Church Services under Covid-19 Restrictions

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[Updated 18^th December 2021]

As a result of new variants of Covid-19 (especially the so-called "Omicron" variant), the guidance and advice that has been issued by both the Government and the Church of England has been updated. For more information about the rules for visiting places of worship, please see the HM Government announcement of 10 December: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own and Church of England advice here:  https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches

The following will continue to be the means by which services will be safely held:

• Please do not attend a service if you test positive for or have any of the recognised symptoms of Covid-19;
• Everyone will be asked to sanitise their hands on entry;
• Face coverings are now mandatory again and need to be worn during services and at all times while in the building;
• Restrictions on numbers attending services are not imposed but, if anyone wants to ensure social distancing while seated, pre-printed notices (requesting a space be left next to you) are available at the back of church;
• For each service, all the information necessary will be displayed on the screen;
• Congregational singing is permitted and the choir is able to sing at certain services. At all services, music will be played at the beginning, during communion and at the end of the service;
• Communion will be taken standing and will be with bread only.   For these purposes the congregation will be directed in a clockwise flow by those on duty;
• At the end of the service the usual refreshments are available but please respect other people's space.

We totally understand that not everyone will feel that they are able to attend services in person. For this reason, we will endeavour to live stream or make a recording of some services which will be made available on the website as soon as possible.

I hope this is self-explanatory, but if you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch with:

Clive                        700339

Richard                    700628 or

Henrietta                  700262

God bless you,

Clive

Announcement of new Bishops of Horsham and Lewes

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10 Downing Street has today (29 April 2020) announced the names of the new bishops of Horsham and Lewes to serve as suffragan bishops in the Diocese of Chichester.

The Revd Ruth Bushyager, currently Vicar of St Paul’s, Dorking in the Diocese of Guildford will serve as Bishop of Horsham.

The Revd William Hazlewood, currently Vicar of the United Benefice of Dartmouth and Dittisham in the Diocese of Exeter will be the next Bishop of Lewes.

The Bishop of Chichester, Dr Martin Warner, said it was “a very significant day in the life of the Diocese of Chichester. It is the outcome of prayer, across the diocese and beyond, that has sustained us in this complex and demanding appointment process.

“The announcement of who will serve as Bishop of Horsham and Bishop of Lewes now comes as a joyful pledge of hope and confidence in the Church’s mission beyond the painful restrictions that responding to the Coronavirus pandemic demands of us.

“We gladly open our hearts to Ruth and to Will, and to the wonderfully diverse gifts and experience they will bring to our apostolic life, as we welcome them and their families into this household of faith.”

Today’s digital announcement in the Chichester Diocese is the first virtual introduction of new bishops since the current lockdown began. A video launch, hosted by the Bishop of Chichester during which he welcomes his two new colleagues, can be viewed below. For more information see https://www.chichester.anglican.org/