Our vision is to be a welcoming, Christ-centred church, where everyone is valued and nurtured, actively sharing the joy of Christ in our Communities
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Covid-19 Update: 03 July2020
click to see how church life and services are effected
click to see how church life and services are effected
- Private Prayer in Church: we are pleased to say that St Mary's is now open for Private Prayer. We have implemented Social Distancing and other Measures for the safety of all who enter. There are restrictions in place and we only have 9 pews available, one per household. Please check our News Blog for updates and when St Mary's is open.
- Public Worship is permissible in church buildings from 4 July. However, due to the size and layout of St Mary's the PCC have agreed that we will not be open again on a Sunday just yet and at least until the beginning of August. New guidance from the government and the Church of England has now been issued and we are working through this. Please check our News Blog for updates.
- The Streaming of services will continue, and will continue, once we do reopen as numbers in church will be severely restricted and we hope to be able to give priority initially to those who can't access online services
- Funerals are now permissible in churches and we will conduct them at St Mary's on request. Funerals in church buildings are severely restricted at the moment. Immediate family only are allowed and no hymns may be sung. Please discuss options with a Funeral Director to see what's best for your family and loved one. We continue to conduct funerals at the Graveside and the Crematorium.
- Weddings are permissible in churches from 4 July. They are limited to 30 people in total (including the minister) and hymn singing or an organist is not permitted at the moment.
- Baptisms: From 4 July, baptisms can go ahead providing appropriate steps are taken to minimise risk and our limited to 30 people including the minister. During the coming weeks, Polly will be in touch with all those who had Baptisms cancelled to rearrange dates. we will be conducting Baptisms outside of the main services we will be conducting Baptisms outside of the main services. We will not be taking any new bookings at the moment until we have rescheduled those that were cancelled. It will be 2021 before we take new bookings. Please see the CofE guidance on baptisms for more information.
- St Luke's and the Church Hall are closed to any public access. We are working towards reopening the Church Hall in September, but this cannot be guaranteed as we are awaiting guidance from the CofE.
- As changes to the guidance happen we will update this information accordingly - you can see the full guidance on all of the above at: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
Whilst we are not able to meet in church we are streaming Services on Facebook & YouTube click the links to watch. We are live each Sunday from 10:30am
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To make a donation to St Mary's & St Luke's, or to give your regular giving which you normally put on the plate in church, please click the Donate Button to pay securely via Give a Little & SumUp with any Debit or Credit Card. To find our more about giving please click on the Giving button. Thank You!
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SAFEGUARDING
St Mary’s & St Luke’s takes its duty and obligation to protect all extremely seriously. We have adopted the national Church of England's robust procedures and guidelines. You can find out more about our Safeguarding procedures here.
Church of England Past Cases Review 2 (PCR2)
All parishes are required to participate in a Past Cases Review, commissioned by the Church of England. PCR2, as it is known nationally, is part of the Church's ongoing scrutiny of its handling of past and current safeguarding cases. An Independent Reviewer will be looking at files relating to church officers in this parish, both lay and ordained, past and present.
Individuals who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process, or who need to come forward with information or make any disclosures, are encouraged to make direct contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (pauline.butterfield@chester.anglican.org or call 07703800031) . However, recognising that this may not feel safe for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the Church, a dedicated telephone helpline - 0800 80 20 20 - operated independently from the Church, by the NSPCC, has been set up.
Individuals who wish to make representations to the PCR2 process, or who need to come forward with information or make any disclosures, are encouraged to make direct contact with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (pauline.butterfield@chester.anglican.org or call 07703800031) . However, recognising that this may not feel safe for those with a lived experience of abuse from within the Church, a dedicated telephone helpline - 0800 80 20 20 - operated independently from the Church, by the NSPCC, has been set up.