News
Covid-19 / Plan B - Updated guidelines
Following the introduction of Plan B by the Government, the Church of England has updated its guidlines on public worship.
The main change is that the wearing of facemasks is now, once more, mandatory. When attending services at St John's you will therefore need to wear a face covering. This incudes while singing. The usual medical exemptions apply, of course.
The full guidance can be read here: Opening and Managing Church Buildings
The Bridge
The latest edition of the Diocesan newspaper is now out!
Read your copy of The Bridge here.
Harvest Thanksgiving
Harvest Thanksgiving 2021
How to make your gift this year
During these difficult times, as with last year, we are not collecting foodstuffs.
We are collecting instead monetary gifts to send to:
- WelCare in East Surrey (Our Diocesan Children and Family service)
- The Caterham Foodbank
Please put in an envelope either:
a cheque payable to St John’s PCC
cash – notes only please.
On the envelope write Harvest and then underneath write the name of which charity you would like your gift to go to.
if you don’t write the name of a charity we will give half your gift to each.
You can bring your gift to any service up to October 10th
or if you are unable to come to church you can drop your gift into the Vicarage
Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days are happening again this year. Full details here.
Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days are happening again this year. Full details here.
Update on Covid restrictions
Following the lifting of many restrictions on Monday 19th July, here's what's different in church.
1. Social distancing has been lifted. We have therefore removed the floor arrows and seat stickers in much of the church. However, there are still two areas in the church with restrictions in place for those who still feel more comfortable when distanced.
2. It's no longer a requriement to check-in, but your are encouraged to do so. The QR codes for the NHS app are still displayed, or you can sign in.
3. You still need to sanisie on arriving and leaving.
4. Masks are no longer a legal requirement. However, we encourage you to use them when arriving and leaving. The government are still asking people in enclosed spaces to wear masks, so we are following the government's guidlines and asking people to do so as much as possible. You should always wear a mask if in proxomoty with others not from your houshold. In particular, you still do need to wear a mask when coming forward to receive communion. Usual exemptions for health reasons still do, of course, remain.
5. Singing is now allowed, but the C of E are currently recommending that people mask to sing when near others.
6. Communion will still be in one kind, that is just the host and not the precious blood.
Summer Fair
Summer Fair
Saturday 24th July
11am to 3pm
This year the theme is Outer Space. Come and join us for:
- Cream teas
- Barbecue
- Fancy dress competition on the theme of Outer Space
- Bottle tombola
- Books, CDs
- Bric-a-brac
- Lucky dip
- Plant stall
- Spaceship creations
- And more...!
Lifting of Restrictions
The lifting of restrictions from July 19th by the Government will inevitably lead to changes in the church.
For some this is good news, however others will feel nervouse about a relaxation of restrictions. We are at the moment waiting for the Church of England to release updated guidlines. Once we have these we will be in a position to update our risk assessment accordingly. It is likely that we will relax distancing guidelines in much of the church, while keeping a section of the church with distancing still in place. We are fortunate that the size of the building allows us to do this. We will be clearer about this once we know what the guidlines are.
We will update everyone as soon as we are in a position to do so.
The Bridge
The latest edition of The Bridge can be read online or downloaded here.