COVID-19 News and Resources
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What to expect now that face-to-face has worship resumed
Because of cleaning and disinfectant requirements before and after each service we will only be able to offer 3 services a week in the St John’s Hall.
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Sunday 9.30 am with Children’s Church and Youth.
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Sunday 6 pm The first Sunday of the month will be 1662 Evensong. The other services during the month will reflect modern liturgical revision.
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Wednesday 10 am Traditional 1662 Prayer Book, KJV Bible and sermon.
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Because of physical distancing and space requirements only 62 people can be in the hall at one time.
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Offering 3 services per week means that 180 people will be able to attend worship.
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Initially we will only be able to offer Services of the Word (not Eucharistic).
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There will be no community singing (hymns or singing responses) We will be able to say the responses together, the Lord’s Prayer, Confession, Creed etc. Congregational singing will be delayed until further advice is received on how singing might be included in our COVIDSafe plan.
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When people arrive, they will wait in a line at least 1.5 metres apart if there is a queue to get in. Please arrive in plenty of time to allow for possible delays.
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On entry, everyone will be asked if they have experienced any COVID-19 or flu like symptoms.
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Attendees will be asked to give their contact details for COVID purposes only.
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Everyone must use hand sanitiser.
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A seating plan will be established.
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No prayer books and hymn books will be used. A printed sheet will be provided.
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People will need to practice social distancing at a minimum of 1.5 metres at all times.
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There will be no physical greetings or exchanges such us handshakes or hugs, including sharing of the Peace.
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Before and after services volunteers will clean and disinfect chairs, touch points and toilets.
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The 9.30 am service will be recorded and placed on YouTube for those unable to attend.
St John's COVIDSafe Management Plan
No to participating in Holy Communion, The Lord’s Supper or Eucharist by video conferencing
Bishop Mark has received enquiries about participating in Holy Communion, The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist by remote means such as the use of video conferencing software.
He writes, “I have decided not to celebrate or receive the Lord’s Supper while congregations throughout the Diocese are unable to do so by gathering together in the normal way. While I acknowledge there may be circumstances under which I would reverse this decision (for example if I were taken ill or was asked to share the Lord’s Supper with someone who was themselves ill) there are three reasons why I am so minded at present:
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within our Diocese there will be a diversity of views concerning the propriety or even the possibility of sharing the Eucharist when the celebrant and the congregation are not co-located physically. I do not think in our current circumstances we have the time or means to work through to a consensus on the matter. Rather than act in a way that might be a cause of scandal to some and recognising the particular role of a Diocesan Bishop in maintaining unity I have chosen to act in the spirit of Romans 14:13ff and refrain from eating and drinking in this manner
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with current restrictions essentially confining us to our homes it would be difficult to ensure participation in the Eucharist by households without access to resources such as the internet. Such households tend to be disproportionately poor, elderly and rural. In 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 Paul chides the congregation for sharing the Lord’s Supper in a way that reinforces rather than transcends economic and social divisions; I am cautious about adopting a practice that may do the same in our day
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finally, there is the general principle enunciated in 1 Corinthians 12:26 that when one part of the body of Christ suffers, all suffer together with it. Our inability to gather as usual and in particular to share in the Eucharist is a grief to me and to many; but in sharing that grief we express something precious about our identity in Christ.”