UPDATE 18th July 2021

We continue to follow Church of England and government guidance and law in all areas of our mission and ministry.

From 19 July 2021 the country enters ‘Step 4’ of the easing of coronavirus restrictions. Most coronavirus legislation will no longer apply, however, the government and Church of England strongly encourage individuals and organisations to take responsibility to protect themselves and others.

At a meeting on 15 July, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) agreed to return to the 10.15am service, in church, as our main public act of worship from Sunday 5 September. This allows a ‘transitional period’, particularly for those who are concerned at the rising number of cases of the Delta variant.  At the same time, it was agreed that we will move to alternating the 8am and 6.30pm services as the second service in church on Sundays. This will enable us to continue to offer a ‘quieter service’ in church each Sunday and continue to hold an online service on Sundays. The latter will move to a late afternoon slot, allowing anyone who prefers to worship online to do so.

From 19 July it is no longer a legal requirement to wear masks indoors. However, the PCC ask all those attending to wear a mask whilst they are moving about church. Once seated in  a pew, people will be free to take off their mask if they wish, although we recognise some will prefer to leave it on for the whole time they are in church.  Whilst numbers allow, we will continue to use alternate pews to enable people to maintain a physical distance if they wish. After service refreshments will not be available in the next few weeks but will be discussed at the September meeting of the  PCC.

During July and August 2021, our pattern of services will continue to be:

-Sunday 10am St Helen’s Online (by Zoom), including virtual choir
-Sunday  2pm Service in Church
-Wednesday 10am Midweek Service (by Zoom)
-Thursday 10am to 12pm Church open for individual private prayer.
-3rd Saturday of the month 10am Messy Church at Home (by Zoom)

Services at 12pm on Sundays follow the pattern of Holy Communion on 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays and BCP Matins on 3rd Sunday.  Services will be shorter than normal.

We will continue to ask everyone to use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the church. If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, please do not come to the church but stay at home and seek advice. We will continue to collect contact details for NHS Test and Trace whilst the government asks us to do so. This information will be kept for 28 days and will not be used for any other purpose. 

On the last Sunday in August, weather permitting, we plan to hold an outdoor service in the Churchyard at 12 midday. We also invite everyone to bring a picnic with them, for during or after the service.

From September 2021, Covid permitting, our pattern of worship will be:

Sunday 8am (1st and 3rd Sundays) Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 10.15am All Age Service (1st Sunday), Parish Eucharist (2nd & 4th Sundays), Matins (3rd Sundays).
Sunday 4.30/5pm (time tbc) St Helen’s Online
Sunday 6.30pm (2nd and 4th Sundays) Evening Prayer
Wednesday mornings 9.30am (tbc) Midweek Worship – St Helen’s Online.

If you would like to discuss a baptism,  wedding or funeral, or speak to someone about a spiritual or pastoral concern,  please contact the Vicar, Revd Canon Elaine Bielby on 01482 666677 or by email.

A selection of prayers and a short service for worship at home can be found here.

God bless you all

Elaine