Your saftey in our churches here in South Beddington and Roundshaw
Please always read the updated Government Information found HERE
Our guidance in how we go forward with services in the parish.
MASKS: As you will know, government guidelines indicate that it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering, though the government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed settings to protect themselves and others. In the light of this, we would ask that you continue to wear a mask when you are inside the church building, not only for your own safety but also to enable others to feel more secure in returning to worship.
Hymn singing: We shall continue congregational hymn singing, which I know has been a great joy to many of you. We do, however, encourage you to keep your masks on whilst singing because, as I am sure you are aware, it is when people breathe most heavily, such as when singing, that more particles are generated and the risk of catching or passing on the virus increases; this is why we are requesting that masks be worn. We will not yet be returning to sung Responses during services but this should return in the late autumn.
Refreshments following services: Refreshments will be available following the 08:30 service at St. Paul's Church and after the 10:30 am service at St Michael’s Church. For the summer months, refreshments will consist of cold drinks which can be consumed either in the building or, if the weather is kind to us, outside where people are welcome to socialise and catch up with others. This too will be a great joy to many of us, but we are to be mindful that the Covid-19 virus is still at large in the community and it is important that we remain safe.
Communion in one kind: Given the continued potential risks to health, for the foreseeable future communion will continue to be in one kind, host only, for the congregation although, as is required by Canon Law, the president will receive both the host and the wine.
Booking in for services: Regarding the requirement to book in for services – although there will be no limit on numbers who can attend services, we would ask that you continue to book in through the Parish Administrator, simply so that we know who is in the building and will have a record of attendees if at any time we were informed that an individual had tested positive for Covid-19. Those of you who use the NHS app there are Q-codes on the doors of either church, please do continue to do so.
Social distancing: Social distancing will continue to be in place in both churches.
Hymn books and service booklets: Hymn books and service booklets will both be available in seats that are marked as available (at St Michael’s those are seats without hassocks and in St Paul’s those are seats without notices on them). You will not need to hand in books/booklets after the service.
Hand sanitiser: Hand sanitiser will continue to be available in both churches and you are asked to continue to sanitise your hands on arrival. Both St Paul’s Church and St Michael’s Church will continue to be regularly sanitised to reduce any risks.
The success of protecting each other: During the past 20 or so months, this parish is one of the relatively few in the Deanery not to have had any direct transmissions of the virus resulting from attending church. The Churchwardens and I believe that the decisions we have taken over the past 20 months, and the decisions we review regularly to update our guidelines to you in order to ensure your safety and wellbeing have been worthwhile and we hope that you will continue to feel safe while worshipping at either of our churches.
Share this good news: For those of you who have yet to return to church, we hope that you will feel able to do so. If you are in contact with anyone who previously attended one of our services, but has not done so during the pandemic restrictions, please do pass on this information to them.
With my prayers and blessing as we navigate the new normal with the grace of God.
Mother Angela 1st December 2021
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