Gradual Re-opening
As we all know, the situation with respect to COVID-19 keeps
changing. That makes it difficult to lock in anything. Nevertheless,
Church Council is working on developing COVID-safe plans for
various activities in the hope that many of our regular activities, including
worship services, might soon resume.
Already there has been a funeral conducted in the church. For that
a COVID-safe plan was hastily completed by John Goss with input
from Council members. The capacity of the church under the 4 sq.
metre rule is 70, which means our normal congregation could all fit
in comfortably for worship. Every second pew would be roped off
as was the case for the funeral. And tape would be used to indicate
how far apart people must seat. We would enter via one door and
exit via another. There are also questions relating to Holy Communion
and hymn books and offering plates.
Then we also need plans relating to meetings, morning teas
(maximum of 16 people in the small hall, maximum of 42 in the
large hall, outdoor options), SSFL arts and crafts, Megs Toybox,
and every other activity we or our hirers undertake. There is a
need to work out arrangements for use of the kitchen, the toilets,
outdoor areas, cleaning before and
after use, and more.
Consideration also has to be given to church activities held away
from the church premises, such as the monthly Holy Communion
at the Goodwin Ainslie chapel, monthly Fork and Talk in various
homes, and the monthly Luncheon Group at Gungahlin Lakes club.
The experiences we have had over recent months has also identified
the need to find ways of including people who cannot get to
church services or activities for various reasons, whether the
events are physical gatherings or online gatherings.
If you have any questions or thoughts about how we should
proceed, please contact one of the Church Council members -
Chris Lockley, John Goss, John Bell, Brian Rope, Robyn
Swadling, Margaret Hunt, Beverley Clarke, Lynda Dyer, Dennis
Wilkes or Anne Wilkes.
St Margaret’s News 8 June 2020