The C of E has issued guidance re face-masks in church.
They are 'strongly advised', but not mandatory. ISTM, however, that in a church situation, they are rather impractical, certainly for those reading/leading prayers/preaching. Once the thing is on, you're not supposed to touch it, or remove it, but...
...how does one receive Communion, without first hand-sanitising, and removing the mask, and then hand-sanitising again after receiving (probably dropping the mask whilst holding out one's hands for the Host!)?
I think this may put people off coming to church even more...but, in Our Place, with a large space, and small numbers, it could probably be safely left to the individual - albeit 'strongly advised'. I'll be interested to see what FatherInCharge says in this weekend's email/news-sheet!
In Scotland the person leading worship or reading does not have t mask - at least while they are engaged in public speaking - this is for clarity of communication and for the benefit of lip-readers.
Because our diocese stretches over parts of several states we have been on 'follow local restrictions' all through this without any overarching diocesan policy. Diocese issued a risk assessment questionnaire and left it at that. So far during this bloody mess we have been through the following stages:
1. Closed for two weeks at the end of March.
2. Sign-up sheets and no singing Good Friday through May 17th.
3. Capacity restrictions and no singing in late May
4. Normal, but with social distancing and reduced capacity since Memorial Day
We are small, which helps us. I think things would be more restricted if our average attendance per service was 30 not 15. I keep an eye on what is happening with the virus so that if the situation locally deteriorates, we can drop back to the appropriate stage.
I have had the comment that I have been a bit more on the Carf'lick side than usual since this kicked in, but that is my subconscious response to the increased stress levels. BTW, it was a comment not a criticism, as the person who made the point leans high anyway.
One side benefit of producing worship material for remote use is that I'm not restricted by the hymn book available in church. In particular, the current Church of Scotland Hymnary only has edited highlights of the Psalter. This Sunday, with the lectionary Psalm being 105:1-11,45b, it has a yawning gap. A quick trip online, however, furnishes me with the metrical version drawn from the 1650 Scottish Psalter and we can have the whole thing to the tune GLASGOW. Marvellous.
Our PP is vicar general of the diocese. They are very concerned about how thingd will shape up in the long run. People lose the habit of church and find other things to do an a Sunday morning. Many of our parishes are on a financial knife edge and the diocese doesnt have the resources to top up falling coffers.
Interestingly, in our micro-quadrant of the globe, across the diocese (all of which is on the knife-edge financially) we have not seen a down turn in giving, and even a slight up-turn, during our version of lock-down. Sociologically this is because most of our givers are in older age groups, with their income not employment-specific (i.e. more likely to be pension/superannuation, or investment beneficiaries), and tend to give by direct credit.
In our little corner income has been flat, which in the circumstances is bloody amazing, but then we have a congregations whose hardcore is either retired/superannuated or in rock steady safe employment. Covid-19 restrictions never became severe enough that we shut down completely, though we were having to work quite hard to keep things running at times. Paradoxically, the dislocation that all this is causing with the school system, and child care may actually improve our position financially in the short term, as we have managed to rent the redundant school building behind the church for the next academic year! I believe the expression is 'it is an ill wind that blows no-one any good.' We may actually be waving not drowning financially for a while.
That's good news @PDR. Just as a matter of interest, what are your plans for usiing the redundant school building? (The small congregation to which I belong is on the look-out for any redundant building suitable for a worship space, so we are hoping that some of the current ill-wind blows good in our direction.)
The school building has 6 to 9 classrooms, depending on how you use/designate the space, and is rated for about 160-180 kids. The ideal would be a medium size private, classical school with a Christian emphasis, but no real denomination attachment would be ideal. We do not have the human resources to plan and run a school, but we do have the bricks and mortar, and also some reserves of cash to enable properly planned upgrades of the building to take place. There have been some intriguing possibilities hovering in the background for 2021/2 academic year for a while, in the form of two projects which might just be able to piggyback with one another. The 2020/1 lease has been a nice, but slightly unexpected, surprise, and one that improves our outlook enormously.
