Services Under Level 2 - 16 August 2020

From Vicar Stuart Goodin

Hello everyone

As you will be aware, we are in Alert Level 2 conditions. Until this changes, we will operate services on the following basis:

Attendance is limited to 100 people.

Please ensure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap before leaving home. You will be asked to use hand sanitiser on arrival.

You are encouraged to use the Covid19 contact tracing app on your mobile phone, and the appropriate QR codes for scanning are placed at each entrance. Contact tracing will also be facilitated by having someone take your name and phone number as you arrive.

Please observe physical distancing as you arrive and gather. We will observe distancing requirements in the church, keeping separation between each individual or bubble. We will only use every second row of seats. If you are asked to move along, or to shift rows, please be understanding as we seek to accommodate everyone within the requirements. The 8am congregation will meet in the nave, rather than in the chancel.

Please feel free to wear face masks. There is a small quantity of masks available at the welcomers’ table if you haven’t your own to bring.

We will be singing at the 10am service as usual. Different churches are taking different approaches on this matter, and scientific advice varies. The Ministry of Health has given no explicit advice on this particular issue, and with social distancing enforced I believe the risk to be low.

To assist with social distancing, we will not have morning tea.

The offertory plates will be located at the crossing – they will not be passed from hand to hand. Please place your offering in the plate as you enter.

The Peace will be done in a way that does not involve physical contact.

Communion will be offered in one kind only, and will be done queuing one by one rather than assembling at the altar rail.

If you are unwell, or if you are vulnerable to infection, or if the above conditions give you concern, please stay away. We will continue making appropriate worship resources and my sermon available online to provide for those unable or unwilling to gather in person. The online resources can be found here: http://www.stpeterspn.org.nz/this-sunday-collect-readings .

Remember that we have a duty of care for one another. So please exercise grace and patience to those leading and to one another as we navigate this together.

God of peace,
let us your people know
that at the heart of turbulence
there is an inner calm that comes
from faith in you.

Keep us from being content with things as they are,
that from this central peace
there may come a creative compassion,
a thirst for justice,
and a willingness to give of ourselves
in the spirit of Christ.

Amen.

Grace and peace,

Stuart