Following the national decision to allow churches to re-open for private prayer, we have received some more detailed guidance on how this may be possible.
All of the churches of the Tadcaster Benefice are committed to opening for private prayer as soon as is practically possible and once we have ensured that it can be done safely. There are lot of things to consider and a lot of practical things to be done and this will take some time.
Our current aim is for our PCCs to consider detailed plans for each building within the next couple of weeks and for our churches to open for private prayer – subject to approval – for the first time on Saturday 4th July. Just like shops which have reopened this week, numbers allowed into church will have to be limited.
Initially, each church will be open for a short period of between 1 and 3 hours each Saturday. This will allow us to ensure that everyone is kept safe and that appropriate cleaning can take place each week.
We are very aware that there are many people who want to be able to come into church and pray. Whilst church is closed, there are many people praying at home, in their gardens, whilst out walking and in all sorts of places. You do not have to be in a church building in order to pray! Our prayers, Sunday services and other activities together continue on Zoom and Facebook Live and details can be found on our website (www.stmarystadcaster.co.uk), our social media content and in the notice sheet.
We are here for you. If there is anything that you want prayer for or if you just want to chat to someone, please get in touch.
God bless,
Reverend Simon Biddlestone
All of the churches of the Tadcaster Benefice are committed to opening for private prayer as soon as is practically possible and once we have ensured that it can be done safely. There are lot of things to consider and a lot of practical things to be done and this will take some time.
Our current aim is for our PCCs to consider detailed plans for each building within the next couple of weeks and for our churches to open for private prayer – subject to approval – for the first time on Saturday 4th July. Just like shops which have reopened this week, numbers allowed into church will have to be limited.
Initially, each church will be open for a short period of between 1 and 3 hours each Saturday. This will allow us to ensure that everyone is kept safe and that appropriate cleaning can take place each week.
We are very aware that there are many people who want to be able to come into church and pray. Whilst church is closed, there are many people praying at home, in their gardens, whilst out walking and in all sorts of places. You do not have to be in a church building in order to pray! Our prayers, Sunday services and other activities together continue on Zoom and Facebook Live and details can be found on our website (www.stmarystadcaster.co.uk), our social media content and in the notice sheet.
We are here for you. If there is anything that you want prayer for or if you just want to chat to someone, please get in touch.
God bless,
Reverend Simon Biddlestone
