St Laurence Church Cowley and COVID-19
This is a special message concerning the way forward for St Laurence church during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Published 07/03/2021
Opening Up Church
At our recent meeting, we discussed the options to open up Church again, and I have been asked to obtain the opinions from members of our church family.
Covid figures in Hillingdon are still the third highest in London, and currently of the 20 churches in Hillingdon, 8 are open and 12 are shut. Social Distancing is not likely to be reviewed until sometime in May, which for our small church, only allows a maximum of eighteen people to attend. The Bishop of London has also announced that congregational singing is not likely to be reinstated until much later in the year.
Should we therefore -
(1) hold a service on Easter Sunday 4th April at 10.00 am?
and
(2) continue after Easter with regular weekly services at 10.00 am on Sundays?
We need your opinions by Thursday 11th March, so please respond to Jackie Howcroft either by email: jhowcroft@btinternet.com or by text/phone message: 07729614827
At our recent meeting, we discussed the options to open up Church again, and I have been asked to obtain the opinions from members of our church family.
Covid figures in Hillingdon are still the third highest in London, and currently of the 20 churches in Hillingdon, 8 are open and 12 are shut. Social Distancing is not likely to be reviewed until sometime in May, which for our small church, only allows a maximum of eighteen people to attend. The Bishop of London has also announced that congregational singing is not likely to be reinstated until much later in the year.
Should we therefore -
(1) hold a service on Easter Sunday 4th April at 10.00 am?
and
(2) continue after Easter with regular weekly services at 10.00 am on Sundays?
We need your opinions by Thursday 11th March, so please respond to Jackie Howcroft either by email: jhowcroft@btinternet.com or by text/phone message: 07729614827
Published 09/01/2021
Published 12/12/2020
The Parochial Church Council has decided to offer services online on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day (please see the St Matthew’s, Yiewsley Programme), and Rev. Steve Morris has recorded a special audio service for the 27th December. As such, the Bishop has granted a dispensation under Canon B14A.
In the New Year, we shall be offering said Holy Communion Services, in Church all at 10.00 am on the following dates:
17th January - led by Revd. Ann Clarridge
24th January - led by Revd. Andrew Corsie
31st January - led by The Venerable Catherine Pickford
Due to social distancing we can only admit 18 people, and it is therefore essential that you pre-book.
To book your slot please emailjhowcroft@btinternet.com
In the New Year, we shall be offering said Holy Communion Services, in Church all at 10.00 am on the following dates:
3rd January - led by Revd. Andrew Corsie
10th January - led by Revd. Ann Clarridge17th January - led by Revd. Ann Clarridge
24th January - led by Revd. Andrew Corsie
31st January - led by The Venerable Catherine Pickford
Due to social distancing we can only admit 18 people, and it is therefore essential that you pre-book.
To book your slot please emailjhowcroft@btinternet.com
Published 31/10/2020
We are intending to open the Church on Sunday 15th November at 3 pm, so that we can conduct a short spoken Holy Communion service (in one kind), led by Rev. Steve Morris.
To book your slot please email jhowcroft@btinternet.com
As you will see from the risk assessment, we have had to plan very carefully indeed for this, in light of all the restrictions that the current pandemic, and the associated legal social distancing measures have thrown at us.
Attendance will be strictly limited – a total of only approximately 15 people (which will include the Vicar, and 2/3 helpers who will be assisting with the arrangements). Those wishing to attend will need to book in advance. We understand that this may cause some disappointment, as the booking system will be strictly operated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but we shall carry over the list to the second service, so that as many people as possible, can attend. We ask that people do not ‘turn up’ without pre-booking.
On the day:
1.You will be required to queue outside the church at 2m intervals. If you own a compatible mobile phone, please consider downloading the NHS Covid-19 App, so that you will be able to scan the NHS QR code which will be displayed on the Church door. This will assist with Track and Trace. A list of names and phone numbers will also be taken beforehand for individuals/groups in order to comply with Track and Trace.
2.Everyone will be required to wear a face mask, and we ask that you provide your own. You will be required to gel your hands before entering Church, and you will be escorted to your seat (starting from the front, and working backwards). This is an example of how the seating arrangements will be operated, but it may vary according to the number of individuals/groups attending on the day, in order to conform to the 2 metre distancing requirement.
3.While in Church, everyone must remain seated. There will be no singing, or sharing the Peace. You will be given an individual service sheet, which you can leave on the seat at the end of the service.
4.Holy Communion, in one kind, will be brought to each guest by Rev. Morris. You will be required to gel your hands again before receiving.
5.At the end of the Service, you will be asked to remain seated until you are escorted out of the Church (from the back, working forwards). You will again be required to gel your hands, and asked to leave the Church and grounds without congregating in groups.
We would love to see you at one of these services, but would urge you to only come if you feel confident and well. Please do not feel guilty if you are unable to take part, but instead join us in prayer from your own home. We hope to be able to offer a recording of the services.
To book your slot please email jhowcroft@btinternet.com
Published 27/09/2020
We are intending to open the Church on Sunday 11th and Sunday 18th October at 3 pm, so that we can conduct a short spoken Holy Communion service (in one kind), led by Rev. Steve Morris.
To book your slot please email jhowcroft@btinternet.com
As you will see from the risk assessment, we have had to plan very carefully indeed for this, in light of all the restrictions that the current pandemic, and the associated legal social distancing measures have thrown at us.
