Parish Statement – 16th July 2021
NEW – We know that from Monday, we will enter Stage 4 of the Government’s roadmap for easing restrictions relating to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government website states that during this new phase it will continue to provide ‘cautious guidance for individuals, businesses and the vulnerable whilst prevalence is high’. The Government has not yet given any details of what continuing guidance – rather than legal restrictions – may relate to the place of worship, and the Church of England has therefore not yet been able to consider how it might apply that ‘cautious guidance’ from the Government to our setting.
Our PCC and our LLTs will want to look carefully at national Church of England advice as soon as this becomes available. We also want to listen to the hopes and fears of the people in our churches at this time. We already know that some are looking forward enthusiastically to being able to resume worship as it was before the pandemic, while others are deeply concerned that we should not make meeting in church any less safe than it is at the moment in the context of rising rates of infection within the community.
One way or another, we are going to have to practice ‘bearing with one another in love’ (Eph. 4.2) in light of our different responses to these changes. We are also going to need time to think, listen, discuss and pray about the right way forward, so it’s likely to be at least a couple of weeks before we can confirm changes to current arrangements for Sunday worship. Please be assured that clergy, PCC members and LLT members will be making this a high priority, and would also value hearing your views about what changes we should be making.
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COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS
Lateral Covid Testing Centres & Tests
If you are legally still going out of your home for either shopping or for work or any other legally permitted reason, it is advised that you should have a covid test every two weeks at one of the new Lateral Covid Testing Centres. We have one in Ashford at the Eurogate business park.
For more information on how to book a test please click on the link below
https://kcc.healthit.org.uk/covbook/home
Digital Services from The Church of England
Click here for online Digital Services from the Church of England
To keep up to date on what is going on, please click on any of the following links to with Canterbury Diocese, the Church of England Websites, Local and National Government
Canterbury Diocese
https://www.canterburydiocese.org/coronavirus.php
The Church of England
https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
Ashford Borough Council – Help for the Community Page
https://www.ashford.gov.uk/help
UK Government Advice Pages
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know
&
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
A prayer for those affected by Coronavirus
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy.
Sustain and support the anxious,
be with those who care for the sick,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may find comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen
With Love and Prayers
The Ashford Town Parish.