Hello Parish!
The new Level 2 restrictions mean that we will now be allowed to meet in groups of up to 100 people. However, we have decided that we will offer an online service this weekend with services resuming as follows:
Thursday 4th June – 10am in St Barnabas Chapel (no eucharist during this service)
Sunday 7th June – 10am Family Service in the church.
We will keep you informed as to when 8am and other services and ministries will resume. This will be influenced by the availability of assistants and the installation of the new organ.
Our intention is that there will be a live recording of the 10am services available on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nativitychurchblenheim from 10am each week until level 1. We will make a copy of these services available on the church website at some stage during the following week. The diocese encourages those who are over 70, and/or have health issues that may cause them to be more susceptible to the symptoms of COVID-19 (or other illness,) to stay at home until this level. ALL are welcome to attend if they wish.
Please note the live streaming will be a new experience for us all so please be patient if there are technical issues.
HOW THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT DURING LEVEL TWO
HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
The church will be adhering to strict cleaning and contact tracing rules and ask that all who visit the buildings follow Health and Safety protocols as directed by volunteers.
All people entering the building will be ‘checked in’ using our Breeze Church Management App. Anyone who is unwell is not permitted to enter the building.
Hand sanitiser is available at all entry points to the building. Disinfectant spray will be located in each toilet with instructions for people who use the facilities on how to disinfect the area following use.
ENTRY POINTS
We will have two entry points to the buildings for all people – the main entrance and via the ramp for those with disabilities that prevent them from using the stairs. At these points we will have sanitiser available that all people entering the building must use.
SEATING
All people are required to sit in family groups and be positioned at least 1m away from the nearest family group. Greeters will be required to remind people about this arrangement and welcomers will cast an eye about the church to ensure people are following this plan.
MUSIC GROUPS/CHOIR
1. Must remain distanced 1m apart in a single row of no more that 12 people.
2. Music and microphones should not be shared
3. Anyone over 70 years old or with underlying health conditions should delay their return.
CHILDREN
During Level 2, Nativity will not be running children’s programmes and therefore children in attendance will be required to sit in with their families during the service. Activity sheets and colouring pens will be available for children to collect at the beginning of the service. All used colouring pens packs will need to be disinfected at the end of the service.
COMMUNION
Communion will be set out at the communion table at the beginning of each service. Wafers will be set out on platters and individual cups filled by helpers ahead of each service and following the food preparation protocols. We will have one line for communion with 1m distance markers indicated along the centre aisle. The priest-in-charge will stand behind the table and give the blessing to each person as they collect their wafer and wine. This means that we will not require communion assistants during Level Two, however, I have rostered assistants in the case that we are moved to Level One and can resume more normal communion practices.
There WILL NOT BE COMMUNION at the first Thursday morning eucharist service, but this will be revisited for future.
MORNING TEA
As per Level Two prior to lockdown we will not be hosting morning tea after the church services but hope to return to this soon. If you are willing to be included on the roster for this in future, please let me know as this is a ministry that is in need of more helpers.
AGM
We are finally able to hold our AGM therefore this will be in the church on Monday the 15th of June from 7:30pm. We will be voting for Vestry members this year therefore further information about each of the nominees will be coming soon to help you prayerfully consider this team for the year to come.
The Annual reports are available from the office if you did not get one before lockdown and a revised Agenda will be available before Sunday the 14th.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Just a reminder that all notices and pew sheets are available via out website. If you cannot access them yourself, please ask others to keep you up to date or give us a ring at the office.
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