Following the Government announcement last Thursday I am delighted to be able to share with you that we will be re-opening our building for in-person services from the 16th May!

These services will take place under similar guidelines to our services in December, and the full details are outlined below. However, I would like to highlight the following;

• Registration – We are only allowed to have a maximum of 50 people at each service so it is essential that we know in advance (no later than 2pm on Friday please) who is planning on attending the Sunday service. Register Now
• Church online – Over the last 14 last months, ‘Church at Home’ has met a real need, as well as creating new opportunities. While online services will be never be a substitute for gathered worship, they are a useful supplement, so we will be live streaming and recording our services for those who cannot be with us on particular Sundays, either due to restrictions on numbers, or because they feel nervous about coming out to worship.

I am very excited that we will soon be together again on Sunday mornings. And with the vaccine roll out well underway, I am hopeful that over the next few months more restrictions will be lifted allowing more aspects of church life to resume. However, we are not there yet, and Covid-19 still presents a risk to many in our congregation, so please continue to carefully follow the guidelines for our services.  It has been a long lockdown, and we have been waiting for this moment for too long, but we give thanks to the Lord for all his goodness.

“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig-tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.”

Song of Solomon 2:10-13

Staying Safe at Church (updated May 2021)

Before you come to Church

• While we feel it is important to have the church open for worship while we can, it is up to each individual and family to decide if they will attend. Many are still feeling nervous about leaving home, or need to be extra cautious for various reasons, so we don’t want to put pressure on anyone to come out.
• If you are displaying any of the COVID-19 symptoms (a fever, a cough, breathing difficulties, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), or have been in close contact with anyone displaying such symptoms, then it is important to stay at home and contact your doctor.
• For those who need to stay at home for whatever reason, our service will be streamed live on Facebook, YouTube, and our website www.standrewschurchblackrock.ie. If you have been receiving transcripts by post then these will continue to be mailed out, just let me know at any stage if you want them to stop.

Entering & Exiting the Building

• Our in-person services will be similar to what we had last summer and during December.
• You will be greeted with a smile (still no handshakes or hugs for now).
• There will be a one way system in place
• Please wash your hands with the hand sanitiser provided in the vestibule.
• Face coverings to be worn at all times inside, and in crowded areas outside
• Please go straight to your seat, and remain there until the end of the service
• Strict social distancing will be in place so it is important to sit only in the marked pews and spaces.
• To keep numbers below the 50 people it is essential that for each service we know in advance, no later than 2pm on Friday, who is planning on attending the Sunday service. You can register via our website standrewschurchblackrock.ie/registration/
• Please exit the building promptly after the service, and maintain social distance even when outside.

During the Service

• Please bring your own bible if you have one.
• There will be music, but still no singing for now
• There will be no Sunday school or creche
• We need to keep the building well-ventilated
• There will be one toilet open for emergency

Giving

• There will be a plate by the door on the way out where you can leave your Free Will Offering.
• Alternatively you could give by setting up a temporary or permanent Standing Order, or make a one off Bank Transfer (Please email for Bank Details)

All these measures will be reviewed regularly and restrictions will be eased as soon as it is appropriate to do so.