Sing Hosanna!

The Government's roadmap out of lockdown sees this new guidance for worship coming into force from this Sunday.

The news that singing can once again take place has been greeted with joy across the Diocese.

Many of our churches are hoping for good weather through to Easter Sunday, so that worship can be held outside and churchgoers can sing some of their favourite Easter hymns once again.

The guidance is in sharp contrast to last Easter when we were all in lockdown and church buildings were closed.

According to the guidance, from the 28th of March (Palm Sunday) "when communal worship takes place in the grounds or the outside space of a place of worship, the congregation may join in with singing".

But the guidance is clear, social distancing must remain in force - and households, support bubbles or groups must not mingle.

Congregational singing inside churches is still not allowed, but the guidance allows for "a single small group of singers" but only where this is essential to an act of communal worship.

Palm Sunday traditionally has always been a time when the singing of hymns such as 'All Glory Laud and Honour' and 'Ride on Ride in Majesty' have formed an integral part of worship.

The full guidance on singing says:

• From 28th March indoors: a single small group of singers will be allowed to perform, or rehearse for performance, only where essential to an act of communal worship. This should be limited to as few singers as possible. Communal singing should not take place and strict physical distancing should be observed.
• From 28th March outdoors: when communal worship takes place in the grounds or the outside space of a place of worship, the congregation may join in with singing, and should follow the principles set out in the Performing Arts guidance. This includes ensuring that congregation members follow physical distancing rules. Social contact limits apply, meaning that households, support bubbles or groups of 2 must not mingle. Communal singing in other public open spaces should not take place. From the 29th March the new social contact limits apply, meaning the Rule of 6 applies unless all involved are from the same household or 2 linked households.

The latest updates on all the changes to the guidance around worship can be found here.