Sleaford area churches gearing up for coronavirus hygiene precautions

Although church congregations will still gather, some of the aspects of Holy Cpmmunion, such as sharing the communion cup, will be restricted for hygiene purposes.

Norman Hatcliff, Churchwarden for St Michael and All Angels Church at Heydour, said their next service will be Holy Communion this Sunday at 9.30am.

He said in a message to the rural congregation: “In the light of the situation regarding coronavirus, we know that you may have some concerns about coming along for Holy Communion.

“I can confirm that all priests are asked to offer Communion in one kind only to all communicants - the consecrated bread/wafer/host, with the priest alone taking the wine.”

He said they would also suspend handshaking or other direct physical contact during the sharing of ‘the peace’ and suspend direct physical contact as part of a blessing or ‘laying on of hands’, commenting: “I hope this gives you peace of mind.”