Covid-19

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15-03-2020 am A warning
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Streaming – 20th March

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, we are unable to meet in the Church for the time being. Please follow the link to find sermons that we are streaming on YouTube during the shut-down Whiddon Valley Evangelical Church YouTube channel

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Current situation – 20th March

Dear Friends,

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4 v 14

Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? Job 12 v 9

The COVID-19 situation is moving fast and the preparations that were made earlier this week, for limited meeting together as a Church Family, have now been superseded by a government requirement for us to avoid all gatherings together which means Church Services.

Already our Children’s and youth meetings have been cancelled until further notice. The Lunch for the retired due to be held next week has been cancelled, as have the Ladies’ meetings.

More friends have gone into voluntary isolation at home due to symptoms of an infection.

I have contacted Mr Daniel Tribe in Salisbury and postponed his visit to us to a date later in the year.

The Communion of Saints is actually the physical meeting together of brothers and sisters. But this has now been removed from us due to the risks of close contact infection. So as it is with many other fellowships, all meetings of the Church are cancelled until further notice.

However I am seeking to set up the facility to conduct services in the manse and to ‘live stream’ them on to You Tube so that even though we are confined to our homes we can still have the sense of worshipping the Lord together. I am aware that not all members have the means to receive live streaming – but many can and I ask you to pray that this will work out so that we can maintain our regular commitment to corporate worship even if it is not in the Church Building at Whiddon Valley.

I am grateful to Brother Russell Brooks who has offered his technical ‘know how’ to this project.

Throughout this crisis it is important that we stay in touch. As well as personal telephone calls to each other, participating by watching and listening into the Live Services will greatly help to maintain our fellowship one with another. Praying together and hearing God’s Word is a precious means of grace and we are thankful for the technology that enables us to do this. When I know, I will inform you of how to access the services.

Please to continue to pray for our fellowship, our neighbours, our nation and its leaders that God's grace and mercy might visit all and this crisis will be the means of many precious souls be gathered into Christ’s wonderful Kingdom.

With my warm greetings and prayers at this difficult time, In the Saviour’s love,

Your sincere Pastor

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Measures – 16th March

Dear Friends,

Please note the arrangements below for meetings at Church.

God willing we will be meeting tomorrow at 7 for the Prayer meeting and at 8 when Pastor Sergei will give a report.

Following the announcement by the Prime Minister today, that advice has been given for people to stay away from gatherings where infection could be picked up, it does not amount to an outright ban on people meeting together.

Arrangements for services can minimise risk as we follow this procedure.

  1. On entering the building hands should be washed and dried with paper towels in one of the three facilities available - Ladies, Gents and disabled toilets.
  2. Hymn books will not be used. Hymns for the meetings will be printed on sheets which can be picked up from a table inside the sanctuary, used in the service and then disposed of in a recycling box provided.
  3. Church Bibles will not be available - please bring your own.
  4. Apart from couples and families, attenders should sit apart from each other with at least 3 metres between - our sanctuary is big enough for us to spread out. (Favourite seats may have to be sacrificed!)
  5. After the service the congregation should leave in a staggered (not staggering) way leaving space between us as we exit the door.
  6. Sadly, congregational conversation and fellowship should be kept to a minimum. These are in addition to the notices posted on the Lord's Day which discourages hand shaking.

Please use the Paper tissues provided rather than handkerchiefs and dispose of them in the bag provided in the vestibule.

One family in the Church has gone into 14 days voluntary isolation with one member in the family suffering flu-like symptoms. (It is not known if it is the Covid19 virus)

We would also like to mention that if someone is still concerned about attending Church services and decided it was best not to attend the meetings at present we would all understand and respect this decision.

NB Things could change again during the coming week and closure of the Church may become Mandatory.

We rest on the Lord as we seek to honour Him and meet together while we can.

Pastor

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Measures – 12th March

The Church Council feel that as a Church we need to take measures to reduce the risk of spreading the Coronavirus. As all will be aware this is a fast moving and dynamic situation and it may become necessary for more radical measures, such as the suspending of services, to be taken in coming weeks.

  • Handshaking to be avoided as much as possible
  • Please do not attend meetings if you have a fever or a persistent cough.
  • Door handles into the meeting room and the toilets will be wiped down with disinfectant cloth on a frequent basis on Sundays.
  • At Communion Services the bread will be pre-cut to avoid it being handled by all attendees.
  • Tuesday evening meetings will be held in the main hall to allow us to spread out a bit more.
  • Standard hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing and use of disposable tissues should be carefully observed.

We would also like to mention that if someone is still concerned about attending Church services and decided it was best not to attend the meetings at present we would understand and respect this decision.

Please also be mindful that this is an opportunity to show love and concern towards not only the “household of faith” but also to the wider community around us.

We seek to do what is right before the Lord. May the Lord keep us and bless us.

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