Coronavirus

Church of England Guidance for COVID-19

if you or someone you know needs pastoral support for example if self-isolating & need assistance at this time or for prayer requests, please contact us as follows:
Revd Marion de Quidt (Hook Rectory) 01256 763211
Revd Shona Hoad (Mattingley Rectory, Hound Green) 07871 740158

 

From 28th March, we are starting to open our churches for services, but at this time, we need to restrict numbers to ensure we are covid secure.  Any seats in church will need to be booked. We also have some services continuing via Zoom, and a number of small groups meeting around the Benefice using Zoom for 'virtual fellowship', see the Midweek activities page for details. Do please let us know if you would like to join in.

Government and Church of England Guidelines updated for March 2021

The Church of England is here for you during this difficult time. 

In the Whitewater Benefice we study Government detailed guidance when it is available and amend our advice as necessary. See https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches#na which was updated 22nd March.

There will be information on the Calendar pages which will give details of whether services are in church or online - and our services page will have a page for each Sunday with any Zoom codes required.  There may be times when our Churches for prayer will be open and we will update our weekly notices/Calendar with details (the weekly notices can be downloaded from the home page of our website).

 

Unless otherwise stated our church buildings are CLOSED.   However, the church is the people - and the people are still working!

1

Limited public meetings for worship - we will be having a 10am Sunday Zoom, but will have other services in church with smaller numbers of people, and places for church services will need to be booked
2 Pastoral Visits:
  • when someone is self-isolating we will offer phone support.
  • If pastoral visiting is necessary – we will take rigorous action to maintain health and hygiene; we will maintain social distancing
3 Please use the contact number above to let us know your needs. OR please phone Marion on 01256 763211.
4 #LoveYourNeighbour is an scheme we have set up to be of help during these difficult times - if you need help, please contact us.  See the #LoveYourNeighbour page for details - but shopping, gardening, help with IT, walking the dog, or just being a friendly voice at the end of the phone. 
5 We encourage everyone to maintain good hygiene:
  • Hand washing regularly for a minimum of 20 seconds
  • Catch-it = Bin it = Kill it = do not touch your face
    • Good regular cleaning of all surfaces

Remembering those who have died

Useful resources

Each Sunday we are aiming to worship in a variety of ways, you may join our service using Zoom from your computer, tablet or phone.  Each week we while provide a page for that sunday, it will contain somethings to read, activity sheets for any children, then, after the weekend, we will upload the sermon or talk, usually as an audio file, but sometimes we may have a video.  The services page for each Sunday which will include any Zoom details. We also have a link which will enable you to test connecting to and using zoom. 

We have a Whatsapp prayer groups which you may like to join, contact us for details.

Time to pray presents everything you need for Prayer During the Day, with variations according to the day of the week and the season of the Church’s year.  Its is a free app you can download.

Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind. When you dial in, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury welcomes you. When you press 'star' there are a range of options.

A prayer for the Nation is a booklet for produced by the Church of England.  It has been suggested that we unite to pray at 6pm every day and to use these prayers. The Church of England also has further useful booklets which are available with some prayers you may wish to use at this time. I also have an excellent booklet from the Church of England that I would be delighted to post to you, called 'Everyday Faith'. Please do call me and ask for one (01256 763211). 

You can sign up for our weekly notices to be emailed to you. If your neighbour is not using this service, you might like to encourage them or to print the notices sheet out for them?  Weekly notices can also be downloaded from the home page.

Small groups are continuing to meet, if you would like to join one, the contacts are on the Midweek activities page, or contact me and I can put you in touch with one of the groups.

Bishop Tim and Sally are broadcasting services from Wolvesey in Winchester, https://www.youtube.com/user/CofEWinchester/. The services, along with other resources to help people remain connected despite social distancing measures, will be available on the Diocese of Winchester’s website: https://www.winchester.anglican.org/

We are following Church of England recommendations - please check here for latest guidance https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches and https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-07///COVID%2019%20advice%20on%20face%20coverings%20v1.0.pdf 

Marion de Quidt, Rector of Whitewater Benefice, from Church of England guidance

23rd March 2020