Shanklin United Reformed Church
Our Returning to the Church Building
UPDATE

After the government announcement, it seems that we will be under the current restrictions for a little while longer. The Elders have discussed the situation and have decided that we should go ahead with our planned reopening on Sunday 27^th June, albeit with bookings (track & trace), face coverings and social distancing measures still in place.

We will revert to our normal Sunday service time of 10:30

The Sunday service on 27^th June and each week thereafter will be live streamed to our Facebook page, if possible. We are using a mobile data platform until Wightfibre can connect the church to their network. This is not 100% reliable and if live streaming does not prove possible for a particular service, it will be recorded and posted onto Facebook as soon as possible afterwards.

As usual, the first Sunday of each month will be a communion service, beginning on Sunday 4^th July.

For these services, you will need to book with Robin (robinwightman@aol.com), although for the first service on 27^th June booking will be with Yvonne Sparks (by email to yvonne.sparks65@gmail.com). We will be restricted in the number of folk who can be safely accommodated in the building ~ dependent upon the number of family groups/bubbles ~ up to a maximum of 40 people.

Our Tuesday Bible Bite service will continue as at present and the “rules” for both services are as before:

• Entry to the building will be via the front doors (and disabled access ramp). All attendees will be asked to sanitise their hands upon entry.

• Before being shown to a seat, please wear a face-covering (exceptions apply) and provide name & contact details (held for 21 days).

• Social distancing (2 metres) should be adhered to (including when queuing for entry and exit). Fellowship within the building should
  be minimised and interaction with those outside your household should be avoided, if possible.

• Once in your seat, you are asked to remain in place and not move around the building.

• Toilet facilities are available: please come to the back of the church before being shown to the toilet. Sanitise your hands before entry and on exit and also wipe down any surfaces you may have touched inside.

• At the end of the service, please leave the building when asked to do so, using both front and side exits. Please sanitise your hands on exit and avoid congregating outside the building.

• At present there will be no refreshments served after the service.

• Once restrictions are relaxed, these rules will be adjusted to suit.

We are still planning to hold our first in-person church meeting on Thursday 22^nd July @ 19:30; however, this may need to be delayed if restrictions are not sufficiently eased by then. The meeting will begin with our AGM covering our accounts and the election of Elders. This will be followed by the church meeting which will take the usual form and include a summary of decisions taken by the Elders on your behalf during the pandemic.