Update and further advice concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19) from St. Peter's Church, Milton Bryan, 13 March 2020.
Please be assured that we are actively monitoring advice on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation very closely and are receiving regular guidance, advice and instruction from The Diocese of St. Albans, The Church of England and Public Health England.
As the advice changes, we will keep you up to date with details of further measures that our church is taking. Please read below:
At this time there is no advice to cancel services or events.
Those attending church services will be asked to use the hand sanitizing gel provided on their way into church. Posters, advice and instruction will be available.
Handshaking and other direct physical contact when meeting and greeting each other is suspended.
Holy Communion Services:
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Communion will be offered in one kind only to all communicants, the consecrated bread wafer, with the Rector alone taking a small amount of wine.</span>
Standing and receiving, rather than kneeling and touching the communion rail is encouraged.
Direct physical contact as part of a Blessing shall also be suspended.
We are now in the process of contingency planning via a 'Coronavirus Parish Continuity Plan' to ensure, as far as possible, our continued mission and ministry.
All services and events remain under continuous review in the coming days and weeks.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently suffering or affected by this situation.
With best wishes,
Kelvin White.
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Lay Leader of Worship and Churchwarden </span>
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">For and on behalf of Rev. Stephen Nuth and Milton Bryan PCC</span>
Information for the Public: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Hygiene advice: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-public-information-campaign-launched-across-the-uk
Where our advice, guidance and instruction comes from:
1. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-parishes/coronavirus-covid-19-additional
2. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
3. The Bishop's Golden Rules, but not advice, something to think on: https://www.stalbans.anglican.org/coronavirus/