Notices for Sunday 18th July

By Cathy SimonNotices
Notices for Sunday 18th July

Please note this notice sheet includes important information about our Church Services as the country moves into Tier 4 from Monday 19th July.

If you would like to receive the weekly notices via email and don’t already do so, please contact Cathy S.

Notices are also published on the Church Website weekly

This week

Pre-booking is still required to attend services in person. Please consider coming if you would like. You can book your family ticket (one per household please) here for the Priory Street service, or here  for Church on the Green  – contact Cathy S. if for any reason you are unable to book. .

Please note that:

  • you must not attend if you have any Covid symptoms – a new cough, temperature or loss of taste or smell ;
  • you must inform us if you receive a positive Covid test within 14 days of attending ;
  • distancing rules of 1m plus mask apply.

Sunday Services

  • Church on the Screen @10am: If you prefer a more active service rather than simply watching, a warm welcome awaits from Rob and the team.
  • COTG are opening for face-face services. All details at: https://www.churchonthegreen.online/event/10am-sunday-service-online/
  • Priory Street joint service @10am https://youtu.be/BQpFEMc7itk
  • This week worship is led by Matt E and Intercessory Prayer by Rob P. Matt L is preaching from Mark 5:21-42
  • Midweek Service: The next Midweek Service is this Wednesday, 21st July @2pm
  • Junior Church continues as a family event. Book your ticket here.

For Your Prayers

Pray for our church family and leadership as we move out of lockdown restrictions, that we might demonstrate

Please continue to pray for our SPOT team as they faithfully search for a senior pastor.

Also pray for Alan C and Rob P as they conduct the CBC Leadership Review (see below)

Important Information from our Oversight Team:

“Our STRIPE team met this week to consider the latest Government announcement on Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown and the impact on our activities at CBC. The following are key points that were foundational in guiding us in coming up with what we believe is a balanced approach to opening up, along of course with much prayer!

  1. To expand the work and impact of the Gospel
  2. To remain at all times within the law
  3. To take note of the Government’s advisory recommendations as well as the legal requirements
  4. To act responsibly in taking care of our brothers and sisters as far as possible, commensurate with 1, 2 and 3 above
  5. To have regard to the conflicting levels of concern and anxiety expressed by different members of the fellowship and to try to steer a course which will allow as many people as possible to re engage with Church in person and to benefit from meeting together and engaging in corporate worship and other group meetings.
  6. To take account of the impact on Worship leaders and other members who facilitate our in person meetings
  7. For these measures to remain in force until the autumn when a full review will take place or of course in the event of a change in Government legislation

For the main worship services, the following will take effect from Sunday 25th July

  1. No more requirement to book places via Eventbrite
  2. A request that all attendees are either double vaccinated or have taken a lateral flow test within 24 hours of attending and are negative for COVID 19. This allows for a more “normal” worship service including the removal of masks and allowing singing with greater confidence by minimising the risk of infections being passed on or causing mass isolations!
  3. We will take a register of attendees who will sign themselves in for track and trace in the short term ( until 16th August) and to enable us to advise people of any positive cases in the period until the next review
  4. Two zones in Church – Step 3 Zone in the balcony will require the wearing of face masks and there will be no singing – much like the current worship service, Step 4 zone – the ground floor – no masks required and singing encouraged. Slightly greater spacing between rows of chairs
  5. The option to wear a colour coded badge to indicate your attitude to close contact with others. This is to provide clarity and avoid embarrassment.
  6. Live music, prayers etc
  7. Junior Church will be provided at one service only over the summer due to holidays etc but will take place as now in the garden – parents drop off at the beginning of the service
  8. There will be no 9.15 service until September when 9.15 congregational leaders will review the logistics and a further decision will be made about resumption of that service
  9. These measures apply specifically to Priory Street and a further notice will be sent to Church on the Green members detailing the arrangements for Rudloe. However, similar principles will apply

For other meetings – Life and small Groups, men’s and women’s ministries, etc

  1. These can proceed in person once again without formal restrictions such as the rule of six but should follow the general guidance above on mitigation actions.
  2. The use of Eventbrite will be left to the discretion of the ministry leader. It can be a useful tool to promote the event or track attendees but compulsory use will no longer apply
  3. We would advise liaising with your group on how they feel about resuming in person meetings and aiming to include as many as possible by taking appropriate measures to mitigate risk. This may include lateral flow testing where not all members of the group are fully vaccinated, meeting outdoors if weather permits, using well ventilated spaces and avoiding over crowded rooms.
  4. For outreach events, please seek further specific guidance from the STRIPE team. Because these events will include people from our wider community, we want to take particular care and proposals with planned mitigation measures should be submitted to STRIPE for approval until further notice please.

What CBC will do for you:

  1. Offer live worship, prayers and sermon which will also be live streamed for those who are still uncomfortable with in person meetings. The aim is not to have pre-recorded aspects of the service.

