Coronavirus updates
*** Updated 23 July 2021 at 4.25pm ***
NEW ARRANGEMENTS IN CHURCH
Following the relaxation of the rules by the Government we will be making a few changes
What’s changed?
· We have made more chairs available for seating.
· There may be hymns in services.
· Friends can sit together if they all want to do this. Those sitting together may share hugs or handshakes during the Peace - again if they all want to.
· Those reading or leading intercessions are welcome to use the lectern if they would like to.
· You no longer need to book to come to church.
What’s stayed the same?
· We ask everyone (apart from those who are exempt) to continue wearing face masks inside the church, including (and especially) when singing.
· We will continue to leave a space between each row of chairs so that those who still want to sit at a distance from others can do so. (There are laminated notices you can put beside you if you’d prefer to sit on your own.)
· Hand sanitiser is still available and we encourage you to use this on your way in and out of church and before receiving communion.
· The congregation will continue to receive Communion in one kind - bread only.
· We will still keep the doors open as much as possible to aid ventilation.
· Most people will continue sharing the Peace with waves or smiles.
· We’ll continue using orders of service with Covid reminders in for now.
· You are encouraged to keep using the NHS Test and Trace QR code or test and trace sheets.
Thank you for your help with all of this!
25 April 2021
On Sundays in May there will be "in person" services at 10am at St Edmund's. Our online services will continue.
There will be an "in person" service of Holy Communion at St Chad's on Pentecost Day, Sunday 23 May, at 8.30am.
There has been no easing of Covid-19 safety restrictions and we ask everyone to remember that we are only allowed to be open on the understanding that there will be no interaction between households. We are still limited to 15 households at St Edmund's and 6 households at St Chad's so booking is essential. You can book a place with the parish office or with Nicky.
21 March 2021
Services in church
On Easter Sunday, 4 April, in addition to the usual online service, we will be holding services of Holy Communion in church as follows:
8.30am St Chad's
10.00am St Edmund's
There has been no easing of Covid-19 safety
restrictions and we ask everyone to remember that we are only allowed to be
open on the understanding that there will be no interaction between
households. We are still limited to 15
households at St Edmund's and 6 households at St Chad's so booking is
essential. You can book a place with me or the parish office. On the other Sundays in April there will be
10am services at St Edmund's.
12 January 2021
The Vicar and Parochial Church Council have taken the difficult decision temporarily to close our church buildings for public worship (apart from funerals). The decision will be reviewed before the end of February half term.
Our online worship continues with a pre-recorded service available every Sunday. Please follow the parish’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mwparishchurches and/or search YouTube for “The Parish of Mansfield Woodhouse”.
We are beginning a time of Coffee & Chat on Zoom every Sunday at 11am. Contact Rev Nicky Carnall for the Zoom link or a UK phone number to call.
We continue to pray for the communities of Mansfield Woodhouse and Pleasley Vale.
30 November 2020
We are pleased that services will resume in St Edmund's Church on Sunday 6 December and St Chad's Church on Sunday 13 December.
Please note that the details may change if the Government brings in new restrictions.
Pre-booking is essential for all services in church to make sure we stay within the numbers we can safely accommodate. Please contact the Parish Office or Rev Nicky to book your place.
Please wear a face covering (unless you are exempt) and maintain social distancing at all times.
Tier 3 rules say, “places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there.”
Despite all this, we very much look forward to seeing you!
Online services will also continue. These can be found via the church’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/mwparishchurches or by going to YouTube and searching for “The Parish of Mansfield Woodhouse”. Alternatively you can ask Rev Nicky to include you in a weekly email she sends out with the link to services on YouTube and other information about church services etc.
2 November 2020
Unfortunately there will now be no services in church, apart from funerals. This is because of the latest restrictions announced by the Government.
Online worship will continue to be available on our Parish Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/mwparishchurches
We will do our best to keep you updated on future developments.
