As you will be aware, coronavirus is having many implications around the country. This is also true across the Church of England. Regular attenders at Holy Nativity will have seen how the things we do at church have changed slightly over the last couple of weeks. We are following the advice of NHS England and the central advice from the Church of England.
Church Services
We continue to meet for Sunday morning services as normal. As with all things, people need to self isolate in line with the national guidelines from NHS England.
- We continue to promote good hygiene in particular through washing our hands in hot water with soap for at least 20 seconds, or as long as it takes to pray The Lord’s Prayer.
- We are no longer shaking hands or hugging in the Peace.
- We are receiving the Holy Communion with the wafer only.
- Catering has been suspended – we will still meet after the service as community but we won’t be able to offer tea and coffee.
Rock Mass
Because rock mass draws a team of people from around the country, we have decided that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel the service until further notice. Hopefully, after the usual summer break it will be back with a bang.
Communion Meal
With the restriction on catering, it will not be possible to continue with the monthly communion meal service in its present form. We will keep you updated about this in the future.
Lunch Club
Similarly, it will not be possible to continue with the lunch club due to the national restrictions on catering that are in place.
These actions haven’t been taken lightly and are a disappointment to us all, not least those of who work hard to organise events and services.
Prayer
In the midst of all of this is the love of and ongoing care for our wider community, our safety and wellbeing.
You may like to use this prayer:
Loving God,
We pray for all those who are suffering because of coronavirus.
May they know your healing power.
Give us your courage and your strength.
And reassure us with your presence.
Give wisdom to those in authority.
We give thanks for all who care for others,
and ask you to be with them in all they do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
healer and physician.
Amen.
0 Comments