Balancing freedoms with the safety of everyone

By the Rev Felicity Cowling-Green
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​We have been giving a good deal of thought about how to manage our worship now that legal restrictions have been lifted. We want to recognise the positive news around lifting of certain restrictions, whilst prioritising the safety and care for those who remain vulnerable to the virus.

​In the same way that we pray each day for those who are sick in body, mind or spirit, we will do our best to safeguard the same. Our churches have done incredibly well at remaining safe, thanks to those who have led them through the pandemic, and we want to continue to keep everybody safe.

​The Bishop of London who chairs the Covid Recovery Group has continued to urge caution, and we are aware of the continuing rising rates of Covid and the risk this still poses to many. We are particularly mindful of those who may be feeling uncertain or anxious. For these reasons, we will continually review the following decisions over the coming weeks. 

What will change: 
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• A gradual reintroduction of sung worship, something that most of us have sorely missed over the pandemic. While many are keen to begin again, some feel more cautious. We have decided, therefore, to ease into this slowly by introducing a final hymn that will be sung by the congregation after the blessing as the clergy or leaders recess. There is the option for those who would like to at this point, to leave. We will also introduce no-singing zones close to the doors for people to sit in should they wish. We will review this regularly with the hope of gradually reintroducing more congregational singing. 
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Things that will remain as they are for now: 

• Seating layouts and other elements of the liturgy for the time being will remain as they are, with limits to the number of people touching communion objects.
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• We will continue to encourage use of hand sanitiser, track and trace, and face coverings. These will help to keep others safe. The clergy and church wardens will be regularly reviewing and risk assessing our worship as well as the possibility of reintroducing other activities such as post-service refreshments.
  
  If you have questions about any of these decisions, or are clinically vulnerable and would like to talk, I’d love to hear from you. I’m grateful for the care so evident in this parish throughout this difficult time. I know we will continue to be gentle with one another as we ease back into the degree of the normality we have longed for over the past 18 months.
  
  ​I’m personally delighted at the opportunity to reintroduce sung worship and look forward to singing with you. Please continue to pray for the safety of our parish, and for peace and wisdom in our decision making.

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