Worship may return to our buildings

That was the message that began Bishop Nicholas's letter to clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers as the news that our churches could reopen from July 4th began to sink in.

Early this week, the government announced that churches could open for worship and other activities only if it is safe and if they are able to do so in keeping with the guidelines.

When published, these Guidelines will shape those issued by the Church of England (more here) which said:

"We’ve been planning carefully, making detailed advice available for parishes to enable them to prepare to hold services when it is safe and practical to do so. It is important to say that the change in Government guidance is permissive, not prescriptive."

Bishop Nicholas advised:

"This does not mean that every church must be open on the 5 July for worship as it was before the lockdown was applied. It will be possible but it is not mandatory.

"In the same way that opening for private prayer was not practicable for some churches with their limited resources, so it may not be practicable in every situation to make all the arrangements that are necessary to conduct public worship safely – or as safely as is reasonably possible in the current circumstances."

Churches will need to observe the 2-metre rule on physical distancing, and worship within the present government precautions against the spread of coronavirus means there will be no singing or the use of brass or wind instruments.

So it will certainly not be a return pre-lockdown "normal".

In the letter, the Bishop also thanked clergy and lay leaders for all they had done during lockdown to keep ministry and mission alive in our communities:

"I continue to be so grateful to you and your colleagues for the way in which you have continued to be Church in your communities in so many varied ways. The Lord is indeed doing a new thing. Thank you for joining in his work so willingly and with such good humour despite the pressures that we have all been under. I do not pretend that we are through it all yet and appreciate that there are now new and different stresses to which we will be subject."

While the details of the guidance have not been released, it is clear churches will need to observe the 2-metre rule on physical distancing, and worship within the present government precautions against the spread of coronavirus means there will be no singing or the use of brass or wind instruments.

You can read Bishop Nicholas' Letter here.