Pandemic Responses
Those who have attended worship services at St Margaret’s on recent
Sundays will know that hand sanitizer has been available at the door,
and that different non-contact ways of passing the peace have been
used in response to concerns about the COVID-19 virus.
Our congregational meeting on 15 March saw participants practicing
social distancing. There was considerable discussion also about wheth-
er or not Fork and Talk should proceed on 20 March. At that time, the
hosts Kerry and John Bell were happy to go ahead if people wished to
attend and those wishing to do so were asked to advise right then of
their intentions.
We will be confronted by more and more difficult questions as the situa-
tion changes and, even, as government imposes restrictions on us.
At Chris Lockley’s suggestion, Church Council is giving thought to what
else should be done during this time. Things being considered include:
• Changing how we celebrate Holy Communion.
• What should happen with respect to activities such as Fork and
Talk meals, Friendship group, Stepping Stones for Life Art & Craft
activities, and the Lenten studies.
• What advice might be given to Meg’s Toy Box.
• When and how a decision might be made to close our church
services
• What online resources might be useful
• How pastoral care might be provided
Any member of the church with concerns or with ideas as to what
should or shouldn’t be done is encouraged to speak with any member of
Church Council: Chris Lockley, John Goss, Beverley Clarke, Margaret
Hunt, John Bell, Anne Wilkes, Denis Wilkes, Robyn Swadling, Brian
Rope.
St Margaret’s News
15
March 2020