Updated 23 May 2022
There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face-covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.
Social distancing in a place of worship is now a personal choice.
In all our buildings we still welcome the wearing of face coverings.
PREVIOUS UPDATES
Updated 1 March 2022
There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.
Social distancing in a place of worship is now a personal choice.
From Thursday 3 March:
- In our Church building (and whilst singing) we recommend the wearing of face coverings.
- In St Michael’s Centre (and whilst singing) we still welcome the wearing of face coverin
Updated 25 February 2022
Despite the lifting of Government restrictions around Covid-19, we are still currently advising the wearing of face-coverings at all our services and celebrations. The leadership team will review this going forward.
Updated 26 January 2022
The Current Situation…
For places of worship, it is up to individual churches to decide the precautions they wish to take – based on their own risk assessment – to protect others and themselves.
Within the Church we believe that everyone is known and loved individually by God, and that as many members within one body we are called to be responsible to and for one another, respecting the more vulnerable whose suffering is our suffering (1 Cor 12:12-27)
At St Michael’s…
From Thursday 27 January:
- In our Church building (and whilst singing) we strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings.
- In St Michael’s Centre (and whilst singing) we recommend the wearing of face coverings.
We suggest that you keep testing regularly to stop the spread, and if you do test positive with a lateral flow or feel ill, please do not attend.
Updated 16 December
We are thankful to still be able to meet in person for our Christmas services and events.
Face coverings are a legal requirement in our buildings (unless you are exempt).
In line with government advice, even if you do not have symptoms, please take a lateral flow test before attending any of our services or events.
If you do test positive with a lateral flow or feel ill, please do not attend.
When available, you can order lateral flow tests online here.
We look forward to worshipping Jesus together, in-person and online.
Updated 10 December
We are thankful to be able to meet in person for our Christmas services and events.
Following the latest government announcement, face coverings are now a legal requirement in our buildings. This is something we were already strongly recommending.
Please keep your face covering on at all times unless you are exempt
We suggest that you keep testing regularly to stop the spread, and if you do test positive with a lateral flow or feel ill, please do not attend.. We look forward to worshipping Jesus together, in-person and online.
Updated 3 December
The arrival of a new variant of the Covid-19 virus, Omicron, has prompted the government to introduce some additional precautionary measures as they assess its potential impact.
For places of worship it is still up to individual churches to decide the precautions they wish to take based on their own risk assessment to protect others and themselves.
Within the Church we believe that everyone is known and loved individually by God and that as many members within one body we are called to be responsible to and for one another, respecting the more vulnerable whose suffering is our suffering (1 Cor 12:12-27).
The current situation, means we are being asked to take even more personal responsibility, than when we were compelled to adhere to Government restrictions.
At present, news of the newly emergent omicron variant of the virus is causing concern and uncertainty. It is, however, too early to say what impact this new variant will have on the pandemic in the UK. There is likely to be fuller information within a few weeks and we will have to exercise both patience and caution until then.
At St Michael’s we strongly recommend the wearing of face coverings in both the centre and church buildings, and whilst singing. We suggest that you keep testing regularly to stop the spread, and if you do test positive with a lateral flow or feel ill, please do not attend.
Updated 4 November
We all need to look out for each other. Please keep testing regularly to stop the spread, and if you do test positive with a lateral flow, isolate and take a PCR test promptly.
At present, incidence of the virus is high, though Government statistics tentatively point to it beginning to decrease.
Largely due to the success of the vaccination programme, hospitalisations and deaths remain at a much lower level than at similar points during the pandemic, but the continuation of this will be dependent on a good uptake of booster vaccinations.
However, vaccination cannot be the sole means of containing the spread of the virus: hand and respiratory hygiene, social distancing, face-coverings and good ventilation are also important factors in lessening the spread of the disease. While these are not mandatory, they are still important public health mitigations to help minimise risk.
We recommend face-coverings in enclosed and crowded spaces, and ask that you remember to wash your hands regularly.
We will continue with a one-way system for our coffee time after the 10.30 Celebration, and encouraging people to move outside or back to the auditorium after picking up their drinks.
Updated 27 October
As cases of covid-19 continue to be a concern, we are committed to following guidance and reviewing our processes.
The wearing of face-coverings continues to be expected in the Church building. Feel free to wear face-coverings during the 10.30 and Evening Celebrations, as well as whilst moving around St Michael’s Centre.
From this Sunday, we are introducing a one-way system for our coffee time after the 10.30 Celebration, and encouraging people to move outside or back to the auditorium after picking up their drinks.
Updated 9 September
The core leadership team has come to the decision that mask-wearing in the auditorium and St Michael’s Centre is now optional and down to personal choice.
As you may know, the centre and especially the auditorium, is very well ventilated and this decision brings us in line with government and Church of England guidance on mask-wearing.
So as of today please feel free to wear or not wear mask at your discretion during worship and whilst moving around the centre.
Ventilation in the church building is less efficient, so we (strongly) recommend that worshippers continue to wear masks during the 9am and for other services in the building.
You can find full details on our Sunday Worship here
Our services and celebrations will still be live streamed, and you can find them on our youtube channel