On Sunday 15th August we returned to in-church services, but to support those now unable to attend, we are also providing an on-line link. Church Leaders have also amended our guidance to ensure the safety of those who attend whilst extending the opportunity for fellowship and worship including singing.
Opening for Worship on 15th August 2021_
NORTHALL BAPTIST CHURCH – return to building - objectives and risk mitigation
Objectives
To return to the building for Worship replicating as near as possible conditions to those prior to the
Covid pandemic with:
- Sensible distancing not necessarily observing 1 or 2 meters between attendees
- Singing without face covering
- Fellowship free of restrictions
- Face coverings not mandatory
Leaders accept the inevitability that there are multiple views of what is acceptable to members of
the congregation, leaders, preachers and visitors. Therefore it is right that we all accord respect to
each other as alternative views are held and expressed.
Assumptions and needs in order to achieve Objectives
1. Those who consider themselves critically vulnerable (under the suspended Government
Guidelines definition 1st April 2021) to refer to the later Government Guidelines, ‘Guidance
on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (Updated 28
July 2021)’.
2. Assume that no one who is infected attends the Church.
3. As far as possible all attendees are fully vaccinated.
4. Attendees health status should be Covid negative by Lateral Flow Test prior to attending
church. If the test has not been possible, or for unexpected visitors, then face covering must
be worn except when seated or singing from a seated position.
5. Make it possible to serve refreshments as part of Fellowship. Drinks maker(s) alone to
handle kettle, teapots and similar. Recipients use disposable cups to be served their chosen
beverage and then take separately wrapped biscuits provided, if required.
6. Ensure adequate ventilation of church and vestry.
7. Hygiene Stations to be maintained in church, kitchen and toilets for use on entry and exit of
the buildings.
8. Attendees can greet each other in whatever manner they each feel comfortable with,
respecting that worshippers have varying views of how near is acceptable to them.
9. Cleaning arrangements, including microphones, will remain.
10. Communion bread and wine to be served as originally except that preparation and serving of
the elements to be by a gloved individual (plates and wine glass holders not to be passed
from hand to hand). Recipients themselves take the bread and wine as offered;
subsequently, glasses to be collected by gloved server(s) and washed up. If desired,
worshippers can instead bring elements prepared by their own hand in their own containers.
11. Books and Bibles are available for use but must be collected by the user from, and after use
returned to, the book stacks situated on the rear pew. They must not be re-used for at least
72 hours (generally they are not required until the next week’s Service).
12. Seating arrangements to be restored to original format.
Thank you.
NBC Leaders: 2 nd August 2021
A pdf copy can be found here