Coronavirus (covid19) - churches
adapted from Diocese of London guidelines, 4th March 2020
The government has published its action plan. The Health Secretary has said that widespread transmission of the virus across the UK is becoming ‘more likely’. The advice about the conduct of services, sharing the peace, Holy Communion and so on remains unchanged for now, but is being reviewed and may be updated.
The action plan seeks to contain, delay and mitigate any outbreak.
Although concerns are heightened the risk to the public in the UK remains at moderate. There are now more cases, and in a wider number of areas, but the number of cases in the UK remains small and good preparation is in place.
Most people recover from the illness after experiencing heavy cold/flu-like symptoms for 6-8 days, but no vaccine is available as yet. Older people are more likely to have more severe symptoms. Deaths are most likely to occur where there is a pre-existing condition.
Holy Communion
While it is our faith that the sacraments are means of grace and not of sickness, they are physically ministered and we should take physical care. As well as the specific concern about Coronavirus, this advice is generally applicable for all infectious disease.
Wash Hands. You are advised to wash hands frequently. Antibacterial soap and water are readily available in the toilets at the back of church. Please feel free to use them as and when you feel necessary. Hand sanitising gel and wipes are extremely scarce at the moment, but you may like to bring some with you in the future. A limited supply is available at the back of church from the person on west end duty. The clergy presiding at the Eucharist will wash their hands after the Peace. Hand sanitisers will then be used immediately before the Preparation of the Table and eucharistic prayer.
Do not intinct. It is our general practice here at St John’s not to practice individual intinction (dipping the bread into the wine) during the taking of communion. For some years we have only practised it by the wafer being dipped by the chalice assistant. In light of the potential outbreak of the coronavirus, we have been asked to remind people that because hands can be as much a source of pathogens as lips, intinction is no safer than drinking and can introduce germs into the cup. For the time being, we will therefore no longer offer any kind of intinction.
Consider receiving Holy Communion in one Kind. It is Anglican teaching that to receive the sacrament in one kind only (i.e., just the bread) is to receive the sacrament in its entirety. The celebrant should always receive from the Chalice. Should a communicant feel ill or not wish to drink from the chalice then he or she ought to receive the consecrated bread alone.
The Common Cup. There is no need at this stage to cease offering the chalice to the congregation, though this is being kept under review. If a pandemic is declared, there will be official advice on not sharing common vessels.
The Peace. At this time there is no need to refrain from sharing the Peace, though hugs and greeting with a kiss should be avoided. Sensitivity should be shown to those who would rather not touch hands. Consider instead greeting with elbows or with feet or just a friendly nod. Mix and match with whatever you feel comfortable! Possibly further advice will need to be given were the virus to spread more widely in the UK.
In working to mitigate the impact of serious disease, St John’s is in the process of making contingency plans.
Fruits of the Spirit
Anthems for Lent
If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit - Galatians 5. 25
We are told by the Apostle Paul that if we ‘live by the Spirit’ our lives will produce a fruitful harvest that brings encouragement and life to those around us. During Lent we shall explore this theme in our music as we trace the various aspects that we are called to reflect upon during this season of fasting and self-examination:
01st March Love
08th March Kindness
15th March Peace
22nd March Goodness
29th March Gentleness
05th April Patience
Becoming Mindful
A Carol Service for Lent
Sunday, 8th March, 6pm
This service is a bold new venture for Lent which we hope will capture peoples’ imaginations is a carol service-like liturgy but with a completely different feel. Music, song, readings and poetry will explore the Lenten themes of mortality, fasting, prayer, restoration and perseverance and designed to assist us in our preparation for Easter. The service will be followed with tea, coffee and hot cross buns. Please save the date in your diary.
The Wednesday Club
18th March 2020, 7.30pm
This group typically meets on the third Wednesday of the month in The Monkey Puzzle pub to discuss everyday ethics and how the things we think and do relate to our understanding of God and faith. This promises to be a lively and generous discussion, so do come and join us! To sign up or for further information, speak to Dan.
Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting
This year’s annual meetings take place on 29th March immediately after the 10am service. The first step in preparation for these meetings is to revise the Electoral Roll. Accordingly, the Roll will be open until 5th March. Having your name entered on the Electoral Roll is an indication of your involvement in the life of the parish and entitles you to attend and take part in the annual meeting. It is also something that Church of England schools ask about when applying for a place. Forms are available from the table in the porch or from Bryan Sollenberger.
Easter 2020
Easter Breakfast
A cooked breakfast is served in the hall following the dawn service. Please sign up in the porch if you plan to stay for this. Anyone wishing to volunteer to organise the Easter breakfast would be very warmly welcomed by the Vicar (who will be coming off his Lenten diet).
Easter Baptisms
There will be an opportunity for adults and children to be baptized as part of the Easter liturgy at 5am again this year. If you are interested in being baptized at this service, please speak to one of the clergy as soon as possible.
Photo Fresh
In the coming weeks we are looking at how we might refresh our online presence, reflecting the beauty of who we are as a church family. As part of this, Chris Skarratt will be taking photos on three consecutive Sundays in March (15, 22, 29) both during and after the service, capturing the ‘vibe’ of our worship and the warmth of our time together over coffee. If for any reason you would rather not be in any picture do just let Chris or Dan know on the day. Thanks in advance for your help in spreading the word!
Confirmation
On Sunday, 17th May, the Bishop of London will be presiding at a service of Confirmation. Courses preparing children and adults for Confirmation will be starting shortly. If you would like to be confirmed or if you would like to explore the possibility of being confirmed, please talk with one of the clergy.
New Assistant Curate
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Georgina Elsey as the new assistant curate here at St John’s. Georgina is training for ordination at Cranmer Hall, Durham and will be ordained deacon by the Bishop of London in St Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday, 4th July 2020. She will begin her ministry here at St John’s the following day. A flyer introducing Georgina is available in the porch.
Rainy Day Appeal
Raised: £35,824
Target: £40,000
Two years ago we undertook some very essential repairs to the roof, gutters and parapets. If you look up on the outside north or south sides of the church, you’ll notice the beautiful new stonework. To fund the works, however, we had to borrow £200,000 from the Diocese of London.
We are now 89.6% of the way to our goal of raising £40,000 to cover this year’s repayment commitment and interest. There are 160 metres of guttering, which works out at £250 per metre (£200 per metre if gift aided). To clear one or more metres or for more information about Gift Aid, speak to Bryan Sollenberger. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.
Culture Vulture Ventures
Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, Sunday 15th March
For a bright spot in the midst of Lent, choral scholar Judith LeBreuilly is performing the role of Lia in Debussy’s French opera L’Enfant Prodigue, part of the Royal College of Music’s triple bill of one-act French operas. Tickets to the dress rehearsal on Sunday March 15th are free but you need to give your name as soon as possible to Lesley Gray or to the parish office. We will meet for lunch before the performance 12.45pm at the Café Bar of the Royal Albert Hall, situated by the ground floor entry at Door 12. The Royal College of Music is located a short walk behind the Albert Hall in Prince Consort Road.
A Big Gay Night Out
Dick Whittington (an adult Panto) December 2020! There’s nothing like planning ahead – and tickets for this year’s panto at Above the Stag are now on sale! If you are interested in coming to the Panto on Tuesday 8th December 2020, please contact Ian Smith [ipas@hotmail.co.uk] asap. Tickets, £28 a seat, sell fast (even this far ahead!).
Keeping It Down to a Dull Roar!
We are delighted to have so many families with young children as members of our congregation. We want you to enjoy being part of our service as a whole family. If you have a small child who becomes restless or upset during the service, please feel free to take them either into the hall or outside to calm down. A member of staff or churchwarden are always happy to help if you are unsure what to do. Being in church, especially during communion, is a sacred time for many people. We ask parents to remember this and to encourage children to see St John’s as a special place.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Stay and Play
A community playgroup meets weekly in St John’s on Thursday mornings from 9.30-11.30am. Come and stay for a play, a sing-song and to share stories over a cup of coffee. All children and babies are welcome (newborn to 5 years). Suggested donation: £2.