As a nice bonus we had 19 at the Eucharist this evening, in addition to the dozen that made it to Matins. That is probably the best we have done since Shut Down occurred. As a result I am feeling a bit less battered than I have been recently.
Our frustration has been more with the Welsh Government, who gave churches a date for reopening but didn't provide the necessary guidance until after the first possible Sunday - partly, I suspect, because they first had to pass a legal Amendment in the Senedd.
Word at our place is that the (English) government is likely to require places of worship to start contact tracing with people signing in and giving phone numbers. It was apparently discussed at the latest regular meeting between ministers and clergy.
Contact tracing has been mandatory in our Australian diocese since reopening, along with strict capacity limits. Our diocese had also employed a risk specialist even before the virus had appeared and the contact lists are required to be emailed to her every week. The rector has created lists of the usual attendees at each service, so for regulars it's a tick-a-box, with visitors appending their names and contact numbers at the bottom of the list.
Yes. We have a Track n'Trace Book which we complete for every service, so that anyone attending that service can later be contacted if necessary. It usually falls to me to do the deed, and I have my special Track n'Trace Pen, which no-one but me is allowed to touch.
(shades of Moominpappa, and his special Memoir Pen...)
We don't get many visitors/newcomers (at least, not at the moment!), so most of the names noted are those for whom we already have contact details.
One recent visitor, however, quite cheerfully volunteered her phone number (I know her anyway) without being asked, and another visitor yesterday simply told me that she was a friend of our organist, and was staying for the weekend with said organist. This is OK, I think, as, if any tracing is needed, we know whom to approach.
We are supposed to destroy these records after 21 days, but I wonder if that's too soon?
Church of England advice has been to put in place the necessary provision for contact tracing.
The aged P went to church yesterday. Everyone who attended left a bit of paper with their details in a shoebox. I gather the shoebox is going on a shelf, where it will wait for some time before the contents is disposed of.
We are supposed to destroy these records after 21 days, but I wonder if that's too soon?
The one thing they have been consistent about is that the incubation period for the coronavirus is up to fifteen days. I would say 21 days is a minimum, and works on the assumption you will be promptly notified if someone comes up the virus. Much as I dislike the idea of keeping records on folks who attend church, at least it is the church not the Stasi doing it! Generally, I think 28 days would probably be better due to the potential delays in notification if someone does come up positive. More than that seems a bit excessive. Logically, participating in a spoken liturgy, socially spaced in a decent sized church should carry very little risk of transmission at all.
That chimes in with my own thoughts. At least a month - possibly 6 weeks - seems better...but it's not my call, so over to poor FatherInCharge, who has to deal with all the Legal Stuff!
That's one way of doing it. Did the Aged P, and others, write their own details on the paper?
Yes - I gather most of them showed up clutching a bit of paper with their details. There were pencils and paper available for those that didn't, and a supply of hand sanitizer.
(Their church has divided the congregation by initial letter of surname, and invites each group of letters to attend on a different Sunday, in order to facilitate distancing. Given that most of their congregation is a bit hesitant with computers, this seems like a reasonable way of doing it.)
I have been playing mood music on the organ at the 11.00 Mass.
Mask makes specs steam up with unintended consequences. Going to have to make like a reader and remove it when playing.
Our organist has questioned the compulsory wearing of masks in church and been told it is the ruling of the C of E and that Diocesan guidelines are being followed.
Is the Organist on a List of Exemptions?
I can't speak for the CofE, but the Government ruling (revised yesterday) states: "Whilst engaging in an activity in the place of worship or surrounding grounds, all parties should adhere to social distancing guidelines. 2 metres or 1 metre with actions taken to reduce the risk of transmission (where 2 metres is not viable) between households are acceptable. For example, use of face coverings."
No singing allowed in the C of E at the moment, anyway, so the question doesn't arise - but yes, I'd have thought that a mask was definitely needed whilst singing.
Mind you, has anyone tried singing with a mask on?
