Lockdown January 2021
Sadly as the country is back in lockdown, the church will not be able to conduct weddings and baptisms during this period
Guidance Specific to the Covid-19 Pandemic
Guidance for all Specifically Arranged Services (Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms)
All services taking place outside of the normal Sunday service can happen in church with a maximum of 30 people present (including clergy and anyone else taking part in the service - photographers, videographers, funeral directors, technical assistants). Although, any extra people the church might need (e.g. someone to open up the building) are not included in this number.
Interaction between people must be done as safely as possible keeping to government physical distancing requirement of 2m for internal spaces. This might mean meeting, at least initially, via video link or talking on the telephone.
Hygiene requirements (washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or with sanitiser at the beginning and end of all meetings) must be adhered to.
We must avoid sharing documents, books, photos etc
Sadly, nobody who is showing symptoms (even mild) of covid-19 (a new, continuous cough; a high temperature; a loss of taste and smell) should attend.
The health implications for those in a vulnerable group should be discussed. If some people in these groups intend to be present at the service, their welfare should be kept to the fore. This will include advising other attendees that there is a vulnerable person attending, reminding them to take particular care in observing physical distancing.
If someone from a vulnerable group intends to be present, they should travel to the church in the safest way possible, preferably in a car by themselves or with someone from their household.
Services should be kept concise.
Although St Mildred's does have the facility to livestream, it won't always be possible to do this outside of our normal Sunday services. The personnel required for this technologically demanding activity cannot always be achieved in specifically arranged services.
An organist or pianist may play during the service, but congregational hymns and other singing are not permitted under government instructions. Wind instruments are not allowed. One person only may sing (with suitable physical distancing arrangements).
No refreshments can be served in the church.
After services are completed, the congregation must depart promptly.
Interaction between people must be done as safely as possible keeping to government physical distancing requirement of 2m for internal spaces. This might mean meeting, at least initially, via video link or talking on the telephone.
Hygiene requirements (washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or with sanitiser at the beginning and end of all meetings) must be adhered to.
We must avoid sharing documents, books, photos etc
Sadly, nobody who is showing symptoms (even mild) of covid-19 (a new, continuous cough; a high temperature; a loss of taste and smell) should attend.
The health implications for those in a vulnerable group should be discussed. If some people in these groups intend to be present at the service, their welfare should be kept to the fore. This will include advising other attendees that there is a vulnerable person attending, reminding them to take particular care in observing physical distancing.
If someone from a vulnerable group intends to be present, they should travel to the church in the safest way possible, preferably in a car by themselves or with someone from their household.
Services should be kept concise.
Although St Mildred's does have the facility to livestream, it won't always be possible to do this outside of our normal Sunday services. The personnel required for this technologically demanding activity cannot always be achieved in specifically arranged services.
An organist or pianist may play during the service, but congregational hymns and other singing are not permitted under government instructions. Wind instruments are not allowed. One person only may sing (with suitable physical distancing arrangements).
No refreshments can be served in the church.
After services are completed, the congregation must depart promptly.
Extra Guidance Specifically For Baptisms
Only clergy and parents should be at the font while godparents should maintain physical distance.
If the candidate is an infant, he or she should be held by a parent or guardian for the duration of the service, including during the baptism itself.
The minister must sanitize his/her hands before and after the Signing with the Cross on the candidate. We do not regularly use oil at St Mildred's during baptisms/christenings. Where oil is used, it should be applied with an implement which can be thoroughly cleaned or disposed of.
Water must be poured over the candidate’s forehead using an appropriate implement to pour the water such as a shell. Unfortunately, baptisms by immersion cannot be safely conducted at present. The baptised person, or their parents, may wipe the forehead with paper towels which should be immediately disposed of.
No one should sign themselves with the baptismal water or be sprinkled with the water after the baptism.
We do not regularly give lighted candle at St Mildred's. Where this is given, the presenting person must sanitize their hands before and after doing so.
The congregation should not be encouraged to project their voices during the ceremony (e.g. by loudly celebrating or engaging in particular parts of the service).
If the candidate is an infant, he or she should be held by a parent or guardian for the duration of the service, including during the baptism itself.
The minister must sanitize his/her hands before and after the Signing with the Cross on the candidate. We do not regularly use oil at St Mildred's during baptisms/christenings. Where oil is used, it should be applied with an implement which can be thoroughly cleaned or disposed of.
Water must be poured over the candidate’s forehead using an appropriate implement to pour the water such as a shell. Unfortunately, baptisms by immersion cannot be safely conducted at present. The baptised person, or their parents, may wipe the forehead with paper towels which should be immediately disposed of.
