8th August 2020
Face masks
Yesterday the Church of England published updated guidance on the wearing of face coverings in church, following further conversations with the government.
It remains the case that the wearing of a face covering is mandatory for all those attending public worship in church, except for those who are exempt for medical reasons, or for young children. However, there are now further exemptions that have been agreed with the government. The presiding priest will no longer need to wear a face covering whilst he or she is leading the liturgy, excepting when they in in close proximity with members of the congregation. This makes particular sense in St George’s where the presiding priest is generally quite a distance away from the congregation. Those who read or lead intercessions are also allowed to remove their face covering when they are participating in the liturgy from the lectern, but must put it on again afterward. Since we reopened we have ensured that the lectern is at the required distance from the nearest occupied seating space and, so there should not be any additional risk factor. The reading of the Gospel and the homily can also be given safely from the lectern with the preacher unmasked at this point. At the giving of communion, the presiding priest will need to ensure that a face covering is worn because at that point they will be in close proximity to members of the congregation.
These new arrangements will be in place from this coming Sunday (9th August) and will continue until further guidance is given.
With love and prayers
Fr Colin
7th August 2020
Sunday Bulletin and Reading Sheet for Sunday 9th August
The Bulletin for Sunday 2nd August is now available to download, read and print out at the "at home resources" page of the church website. Also the Reading Sheet and the links you need to view the live feed video of the Eucharist on 2nd August at 10am. Go to the ‘at home’ resources page HERE.
If you haven't yet done so, please remember to book your place for our services this weekend by emailing parishpriest@stgeorges.church or call the Parish Office on 023 9225 8079 as soon as possible. Please leave your name and a contact number, which service you would like to attend (8AM or 10AM) and the number of people who will be in your party with you.
It is important for us to not only monitor numbers but also to know who is in Church for track and trace purposes, should that become necessary.
For those attending in Church, please remember to bring a face covering.
At the moment it is not possible to pass the collection plate around the congregation at the offertory. There is a plate at the back of the church if you would like to make your donation to the mission and ministry of St George’s. Thank you in advance.
Best wishes,
Alex
Parish Adminstrator
3rd August 2020
News this week
Hope you are all well. A couple of items for you.
We are now taking bookings for the services this Wednesday (5th August) and next Sunday (9th August). As always, please either send an email to parishpriest@stgeorges.church or call the Parish Office and leave a message to book yourself in.
Apologies for those watching at home yesterday for the sound problem at the start of the service. It was just one of those things but one we will try to avoid in the future. Many thanks to Richard Spurgeon for working so hard to get us streamed online and for all the great work he has down putting together several cameras, slides etc.
You will have heard that Ian Redfern-Tongs died peacefully in his sleep a few weeks ago. His funeral takes place tomorrow at 3PM at Portchester Crematorium. You will be aware that there are restrictions on numbers attending funeral services at the moment but some of you might like to follow the service on line. Details of how you can do this are set out below:
'With reference to your enquiry to setting up the Webcam for the late Ian Redfern Tongs’ funeral, please find below the url link.
Url: http://crematorium.mediaondemand.net/Player/portchester/13088
Ian Redfern-Tongs - Media on Demand Wedcast
Ian Redfern-Tongs at portchester from Media on Demand Wedding Webcast Services
crematorium.mediaondemand.net
Click on the above link or copy and paste in to your internet browser
Please note the broadcasting will not begin until the service starts so allow a few minutes before 3pm for the broadcast to start. You may need to refresh the browser until the service appears. The service will also be available to download by clicking on the same link approximately 2 hours after the service.
Alex
Parish Administrator
25th July 2020
Face masks
Following on from my previous message about the wearing of face coverings in Church, and to avoid any confusion, I thought it might be helpful to explain why this decision has been taken at the present time.
On 14th July the Government announced that from 24th July face coverings were to be mandatory in all shops and supermarkets. Wearing face coverings in church, though not mandatory, was to be encouraged. Given the very extensive and detailed steps we were already taking at St George’s to ensure everyone’s safety and wellbeing I did not consider this to be a necessity at that time, although some people chose to wear face coverings and boxes of facemasks were available at the entrance to the church for those who wished to use them. However, on 23rd July, less than 24 hours before face coverings were to become mandatory in shops and supermarkets, the Government announced that face coverings would be compulsory in all enclosed spaces. It is in response to this that the Church of England, who are in regular dialogue with Government ministers, updated the guidance with regard to the wearing of face coverings in churches and cathedrals on the basis that they are ‘enclosed spaces’.
