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, WeefordWe 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</div>
This month sees our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCM) taking place at each of our three churches. It is a significant event in the parochial year during which the Churchwardens are elected. In co-operation with the priest in charge (or, in cases of vacancy, the Bishop), Churchwardens are generally responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the parish. These responsibilities include various aspects of administration, plant operations, and personnel. Their work is not just the maintenance of the church building, but helping the smooth running of the church. The dates for our APCMs are: St Giles' Whittington - Sunday 30th May 11:00 in the Church HallSt Mary's Weeford - Sunday 23rd May 10:30 in Church St Bartholomew's Hints - Tuesday 25th May 19:30 in church. Lay persons on the parish electoral roll are entitled to attend and take part. The Qualification to be on the Roll is to be over 16 (or will be 16 by the time of the APCM) baptised, and a member of CofE or of a Church in Communion with it, and either resident in the parish or a habitual worshipper during last 6 months prior to enrolment; or a member of another church subscribing to the Holy Trinity who is prepared to be a member of the CofE as well.
We are pleased to announce that all three of our churches - St Giles' Whittington, St Mary's Weeford and St Bartholomew's Hints - will be reopening on Sundays, with effect from Sunday 4th April!Services will take place as follows on 4th:9:30 St Giles' Whittington Said Eucharist led by The Revd Dr Stephen Barton. This service will be booking only by email lesleymknighton@gmail.com or telephone 01543 432050. Private prayer will be between the hours of 11:00 and 15:00.11:30 St Mary's Weeford Said Eucharist led by The Revd Canon Stephen Mayes.18:30 St Bartholomew's Hints Said Eucharist led by The Revd Val Hicks. Church will be open on Sundays for private prayer and to drop off donations to Lichfield Foodbank.We look forward to welcoming you all back for shared worship. We are of course still subject to adherence to Covid precautions including wearing masks, using hand sanitiser and social distancing in your own bubbles with restricted numbers.Going forwards, St Giles' will be open for worship at 9:30 on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of the month. Every 2nd Sunday will be a virtual service of Morning Prayer via Zoom. St Mary's will be open for worship every Sunday at 11:30. St Bartholomew's will be open for worship on the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 18:30. We hope there is something to suit everyone there and look forward to seeing you very soon.
