Special Message concerning Covid-19

From 19th July 2021 HM Government has removed the legal requirement to comply with a range of Covid-19 measures. The Church of England has issued revised guidance for what this means in relation to churches. A  message from Rector Justin Parker together with a summary of this guidance is shown below;

The decision about what we do now and next is mine as incumbent but I will listen to and ensure that I take full account of what you want!

From 19th July all legal restrictions on numbers, wearing of face masks, bell ringing and congregational singing will be lifted.

This will doubtless be a cause for rejoicing for some and fear and concern for others, so how and what we do must always be kind, considerate and appropriate. You are all adults and I do not intend to treat you like children, since you are quite capable of making sensible, kind and considered decisions about your own personal safety and that of others, but it is my duty to have regard to the safety and confidence of all our congregations.

I therefore suggest/recommend the following as and from 19th July 2021;

•  Sanitising/washing of hands is strongly encouraged; it works, is simple to do and an excellent protective measure
• Although the wearing of face masks will no longer be required, I encourage you, if in a smaller/enclosed space or where numbers may be high, to consider wearing a mask out of consideration for other although generally in our churches where there is space and you are in your pew, you may properly consider that you do not need to do so
• Congregational singing will be reintroduced
• I recommend that hymn books are placed in the churches in the pews, with an order of service or prayer book if possible, so that people may speedily and safely take their place in church without causing unnecessary bottlenecks at the door
• I will continue to wear a face mask for the administration of the Blessed Sacrament because I will be in close proximity to communicants. I encourage other clergy so to do. For the moment, pending review by each PCC, we will continue to administer the Sacrament in one kind only, namely under the species of bread. I invite each PCC to let me know whether they are ready/able/willing to once more receive chalice.
• None of you should feel in any way pressured to change your own personal practices beyond that which makes you feel safe and secure in Church.
• I invite each church to place the/a collection plate at the entrance to the church before the beginning of the service so that the alms and offerings of the people may be made before the service and brought up and offered at the altar during the service although I recommend that the plate is not passed around for obvious reasons
• Bellringing, in full, may recommence, although I recommend that as far as reasonably possible hands are sanitised, sensible distancing is maintained, if in very close proximity the wearing of masks is considered and ventilation be increased by the opening of doors and/or windows  

Please keep in your prayers all those in our health and care professions who minister to the sick and the suffering, those who are sick with COVID or long COVID and those who are fearful, and give hearty thanks to God for the scientists and vaccinators who have helped to bring us to this point so speedily

 You are all in my prayers!

 Kind regards and every blessing

Justin

 

If you have any queries or concerns about attending St Peter’s do not hesitate to contact the Rector who will do his best to assist.