I appreciate that many find the wearing of face coverings to be uncomfortable, myself included. I am minded that I will be required to wear one for virtually the entire morning, having presided and preached at the 8 AM and 10 AM Eucharist. However, throughout this difficult time the Church of England, along with our sisters and brothers from other traditions, has always sought to follow the legal position as laid down by Government as is its obligation, and with the overriding concern that we ensure we do all we can to keep everyone safe and well.
With love and prayers
Fr Colin
1st July 2020
Public Worship in Church - starting from Sunday 5th July
The Church Wardens and I met this morning to determine what measures need to be taken to ensure that we are able to safely open St George’s Church for public worship as soon as possible. We were guided by the guidance provided by the Church of England, and have concluded that we will be ready to open this coming Sunday (5th July) when the Eucharist will be celebrated at 8AM and 10AM, and again on Wednesday 8th July at 10AM. This is indeed good news, but there are a number of things that you will need to be aware of to ensure your own safety and the safety of other worshippers.
To ensure that the two-metre rule is adhered to we can only accommodate a maximum of 50 people for each service.
You are kindly asked to ensure you maintain the two-metre rule when entering and leaving the church.
If you fall into a High Risk Category (which means you are clinically extremely vulnerable) or are in a Moderate Risk Category (which means you are clinically vulnerable), you need to consider whether to attend public worship at this time. The decision whether to do so is yours alone, but please ensure that you are aware of the potential risk.
If you wish to attend either service on Sunday (and subsequent Sundays) you will need to book a place each week by emailing me on parishpriest@stgeorges.church (please DO NOT press reply to this email) or by ringing the parish office number (02392 258079). Leave your name and the service which you intend to attend. If you are coming with your family please advise how many will be coming with you. Please advise by 5PM on Friday if at all possible.
It is unlikely you will be able to sit in your ‘usual’ place. There is an absolute necessity that everyone sits 2 metres apart (with the exception of those from a single household who can sit together).
Upon entering the church you will have your temperature taken with a non-invasive monitor.
You will be asked to sanitise your hands as you enter the church.
Singing is not permitted in church at this time.
We are not permitted to share the peace.
The collection plate will be kept by the font for you to leave your offering. The plate will not be passed through the congregation during the offertory.
Communion will be in one kind only and the host will be administered to each individual where you are sitting so as to ensure the two-metre rule is adhered to.
If you are not able to attend church in person, or choose not to do so, we will nevertheless be streaming the 10AM service on both Sundays and Wednesdays (as now) so that you can follow as usual on our website or on YouTube
When coming to the church would you please adhere to the instructions of either the wardens or those who are stewarding.
We are not able to offer refreshments after the service at the moment.
When the service ends, please do not congregate outside the church, and ensure you adhere to the 2 metre rule where possible.
I am aware that all this sounds rather like a draconian list but I am sure you appreciate our commitment to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible.
With love and prayers
Fr Colin
Welcome to the web site for St George’s Church and its Parish magazine, St George’s News.
This is the world’s longest running Parish Magazine on the Internet - we were the first parish magazine on the web, our On-Line edition started in February 1996. You will find many interesting articles here on a wide variety of subjects. If you want a copy of the printed version, you can subscribe here.
St George’s Church welcomes visitors. During more normal times, the Church is open from 9.30am until 3pm. (mornings only during school holidays). At the moment the Church is open for private, silent prayer from 12.noon - 2pm, Sundays and 4pm - 6pm Wednesdays only.
You can now attend our Sunday services at 8am and 10am and the mid-week Eucharist at 10am on Wednesdays; however prior booking is required as numbers are restricted. See HERE. Most services also transmitted live on YouTube. Sunday School and Sunday School Baby & Toddler Group, (9.45am in the hall during term times) are cancelled at the moment.
SAFEGUARDING. To contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer email
safeguarding@stgeorges.church
St George’s Church Waterlooville adopts and follows the House of Bishop’s ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy. For more detailed information click HERE
