Coronavirus

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Church of England Guidance for COVID-19

Marion de Quidt, Rector phone number: 01256 763211 (with answerphone)
Local Pastoral Care telephone: 07793 078 062

The mobile contact number is monitored 24/7 for you to let us know your prayer requests and for any other support we are able to offer at this time.

Our normal pattern of worship is suspended until further notice as we minimise the opportunity for spread of coronavirus through our community.  We have 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 Jan 2021

C of E is here for youThe Church of England is here for you during this difficult time.  Click on the image to the right for a link to the CofE January email update.

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 19th January.

We have decided to close our Churches for normal activities. Our Sunday services, midweek services, and small groups are held via Zoom.  There will be information on the services pages, with any Zoom codes required.  There may be times when our Churches will be open and we will update our weekly notices 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 do our best to provide alternative ways of being a community of worshippers for example having at 10am Sunday Zoom
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

5th Feb 2020