COVID-19 update

Coronavirus and hygiene update from Upper Clyde Church

First... remember to:

• Be kind
• Be careful
• Be not afraid

Current government advice is not to 

restrict or cancel religious gatherings.

Public gatherings, particularly those involving worship, are a fundamental part of every-day life for people of faith communities and can help maintain morale.

To put people at ease and to reduce the possibility of infection, we will be following these guidelines over the next wee while:

• Greeting: those on door duty will be delighted to make you welcome and instead of offering a hand to shake, we're open to creative forms of greeting:
  always with a smile, of course...
  but perhaps accompanied by an elbow nudge, or a polite nod of the head, maybe the peace sign, a wee shin to shin tap, or, if you like sci-fi we're open to Star Trek fans sharing a 'live long and prosper'😀
• Our offering will not be taken using the communal plates but will instead be placed in the baskets which will be near the entrance before and after the service.
• Seating in worship: we've plenty of pews, so, as we gather together spread out some more over the pews and leave space between one another 
• Communion: Our next service of Communion is scheduled for June... Session will be keeping an eye on all updates and will make a decision about how we might work out the logistics so all avoid any potential contamination.
• Wash your hands: we've provided soap in our bathrooms... before you head off feel free to make use of it
• Morning tea will still happen - and there's plenty of room to make space for each other - be together but keep a little distance. 
• Morning tea cont'd: instead of unpackaged biscuits on plates, all biscuits will be the kind that are individually packaged
• Pastoral care: the minister and our pastoral visitors [Heather Watt and Dee Yates] will be monitoring this closely. Face to face visits may need to be curtailed. If so, then a chat by phone is always an option. We'll work on this on an individual by individual basis. Every day we are learning and adapting. But we will find creative ways to work around this situation and keep you safe as well.
  We are concerned that those who feel the need to self-isolate may feel anxious or lonely, so please make an extra effort to keep in touch with anyone you know who may be alone or vulnerable. Equally, if you have any particular practical concerns please get in touch with the minister or our pastoral visitors, who will try to arrange suitable help.
• Sermon: if you are anxious about coming to church or are self-isolating, the sermons will be up on this site. If you know of anyone who isn't using internet who might like a printed copy of the sermon, please let the minister know and we can arrange it.

There is no reason for us to worry or be fearful, but instead we should be using best hygiene practices. Unless you are unwell there is no reason to stop coming to Church, but equally if you are uncomfortable doing that for the next few weeks you should not feel bad about your absence.

General Advice - preventative measures:

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands). 
• Wash your hands with soap and water often. 
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces 
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.