No one should sign themselves with the baptismal water or be sprinkled with the water after the baptism.
We do not regularly give lighted candle at St Mildred's. Where this is given, the presenting person must sanitize their hands before and after doing so.
The congregation should not be encouraged to project their voices during the ceremony (e.g. by loudly celebrating or engaging in particular parts of the service).
Extra Guidance Specifically For Weddings
People can lodge an objection but must keep physical distancing requirements in order to do so. This is a rare event but it is important to have someone present who is in charge of people coming into the service.
The bride and groom can join hands during the service, but everyone else must keep to physical distancing requirements. The minister does not have to touch the rings or the couple's hands during the ceremony.
Rings should be handled by as few people as possible and hand sanitizing requirements must be adhered to.
The congregation should not be encouraged to project their voices during the ceremony (e.g. by loudly celebrating or engaging in particular parts of the service).
The bride can be walked down the aisle only with a member of her household.
Bridesmaids must keep physical distancing requirements.
Hand sanitizing should take place before and after signing the register and physical distancing requirements must be met.
The bride and groom can join hands during the service, but everyone else must keep to physical distancing requirements. The minister does not have to touch the rings or the couple's hands during the ceremony.
Rings should be handled by as few people as possible and hand sanitizing requirements must be adhered to.
The congregation should not be encouraged to project their voices during the ceremony (e.g. by loudly celebrating or engaging in particular parts of the service).
The bride can be walked down the aisle only with a member of her household.
Bridesmaids must keep physical distancing requirements.
Hand sanitizing should take place before and after signing the register and physical distancing requirements must be met.
Extra Guidance Specifically For Funerals
Alongside the member of clergy, Funeral Director and staff, the government has stated that only the following should attend: Members of the person’s household.
Close family members .
Or, if the above are unable to attend, close friends.
Key mourners of the deceased person can attend even if they are currently self-isolating due to another person in their household being unwell with symptoms of covid-19. However these guidelines must be obeyed:
Do not attend if you have symptoms yourself even if mild;
Keep the 2m physical distance requirement;
Advise other mourners of the circumstances. Anyone who is extremely clinically vulnerable should not attend in this instance;
Use your own transport;
Practise careful hand and respiratory hygiene (wash hands more often; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; use a tissue to cover your coughs/sneezes and immediately dispose of it).
Mourners who are extremely clinically vulnerable can attend (at their own discretion) despite the additional risk this poses to them. The exception is in the point immediately above where a key mourner who would otherwise be self-isolating is attending. Guidance for a situation in which an extremely clinically vulnerable person attends the service includes:
Informing other mourners that an extremely clinically vulnerable person is attending;
Travel by the safest route possible, preferably in a car alone or with a member of your household;
Consider the additional risk of traveling by public transport;
Maintain very high standards of hand and respiratory hygiene.
No physical contact between mourners from different households should be made.
Services and ceremonies taking place in a crematorium or cemetery chapel will need to obey the regulations of the particular crematorium or cemetery. The Funeral Director will be able to advise about this. St Midlred's church does not have the facility to conduct burials.
The Church of England has produced a reflection on attending funerals at home when you can't physically be present at this time. It is available by clicking the below link.
Close family members .
Or, if the above are unable to attend, close friends.
Key mourners of the deceased person can attend even if they are currently self-isolating due to another person in their household being unwell with symptoms of covid-19. However these guidelines must be obeyed:
Do not attend if you have symptoms yourself even if mild;
Keep the 2m physical distance requirement;
Advise other mourners of the circumstances. Anyone who is extremely clinically vulnerable should not attend in this instance;
Use your own transport;
Practise careful hand and respiratory hygiene (wash hands more often; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; use a tissue to cover your coughs/sneezes and immediately dispose of it).
Mourners who are extremely clinically vulnerable can attend (at their own discretion) despite the additional risk this poses to them. The exception is in the point immediately above where a key mourner who would otherwise be self-isolating is attending. Guidance for a situation in which an extremely clinically vulnerable person attends the service includes:
Informing other mourners that an extremely clinically vulnerable person is attending;
Travel by the safest route possible, preferably in a car alone or with a member of your household;
Consider the additional risk of traveling by public transport;
Maintain very high standards of hand and respiratory hygiene.
No physical contact between mourners from different households should be made.
Services and ceremonies taking place in a crematorium or cemetery chapel will need to obey the regulations of the particular crematorium or cemetery. The Funeral Director will be able to advise about this. St Midlred's church does not have the facility to conduct burials.
The Church of England has produced a reflection on attending funerals at home when you can't physically be present at this time. It is available by clicking the below link.
