We are delighted that we are able to open our churches for private prayer on a limited basis. Our plan is as follows:
St Oswald's will be open:
10.00am-11.30am on Sundays from 28th June
St Dunstan's will be open:
11.30am-12.30pm on Sundays from 5th July
11.00am-12.00pm on Wednesdays from 7th July
St Alban's - there are currently no plans to open, but we are keeping this under review.
This is very likely to change, so please refer to the ‘Latest News’ on our website for information on which churches will be open and when. We will include opening times in our weekly newsletter.
What does 'private prayer' mean?
We are not yet permitted by the government to hold any form of group or led prayer, so there will be no services. This is simply an opportunity to spend some time in church to sit quietly and pray. There will be a prayer booklet available for you to use and take home. If you have a smart phone, you can look up prayers for the day on the Church of England website – click here.
What will it be like when we arrive?
We have had to make some changes in our churches to make sure that everyone is safe, so it will look a little bit different.
Enter by the main church doors, which will be open to allow air to circulate.
We only have limited seating available. If there are others before you, please wait patiently and maintain distance by using the markers on the ground.
Please use the hand sanitiser which will be available as soon as you enter the building.
Our churches will be supervised by volunteers who will show you where you should sit.
Your name and contact details will need to be recorded by a volunteer.
You will be given a ‘seat used’ card.
Small prayer books will be available – these should be taken with you when you leave and not returned.
Where possible, you can light a candle using a candle which has already been lit.
When you are ready to leave, leave your ‘seat used’ card where you have been sitting.
Please leave by the main church doors, observe social distancing, and let a volunteer know that you are leaving.
Will I be safe?
We are following all the guidelines from the government and the Church of England to ensure that our churches are safe to use. If your health means that you are in a particular vulnerable category, you should stay at home. Anyone who is feeling unwell, especially if you have symptoms of Covid-19, must stay at home and remain at home.
Are children welcome?
Children and families are very welcome to come and spend some time together, although we cannot provide any books or toys.
Will toilets and refreshments be available?
We are very sorry, but toilets will be closed and we are unable to offer any refreshments.
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