On a short trip to Barnard Castle over the weekend I was delighted to be able to attend Mass in St Wulstan's chapel in Alston. Alston claims to be the highest town in England and as if to emphasise this ,the main street (Front Street) is itself on a steep hill. St Wulstan's, based in the former town gaol,was opened in 1953 and the dedication recalls perhaps Thomas Wulstan Pearson RC bishop of Lancaster in the 1920s and 30s.
What is interesting,for me anyway, that it is in joint use (and possibly ownership) both by the RC and the Methodist communities. the Methodist church in town closed in the 1990s and since then the Methodists have used the chapel on Sunday mornings while the RCs use it on Saturday evenings.
What is interesting,for me anyway, that it is in joint use (and possibly ownership) both by the RC and the Methodist communities. the Methodist church in town closed in the 1990s and since then the Methodists have used the chapel on Sunday mornings while the RCs use it on Saturday evenings.
I know a URC chapel in Suffolk which used to host RC services - sadly it is now closed.
Alston, Cumbria which claims to be the highest town in England, must have then the 'highest' CofE parish church. That is, of course, from what I have seen of the interior of the church, not the 'highest' liturgically speaking. Last Sunday it was going to start with regular weekly eucharists,
Another question of 'height' of the parish church is a statue of Christ in glory above the main entrance. When the church was rebuilt in the 1800s it was proposed to put a statue of the saint of dedication, St Augustine of Canterbury, high up on the wall of the church.
The bishop, however, vetoed this plan as he said that no-one should be higher than Christ.
So there is now an empty niche above the statue of Christ.
Checking my records it will be only my 4th funeral this year.
I had to smile at that. Most people only get one funeral - ever!
[As it happens I have also had four funerals this year. Two were basically "old age", one was from Covid, one was for an elderly person whose passing was definitely hastened by the mental stress of the Covid situation although she never caught the disease.]
I think FatherInCharge has had 2-3 funerals at which to officiate (see what I did there?) this year, none of which have been for, or of, church members.
I do wonder, though, if we (and other churches) may find ourselves holding lots of 'Memorial Services' (or similar) later this year, to compensate for the many funerals which have had only minimal attendance because of the restrictions necessary.
Come to think of it, even the regular annual Memorial Service (arranged around All Souls'-tide, with just two of our many local undertakers) fills the church. If physical distancing is still required, it may be next year before this can be attended to, and it's an important issue for those bereaved, and still mourning.
No indeed. Actually there has been some singing in the funeral services I've conducted since March - on two occasions loudly, from the back, by an undertaker!
Comments
They are 'strongly advised', but not mandatory. ISTM, however, that in a church situation, they are rather impractical, certainly for those reading/leading prayers/preaching. Once the thing is on, you're not supposed to touch it, or remove it, but...
...how does one receive Communion, without first hand-sanitising, and removing the mask, and then hand-sanitising again after receiving (probably dropping the mask whilst holding out one's hands for the Host!)?
I think this may put people off coming to church even more...but, in Our Place, with a large space, and small numbers, it could probably be safely left to the individual - albeit 'strongly advised'. I'll be interested to see what FatherInCharge says in this weekend's email/news-sheet!
Donning/doffing the mask may be OK, I suppose, but all the hand-washing recommended pre-don and post-doff is a bit much...
1. Closed for two weeks at the end of March.
2. Sign-up sheets and no singing Good Friday through May 17th.
3. Capacity restrictions and no singing in late May
4. Normal, but with social distancing and reduced capacity since Memorial Day
We are small, which helps us. I think things would be more restricted if our average attendance per service was 30 not 15. I keep an eye on what is happening with the virus so that if the situation locally deteriorates, we can drop back to the appropriate stage.
I have had the comment that I have been a bit more on the Carf'lick side than usual since this kicked in, but that is my subconscious response to the increased stress levels. BTW, it was a comment not a criticism, as the person who made the point leans high anyway.
Thank you! An excellent choice of text, if I may say so...
