Post No. 64 - Thursday 6th August
/Posts here every Tuesday and Thursday by 12 noon and by 10.30am on Sundays (Please note that Internet service disruption can cause delay.) For the diocesan website, visit www.downanddromore.org.
From the Rector
Return to services in St John’s on Sunday 23rd August
(Updated on 9th August regarding face covering regulations)
Dear Parishioners,
At a meeting of the Select Vestry on 4th August, it was decided to return to worship in church on Sunday 23rd August, although in a very limited way and in accordance with all relevant regulations. No parishioner should feel under any pressure to attend, however, as many people remain genuinely wary of the public health situation.
The details that I set out below will be delivered to parishioners’ homes in a letter delivered by magazine distributors and other helpers. Please read that letter also as it contains some further details.
The vestry decided that because there has to be a deep cleaning of premises if different groups use them within 72 hours, we will only have one service on Sundays until further notice. It was also decided by the vestry that there will be no Sunday service in St Colman's for the time being as it will be used for any weekday weddings or funerals.
The form of service will be:
1st & 3rd Sundays of the month: Holy Communion
2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays of the month: Morning Prayer
According to guidelines, these will be shorter, said services with no choir or congregational singing, although recorded music will be played. The services will last approximately 30 minutes.
Following relevant requirements, the select vestry has placed a limit of 32 members of the congregation. Therefore, all attending are asked telephone me at 07930-256564 during the week before attending. If you hear the answering service, please do not leave a message, but try again later. This is to avoid confusion in organising numbers.
Once the limit of 32 has been reached, I will create a rota so that those who contact me after 32 people have already done so can be accommodated on a following Sunday. This is to try to ensure that no one will come to church only to be turned away.
From and including Sunday 23rd August, Internet worship at this webpage will continue on Sundays by 11am but midweek only on Wednesdays by 12 noon.
When coming to church, please bring a note with your name and contact details. This note is to be left in a box at the door on your way out, for 'track and trace' purposes if required. There will also be retiring collections only.
Current NI government guidance indicates that face covering regulations do not require face coverings to be mandatory “in a place where there are ticketing or appointments systems in place”. Attendance at our worship will be by appointment (see above and summary below) and arrangements will be in place to ensure 2-metre social distancing. Any further relevant updates on this of which we are aware will be included on this webpage in subsequent Posts.
Two-metre social distancing will be possible in church. However, there will be hand sanitising gel, tissues as well as face coverings available at church.
Clergy are required to wear a face covering at certain points of services. Accordingly, I will wear a visor for the parts of the service where it is necessary. At Holy Communion services, there will be no exchange of the Peace.
So, if you do not have any Covid-19 symptoms and are planning to come to church, please observe the following basic steps:
Telephone me at 07930-256564 during the week to register your intention. If I don't answer, please ring again later rather than leaving a message, in order to avoid any confusion.
Bring a note with your name and contact details.
Observe 2-metre social distancing on church property
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at church over the coming weeks.
Yours sincerely,
Ian M. Ellis
Rector
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DEVOTIONAL
Scriptural Reflection
Hymn 224 - How deep the Father’s love for us
The Blessing