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Vicar’s Letter 16th August 2020

Hi All,

I am just writing to let you know where we are with the reopening of St Mary’s Church.  As per Government guidance/Church of England Guidance and Guidance from Leeds Diocese St Mary’s has been open for worship for the past two weeks.  This opening of Church has been successful due to following the appropriate guidelines and completing the appropriate comprehensive risk assessments that have been undertaken.  The PCC and myself take seriously your safety in this new COVID world.  Sanitisation is required on entry and exit, facemasks are required and physical distancing is in operation in the Church.  The Church is deep cleaned between each service.

As well as opening on Wednesdays at 10.00am and Sundays at 10.30am for Said Holy Communion in Church, we have other services on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Every single service is streamed live via our Facebook page and so now you are able to join us for worship if you are still shielding or if you are unable to attend church.  In fact, it gives you an opportunity, to see what church is like if you have never attended. Times and details can be found in our Notice Sheet (which can be found on this opening page or via our Facebook page).

With regards to Funerals – it is now possible to have a funeral in church with certain conditions – there is a maximum of 30 people and it is required by law to wear a facemask, and you will be asked for a list of attenders and a contact number for each for track and trace purposes only.  This list will be destroyed after 21 days.

With regards to Burial of Ashes – it is now possible to go ahead with this again with certain conditions – there is a maximum of 15 people, facemasks are optional but adviseable, and you will be asked for a list of attenders and a contact number for each for track and trace purposes only.  This list will be destroyed after 21 days.

With regards to Weddings –  it is now possible to have a wedding in church with certain conditions – there is a maximum of 30 people and it is required by law to wear a facemask, and you will be asked for a list of attenders and a contact number for each for track and trace purposes only.  This list will be destroyed after 21 days.

With regards to Baptisms – we will begin booking baptisms in the next couple of weeks to commence from September onwards – again there are certain conditions – there is a maximum of 30 people and it is required by law to wear a facemask, and you will be asked for a list of attenders and a contact number for each for track and trace purposes only.  This list will be destroyed after 21 days.

We are now in the middle of carrying out a comprehensive risk assessment on the Parish Hall which will reopen in September (and I will update you on that in due course).

Lastly, if there is anything I can do for you please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Best wishes

Sharon
Vicar