Our Sunday Worship

We have launched a new service pattern which is detailed below. We’re trying to ensure that there is something online either live-streamed or recorded for those who can’t join us physically on a Sunday morning.

We believe there is a God in Heaven and it is our choice to worship Him, come what may. Thank you for joining us.
Our recorded services can be found via the St John’s church website or the St John’s YouTube channel

9:30am
Most weeks this is Connections in St John’s, on the 2nd Sunday of the month we have a family service in Kelsale.

Connections is an informal gathering with band led sung worship, discussion, a short talk, tea, coffee and croissants too (usually)
The service is usually streamed on the Connections Facebook page and can be found later on the Connections YouTube channel.

Week	Service	Location
1	Connections and St Johns Together	St Johns
2	Family Service	Kelsale
3	Connections	St Johns
4	Connections	St Johns

11:00am:
A service of Holy Communion at either Kelsale church or in St John’s (check the calendar!). This service includes hymns/songs, readings, a sermon, prayer, and an opportunity to share Communion together.

Week	Service	Location
1	Holy Communion	Kelsale
2	Holy Communion	St Johns
3	Holy Communion	Kelsale
4	Holy Communion	St Johns

COVID-19 and our restrictions:

The Government and Church of England updated their guidance regarding COVID restrictions on 19th July. The churchwardens, Nic, and I met to discuss the new guidance and how we might respond as a worshipping community. Our decisions were also presented to the two PCCs.  I used the analogy in the Benefice News two weeks ago of a motorway: some of us are in the slow lane, for whatever reason, needing to be cautious and careful. Some of us will be in the fast lane wanting to speed ahead. Others still will be in the middle lane finding a balance between the two. In our community we will have people across the three lanes, and we must hold that tension. Jesus called us to love our neighbour as ourselves and so the decisions we make about the COVID restrictions are made so that we may better love one another and enable everyone to worship safely. As a benefice we are taking a slow and gradual approach to easing restrictions. So, with that in mind here are the decisions that have been made regarding COVID restrictions and our church buildings: Masks – The Government and NHS expect and recommend everyone to continue wearing face coverings and so we continue to encourage everyone to wear them within the buildings. Distancing – We will also continue to encourage social distancing. We acknowledge that some people may want to sit close to their friends and, as we retain masks, we will allow that. However, we have also produced some place cards so that people can mark if they’d rather not have someone sit directly next to them. These are available for anyone who would like them. Thanks to Elizabeth Masterton-Smith for producing these. One-way systems – We will keep these in place as much as possible. Communion – We will continue to receive in one kind only as we have been. Singing – Now allowed, with masks on. We will have a reduced number of songs/hymns for now. The peace – We will be keeping it as it is now. Refreshments – not yet, as they encourage people to stay around for longer and the longer people are around the higher the risk. However, the 9:30am Connections will be allowed to have refreshments as long as it’s part of the act of worship and people mask when not eating/drinking. Opening churches – We will now open the churches as much as we can. Those who open or close will be asked to wipe down door handles and other contact points. St Johns and Kelsale will be aiming for everyday from 10:00am-4:00pm as much as we can. Cleaning churches – as we have been doing so, and a huge thank you to the team who have been doing this. There is also now no need to quarantine spaces or items and so hymn books, Bibles, and liturgy books can be used when needed. Test and trace – We will retain the QR codes and ask people to sign in. If you don’t use the QR code but sign in on the paper and you’re a regular worshipper with us you only need put down your first and last name (as we already most likely already have your information and it’ll speed things along at the door). Review – we will review the restrictions at the Benefice Leaders’ meeting in the first week of September. We will review infection rates and wellbeing at that time. If you have any concerns, queries, or comments about these please do speak to Dave or one of the churchwardens.