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Vestry
Meeting
The
Vestry met on 13th August 2020 by zoom link.The
meeting was chaired by Bishop Mark and 8 Vestry members were present.
Bishop Mark opened the meeting with prayer.
The
meeting had been called to discuss the re-opening of the church
following the Covid-19 lockdown. Bishop Mark advised on the various
measures that would be necessary. Jeanette agreed to incorporate
the advice into a proforma checklist for emerging from lockdown.
The
next stage would be for the checklist to be sent to the Bishop
for his approval. If he was satisfied that the necessary measures
were in place to allow for safe opening, then a date could be
arranged. The congregation would be kept informed by publishing
the guidance in the Outlook magazine and on the website.
The
Bishop stressed that each individual should decide for themselves
whether they wished to attend church, given their own circumstances.
Anyone attending would need to follow the guidance so it would
feel quite different from normal. Fellowship would continue in
other ways for those who did not feel comfortable attending church
at this stage.
Lyn
noted that the bell ringers were considering rehearsing in the
church grounds if the weather was suitable. The Bishop advised
that this was possible as long as physical distancing was maintained.
There
being no further business, the meeting closed with the blessing
at 8pm.
Jeanette
Harper
Vestry Secretary
Toilet
Fund
We
have submitted an application to the Garfield Weston Foundation
for funding towards the toilet project. A decision is not expected
until the end of the year, which would make a nice Christmas present
if successful.
Church
Re-opening (see also Emerging
from Lockdown checklist)
Following
on from the Vestry meeting on 13th August, Bishop Mark has approved
the measures we intend to take, to allow the buildings to re-open.
A detailed plan has been produced, and will be a living document,
being adapted as we move along. The entire plan is too lengthy
to fit into the Outlook magazine, but will be available on the
website at stjohnswick.org.uk.
The
main guidance to be followed by those attending is detailed below.
Please take some time to read this information as the priority
is to minimise contact and keep everyone safe. The services will
feel quite different from normal and you may decide that you prefer
to wait until restrictions can be lifted. There is no pressure
on anyone to attend the services, as each individual must assess
the risks and make their own decision.
Beginning
on Sunday 27th September, it is proposed to recommence the 11.30
morning service, plus a Morning Prayer service on 10.30am on the
first Wednesday of each month.
When
you arrive at church, you will be asked to:
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1
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Wear
a mask, which must remain on for the duration of the service,
unless you are reading/intercessing or receiving communion.
If you have a medical condition which prevents you wearing
a mask, it may be better not to attend until this restriction
can be lifted. Please bring your own mask, but there will
be some available if you forget.
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2
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Sanitise
your hands in the porch.
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3
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Keep
a two metre distance from anyone else apart from when receiving
communion.
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4
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Provide
your name and telephone number for track and trace requirements.
These details will be retained confidentially for 21 days,
only used for track and trace purposes, and then destroyed.
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5
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Sit
where instructed - pews will be filled from the front first.
At the end of the service, those at the back will leave first
to avoid passing in the aisle. Members of the same household,
or persons with their carers, may sit together.
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Government
guidance is that if you feel unwell with a high temperature, continuous
cough and loss of taste/smell, you should remain at home and self-isolate.
You should not attend church in these circumstances. If you are
displaying these symptoms on arrival at church, you will be asked
to leave.
We
are not permitted to sing responses or hymns, but we are allowed
to listen to music during the service. The arrangements for the
order of service are still being worked on, but you may be given
a personal copy to take away then bring to the next service. Kneelers
are being removed for the time being. There will be no contact
during the Peace, or an offertory collection. Donations can be
placed in the box on the font.
If
you are doing a reading or intercessing, please just stand in
your own pew. Likewise, communion will be brought to those who
wish to receive it in their own pew. Communicants should receive
the bread in their hands. The wine will only be consumed by the
Priest.
It
is expected that use of the hall will be limited to begin with.
However, the toilet will be available for use. Individual users
should take responsibility for cleaning surfaces after use, and
antibacterial wipes will be provided for this purpose. Paper towels
are provided for drying hands after a thorough wash.
We
are in an unprecedented situation that is changing daily, so please
be prepared for other measures that may arise. We may have to
close again at short notice if there is a local lockdown so please
feel free to contact me or another Vestry member if in doubt as
to whether the services will be running.
The
Priory will be meeting at the beginning of September to discuss
implementation of the plan by the Ministry Team.
Jeanette
Harper
Vestry
Secretary
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