Places of worship are part of Step 3 of HM Government's roadmap to lift restrictions step-by-step

The Government’s current planning assumption is that this step will be no earlier than 4 July, subject to the five tests, and further detailed scientific advice, provided closer to the time, on how far we can go. There is a dedicated Road Map Taskforce for Places of worship, led by the Ministry for Housing and Communities and Local Government.

There is no doubt that worship will be different from what we know for some time, and that we will need to continue online services to ensure that those who can't physically come to church, or are fearful of doing so, can pray, worship and learn. Measuring the church, with social-distancing in mind, we know we are only able to accomodate 20 individuals at a time, so our Sunday pattern is likely to be a number of small services, with time in between them for door-handles and similar surfaces to be wiped with disinfectant. 

Our partner church in Berlin are a little ahead of us in re-opening public worship, and we are learning from their experience. This is what happened there last Sunday (the first day they were allowed to meet for worship). There were two services at Sophien, which is a large church, with a greater capacity than ours. The maximum number allowed by their current federal restrictions is 50. There were 2 services, one at 10 and one at 11am. People were not asked to book a seat (though some churches in Berlin have chosen to do this), but if there had been more than 50 at the 10am service stewards would have asked worshippers to come back at 11am. Sophien's congregation, like ours, is very local, and this would not be a problem for anyone. 

Everyone who came to the service was asked to fill in a registration card with their name and contact details. This is important, and makes contact tracing possible. We will want to do the same. At Sophien one side of the church was laid aside for families, since they are allowed to sit together. Otherwise, places were distanced and where to sit was indicated by a one use service sheet on the pew. No books are allowed, and singing is not currently allowed in the building. The final part of the service was led in the churchyard by Pf. Christine Schlund, so that everyone could sing a closing hymn. Between the two services there was a wipe down with disinfectant to ensure everyone's safety.