Hello everyone,

On behalf of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Mary’s Weeford, we would like to thank you for your patience and your support over the last eighteen months when, at times, the church and church hall have been closed and, at other times, they have been subject to quite stringent Covid restrictions.

The PCC has thought long and hard at each step to ensure we are doing all we can to keep people safe.

We are mindful that people have different views and concerns about Covid-19, and in making the following changes as of 1st September we are trying to strike a balance where the majority will feel that our church has a place for them.

St Mary’s Church, Weeford

We would ask that everyone is considerate of each other when in church and is respectful of one another’s wishes.<div>

St Mary’s will be open for an 11.30am service every Sunday only, and for weddings, baptisms and funerals by prior arrangement.

Weddings, baptisms and funerals may be on any day of the week.

The wearing of a mask in church will be personal choice and singing will be allowed without masks, both due to the congregation being socially distanced and the church being well ventilated.

Hand sanitizer will continue to be available in church and we continue to recommend that you use it.

 You will no longer need to sign in for services but the QR code for St Mary’s will continue to be displayed for those who wish to use it.

Ventilation will be maximised by keeping the doors open (subject to the weather conditions outside.

For those receiving Holy Communion we will move from the congregation receiving the bread only, to a position where the bread is partially dipped in the wine by the priest (before he or she consumes any wine) and placed in the communicant’s hand. There will be no drinking from the chalice except by the priest after all other communicants have received. Communicants who wish to continue to receive the bread only can indicate this to the priest. This is now standard Church of England practice.

We will continue to share the Peace by waving to one another.

Our guidelines will be reviewed again at the end of September.

In the meantime, we hope that you will feel able to return to church and that the services and events will feel closer to ‘normal’.

We look forward to welcoming you in church!

God Bless, St Mary’s PCC

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