Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 March 2020, the Church of England strictly observes the new guidelines on staying at home and only making journeys that are absolutely necessary – such as shopping for essential items and to take daily exercise, but I am delighted to let you know that St Peter’s church will be open on Sunday the 21st June from 3pm – 4pm and on a Wednesday morning (24th June) from 11am – 12noon for PRIVATE PRAYER ONLY and each week thereafter (Sunday and Wednesday) until we are advised that we may open for communal worship. There will be NO FORMAL SERVICE.
I need to make you aware of the following:
1. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) should not come in to church due to the risk that they pose to others; they should self-isolate at home immediately with other members of their household.
2. Shielded patients are not advised to meet more than one person from outside of their own household, and are therefore not currently advised to attend places of worship.
3. There must be strict adherence to social distancing of at least 2 metres (3 steps) between individuals and households. We have posted signs up in church to remind you of this. Please do not hug or shake hands with anyone outside of your family.
4. Please enter via the south door, where you will be asked to clean your hands with sanitiser.
5. Please do not sit in pews marked with ‘keep this pew free’ so that we can maintain social distancing between those in church.
6. When you are ready to leave, please exit via the west door – we have put notices up to remind you, and please clean your hands as you leave (sanitiser will be available).
7. The toilets will not be available so please do not go into the choir vestry to access them (there is a sign on the north door to remind you).
8. It is entirely up to each individual whether you wear a face covering or disposable gloves.
9. We have been advised to put away all Bibles and printed material so please bring your own book or any text that you may need for your own private devotions.
The churchwardens and myself have completed the church’s risk assessment in compliance with the advice and regulations given by the Church of England, and have ascertained that the church is safe to open for private prayer.
I know many of you are looking forward to coming into church (as am I) but please can I ask you to ‘catch up’ with friends outside the church building (socially distancing of course), rather than inside the church, so that it remains a quiet place for prayer and reflection.
Many thanks, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as are able and willing to come into church on Sunday afternoon.
Finally, may I request that you don’t all arrive at 3pm (Sunday) or 11am (Wednesday) so that we can maintain social distancing as we enter the church building. Thank you
With every blessing
Rev Jan
Vicar of St Peter in Thanet





