Coronaviris (COVID–19)
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CHURCHES RE-OPENING FOR SERVICES!! (Hooray!)
We are able to reopen for worship on Sundays as from 5th July.
Service times will be as usual – 9.30am at St James’, and 11.15am at St Mildred’s. It will be a straightforward communion service with no hymns – however, we shall have some introductory and closing music, and quite possibly some extra music during the service. At the time of going to press, details of this have yet to be worked out.
Communion will be offered in one kind, and there is the option of not receiving at all if you feel it is safer for you to let the priest receive on your behalf. Please follow the directions of the stewards for going up to receive communion and be aware of the usual social distancing requirements. We are advised to remain standing to receive the bread.
We will of course continue to administer communion in the pews to anyone unable to walk to the altar.
On leaving the church, please drop your service booklet into the basket by the exit door and note that we are leaving by a different door from the way we came in. At St James’ this will be via the south door at the front, and at St Mildred’s via the royal chapel.
ST MILDRED’S CAFÉ RE-OPENING
Subject to there being enough volunteers, the café at St Mildred’s will re-open on Monday 6th July from 10.00am – 3.00pm, Mondays to Thursdays. Social distancing will be in place, and although it is preferable for folks to eat outdoors, it will be perfectly possible to have a table indoors for tea, coffee and cakes. During this initial period the church will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for private prayer, but it is hoped to expand this by an extra day to match the café opening times in due course.
If you would like to volunteer and are not on the current lists, please contact Peter Robinson (299230) to be allocated a slot at a suitable time.
NB The rule about over 70s has been lifted, but please check with Rev Sue first as she has to give permission!
Meanwhile, please don’t feel that the churches are unable to help you: the following pastoral team members can be contacted by phone and email.
Rev Susan Paterson (Rector) 01983 717026 revspaterson@gmail.com
Rev Mike Exell (Hon Assistant Priest) 01983 293686
Gillian Jackson (Lay Pastoral Assistant, St James’ East Cowes) 01983 281633
Colin Dutton (Lay Pastoral Assistant and Church Warden, St James’ East Cowes) 01983 293140
Peter Robinson (Lay Pastoral Assistant and Church Warden, St Mildred’s Whippingham) 01983 299230
Further information and guidance is available from the Diocesan website, http://www.portsmouth.anglican.org
We also have an online prayer room, full of resources for prayer at this time: https://www.whippinghameastcowesprayerroom.org/
Thank you for your patience, and understanding.
