Covid 19 Update

Latest Covid 19 Update from the Church of England

Message from the Church of England's Recovery Group

6th June 2020

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, chair of the Church of England’s Recovery Group said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement today that church buildings can open up for supervised individual prayer from June 15. This is the start of the journey for church buildings to open up safely in line with Government advice and we look forward to their detailed guidance on enabling this first step to happen.

"Advice has already been circulated to all our dioceses to enable local churches to plan ahead for opening up for individual prayer. Our advice recognises that a particular local church may or may not be able to open at the same time as others and collaborative working between local churches is encouraged. A simple risk assessment template has been provided.

"Throughout this crisis churches have been serving their communities in a range of practical ways but this announcement recognises that the buildings themselves are important sacred spaces for people. We also remember all at this time who mourn the loss of a loved one who died during the crisis and recognise that this is a fragile time in the prevention of the spread of this virus.

"We look forward to when it is safe for our church buildings once again to become meeting places for worship, prayer and all they do to serve and bless their communities.”

Latest Update from the Diocese of Chelmsford

10th Jun 2020

On 9 June the House of Bishops issued updated guidance permitting funerals to take place in church buildings from 15 June in line with government guidelines.

Bishop Peter sent an Ad Clerum to clergy and lay leaders this morning in which he states:

“From Monday 15 June, our Government has said that we can open our church buildings for private prayer and funerals, though attendance will be strictly limited, relative to the size of the building. The Church of England guidelines for this are on our website and have been communicated to clergy and church leaders. However, I want to emphasise some key points of those permissions, which I endorse for our Diocese of Chelmsford.

Please be clear above all else that in both cases this is permissive not compulsory: it is not a must but a may.

Our churches may open on the 15th, soon after, or not at all in the near future, according to wise decisions made by parish clergy and PCCs.

Those decisions will differ from place to place and will depend on local capacity to ensure safe cleaning and appropriate oversight of attendance. Local decisions must be respected and no clergy should feel obliged or put under pressure to open churches for any purpose unless they feel confident in those respects. Please be clear also that permission is not given to begin worship services as yet, either inside or just outside the building.

It also needs to be noted that there are some clergy, lay leaders and key volunteers who need to shield themselves or family members and therefore can’t be party to any plans for re-opening.

As these matters are considered, especially in rural multi parish benefices and any churches with small or predominantly elderly congregations, it may be helpful if cross parish consultations and collaboration target one location best suited to early opening in an area.”