Coronavirus advice for Woking URC

Dear friends,

We have, as you would expect, been following closely the guidelines issued to churches around the Coronavirus. The URC has been pointing us to more detailed guidelines issued by the Anglican and Methodist churches and all of these are available online here and here. 

We will continue to offer church services unless we are advised to do otherwise. However, those who feel themselves particularly vulnerable for whatever reason, should make their own decisions on whether to attend, and all who feel ill are requested not to come to church while showing symptoms. 

In church, handshaking and hugging are, unfortunately, discouraged. Please don’t be offended that I don’t shake your hand at the door. The warmth of our greetings will be the same nonetheless. We won’t be sharing the peace in the usual way at the moment and will take additional measures around the serving of Holy Communion. The offertory will be received as a retiring one and the methods for serving tea and coffee will be slightly modified. 

Our advice and request is that you wash your hands regularly when at church. Hand sanitiser is scarce but a limited amount may be available. Of course we know that washing hands is still preferable. 

We plan to Live Stream our services from this Sunday onwards (available on the home page). This will allow those who feel unable to attend to watch from home. 

There will be further updates in due course, but for now, it’s important that we look after one another, albeit perhaps in new and creative ways. If you need help, feel isolated or lonely at anytime, please contact us and please remember to pick up the phone to support and check in on one another. 

In Christ,

Revd Lucy Brierley