
Coronavirus
Church of England Guidance for COVID-19if 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:
Government and Church of England Guidelines updated for December 2021The 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 on 27th January. There will be information on the Calendar pages which will give details of whether services are in church or online and we will update our weekly notices/Calendar with details (the weekly notices can be downloaded from the home page of our website). We ask that people attending any churches:
we are encouraging these measures as it will help protect those in the wider community. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you may need to take additional precautions (and may wish to speak to one of the team).
Opening our ChurchesWe are planning to be able to open our churches for private prayer, as follows, but please check the online calendar or the weekly notices to confirm:
Please come to pray, and enjoy the peace and comfort of being in God’s house. Please keep praying as we prepare wisely and carefully. Thank you for all the loving kindness shown during the season of coronavirus. The guidance is continually being updated, so please look out for any instructions when you arrive.
Useful resourcesEach Sunday we are aiming to worship in a variety of ways, you may join us in church or you may join our service using Zoom from your computer, tablet or phone. Our main 10am Service from Hook is shared via Zoom, if you would like to join check the details on the calendar entry for that service. 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. 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 28th February 2021 |