Message from Rev Phil Goodey to the church congregations about the re-opening of our church buildings

Dear friends and colleagues

As I am sure you are aware, there is now the opportunity to return to our church buildings for in-person-worship.

In a sense, we are not going back to Church, because we have continued to worship together during Lockdown, in many different ways sharing and growing during these last three months.

However, many are missing the fellowship of being together physically and using the sacred space of our buildings as a places to pray and worship, so we are exploring ways that we can now return safely to the buildings.

Some things will be the same, but many will be different. Please be patient as we try to move forward safely and carefully.

On a practical note we are looking to doing three things in the short term:

1) I am publishing a survey asking about people’s expectations as we prepare for in-person worship, in order to get some idea of what people are thinking during this time of unprecedented change.

2) We are opening St. Peter’s Church for private prayer on Wednesday 22nd July & Wednesday 29th July from 2pm – 4pm

In order to facilitate social distancing, we need to regulate the numbers of people who can come in at one time, so please be prepared to queue outside if we get too many who arrive at the same time.  In order to facilitate cleaning and personal safety, we will be asking everyone to follow the directions of the notices and the guides who will be there. They will give you directions on washing your hands, coming into the building and also where you can sit while you are praying and where to walk as you leave.

3) We are preparing for trial services in St Peter’s and Christ Church buildings on August 2nd.

St Peter’s service will start at 10:15, Christ Church at 11:00. Both services will last approx 30 mins.

Along with Church of England guidelines, at St. Peters we are asking people to register their intention to come to worship with the parish office on 01622 743321. Nick has measured up St Peter’s and we believe that we can get 30 individuals in safely given 2m social distancing.

Given the vulnerable nature of many in our congregation, we are staying with the 2m distancing, even though some parts of the community are reducing it.

All the regulations that we will have in place for Private prayer will also apply to the worship.  So queueing, hand-washing, fixed seating plan, no singing etc. will all be in place.

At Christ Church, because of the open plan seating and low numbers expected, we are not asking people to pre-register their intention, but all the other precautions will be in place.

Finally in the words of Bishop Rose ‘may not must’

Just because we are trying to open the Church buildings does not mean you have to attend. The online worship is continuing as before with Zoom and You-Tube services.

Many of you have discovered a new freedom and breadth, attending several different acts of worship each week. With a hugely increased amount of prayer, sung worship and teaching happening all over the country and the world, this has been for many a great release from the pressures of delivering worship week by week in our buildings.

Please feel no pressure at all in coming back to our buildings, but please do fill in the questionnaire and return it to me or the church office as soon as you are able.

Continue to be safe and pray for me and the leadership team as we listen to God for the prompting of his Spirit in this new season of the Church.

There is a survey to help me and the other church leaders understand what the congregations are thinking at the moment about returning to church and their experiences during lockdown.

It is hard to hear and to understand what people are saying and thinking at this time amongst many competing opinions. 

Please fill it in either on line or a paper copy if you can print one off and get it back to me or the parish office.

Click here to download survey

Homeschooling during COVID-19: How One Family is Doing It

• Useful tips and ideas for parents homeschooling their children during the COVID-19 lockdown.
• Written by Emma Bradley, a qualified teacher and mum of three, the blog is full of details from her personal experience – a great source of inspiration for other parents.
• Advice on a range of topics; including how to structure the day, how to give children a choice in what they do, how to give teens a sense of purpose, and how to make learning fun.
• Advice on supporting your teen’s mental health during the lockdown.

Feel free to check out the full guide here: https://www.mytutor.co.uk/blog/homeschooling-during-covid-19-how-one-family-is-doing-it/

Holy Communion

Every First, Third Sunday at 10:15 a.m. for 1hr 30m

Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion

Every Second, Fourth Sunday at 8 a.m. for 45m