Worship at Mayfield

Since March, we have been unable to meet as a congregation at Mayfield Chapel. We have been looking forward to the slackening of the rules so that we can once again meet in the manner to which we have been accustomed, and have perhaps taken for granted. The recent announcement that churches could once again meet for worship is something that we longed for, and yet it is hedged around with rules and recommendations. These rules and recommendations are there to ensure people’s safety, and it is these which we have to study in making our decisions, as our congregation’s safety is paramount.

There are a number of factors to take into account when assessing the risks, and making any decisions.

1. Many of the congregation fall into the group described as “clinically vulnerable” for reason of age or some specific medical condition. This means that they are still advised to be careful about; going out, meeting people outside their household, and being indoors with others.
2. It is still considered unwise to travel in a car with people other than your household, as it it not possible to maintain social distancing under these conditions. A number of our group normally travel to chapel in someone else’s car.
3. Meeting in a chapel is still subject to social distancing rules. This means that members of the congregation would have to sit with 2 metres between households. This can be reduced to 1 metre by using other methods of mitigating the risk, such as face coverings.
4. The current advice is against using any items which are shared with others communally, such as bibles, hymn books, collection plates, and communion plates. Such items can be difficult to clean, and are a potential hazard to distribute, and collect.
5. All surfaces which may be touched have to be cleaned before and after each use, this includes; door handles, rails, doors, various fixtures and fittings. This is in addition to the normal cleaning, dusting and wiping which now has to be done more often. This is a heavy work load to perform weekly, and we cannot see how it could be achieved, certainly we cannot undertake such a level of work, as we are currently working 6 full days a week.
6. Any “pinch points” which would force people to get closer than the social distancing requirements have to be eliminated. The corridor into the toilets and back room is one such, and it is difficult to see how it could be made safe.
7. Current advice is against congregational singing, in order to avoid the increased risk of infection being spread by exhaled droplets.
8. It is difficult to see how our normal post service refreshments could be organised and still comply with the current requirements.

Having considered all the above factors, it is our recommendation that we do not restart Sunday worship at the present time. The situation is continuously under review, and in the event of any of the rules or recommendations changing, we will of course reconsider the matter. If you want to discuss the matter further with us, please get in touch.

If you would like a copy of the latest newsletter from the Wesleyan Reform Union, please get in touch.

Yours in Christ’s Service,

JonathanYoudan Susannah Youdan

Pastors