COVID-19 Update (2)

Dear Friends,

As a church community we seek to encourage and enable each other in our worship, discipleship and fellowship. The last sixteen weeks or so have presented a challenge and we’ve tried to respond to this challenge through our notices, the weekly printed service, the online service and by keeping in touch with each other by telephone.

You will all have read the news that places of worship may open from 4th July. I am asking us all to share with each other and to communicate to your pastoral friend about our hopes and concerns about returning to our church building. So far, the response was overwhelmingly one of caution. I share this caution. I know also how much we long to be back together again. Our primary concern will always be the safety of our people both those who lead us and those who share in worship.

We have a number of challenges:

1. Many of us are in the over 70’s age group and many of us have medical conditions that make us more vulnerable. It would feel like we were opening for some, but not all of us. That would be sad for those who don’t feel that they could come and those of us who could would feel incomplete.
2. We would have to “social distance” with 2m remaining preferable to the “1 metre plus” minimum that is permissible from 4th July. We would have to sit in order and file out at the end of the service.
3. There would be no refreshments and limited opportunity to meet in fellowship.
4. We will not be able to sing together.

The Church Leadership Team (CLT) will work to prepare the church to be ready for when we might use our building again so that when the time comes, we will be ready and able to respond rapidly. Please be assured that we will be diligent in this work. In a rapidly changing situation we will endeavour to keep everyone informed as things continue to change.

I am honoured to share in ministry with you all.
Stay safe but know that whatever happens, we are safe and secure in the love of God which will never let us down and never let us go.

Grace and peace.
Andrew

Rev'd. Andrew M Emison
Methodist Minister, Frodsham & Norley. North Cheshire Circuit.