Guidelines for resumption of services in church

Welcome back to services in the church building!
(These notes reflect the guidance as it is at the time of publication; there may be changes if the guidance is different later in the month.)
What to expect

• Please consider parking outside the church car park, to allow more space for chatting in the car park at the end of the service.
• On arrival, you will be greeted by a steward, who will ask for your contact details (in case there is a need to track and trace later on) and let you know when you can go in; you may have to wait a short time before entering the church, so that we can keep the physical distances required. Entry will be through the main front door only.
• Before entering, please cover your mouth and nose; hand sanitiser will be available at the door. Please wait in the entrance until you are asked to enter the main hall.
• Please keep your coats and accessories with you – they can be placed under or beside your seat.
• There will be another steward inside, who will guide you to a seat; there will be some choice, but we aim to fill up the seats furthest from the door first, to maintain physical distancing as others come in.
• Inside you will see that the chairs have been arranged with 2 metre distances between each chair or pair of chairs. Please do not move the chairs.
• During the service, please keep your mouth and nose covered.
• The service leader, the speaker and anyone leading prayers or reading
  will remove the mask only while standing at the front to undertake those roles. The person speaking will be a minimum of four metres from anyone else.
• As there is no community hymn singing, the hymns will be played through the sound system, with the words displayed on the screen while we listen.
• At the end of the service we will exit through the old front door. Please wait for the steward to let you know when and how to leave the building. On your way out, you will have the opportunity to put any donations in to a collection basket and also to sanitise your hands before you leave.
• Please leave promptly, and chat outside in the car park, maintaining physical distance.

What else to expect

• We will not be able to serve food or drink for the time being.
• Please note that only the ‘disabled’ toilet will be in use.
• We know that you would not come to church at present if you had any symptoms which might suggest COVID 19 or have been in contact with anyone who has them. (The main symptoms are a temperature, a new persistent cough and an inability to taste or smell.)
• If you develop any of these symptoms after you have been to a service, please contact [email protected] so that we can act quickly to protect others and support you.

​Checklist of what to bring to church this month

• a face mask
• your own Bible (we are not yet able to use the church Bibles and hymn books)
• collection, if not giving electronically

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