Worship in Church
We are delighted to once again offer Sunday and Wednesday Services in person at church, while continuing with some online streaming. There is no longer any need to book - you can simply turn up for Services, which start at 10am and 6pm on Sundays, and 11.30am on Wednesdays. Our Sunday Morning Services will be live streamed, so you can join in with worship at home if you can't attend in person.
Sundays
Please note: Our first priority is the safety of our congregation, visitors, staff and volunteers and we have put measures in place to comply with current government and Church of England guidelines. Nonetheless, the risk of transmission of Covid-19 cannot be entirely eliminated and everyone present at the Sunday Service must work together to ensure as safe an environment as possible. We encourage you to make your own assessment of the risk and in deciding whether or not to attend, to make the best decision for your household and situation.
FAQs
Do I need to book?
No. The revised government regulations allow us to increase our capacity in church meaning you no longer need to book for church - simply turn up.
What about social distancing?
Seating in church is organised into rows of chairs spaced front to back to allow for some distancing. Along each row people can choose to sit with as much or as little distancing as they feel comfortable with.
What about masks?
The use of face coverings is now optional and we respect the personal choice to remove or continue wearing them depending on your own circumstances.
What about isolating?
From Thursday 25 February there is no longer a legal requirement to isolate if you have COVID. However, we respectfully request that people who know they are positive for COVID attend online and do not attend in-person services and events.
What about lateral flow tests?
Until further notice, we also request that you continue to take a lateral flow test before attending church services or events.
What about Test and Trace?
Although it is not a legal requirement, the NHS Test and Trace QR code will remain available to scan for check-in on arrival to church until further notice.
Can we sing?
Yes! Wonderfully, we are allowed to sing in church again and congregational singing will be a feature of our Services from now on.
What about children and young people's groups?
We are now running a full range of groups for children and young people on Sunday mornings, with everyone together in church throughout the Service for All Age Worship on some Sundays.
What if I don't feel comfortable with close contact with others?
It is important to note that some of us will be eager to hug, shake hands and be physically closer to one another again; others will want to continue to maintain a level of social distancing for the safety of themselves and others. We need to recognise, understand and respect these different positions. If you would prefer to sit on your own in church, you can pick up a red label as you enter the building and wear it to indicate you wish to maintain distance.
Can I chat after the Service?
Yes. We will serve refreshments in the Trinity Room after the Service, and you are welcome to take this outside if you would prefer to speak with others in the open air.
What about Communion?
We now have the freedom to restore Communion Services to their previous format. However, with numbers of Covid cases still high, we do not feel it is right to start sharing the Peace or drinking from a common cup just yet. So Communion will continue to be in one kind (bread) only for the time being.
What is happening with cleaning?
The church will be cleaned regularly during the week and any surfaces or items that might be touched will be sanitised as needed.
What should I do if I feel ill?
If you have any symptoms of Covid-19, or have a positive diagnosis, we do ask that you stay at home and don't come to the church building. There will be a service online every Sunday morning which you can take part in at home. Full details are available at
htrichmond.org.uk/worshipathome