Interestingly, in our micro-quadrant of the globe, across the diocese (all of which is on the knife-edge financially) we have not seen a down turn in giving, and even a slight up-turn, during our version of lock-down. Sociologically this is because most of our givers are in older age groups, with their income not employment-specific (i.e. more likely to be pension/superannuation, or investment beneficiaries), and tend to give by direct credit.
As a nice bonus we had 19 at the Eucharist this evening, in addition to the dozen that made it to Matins. That is probably the best we have done since Shut Down occurred. As a result I am feeling a bit less battered than I have been recently.
The powers that be seem to be retreating behind a wall that says "We're an Association not a denomination, find out for yourselves".
Exactly as we have been doing.
(shades of Moominpappa, and his special Memoir Pen...)
We don't get many visitors/newcomers (at least, not at the moment!), so most of the names noted are those for whom we already have contact details.
One recent visitor, however, quite cheerfully volunteered her phone number (I know her anyway) without being asked, and another visitor yesterday simply told me that she was a friend of our organist, and was staying for the weekend with said organist. This is OK, I think, as, if any tracing is needed, we know whom to approach.
We are supposed to destroy these records after 21 days, but I wonder if that's too soon?
The aged P went to church yesterday. Everyone who attended left a bit of paper with their details in a shoebox. I gather the shoebox is going on a shelf, where it will wait for some time before the contents is disposed of.
The one thing they have been consistent about is that the incubation period for the coronavirus is up to fifteen days. I would say 21 days is a minimum, and works on the assumption you will be promptly notified if someone comes up the virus. Much as I dislike the idea of keeping records on folks who attend church, at least it is the church not the Stasi doing it! Generally, I think 28 days would probably be better due to the potential delays in notification if someone does come up positive. More than that seems a bit excessive. Logically, participating in a spoken liturgy, socially spaced in a decent sized church should carry very little risk of transmission at all.
Yes - I gather most of them showed up clutching a bit of paper with their details. There were pencils and paper available for those that didn't, and a supply of hand sanitizer.
(Their church has divided the congregation by initial letter of surname, and invites each group of letters to attend on a different Sunday, in order to facilitate distancing. Given that most of their congregation is a bit hesitant with computers, this seems like a reasonable way of doing it.)
Mask makes specs steam up with unintended consequences. Going to have to make like a reader and remove it when playing.
Is the Organist on a List of Exemptions?
Ours is a small digital instrument sited among the congregation, not in a loft.
In England. Sometimes it is helpful to make that point.
(I was at a funeral on Sunday where the singers scrupulously wore face masks... until they stood up to sing).
Mind you, has anyone tried singing with a mask on?
What is interesting,for me anyway, that it is in joint use (and possibly ownership) both by the RC and the Methodist communities. the Methodist church in town closed in the 1990s and since then the Methodists have used the chapel on Sunday mornings while the RCs use it on Saturday evenings.
Worth remembering for the time when we're allowed to sing...
Another question of 'height' of the parish church is a statue of Christ in glory above the main entrance. When the church was rebuilt in the 1800s it was proposed to put a statue of the saint of dedication, St Augustine of Canterbury, high up on the wall of the church.
The bishop, however, vetoed this plan as he said that no-one should be higher than Christ.
So there is now an empty niche above the statue of Christ.
Four hymns with nobody singing.
It will be novel.
IYSWIM.
Oh yes .... plenty of that.
Checking my records it will be only my 4th funeral this year. Would normally have done at least a dozen by now.
[As it happens I have also had four funerals this year. Two were basically "old age", one was from Covid, one was for an elderly person whose passing was definitely hastened by the mental stress of the Covid situation although she never caught the disease.]
I do wonder, though, if we (and other churches) may find ourselves holding lots of 'Memorial Services' (or similar) later this year, to compensate for the many funerals which have had only minimal attendance because of the restrictions necessary.
Come to think of it, even the regular annual Memorial Service (arranged around All Souls'-tide, with just two of our many local undertakers) fills the church. If physical distancing is still required, it may be next year before this can be attended to, and it's an important issue for those bereaved, and still mourning.
Not in my experience of funeral services!