Worship at Christ Church

Up to date details of forthcoming services and other activities can be found here. 

Our usual pattern of worship is:

The best way to describe the style of worship at our main (10.30am) Sunday morning service is 'middle-of-the-road' Anglican. 

Family & Parade Services are what some might call 'All Age' (strictly speaking all services are 'All Age') and are geared towards our uniformed organisations (Scouts, Guides etc). They are a mixture of the formal (presentation of banners and National Anthem) and child-centred liveliness.  

For those who prefer the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer, twice a month we offer Holy Communion as a quiet start to the day and, once a month, the timelessness of Evening Prayer to complete the day. 

Post COVID Restrictions:

Planning to attend our church building for worship? The following post-pandemic arrangements apply (updated 12/06/22):

We have moved from a pandemic to endemic situation and legal restrictions no longer apply. However, for now there remains a requirement to explicitly factor COVID into Health and Safety risk assessments. Also, although most people now have a degree of immunity to COVID-19, levels of immunity vary, and some people continue to be significantly vulnerable to the virus and its long-term effects.  Some, of course, remain wary. Therefore, mindful that everyone has a right to attend worship and not wishing to place barriers in anyone’s way, we will continue to operate three zones, offering different levels of security. The Zone you choose to sit in depends upon YOUR assessment of personal risk. For example, if you have few concerns, then sit in Zone 1.  If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you might prefer Zone 3.

Zone 1 (right hand side of the aisle and first 4 rows at the front on the left): There is no requirement to remain socially distant and no expectation that you will wear a mask.

Zone 2 (remaining pews on left hand side of the aisle – 1m⁺ social distance): Please use the designated pews, sitting in the space indicated by arrows, and, for the protection of others, please wear a mask unless medically exempt.

Zone 3 (upstairs left & centre pews, rear of left-hand choir pews - 2m⁺ social distance): Please sit in the designated pews, sitting in the space indicated by arrows. If you choose to sit in this area, please wear a mask unless medically exempt.

NB ZONES 2 & 3 DO NOT OPERATE DURING CHURCH PARADE.

Singing: There is no need to join in and, if you wish, you may wear a mask when singing.

Communion:

• Clergy will continue to preside in a COVID Secure manner.
• For now, we will not be sharing the Common Cup. Instead, after gelling their hands, clergy will carefully dip your wafer in the wine before safely dropping it in your hands (this is known as Simultaneous Communion).
• Clergy will distribute to you from the Sanctuary Steps. Please line up as directed, if wearing one, temporarily removing your mask to consume the wafer.
• Zones 2 & 3 – If you wish, you may remain seated, and clergy will come to you.

General:

• We will leave the doors open to enhance air circulation.
• Please gel your hands as you enter and leave the building.
• The default position is that we will continue to avoid shaking hands during the peace. However, in Zone 1, it is possible to shake hands with others, but only if they consent.
• There is a collection plate on the font, but this will not be passed around.
• Although stand at various points in the service (e.g., for the Gospel), you are at liberty to remain seated throughout if you wish.
• If you are in Zone 1, please allow those in Zones 2 and 3 to exit first as they wish to maintain social distance.

Whether you attend worship in church with others, or join with us at home online, is entirely your decision. Our responsibility is to ensure you have the choice. However, if you are ill with something that might be infectious, whether COVID-19 or something else, please stay at home and join us for worship at 12 noon on our Facebook Page or YouTube channel.