Attendance will be strictly limited – a total of only approximately 15 people (which will include the Vicar, and 2/3 helpers who will be assisting with the arrangements). Those wishing to attend will need to book in advance. We understand that this may cause some disappointment, as the booking system will be strictly operated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but we shall carry over the list to the second service, so that as many people as possible, can attend. We ask that people do not ‘turn up’ without pre-booking.
On the day:
1.You will be required to queue outside the church at 2m intervals. If you own a compatible mobile phone, please consider downloading the NHS Covid-19 App, so that you will be able to scan the NHS QR code which will be displayed on the Church door. This will assist with Track and Trace. A list of names and phone numbers will also be taken beforehand for individuals/groups in order to comply with Track and Trace.
2.Everyone will be required to wear a face mask, and we ask that you provide your own. You will be required to gel your hands before entering Church, and you will be escorted to your seat (starting from the front, and working backwards). This is an example of how the seating arrangements will be operated, but it may vary according to the number of individuals/groups attending on the day, in order to conform to the 2 metre distancing requirement.
3.While in Church, everyone must remain seated. There will be no singing, or sharing the Peace. You will be given an individual service sheet, which you can leave on the seat at the end of the service.
4.Holy Communion, in one kind, will be brought to each guest by Rev. Morris. You will be required to gel your hands again before receiving.
5.At the end of the Service, you will be asked to remain seated until you are escorted out of the Church (from the back, working forwards). You will again be required to gel your hands, and asked to leave the Church and grounds without congregating in groups.
We would love to see you at one of these services, but would urge you to only come if you feel confident and well. Please do not feel guilty if you are unable to take part, but instead join us in prayer from your own home. We hope to be able to offer a recording of the services.
To book your slot please email SecOfPcc@gmx.co.uk.
Published 08/08/2020
The Church Warden, members of the Parochial Church Council and I met via Zoom on the evening of 2nd July and we were joined by Bishop Pete and Richard Young, Vicar of St Matthew Yiewsley, our Area Dean. The message from Bishop Pete was one of praise for the manner in which the people of St Laurence have continued to witness to the love of God in this time of difficulty and of encouragement that plans are being put in place which will support the continuing of St Laurence as a place of mission and ministry and of worship.
However, due to the present circumstances in line with both Government and Church of England legislation, the PCC have taken the decision that it will not yet be possible to open St Laurence church for public worship. The reason for this is that whilst the two-metre ruling of social distancing, self-isolating and shielding are in place it will be very difficult to ensure the safety of people attending for public worship in St Laurence church. The PCC has applied to the Bishop for a Dispensation which is a requirement for closing the church for a specified period of time. The situation will be regularly reviewed and the church will be re-opened as soon as possible, subject to changes in Government rules and completion of a Risk Assessment by the PCC to ensure peoples’ safety.
There is a link available for you to access St Andrew, Uxbridge (https://standrewsuxbridge.org/digital-resources/) and St Matthew, Yiewsley (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJLVSy0-ZxPR7OdSfQKBl5Q), the nearest churches to St Laurence.
Both are offering live streaming of services on a Sunday, and the times when both churches are open for public prayer and worship. At the moment, St Matthew’s is offering Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer at 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday,(although this may be reduced during late July/August). The main St Matthew’s Sunday service is also recorded and put on YouTube at 10.30am on Sunday mornings. Reverend Young has also been leading school worship once a week for St Matthew's and Cowley St Laurence Schools and that is usually posted at 9am on Tuesdays. So, I would encourage you if you are able, to access these in the absence of services at St Laurence.
If you or someone you know is in need of pastoral care please do not hesitate to contact Paris Reveira, our Administrator who will monitor emails and telephone calls throughout the week, and forward the request to a member of the Parochial Church Council for follow up.
The Church’s email address is :STLchurch@gmx.co.uk and the telephone number: 07813534911
However, due to the present circumstances in line with both Government and Church of England legislation, the PCC have taken the decision that it will not yet be possible to open St Laurence church for public worship. The reason for this is that whilst the two-metre ruling of social distancing, self-isolating and shielding are in place it will be very difficult to ensure the safety of people attending for public worship in St Laurence church. The PCC has applied to the Bishop for a Dispensation which is a requirement for closing the church for a specified period of time. The situation will be regularly reviewed and the church will be re-opened as soon as possible, subject to changes in Government rules and completion of a Risk Assessment by the PCC to ensure peoples’ safety.
There is a link available for you to access St Andrew, Uxbridge (https://standrewsuxbridge.org/digital-resources/) and St Matthew, Yiewsley (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJLVSy0-ZxPR7OdSfQKBl5Q), the nearest churches to St Laurence.
Both are offering live streaming of services on a Sunday, and the times when both churches are open for public prayer and worship. At the moment, St Matthew’s is offering Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer at 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday,(although this may be reduced during late July/August). The main St Matthew’s Sunday service is also recorded and put on YouTube at 10.30am on Sunday mornings. Reverend Young has also been leading school worship once a week for St Matthew's and Cowley St Laurence Schools and that is usually posted at 9am on Tuesdays. So, I would encourage you if you are able, to access these in the absence of services at St Laurence.
If you or someone you know is in need of pastoral care please do not hesitate to contact Paris Reveira, our Administrator who will monitor emails and telephone calls throughout the week, and forward the request to a member of the Parochial Church Council for follow up.
The Church’s email address is :STLchurch@gmx.co.uk and the telephone number: 07813534911
