Coronavirus information

Being Christchurch in Covid times

WORSHIP: Since September 2021 we have been holding a single service on Sunday mornings at 10.30am. The service will take place in the sanctuary, but if you are still a bit unsure about sitting close to others, you can stay at a table in the welcome area or the hall, and the service will also be live-streamed to these areas. This is followed by a time of hospitality, when we can get to know each other again after two years of lockdowns, welcome newcomers, and re-establish our sense of community. There will also be an opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer after the service in the sanctuary area, and questions from the preacher for discussion over tea and coffee in the hall. The whole morning will finish at 12 noon.

Junior church will meet in some of the smaller rooms, and on the third Sunday of each month we will have an all-age service for the whole church community. For those who are not yet able to come back to worship at the church building, the service will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel and a recording will also be available there at any time.

If you want to look in more detail at the plans for Sunday morning, you’ll find an outline on our website at: www.christchurchhitchin.org.uk/worship

Some of the key things you need to know:
• Please DO NOT attend services if you are showing Covid symptoms
• In order to protect each other from the risk of infection, it is good practice to regularly test yourself with a free lateral flow test.
• You don’t need to book in advance to attend the service
• Please use the hand sanitisers provided as you arrive in the building
• The stewards will monitor the air quality in the sanctuary during the service, and increase ventilation as needed.
• Masks are not required during services, though individuals may choose to wear one to protect themselves and others.

SMALL GROUPS are still meeting – either on Zoom, on whatsapp or in person. Contact your group leader, or get in touch with Greg Gould, to find out more.

WEEKLY is no longer full of dates and activities! But every week it is emailed or posted to everyone on our database. Once a month it includes a pastoral letter from the minister, and news from members of the church family; it’s a great way to stay in touch with each other. If you’d like to send something to go in Weekly, contact our administrator Suzanne. The deadline is Wednesday.

The CHRISTCHURCH FACEBOOK GROUP is another way to stay in touch. At the time of writing, we have 225 members. Plenty of Christchurch folk share comments, photos, and family news on Facebook, and it’s a good way to stay in touch with the church community.

PASTORAL SUPPORT is being offered by phone, texts and visits. Christine Warren, our Pastoral Area Lead, has created a network of pastoral friends, so that everyone connected with Christchurch has someone who phones them up regularly for a chat, and to check they are OK. If you’d like to be part of this network – either to receive calls, or to make calls to someone else, or both, please get in touch with Christine or with the minister Val.

Val Reid (minister) and Julie Mills (Senior steward)