Having been forced to close in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown back in March, The Government’s Guidance now says gatherings of more than 30 people will be allowed for acts of communal worship in churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and meeting rooms in England. However, no more than 30 people will be allowed to attend weddings, funerals and other “life cycle events” such as bar mitzvahs or baptisms.
In his Rector’s update, Rev David stated: “I am very much using this Sunday as a test to look at how we can maintain the safety of those returning to worship, which is a central feature of the guidelines by maintaining a strict two metre spacing between seating. As you can imagine, in some of our smaller churches this reduces the capacity significantly and may make worship non-viable for the time being. I have asked four churches to work with Jo and me – a mix of large, medium, and smaller buildings – to see how this works out. There will be services this Sunday as follows:
Beaminster
08:00 BCP Eucharist
09:30 CW Eucharist
11:00 – 12:00 Open for private prayer
Broadwindsor
11:00 BCP Eucharist
Stoke Abbott
09:30 BCP Eucharist
Mosterton
11:00 Morning Worship
There will be limited numbers of seats available, especially in the smaller churches, but I would think there will be seats available at 8:00am in Beaminster.
I will be continuing to work with church wardens and key people over the next few days to assess which churches may be able to hold services next week and beyond. This will also be based on what staffing I have available to me, which in reality for July and August, will be three or four at very best.
I am now receiving requests for booked weddings to begin taking place and I again will be working closely with you all to see how this can be facilitated. I have also been asked to hold a funeral service in Beaminster in two weeks’ time and I am grateful to Simon Wakely for his full cooperation at this early stage in looking at how he and his team can support the required stewarding and clean down guidelines that will have to be followed.
I know that this is a testing and nervy time for us all but again, I thank you all for your help and support in what are challenges for us all.
David“
Please click HERE where it explains the various safety rules which are in place for those visiting the churches.
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