Greenock: Lyle Kirk – Reopening of Church for Sunday Worship

The Kirk Session is pleased to advise that we have permission to resume Sunday worship. We hope you will come if you feel able to do so but if you are not yet comfortable about attending, the online service will continue to be available on the Church’s website. The Church of Scotland’s advice also makes it clear that if you feel unwell stay at home and keep safe and if you have any of the coronavirus symptoms call your doctor.

 

When

At 11.15am on Sunday 20th December 2020 and each week thereafter until further notice

Please note the change of starting time to allow Rev David Burt,  our Interim Moderator, to conduct worship after taking the service in his own church

 

 

Where

In the Union Street Sanctuary and large hall if required. The regulations restrict us to a maximum of 50 in the Sanctuary and 30 in the Hall

 

 

Children but NO Sunday School (yet)

Young people will be most welcome but until we have re-established worship we will not resume Sunday School (yet)

 

 

Booking

Because of the restriction in numbers, in common with the practice being adopted by other congregations, members are asked to book a place or places by telephoning Ross Finnie, Session Clerk, on 631495

 

 

Entering the Sanctuary
  • An extended welcome team will be on hand to assist you BUT they will be unable to shake your hand or pause for a chat and there will be no orders of service or church notices. They are there primarily to assist with your safety.
  • Once you have reached the outside of the building and once you are in the building 2 metre social distancing must be maintained at all times and face coverings must be worn at all times.
  • You will enter by the West most front door (the access ramp is also on the West Side) Please observe the instructions on the signs. You must use the hand sanitizer at the entrance and all doors will either be open or be opened for you.
  • You must confirm your name, address and telephone number to the member of the welcome team at the table just inside the Sanctuary.
  • A member of the welcome team will show you to a seat which has been laid out in singles and doubles (for family members) 2 metres apart. Please do not move the seats

 

 

Entering the Hall
  • Once the regulated capacity of the Sanctuary has been reached you will be invited to enter the Hall via the rear entrance on the East passageway. Once you are in the building 2 metre social distancing must be maintained at all times and face coverings must be worn at all times.
  • You must use the hand sanitizer on entering, proceeding straight ahead through the doors which will be open.
  • You must confirm your name, address and telephone number to the member of the welcome team at the table just inside the Hall.
  • A member of the welcome team will show you to a seat which has been laid out in singles and doubles (for family members) 2 metres apart. Please do not move the seats
  • The seating in the Hall will be laid out facing the Sanctuary and the service will be relayed to the Hall from the Sanctuary.

 

 

During the Service

The key restrictions are:

  • Bibles and hymn books are not permitted with the Sanctuary or the Hall
  • Congregational singing is not permitted but the playing of organ music is permitted
  • Soft responses like saying the Lord’s prayer very quietly are permitted and similarly saying the words of a hymn very quietly is permitted

 

 

The Offering

The regulations do not permit the normal uplifting of the offering during worship BUT Offering Plates will be available within the Sanctuary and the Hall for you to make your offering. It would be appreciated if those in the habit of putting cash in the plate could place it in an ordinary envelope before coming to church.

 

 

Using the Toilets

If at any time you require to use the toilets, please follow the signage.

  • From the Sanctuary use the West side aisle and the door to the side of the pulpit. Turn left along the corridor to the ladies or gents following the signage
  • From the Hall use the front door on the West side from where you are seated and follow the signage to the ladies or gents
  • Only one person is permitted to use the respective facility at any one time
  • Please wash your hands and then use the sanitizer in the corridor before returning by the same door as you exited the Sanctuary/Hall

 

 

Leaving the Sanctuary
  • The regulations do not permit the serving of tea/coffee after worship
  • Please observe 2 metre distancing whilst leaving the Sanctuary, beginning with those seated at the rear and all via the East most front door except for those who need to use the ramp who should seek assistance from a member of the welcome team.
  • Once outside please disperse quickly and do not form clusters or groups.

 

 

Leaving the Hall
  • The regulations do not permit the serving of tea/coffee after worship
  • Please observe 2 metre distancing whilst leaving the Hall, beginning with those seated at the Front and all via the same route by which they entered.
  • Once outside please disperse quickly and do not form clusters or groups.

 

 

 

The Kirk Session appreciates that the current Covid-19 regulations whilst designed for our safety nevertheless make the act of worship with its spiritual engagement and sense of fellowship very difficult but we thank you for your co-operation and continued understanding as we restart Sunday worship as best as we are able. If you have any queries or require assistance, please contact your Elder.

 

Ross Finnie

Session Clerk