2. Tell you if someone at an event tests positive.

3. For in person events, we will have 2 zones; one for those wishing to adhere to Step 3 restrictions (before 19 July) and another for those wishing to adhere to Step 4 restrictions (after 19 July).

4. Offer hand washing or sanitisation facilities to use on entering the building

5. Have disposable masks available in case the building becomes crowded

6. Keep meeting spaces well ventilated where reasonable to do so

7. Offer red/yellow/green stickers to help you bear with those who have a different view of risk to you.

8. Refreshments will not be provided until the Autumn at the earliest.

9. Hold junior church outside for the whole duration of the service, at Stage 4 restrictions only. We will keep a register of attendance.

10. Space the rows downstairs in the sanctuary to allow 1m spacing

What you must do because the law requires it:

  1. Continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

2. Self-isolate if you develop Covid-19 symptoms, test positive for Covid-19 or NHS Track and trace contact you.

What we ask you to do because the Government recommend it:

  1. Limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with

2. Meet outdoors where possible and maintain good ventilation in meeting rooms (responsibility of ministry leader)

3. Government expects and recommends that you wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport, or if the meeting room is at capacity, ie. more than 1 person per seat.

4. Where possible, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

5. Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hand. Dispose of tissues into a rubbish bag and immediately wash your hands.

6. Tell the Church office if you test positive for Covid-19 within 10 days of attending a CBC event – office@corshambaptists.org

7. We invite and encourage adults attending church to register on arrival and indicate that they are either double vaccinated or have had a negative Lateral Flow Test within the past 24 hours.

Please pray

  • For everyone to show kindness and grace towards each other as we navigate these difficult times, understanding that everyone has different levels of concern about their health and the wellbeing of their families
  • For everyone to support and positively engage with the carefully considered measures we are putting in place for the time being to care for our Church family
  • For continued patience as we gradually return to more “normal” Church life but recognising there is still further to go!
  • Pray for us as leaders as we feel the responsibility of fulfilling our Lord’s commission to us to care in the way that he does for his precious family “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.”
  • To be encouraged that  “The LORD himself goes before us and will be with us; he will never leave us nor forsake us. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Leadership Review – How we “do Church”

Since the last review which Tim S. conducted for us several years ago, the Lord has continued to bless us with an increasing membership at CBC and our Leadership Team believe now is a good and appropriate time to conduct a full review of our ministry leadership and “How we do Church”. Ministries have increased in number and size and we want to ensure our ministry leaders are well resourced and supported as well as growing the team and filling some gaps which have become evident over the last few months. As we begin the process of opening up after COVID restrictions are lifted, additional needs are being identified too. As we grow, it becomes ever more important to ensure clarity over who is responsible for what and so Alan C. and Rob P. have been delegated by the Leadership Team to conduct a thorough review of our current arrangements and make recommendations for the future which will be presented initially to the oversight team by early September and to the Church at a Church meeting in mid to late September. In view of that, we have decided to postpone the Church members meeting scheduled for July.

It would be immensely helpful if you feel you have gifts which you could use and are willing to serve the fellowship to make contact with Alan or Rob who would love to meet with you and discuss possible areas where you may be able to use the Gifts God has blessed you with. In particular, the following areas have been highlighted

  • Administration and ability to organise
  • IT with a focus on “front of Church” presentational skills
  • Project Management skills to bring to relatively simple projects
  • Finance at any level
  • Event Management

If you believe you have any of these gifts at any level, do get in touch or if there is something you believe needs doing and you’re passionate about doing it, let us know!

Contact details for Alan C and Rob P are in the Church Directory (Log in to CBC to access the updated 2021 directory here)

For the attention of Ministry Leaders

From next week we will be operating a centralised Eventbrite booking system for all future bookable church events.

Ministry leaders now have access to the central CBC Eventbrite account in order to create events under the guidance and oversight of their accountable Elder. If you have not received an email detailing these arrangements , or you have any queries then do contact Rob P or Cathy S.

Room bookings can be booked via Cathy S

Men’s Ministry

The Men’s Ministry Team are hosting a BBQ on Thursday 22nd July at CBC Priory Street in the ‘Hut Garden’, starting at 7:30pm. Do come along and join us for food and fellowship. The team will also be sharing their vision for Men’s Ministry and launching the Autumn Bible Study Series. If you have any questions, please contact either Tom B. or Ian H.. Please click here to book your place. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Souper Friday on Facebook

Souper Friday is now in Facebook! We want to reach local people who need support with food parcels, so if you’re on Facebook please ‘like’ the page and engage with the posts via likes/shares/comments. You can find the page here: www.facebook.com/souperfriday
If you have any questions about Facebook, feel free to contact Jasmine Warren.”

Other Activities:

  • Souper Friday continues to reach out to our community and neighbours
  • Community Money Advice is handling work remotely, but do get in touch if you are aware of or are having money difficulties ;
  • Several small groups meet and share online.
  • Youth Groups- Contact Dan for further details

Please send items for next week’s notices to Cathy S by 12 noon on Wednesday