A statement from Rev David Baldwin regarding the return to worship in church buildings.
The Beaminster Area Team Ministry
Statement on return to public worship
When the Prime Minister announced the present lockdown on the 4th January places of worship were allowed to remain open for public worship. At that time the R-rate was growing weekly, as was the number of new cases, and hospital admissions were placing untold pressure on an already stretched NHS. Deaths topped 1500 a day. Understandably I asked church wardens to consult with their PCCs about suspending public worship for the foreseeable future with the understanding that this would be kept under review. Throughout this time our church buildings have remained available for private prayer.
Now these indicators are significantly in decline and the vaccination programme is well underway. Following further consultation I am pleased to announce that churches across the Beaminster Team will return to public worship with services at Beaminster and Blackdown on Palm Sunday. Services across the team will follow during Holy Week and on Easter Day. Expect to see the service rota on the team website and local church notice boards in the near future. There will also be prayer stations in both our churches and churchyards for you to use during this time.
Full Covid safety regulations remain in place; with sanitizing stations on arrival, and attendance records being kept for 21 days. Face masks must be worn throughout services and no congregating to chat before, during, or after worship. Under present regulations there will be no choir singing at services.
Our weekly online worship at home services continue for the foreseeable future. There will be Compline (Night Prayer) on Zoom each evening during Holy Week and a pre recorded time of reflection at the foot of the cross for Good Friday. We look forward to welcoming you either in person or online as we share in the passion of Our Lord and His joyful Resurrection.
Revd Canon David Baldwin
Team Rector
The Beaminster Area Team