East Cheshire Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches

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STALYBRIDGE UNITARIAN CHURCH & SUNDAY SCHOOL
Forester Drive, Stalybridge.
Established 13th July 1862

Resumption of worship in church – 28th March 2021

To all members and friends of Stalybridge Unitarian Church & Sunday School

There is no denying that the last year has been difficult for everybody. The officers and committee hope that everybody is somehow managing to cope with the changes.

During the last year, your officers and committee have been following the situation closely and studying the relevant Government Guidelines regarding church worship.

We have continued to hold virtual committee meetings on the internet. Last night, 01/03/21, we held a committee meeting to discuss the current situation, and to discuss the implications of the PM’s “road map” to end lockdown, as announced last week.

It is particularly important that young people are returning to school on 08/03/21. The success of the vaccine programme is very encouraging, and all members of our congregation in the more vulnerable age groups have already received at least one dose of the vaccine.

WORSHIP

After much careful discussion we have decided that we will resume services in church from SUNDAY 28th March 2021 at 11am. This is Palm Sunday which is a particularly “triumphant” day to resume worship. The Easter Sunday service will be held on Sunday 4th April at 11am.

Please note that the clocks go forward one hour on 28th March at 2 am. Please plan accordingly (you know who you are!)

The Government Guidelines regarding Covid-19 have not changed since we voluntarily closed church in January. We would like to remind you that the following protocols remain in place:-

Stewards will be placed outside the front door, in the porch and in the church to ensure people enter and exit the building safely.

Hand sanitiser dispensers are provided in the porch, please use them on entry and exit and as much as you want when you are moving around.

Seats in church will be positioned to comply with social distancing guidelines. Family groups already living together, and social “bubbles” can sit together, others must sit alone. The capacity will be about 30.

Masks/visors should be worn. (a supply will be available in church if people should forget to bring one). The law states that masks should be worn.

Your temperatures will be taken (remotely) as you enter church.

People with the recognised symptoms of Covid-19 (High temperature, a new persistent cough, a loss of taste or smell) should not attend; they should arrange to be tested, or re-tested.

The toilet facilities will be open. Wipes are in the toilet for people to wipe down door handles/toilet flushes/taps etc after use. If anyone has any difficulties with this, please contact a steward who will be happy to help. Please dispose of wipes in the bins provided (not in the WC). Wendy Maher has kindly offered to deep clean the toilets between services.

Barry Shaw has kindly agreed to play the organ even though we are not allowed to sing hymns. Barry will play a prelude and a postlude plus some incidental music as arranged with Len Elias. Len will use the sound system to provide other music.

Hymn singing is not allowed.
The library will remain closed.
Tea and coffee will not be served.

The offertory will be accepted on a tray at the back of church. Offertory boxes will not be passed around.

At the end of the service people will be encouraged to leave the building in a socially distanced manner, as soon as possible.

All this will make our worship much different than usual. Len Elias will continue to design a service to suit the situation. The service will be shorter (40 to 45 minutes).

You will all realise that this will not be an easy time. We will not put pressure on anyone to attend, it will be left to each individual and all decisions will be understood and respected.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

For the time being the children will not attend part of the service in church, the children will go directly to their activities. The various issues surrounding our young people will be handled differently. Jennifer will contact parents/families setting out the plan for Sunday School activities.

“STALYBRIDGE CONGREGATION” and “THE CHALICE”

Firstly, we must thank Len and Sue for their untiring work producing “The Stalybridge Congregation”. This has been an invaluable way of keeping in touch. The services have been thoughtful and inspiring.

The last “Stalybridge Congregation” will include the service to be used on 21st March. Following that, Len will be happy to provide copies of the weekly church service to those people who are unable to attend church for medical or distance reasons. Again, please contact Ken or Len if you would like to receive this.

Jeff and Julie Sheehan have kindly agreed to resume publication of “The Chalice”. The next issue will be published at the end of March to cover April and May. Jeff would be grateful to receive material for inclusion in the Chalice and would like this to be sent to him before the deadline of 22nd March. Jeff’s email is [email protected]

The Chalice will continue to be free but as many as possible will be distributed by email to save costs. Those people who do not have email facilities or would prefer a paper copy please contact Jeff, Julie, or Wendy.

STALYBRIDGE UNITARIAN CHURCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This will be held on 23rd May 2021 following the Whit Sunday morning service. The nomination sheet and other information will be on the notice board.

WHIT SUNDAY 23rd MAY

It seems unlikely that Denton Brass will be available due to them being unable to practice. Also, if we were forced to hold the service indoors due to bad weather, it would be impossible to socially distance etc. It was decided that a morning service at 11am will be held this year. This will be followed by our AGM.
SOCIAL EVENTS.

It was decided that we will not be able to organise any social events at this time.

Let us hope that the situation continues to improve. If Government plans go as everyone hopes, then things should be back to almost normal at the end of June.

If anybody has any questions or any concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Phone 01613301295
Mobile 07703495140
Email [email protected]

Ken Howard
Warden

2nd March 2021

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East Cheshire Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches