Church services resume but I’m nervous

Hi, Felice, that's interesting that your government provides masks, where are you, if you don't mind me asking?
It is odd wearing a mask in church, but we're not allowed to sing anyway, although we are allowed a cantor and organist behind a perspex screen. Some people choose to wear visors

As yesterdays service seems to have gone well I have made a reservation for next Sunday. CoS so no mass, I have been sent an order of service online and can either print it out (and take it home again) or download it onto my tablet.
Only about 20 people in a Church which usually has a congregation of between 75 and 100 so it will feel strange.
Masks are obligatory here 280€ fine if not worn and it will be odd to wear one during the service.
Safety first, a large envelope of yet more reusable masks popped through the letter box from the Government last week and I got a pack of reusable ones from the Pharmacy also again from the Government.

Our church reopened for Mass this weekend. Max. 50 at each Mass, our Parish Priest is going to provide an extra Saturday Mass as we had more people phoning to register than available spaces.

Yesterday we stood in a socially distanced queue to enter church, everyone over 5 years old has to wear a mask. We have an electronic temperature scanner on entry, automatic hand sanitisers, volunteers to check registration and direct you to your designated seat.

Reader on altar reads with mask on, not touching the Lectern, priest dons mask to distribute Holy Communion at arms length.
It's Mass, but not as we know it!

I am one of the Covid clean volunteers who stays behind to sanitise church after Mass. We are lucky to have a good group of around 30 volunteers who are enabling our Parish Priest to provide four weekend Masses, plus daily Mass.

The online Masses were a Godsend during lockdown, and many are continuing for housebound and shielding parishioners, but it is quite special and emotional to be able to return to 'real' Mass and receive Holy Communion again.

God bless and protect us all.?

Ours isn't open yet, but don't think I'll be going back in a hurry as DH has had health issues. I don't fancy not singing, which is my favourite bit of a service, and the bit I find most uplifting. In fact, I haven't missed going to church, which makes me wonder about whether I actually want to go back at all.

Like so many I really miss going to Mass every week and I have also had to stop taking Holy Communion to two dear elderly ladies who are housebound.
Our Bishops have been great really as they understand how frightened so many of our parishioners are - the vast majority of our congregation are well over 70 and have all sorts of medical problems.
I telephone both my ladies once a week (on their normal visit day) and I also send a little letter together with a copy of the newsletter which I print off for them. The so appreciate that and it assures them that they are not forgotten.
Mass is now being said in Church daily (with all the restrictions in place) and those fit and able to attend are encouraged to 'spread out across the week' rather than all turn up on Sunday. Those of us, myself included, who are still 'shielding' for various reasons are assured that we are there 'spiritually' if not in person and there is no pressure to attend.
There are many services streamed live on line and we join in with those every week. It's not the same but better than nothing!
Remember you can pray anywhere and all prayer is heard.
God bless us all

I miss the wine too! In my distant youth I belonged to a church where the wine was dispensed in individual tiny glasses, set in silver (antibacterial) trays, so you just took a glass each and didn't touch anything. I am sure there is something in C of E liturgy that would not permit it but it isn't the same!

Have missed Mass so much. Am attending this evening but also got the opportunity to attend one of our nearby churches as well yesterday.
Distance is being observed as well as other guidelines, but thankfully they were only one or two wearing masks - not mandatory.
So important to receive the Holy Sacrament.

ExD there will be no wine, and no sharing the peace, so don't let that put you off!

We went last Sunday. Had to sign a form and hand sanitisers on the way in. No chatting allowed, had to go straight to seats! Rows of seats blocked off and and seats in available rows blocked off, so everyone sits two metres apart unless in a bubble.

Single use service sheets that you take home with you. We had organ music, but no singing, apart from one cantor who sang behind a perspex screen. I missed the music very much, we have wonderful choirs.

At the peace you just briefly made eye contact with those two metres away.

Approaching the altar rail, clergy had visors. They held out the wafer at arms length and dropped it into outstretched hands. No wine. One way up to the altar and another way back.

It was wonderful to be back in the historic building, but the social aspect had gone, it was perfectly safe, but didn't feel 'right'. But I guess we will have to just get used to it!

Our CofE church is open for visitors and private prayer, but only a limited area of it, and the accessible part is cleaned daily. Both front and back doors are open when the weather permits (most days) to allow a through draught.

Communion is not presently permitted and we've never shaken hands at the Peace. We have enough space for the regular congregation to keep well apart but have decided for the moment to start services cautiously and to hold them outside. We had nearly all the regular attendees last Sunday.

I strongly suggest that anyone who would normally attend church services should make the effort to find out exactly what their church is offering rather than making assumptions.

ExD. Don’t know what church you attend but C of E suspended wine except for priest months ago. And the Peace would just be a wave. Lots of advice on Gov website and C of E website too. You may find it reassuring.

We’ve just had the obligatory risk assessment on our 17th C church. Lots of advice on limiting numbers, deep cleaning and hand sanitation stations. And we’re only opening for private prayer twice a week! No worship until September. Maybe.

Im worried about shaking hands as a sign of peace, and would decline the wine at communion. So I think I'll be staying away for the moment.
Our vicar was always trying to convince me that the wine was its own antiseptic, no joke because I wouldn't take it.

I have been using the services online . Our church is starting again and I plan to go in a few weeks but we are gong on holiday on the 2nd August and I don’t want to chance having to isolate because someone has been referred to the tracing service because it would mean I couldn’t go so plan to try it when we come back

Without being able to sing or socialise afterwards, I would rather not go. I am enjoying the services online and hope they will continue for a while yet.

Our local synagogue isn't open yet but has sent out letters to find out what numbers are interested in returning.
The trouble is that it's a small out of date building, not suitable for the numbers who used to attend. Everyone crowded together, arguments over windows open or shut etc.
I miss the social side, meeting friends after the services etc.
It's harder for the men because they have prayers 3 times a day.

First service in our group on Sunday. We have a new vicar, so think it will be popular.

Numbers limited, so some will not get in, I plan to go early and queue.

Our old vicar would be astounded to think people may be turned away, as attendance had dropped before he retired.

Our Church opens here on Sunday, reservations only and very limited numbers, no choir or singing, no collection and no use of the hall downstairs.
I will give it a couple of weeks and see how it goes, I am at the Church every week emptying the post box and doing other little things anyway.
The online services are continuing so will join in with them just now.

I have attended Mass the last 2 weeks ,stewards on entry ,sanitiser , we have to wear masks , seating marked ,no singing no Mass books , service kept short and numbers limited . Was so good to be back .

Very turned to Beverly after I or pressed send. Why!

I won't be going just yet, but I want to just sit in church, Beverly often during lockdown I would have wanted to do that.

Been to church the last 2 Sundays. Felt fine. Sat socially distanced , except from DH! No singing and no coffee afterwards. Received communion as just the bread. The vicar gave it at arms length and we received at arms length. Chatted to folk afterwards. Glad to be back.. Also on Zoom for folk not able to come.

Our church opens on Sunday. Sanitiser, “social distancing”, no hymns and disposable orders of service, etc.
Everything back to normal? Think not! Not sure I want to go in these circumstances...

Do you know what safety measures the church will be taking?
Once you know that, you can decide if you will feel safe.

If you are worried about it, don't go.

don't go if you are concerned.
there is still risk in any gatherings.
no need to rush back.
take yr time. only go when you feel sure.

Our church in Scotland opens for Mass on Sunday. Maximum of fifty at each service. You must book in advance online for a space, stewards at door to direct to seat. Sanitisers at door, no singing, seats closed off. This is a huge church, but priest will rigorously adhere to guidelines.