On Sunday 23rd August we will be holding our first Holy Communion since March
This Sunday’s Communion will be rather different to the services we are used to, so here’s how it will operate so that those of you who wish to attend will know what to expect.
It will be a shorter service than that to which we are accustomed.
Everybody remains seated throughout the service.
At the peace, we remain seated, and at the response, we can, as some of us did back in March, put our hands together in a prayerful manner (Thai style).
At the Communion, we still remain seated, Roger will bring bread to each of us.
It is important that when Roger comes to you, you must extend your arms to the maximum to receive Communion; if you would like a blessing, please keep your hands at your chest .It is very important to keep social distancing as far as possible. Roger will say the minimum words in handing out bread & blessings.
We have been able to accommodate all who have wanted to attend at all the services since the resumption, but it is vital that, if you wish to attend, you check in every week as we cannot exceed our limit; you must check in with Graeme at graeme@fire-star.co.uk and if you are part of a family group the number of family members attending. This is important, because we neither wish to turn people away unnecessarily, nor do we want to exceed the set limit, thus it applies to all including vicars, churchwardens, sidespeople. If you do not get an e-mail or phone call of confirmation from Graeme, you will not be on the list of attendees.
We hope that those of you who have attended services since the resumption have felt safe, and that those who have not felt that they are ready for a return will see the measures that we are taking, and may at a later date feel comfortable with the arrangements.
It does seem completely unnatural that, instead of welcoming everybody to Church, we are having to restrict numbers, and having to operate what feels rather draconian restrictions around the service. However, let us look at the positives-all who wished to attend the services up until now were able to. All will be able to come most weeks if not every week. We are very aware that community is at the heart of our Church lives, but at the moment safety is the priority and contact with those who are not members of your household should be kept to a minimum. Please remember that even if you wish to approach somebody, they may be concerned to keep the 2 metre distance.
Please try to arrive early at Church; if everybody arrives between 9.57 and 10.05 we will end up with a queue outside, which really is the last thing we want.
It is compulsory to wear a mask. Masks will be for sale at £3 each, the money going to the organ fund.
You will need to use hand gel (provided). Entry will be through the old main door to the Church. If you intend to leave straight after the service, we suggest you sit on the pulpit side, if you would like a couple of extra minutes of quiet, we suggest that you sit on the organ side, as at the end of the service the pulpit side will leave first. Please do not attempt to leave until invited to by the Churchwardens.
Service sheets will be on the chairs – if you are in a household group, you can move them to sit together, but please ensure that you leave 2 chairs between you & any non household person.
There will be live music ( organ, but no singing yet)
Please take the service sheet home with you. You should not need to touch hymn books or bibles but if you do so, please leave it in the box for touched books at the exit. You will leave from the emergency exit near the pulpit. Churchwardens & sidespeople will be on hand to guide & assist. At the end of the service, please leave promptly when advised to do so, those on the pulpit side leaving by the North aisle, those on organ side by centre aisle, please do not congregate in the garden or on the pavement outside Church.
There will be no Sunday school or creche and there will be no children’s books available, so if you are bringing younger children, you may like to bring something with you.
There are no toilet facilities available except for emergencies as the centre is closed. In such an emergency, speak to the warden (for the time being Steve) at the back of Church & he will open the music room toilet. If you do need to use this facility, it is vital that you wipe all surfaces with disinfectant tissues (provided) and re-use gel when re-entering Church.
There will be a retiring collection on the way out.
We do hope that the necessary arrangements do not put you off from coming, but we are doing all we can to make everybody safe, and make everybody feel safe.
