Covid-19 (Coronavirus) – Statement from the Leadership Team

LAST UPDATED 12 MARCH 2020

 

At this time, with the impact of Covid-19 developing all the time, we encourage everyone to Be Aware, Be Wise, Be Kind.

 

Be Aware

of the guidelines from the Government, the NHS and also the Church of England.

 

www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches

 

We will continue to meet for Church Services, Sunday school and other meetings according to current guidelines.

 

The Church website will be updated with any changes relating to gatherings of the Church, events run at and by the Church and also ministries run by the Church.

 

We are following National Church guidelines, which currently include:

  1. The suspension of the administration of the chalice (i.e. Communion to be offered in one kind only i.e. just the wafer/bread, with the priest alone taking the wine)

  2. The suspension of physical contact during the sharing of the peace, blessing or “laying on of hands”.

 

 

Be Wise

In way you think about yourself and other people.

 

If you have one of the symptoms as described in the NHS guidelines or have been in contact with someone who has, please do not come to a Church service, course or event run by the church.

 

Be wise and be conscious of the people around you, especially those most vulnerable. When you attend Church, please wash your hands thoroughly before and after attending.  If hand gel is available, please use it.

 

 

Be kind

Be generous. Let us think how we can help and serve others, particularly those at risk.

 

Let us live out Jesus’s teaching in John 13: 34

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

 

Do let us know if you would if you would like to speak to someone.

If appropriate, we may visit.

Otherwise we can chat with people and pray with people over the phone or via applications such as WhatsApp or Skype.

We will not know if you are ill or self-isolating unless you tell us.

 

Please think about being in touch with someone to see if they are okay. Be a friendly face or voice over the phone to those who may be isolated or lonely.

 

Prayer and Spiritual Input

We can be active together in our Church life through prayer, even if we are unable to attend services and gatherings.

 

You can listen to past sermons on the Church website:

www.waltonparish.org.uk/category/sermons-and-talks

 

Other helpful resources:

Bible in One Year: www.bibleinoneyear.org

Live Lent: www.churchofengland.org/our-faith/living-out-our-faith/lent-holy-week-and-easter/livelent-care-gods-creation

 

And there are some great books in the Church bookstall

 

Support

We recognise that this is a worrying time and congregational members may need additional support.  You are very welcome to contact the Clergy, Church Office or Pastoral assistants:

 

Contact Numbers:

Rev Jonny and Rev Cathy Blair    01932 917 736

Rev Jonny Blair                                **894 584 097

Rev Caroline Merrick                       **419 827 739

Rev Alex Oehring                            **920 098 867

Church Office                                   01932 224 238

 

** = The first two numbers of a mobile phone number