On Monday evening, 4 January, the Prime Minister addressed the nation and announced a further lockdown for England, requiring people to stay at home except for legally permitted reasons. The good news for church is that attending worship is this time, a legally permitted reason, and thus, following consultation with the Churchwardens, and the advice from the Diocesan Coronavirus Taskgroup, Fr David has made the decision that at St Paul’s, we will continue with our pattern of Sunday and daily masses.
As previously under Tier 4, social interaction is not permitted either within or outside of Church. Please be careful to abide by these rules, by going straight to your pew on entry, and leaving church promptly after the service, and to ensure proper hand hygiene (using the sanitiser provided both on entry and when receiving Communion) when attending services. Let us all do our best to follow the rules to help ensure that these restrictions can be lifted as soon as is possible.
As under the first lockdown, those in extremely clinically vulnerable groups have been advised to shield, and should receive a letter from the NHS in the coming days. We will continue our pattern of live-streamed mass at 8.00 am on Sundays and 9.30 am on Wednesdays, together with our Zoom Worship at 9.30 am on Sundays.
In addition, we will continue to provide materials for Worship at Home, to be delivered monthly. If you are aware of anyone who would appreciate the January materials but did not receive them just before Christmas, please let me know and we will add them to the list.
The prospect of a number of weeks living under lockdown conditions is a challenge for all of us. Please do be in touch with Fr David if you are struggling with the restrictions, or if you would like some pastoral support on any matter. Know too that you will remain in his prayers in the days and weeks ahead. In addition, could we continue to make efforts to ensure social contact through phone calls/Skype/Zoom or whatever media we can get to grips with. If you would like a Zoom chat with Fr David, just let him know!