Church service to resume at St Mary’s Church, Horncastle

Rev Patrick said: “We very much look forward to resuming public worship in St. Mary’s Church, with a staged re-opening from 10.00am on Sunday, July 12.

“The first service will be Morning Prayer, much like the on-line services that we have been holding over the last few weeks.

“It is hoped in subsequent weeks we will hold services of Holy Communion, where the congregation are able to receive the bread, once again.

“Please note that there will be a few restrictions on our normal practice, in line with Government guidance and that of the Church of England.

“In accord with these, there will be no parking in the churchyard.

“This will leave the area outside the Church free to welcome and say farewell to each other at the beginning and end of the services, with no fear of traffic or congestion.

“It will also ensure that there is space for a socially distanced queue for those waiting to enter church.

“We are asked to sanitize our hands on entry and sanitizer will be available on the way in and, of course, the key consideration is for people to be socially distanced when seated.

“We must all be two metres apart, unless sat with members of the same household.

“Stewards will be on duty to guide people to their seats and to ensure social distancing.

“Please fill up the available seats from the front and sit where requested. Note that it will not be practicable for people to occupy their customary seats.

“Individual Orders of Service will already have been produced, and these will be set out across the Church, giving an indication of where it is appropriate to sit.

“Please take away your individual sheets with you after the service.

“In accordance with guidelines, the pew Bibles and hymn books will not be available for the time being: if you wish to, please bring a bible with you.

“As you may be aware, there will be no communal singing, but there will be a cantor, who will sing the hymns on our behalf.

“At the end of the service, people are asked to leave one row at a time, starting with those at the back of the church, so as to avoid crowding together. “People are asked not to dwell in the building but to greet and talk with each other outside.

“For the present, there will be no refreshments served after the service. But, please note, the toilets will be open during and after the service.

“We are very conscious that not everyone will be able to join us. So, we are looking at ways to continue with on-line services, alongside the services in Church. These will probably be live-streamed on YouTube. Please look out for further details on how they can be accessed.

“It will be good to be back in the Church. We look forward to welcoming many people including, we might well imagine, some new faces amongst us.

“We pray that the move back will be as secure and fluid as possible.

“Please note that if you do have any symptoms of Covid-19 you are asked, for the good of others, not to attend the service but to seek medical advice and then follow the guidance.