We have now reopened for Worship on Sundays at 9:30am.
St Ann's reopened from 19th July at 9:30am
Churches now have permission to reopen for Public Worship. We have completed a risk assessment. We have taken steps to make the service as safe as possible including appropriate time between services and cleaning of surfaces. Please read below on what to expect when you come to the Church building.
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”
Psalm 122:1 NRSV
We will also be livestreaming the service on our youtube channel for those who can't yet attend in person (If the technology works!). In any case the service will be on our youtube channel later in the day. You can access our youtube channel here.
Those at extra risk and the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ are advised of the risks of attending public worship, a decision to do so is theirs alone. Certain groups of people may be at increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19, including people who are aged 70 or older, regardless of medical conditions. Individuals who fall within this group are advised to stay at home as much as possible and, if they do go out, to take particular care to minimise contact with others outside of their household.
Those who are considered to be extremely clinically vulnerable to COVID-19 will have been advised to shield and are currently advised not to meet more than one person from outside of their own household, and therefore not currently advised to attend places of worship.
Please do not attend Church if you are feeling unwell.
Coming into Church
We will come into Church via the main door. If people are already at the door then please queue. We have marked out 2m distances on the path beside Church.
You should now wear a face covering in the Church building. This will be a legal requirement from 8 August 2020. You should use the hand sanitiser just inside the door at you enter the building. Please follow the instructions of the steward on duty and go into the main worship area.
You should fill up seats from the front and sides before those at the back or towards the centre. As far as possible please choose a group of seats that matches your household group and do not sit with people outside of your household group or bubble.
Seats are available in groups of 1,2 or 3 chairs. Please do not move the chairs they have been carefully set out to maintain appropriate 2m social distancing.
The Service
During the service we should maintain social distancing. There will be no sharing of the peace, laying on of hands in prayer or other forms of physical contact.
We will not be having services of Holy Communion for the time being and the service will be shorter than usual.
Singing is not permited. Neither should we use raised voices.
The service will be livestreamed but only those reading at the front or in the seats in front of the keyboard will be in view.
Service sheets, newsletters, prayer books, hymn books, cards, aids for prayer, leaflets, bibles have all been removed.
Children are very welcome but must sit and remain with their parents or guardians at all times. Play bags and other children’s
resources have been removed. Those who attend with children may bring their own toys or books if they wish. These should be taken home at the end of the service.
Please avoid touching surfaces as much as possible, particularly chairs that you will not be sitting on for the duration of the service.
Windows and doors will remain open to ensure good ventilation. Please keep this in mind if the weather is cold.
We will be keeping a record of those who attend for 21 days in accordance with government guidance to assist track and trace. We ask for cooperation if you are asked to provide name and contact details.
There will be no collection in the service. Those attending are requested not to give cash donations. Please contact us via the contact details on our website if you would like to make a donation.
At the end of the service
There will be no refreshments after the service.
People will be directed to leave in an orderly manner via the door in the worship area (for example row by row) by the person leading the service to avoid congestion at the exit. You should hand sanitise as you exit and then leave the church site prompty.
Toilets and other areas of the Church building.,
The following areas of the Church building are closed to the public. Prayer room, Meeting room, Kitchen, room by entrance, Office, Gents and Ladies toilets.
Open will be the foyer, worship space, extension to worship space (if needed) and the accessible toilet. Hand santiser should be used before and after using the accessible toilet. A station has been placed outside.
Permission from either vicar or a churchwarden will be required to access any of the closed areas by volunteers and other clergy or readers and only as necessary to enable the worship to take place. Anything touched in those areas should be wiped clean.
We hope that those either attending the service or watching at home on the livestream will be blessed as we come together to worship our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.