HARVEST FESTIVAL
Sunday 11th of October will be our Harvest Festival. It will be a different kind of service to those which we have had since lockdown. There will be no Communion-it will be a service ideal for all, especially families. It will be a happy rejoicing celebration (maybe even some clapping!!).
We will be collecting tinned food for the Croydon Nightwatch; there will be an opportunity to bring your gifts to the front of the Church during the service.
Checking in
It is quite possible that we will have the highest attendance since lockdown at this service. We can cope with any number within reason, but it could well be that some re-arrangement of the furniture will be needed if we are above a certain level. Thus it would be much appreciated if you can let Graeme know (graeme@fire-star.co.uk) as soon as you know that you wish to come to Church on Sunday. It would be really good if it was before Thursday lunch time, but that is not essential. Roger, our vicar, has asked that families sit towards the front, so if you book in as a family, we will reserve seats for you, and the sidespeople will show you to your seats when you arrive.
If this is your first visit since lockdown, please read the guidelines below. It might sound complicated and pedantic, but if we all obey the rules, it works in a fairly laid back manner, and the priority is firstly to keep everybody safe and secondly to make everybody feel safe.
In view of the oncoming winter, checking in will be inside the Church. There will be a Churchwarden raving the conditions to welcome you & to sell masks if needed & supply gel. As you come in to Church, you will check in on the left hand side.
Masks and visors
A couple of weeks ago, we advised that visors would be an acceptable face covering. As we are sure you are aware, things change so quickly in these strange times; then visors appeared better than masks, but new research says otherwise. According to Croydon’s covid experts, they do not meet face covering requirements. We recommend now that face masks should be worn in Church, but as it appears that visors are still legal covering in England (but not Scotland!!), visors will be acceptable for the time being. Masks and visors are available for sale at £3, profits donated to organ fund.
Streaming of Services
At the Harvest Festival, we will be running a trial for future streaming of the services. The only shots of the congregation will be from behind-only half a dozen people will ever see the pilot-however if you are unhappy with this, please mention it to a churchwarden & you will be given a seat away from any cameras.
Path outside Church
The path between the main door & the emergency exit behind the pulpit is very uneven & we have temporarily closed it except for wheelchairs.
8.00 service
This will be the only Communion service on Sunday, so you are advised to book in early as we cannot exceed the numbers on this service.
The 8.00 service will be similar to last Sunday. It will take place in the Lady Chapel and entry and departure will be through the emergency exit behind the pulpit. Numbers are strictly limited. On the 10.00 service, we can cope with extra people who have not signed in, but this will not be the case at 8.00. You must send Graeme an email to book in on (graeme@fire-star.co.uk)
Guidelines reminders
Please sit down as soon as you have come into Church. There have been occasions where a blockage has occurred at the entrance where people are chatting. As we have said many times, that is human nature, but in the current situation, it must be avoided. Please do not approach within 2 metres of somebody who is not part of your household-you may be happy to get close to them, but they may not be happy for you to get close.
Once you have sat in a seat, please stay in that seat.
Please sit in a seat with a service sheet on it, not the one next to it as that means you will not be 2 metres away from the next person.
Please do not move any chairs. In the unlikely event of furniture removals being necessary, please ask a Churchwarden or sidesperson.
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.
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 or to listen to the organist, 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, but please do so immediately when asked.
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.
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 on the path or on the pavement outside Church.
There will be no Sunday school or creche and there will only be a couple of childrens’ 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 at the back of Church & he/she will open the music room toilet. If you do need to use this facility, it is vital that you use gel on entering, 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.
There will be private prayer probably at 4.00 on Thursday this week but please confirm with Graeme (graeme@fire-star.co.uk) before coming.
FLU
Croydon’s Covid team have asked that we recommend to all who are eligible (65+ & other special groups) to get their Flu vaccine as soon as possible
