We knew that the winter was going to be choppy in terms of Covid. But both the rapid increase in infections and the number of our church family affected means that we have had to review what we are doing. For the moment, we're still going ahead with services as planned, but here's a summary of the latest changes for this weekend.
Sunday Morning 19th December @ 10:30am
We're beginning a new series looking at the titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. We'll see over four services that he's the leader we all long for.
It's an All Age service and we'd recommend that all families with children sit in the main church auditorium. Kids Club are going to be sharing some things that they have learnt this term - so the children from Kids Club will need to be in there for that. But we also think that seeing things live will hopefully help the children to feel more connected through the service. We'll possibly go back to using every other row of pews in the whole church too, not just the back half.
We've made good use of the Lower Hall as an overflow over the last couple of months. And this Sunday we are adding the Main Hall as an overflow too. This means that we can spread out even more across 3 rooms, which we hope will help to keep everyone safe. Each room will be ventilated and unless exempt we're asking all over 11s to wear a facemask. Of course, for those of us who are unable to come physically, the livestream will mean that we'll be able to watch the service from home.
We've also decided to stop serving refreshments after the service this week. We've really valued that time to catch up with each other. But, again, we feel that at the moment this is too risky for us to do, and so we will be encouraging everyone to leave the buildings at the end of the service. Maybe there are people you could arrange to walk in the park with afterwards as a replacement?
Sunday Evening 19th December - Carol Service @ 7pm
We've booked a larger venue at St Andrew's Church in Northey Avenue and so we hope that this will help us to all be in one room - but to be able to spread out more. The rows of seats will be spaced apart at greater distances than we can do at CBC, and there is also a balcony that we can make use of should we need to. Again the room will be ventilated, and we will ask everyone over 11 to wear a facemask unless exempt. Unfortunately this service won't be livestreamed so you will have to be there physically to access it. And it's not too late to invite along any friends, family, neighbours or colleagues.
The service will take the traditional form of Bible readings and Carols, with a short talk on Matthew 2:1-13 asking the question: "Should we cancel Christmas?!"
Tuesday 21st December - Hope on the Longest Night @ 6pm
This service tends to have a smaller congregation - but we will maintain socially distanced seating, ventilation and facemasks to try and keep people safe. It will also be livestreamed.
The service is an opportunity for those of us who have been bereaved either this year or at any point in the past to have space within this season to acknowledge our loss and grief. We hope too that it is an opportunity to hear of God's light and grace in the midst of darkness.
Of course all of the above is subject to change. Please do get in touch with any questions or concerns. And next week we'll announce final plans for Christmas Eve's "Carols on the Green" and for our Christmas Day and Boxing Day Services!
Bold I Approach
That was the title of today's advent reading from "Finding Hope under Bethlehem Skies". As we are tentative about approaching physical gatherings, let's hold onto the truth that because of Jesus we can "approach God's throne of grace with confidence... and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16)
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash