is not just the maintenance of the church building, but helping the smooth running of the church.The dates for our APCMs are: St Giles' Whittington - Sunday 30th May 11:00 in the Church Hall, St Mary's Weeford - Sunday 23rd May 10:30 in church, St Bartholomew's Hints - Tuesday 25th May 19:30 in church.Lay persons on the parish electoral roll are entitled to attend and take part. The Qualification to be on the Roll is to be over 16 (or will be 16 by the time of the APCM) baptised, and a member of CofE or of a Church in Communion with it, and either resident in the parish or a habitual worshipper during last 6 months prior to enrolment; or a member of another church subscribing to the Holy Trinity who is prepared to be a member of the CofE as well.
