Phased Return to Church
I ask that an immediate return to congregating should be permitted under the following
TEMPORARY CONDITIONS, to balance health and religious needs:
Physical contact should be avoided between those of different households.
Meetings should be in gatherings of <50 persons.
(Larger congregations may run multiple services and continue online services).
Adequate spacing should be maintained. (Seating in household groups and maintaining a 2m space).
Children should remain with their household for the duration of the service.
Refreshments should be pre-packaged and disposable, requiring no preparation or cleaning up.
Hand sanitiser should be encouraged throughout the building.
As with shopping, or exercising, worship should be engaged in at the congregants' own risk.
Those churches demonstrating responsible behaviour as above should not be legally liable should congregants fall ill. Those at risk, or with health concerns, should be encouraged to stay at home.
Churches should continue meeting their needs online for now.
Perhaps a simple-to-use/quick-to-implement policy document could be created (like a simplified version of a Child Protection Policy) to encourage and demonstrate compliance with the above conditions.
TEMPORARY CONDITIONS, to balance health and religious needs:
Physical contact should be avoided between those of different households.
Meetings should be in gatherings of <50 persons.
(Larger congregations may run multiple services and continue online services).
Adequate spacing should be maintained. (Seating in household groups and maintaining a 2m space).
Children should remain with their household for the duration of the service.
Refreshments should be pre-packaged and disposable, requiring no preparation or cleaning up.
Hand sanitiser should be encouraged throughout the building.
As with shopping, or exercising, worship should be engaged in at the congregants' own risk.
Those churches demonstrating responsible behaviour as above should not be legally liable should congregants fall ill. Those at risk, or with health concerns, should be encouraged to stay at home.
Churches should continue meeting their needs online for now.
Perhaps a simple-to-use/quick-to-implement policy document could be created (like a simplified version of a Child Protection Policy) to encourage and demonstrate compliance with the above conditions.
Why the contribution is important
As a Baptist Pastor, I have admired the responsible behaviour of faith groups to discontinue services throughout this pandemic. Most were content to temporarily surrender our rights and freedoms for the national good.
Yet many people have fared badly through the Covid-19 crisis with the loss of church community.
Loneliness, depression, self-harm, domestic violence and alcohol abuse are all reported as increasing.
Many more have felt the need of worship services - as evidenced by the dramatic rise in online attendance noted by the media*. People need more than physical health alone. Other nations recognise the 'essential' nature of religious services. Worship promotes emotional and spiritual well-being.
* https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/03/british-public-turn-to-prayer-as-one-in-four-tune-in-to-religious-services
Yet many people have fared badly through the Covid-19 crisis with the loss of church community.
Loneliness, depression, self-harm, domestic violence and alcohol abuse are all reported as increasing.
Many more have felt the need of worship services - as evidenced by the dramatic rise in online attendance noted by the media*. People need more than physical health alone. Other nations recognise the 'essential' nature of religious services. Worship promotes emotional and spiritual well-being.
* https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/03/british-public-turn-to-prayer-as-one-in-four-tune-in-to-religious-services
by egkrateia on May 06, 2020 at 05:43PM
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