Intro
Fundraising
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At the present time Wardle Village Church remains closed but we are working hard within government guidlines to reopen as soon as possible.
Returning to worship at St Andrew’s Church
Welcome back to worship
In the first instance, following diocesan guidelines and in consultation with Ruth Jackson we will only be opening one church, members of Wardle Village church are part of our Church family and are welcome to come to the worship at St Andrew’s.
Whilst the church building has been “closed” we have continued to be the church through a number of online services, supporting each other and staying in contact through conversations, in our thoughts and in our prayers, so a big thank you to everyone involved in making sure we’ve stayed connected.
As restrictions start to ease and we can return to worship it is important that we keep everyone in the congregation safe.
What we’ve done to be COVID-19 Secure
- Completed a risk assessment of the church building
- Put measures in place to control access and minimise waiting
- Thoroughly cleaned the whole building
- Obtained face coverings and gloves for the clergy team
- Bought additional sanitiser and cleaning material
- Displayed appropriate signage
The risk assessment shows we need to make some changes to how we normally do things.
To give everyone the opportunity to attend there will be 2 services on a Sunday, one at 9.30am which will be recorded on YouTube live and posted on the website, Facebook and WhatsApp and the other at 10.30am. The second service will not be recorded it will be the same service repeated so you will only attend one. Currently we expect to be able to accommodate 32 people at each service. You will need to let us know which service you wish to attend by contacting David Johnson standrewsbooking@outlook.com or 07714 0051015
To keep things as simple as possible please attend at the same time each week.
There will also be a Thursday morning online service at 9.30am. All other services including Tuesday morning prayer, Saturday evening prayer and our monthly Sunday BCP evening prayer will remain online.
The Diocese has asked that we highlight the following information, taken from The Church of England website:
“While those at extra risk and the ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ should be advised of the risks of attending public worship, a decision to do so is theirs alone”.
Please read the information below before you come to church so you know what to expect and can take the necessary precautions. Do not come to church if you have symptoms of Covid 19 which include raised temperature, new continuous cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste and smell.
Arriving at church
- Allow extra time to get into church
- Bring as little with you as possible to reduce the risk of infection
- You should keep your outdoor clothing with you
- Access to church will be via the flat drive. The main steps to the front door will be closed off as will the steps from the vicarage drive
- Follow the arrows keeping to the right of the cones.
- Entry will be via the main doors
- Maintain social distancing as there may be a queue to enter the porch area. The required distance will be marked on the drive.
- Wearing a face covering is optional
Entering the parish room
- Sanitise your hands before entering church
- Read the notice that states the requirements we must follow
- The first time you come you will be given a green service booklet. This will be your copy to keep and must be taken home and brought back each time you attend a service. These will be recycled and replaced when Covid19 is over
- Service sheets will be issued each week and must be taken home to keep or recycle
- Government guidance recommends we record names and contact details to assist with Test and Trace. These will be kept for 21 days after the service
- Place your offertory envelope on the collection plate or make a contactless donation using the terminal provided
Inside church
- The seats are arranged to maintain social distancing and allow the congregation to worship together safely
- You will be shown to a seat by a steward who will be wearing a blue hi-viz jacket
- Families, households or “social bubbles” are asked to sit on the seats at the side of church
- Individual worshippers should sit on the main rows with a gap of 2 chairs between each person
- The toilet will be available. You must wash your hands and sanitise before entering church
- One of the stewards will wipe round after each use.
The service
- The service will last around 30 minutes
- Singing is not currently allowed however we can have the organ/CD played before and after the service and during communion
- The peace will be verbal only with no contact between worshippers
- Communion will involve being given bread at the edge of the raised carpet area. Communion wine cannot be given
- The celebrant will wear a face covering, gloves and a visor
- The stewards will ensure that social distancing is maintained
- Follow the one-way arrows and walk round in a loop of church as directed
- If you have restricted mobility and would prefer to have communion in your chair, please let one of the church wardens/stewards know
- We are unable to offer Sunday School until September 2020 at the earliest
After the service
- Take your green service booklet and service sheet home with you
- Refreshments cannot be served
- Sanitise your hands as you leave church
- You should exit via the new door to the side of the parish room (North door)
- Keep to the right- hand side of the cones on the drive so you are socially distanced from anyone arriving for the next service
If you need help, support or have queries please ask one of the church wardens or stewards.
Thanks for your support and patience as we try to keep you all as safe as possible during this difficult time.
If you have any suggestions on how we can improve what we are doing, please contact Janice or Christine.
Thank you
David Johnson standrewsbooking@outlook.com 07714 0051015
Janice Perkins Janice.perkins74@hotmail.co.uk 07730 367919
Christine Longhurst Christine.longhurst@hotmail.co.uk 07766 404282
Prayer group
Over the past few months, a group of us have been meeting as a prayer group on the second Tuesday of each month.. As this will not be happening, perhaps at 10.00am on the second Tueday of each month as many of us as can, pray for each other and the challenges that are now before us.
Wardle is a Local Ecumenical Partnership between Wardle Methodist Church and the Parish of Wardle and Smallbridge. Wardle Village Church has been a local Ecumenical Partnership since 1993, and its fully integrated congregation shares both Methodist and Anglican worship. We play a full part in both the Rochdale and Littleborough Methodist Circuit and District and the Rochdale Deanery and Diocese of Manchester.
Our purpose is to offer meaningful worship; (both traditional and modern) to encourage members to grow in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be the body of Christ, witnessing to his love and grace in the area we serve.
Ministers
Rev Rachel Battershell
Vicar
Tel: 01706 378466
Rev Anne Gilbert
Anglican Curate
Tel: 346774
Diocese of Manchester Website
www.manchester.anglican.org.uk
Rev. Ruth Jackson
Superintendent Methodist Minister
01706 551686
Methodist Church Website