Update: Re. opening of the church building

Reopening of church building news:

The following concerns the announcement about the possibility of 

opening church buildings from the 15th of July:

Due to the seriousness of COVID-19 and because of its highly contagious nature
before we can open the church building, there are a number of tasks to be done to
ensure that when we do gather together once again, that it is as safe as possible to do so.
Currently, where we're at is here:

• completed a Risk Assessment exercise and filled out corresponding RA form;
• filled out a major checklist covering all aspects of safety measures for opening the building, 
• procured items needed to to ensure safety and comply with Gov't regulations -
  [sanitiser stations, sanitiser gel, sanitiser spray, supply of face masks, aprons, gloves, etc]
• implemented a strategy for best practice when gathering
• written a water safety management plan [this re. ensuring a legionella-free building after closure for a long period of time]
• written a strategy plan in the case of someone becoming ill during worship in church - due to COVID-19
• drawn up a diagram to indicate one-way flow system/ seating arrangements
• all paperwork now approved by the Session
• paperwork has been sent to Presbytery for approval re. opening

Next on the to do list is:

• the installation of our new sanitiser stations, 
• putting information posters up so that everyone coming to the building knows the new procedures and what we all must do to comply with regulations,
• placing distancing stickers outside the entrance and exits to the building
• placing arrows inside to show the one-way flow system
• tagging seating to indicate where to sit to ensure physical distancing
• run all water taps for no less than 20 minutes to ensure no stagnant water in system

All the forms, checklists, procedural plans have now been gone over by the Kirk Session for a final check and all has been approved. 

Paperwork has now been sent to  off to Presbytery -

this works as a double-check process to make sure nothing has been missed.

Only when Presbytery is satisfied that we have complied with both Government and Church of Scotland regulations, will we be given permission to re-open the church building for worship and for funeral services.

So, while technically we'll be able to open the church building on 15 July,
as per the Scottish Gov't announcement... ensuring all measures are in place for maximum saftey takes a little time... 
In good conscience, we would rather take things a little more slowly and surely rather than to put anyone at risk by not being absolutely thorough.
With your safety in mind, it will be a good few weeks yet, before we can open the building.

Given the procedural business, as well as the fact that the minister is taking long overdue leave at the end of July and early August, in the best possible circumstances, the Session and I would hope to open on the first Sunday in September. I can't make a firm promise on that, but it is what we're hoping to do.
Also, when we do open for gathered public worship, there will be certain things that all of us must and must not do, and to be aware of. We'll be drafting up a bullet-point list for clarity, so that everyone knows best practice.
If some of you are anxious about coming to the church building for worship, online worship will continue to be available for the foreseeable future, which you can access from the safety of home.

As I said:

• we want to make absolutely sure that we can worship together as safely as we possibly can.
• We’ll keep you posted with updates.

So do bear with the Session, and me, as we get this rather substantial undertaking sorted and thanks for being patient in the meantime.

A dedicated page has been created above in the tabs at the top of the page - this will keep you up to date with information as we have it.
You can also LINK TO IT HERE to have a look

Considering the matter of opening the building for private prayer:
the Session felt that for both the congregation and wider community, that it might be seen to be more helpful in preparing the building for use for funerals....

We could now open the church building for private prayer – but we won't.
Why not? 
Because if you came here to pray we'd have to:
*make you wash or sanitise your hands at the door
*instruct you to wear a mask
*ask you if you had COVID symptoms, underlying health problems or got a flu jab
     (and turn you away if the answer to any of these was yes),
*tell you which seat you could sit in,
*warn you not to sing,
*make sure you left by a different door,
*then clean and sanitise every surface you touched.

Alternatively...
*you could sit on an armchair at home with a cup of tea,... 
*walk in the hills and watch the birds go by, 
*or sit along the Clyde, or the Daer, or Duneaton water... 
and talk to God just as easily.
You don't need special words, a special place, special objects or special people to talk to God.
God loves you and He is listening. 
So just do it.