St Anne’s to open for private prayer

As you will be aware, the Government recently announced that places of public worship can be open for private prayer from Monday 15th June. I am pleased to report that St Anne’s will be open for private prayer as follows:

Monday 15th June 11am-12 noon and 4pm-5pm
Wednesday 17th June 11am-12 noon
Sunday 21st June 11am-12 noon and 4pm-5pm
Wednesday 24th June 11am-12 noon

Further dates will be announced in due course as we listen for the Government advice.

A small group from Church have worked together to put in place arrangements, in accordance with guidelines, that will enable people to attend safely for private prayer at St Anne’s if they wish.

The Risk Assessment document below is also displayed on our noticeboard outside church. I would be grateful if you could all please familiarise yourselves with this prior to any visit. Full details can be found in that document but key points are that at each opening time:

• Nominated Church Officers will be in attendance and the church will be clearly marked for direction and seating
• A register of your contact details will be taken at the entrance for tracking/tracing purposes whilst this is required
• Worshippers will be asked to hand sanitise before entering the building – this will available at the church door
• Only specified downstairs pews will be available to maintain social distancing guidance, the upstairs area will not be accessible
• This arrangement is currently for private prayer and not a service so people are free to come and go as they wish during the specified time
• Entering the church needs to be staggered, due to permitted numbers at one time, so please be aware that you may have to wait outside or return at an alternative time
• There will be no Holy Communion
• The parish hall will not be open so toilet facilities will not be available
• Cleaning will take place between openings and arrangements have been made for the church to be cleaned by a professional contractor once a week
• In line with government guidance, anyone self-isolating with symptoms or from a household where there is someone self isolating, or they have been requested by test and trace to self-isolate, should not come to church for individual prayer until their period of self-isolation is over.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need to chat about any of the arrangements.

All very best

The Vicar