22 September 2020
We are pleased to say that there will be a monthly service of Holy Communion at St Chad's Church, beginning on Sunday 11 October at 8.30am. Please note that BOOKING FOR THIS SERVICE IS ESSENTIAL - contact 07493 502785 or email [email protected] PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR FACE COVERING AND OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING. Thank you.
Sunday morning services at St Edmund's will continue as shown and online worship will be available on our Parish Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/mwparishchurches
1 September 2020
We are delighted to say that we are carefully beginning to reopen St Edmund's church building. St Edmund's Church is now able to host small weddings and funerals under strict Covid-safe conditions. Please ask for details.
A Sunday morning service will be held at St Edmund's over the next few weeks, as shown on this site. PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. To book your place, please contact 07493 502785 or email [email protected]
Online worship will also continue to be available on our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/mwparishchurches
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">27 July 2020</span>
We are beginning to take a few steps towards reopening St Edmund’s Church although it will probably be September before we return to Sunday services in any of our places of worship.
We are offering three short and simple communion services in St Edmund’s:
7pm on Wed 22 July (Mary Magdalene)
2.30pm on Wed 29 July (Mary, Martha and Lazarus) - now fully booked
2.30pm on Wed 5 August (Oswald) - new date, just added
People need to book to attend, to make sure we don’t go over the numbers we are allowed. There will also be a lot of other restrictions in place, so you will need to be prepared for that and be willing to worship within the current limitations for your own protection and the safety of others.
It would be really helpful for planning purposes if you would let Rev Nicky know if you would like to attend a communion service in St Edmund’s on Wednesday 22 July or Wed 5 August. (Initially, because numbers are limited, we would ask people to choose one service and not try to come to both.)
If you prefer not to take the risk of coming to a service in church at present, that is absolutely fine. We will do our best to keep the risks as low as possible, but clearly staying at home will be safer, particularly for those who are in the higher risk categories.
We will continue offering online services until at least the end of August, although these may become simpler as other demands increase.
** To book your place please email [email protected] or phone 01623 653277. Thank you **
Sunday 26 April
Online Worship is now available - please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC95Z6bm3BCzcRWmzu3v3YVw/videos
The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The latest Church of England Guidance is here:
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
ALL PUBLIC WORSHIP SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
A message from Nicky (17 March):
Dear All
As you've probably heard on the news, in view of the Government's advice yesterday, the Church of England has suspended all public worship - Sunday and midweek - until further notice. We are waiting for full details but this means that there will be no services Wednesday morning or on Sunday. It's also very likely that all midweek groups will have to close.
The Foodbank is going to do its best to keep operating in a safe way - they are very short of food so please do help if you can. More information when we have it.
Bishop Paul has promised he will pray for us. Let's pray for him too and for all those in leadership roles.
With love and prayers
Nicky
*LITTLE TEDS' TODDLER GROUP - CLOSED*
Unfortunately we have made a decision to close ‘Little Teds’ Toddler Group this week and for the rest of this term. We realise that children are a low-risk group, but we don’t want to take chances with anyone’s health, including our staff and volunteers. We hope to see you again on Tuesday afternoons after Easter, but please watch this space for any updates.
We hope to be able to continue offering prayer during the current Public Health emergency. Updates will be notified here and on the St Edmund’s Facebook page.
We will follow Government and Church of England advice as it is updated. We ask that you help us by following all appropriate health and hygiene guidelines.
Please contact people you know who are isolated and offer care and support in a safe way.
Also, please let Nicky or the Parish Office know if you are self-isolating so that prayer and support can be offered.
Rev Nicky Carnall (Vicar) 01623 653277
Parish Office 01623 629665
Prayer
(with thanks to the Diocese of Bath & Wells)
Loving God,
we pray for all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus,
may they know your healing power.
When we are afraid for ourselves and our loved ones, give us your strength and courage.
When we feel alone and isolated, reassure us with a sense of your presence.
Give wisdom to those in authority
and may our community work together for the good of all.
We give thanks for those who care for others
and ask you to bless them in all they do.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, healer and physician.
Amen.