Churches across Stamford, Bourne, Deepings and Rutland to reopen for private prayer from Monday, June 15
Churches have been told they can reopen from Monday (June 15) for private prayer.
The announcement has caught at least one by surprise as many had been working towards a date of July 4, when places of worship are likely to fully reopen.
The ministry team at St Guthlac's in Market Deeping is now busy trying to make the building on Church Street safe and secure.
Kate Brown, acting chair of the parochial church council, said: "Before the current Covid-19 restrictions St Guthlac's Church was open every day during daylight hours for private prayer and for visitors. We are strongly committed to making the church again available for private prayer as soon as we are allowed and are currently making plans to ensure the church is a secure and safe environment for people to visit and that appropriate pastoral support can be offered."
The church had previously announced it was planning a memorial service for all those who had died during the global pandemic, and would be encouraging people to place framed photographs and eulogies of loved ones inside the building.
Kate added: "Although plans for a memorial service for those who have died during the last few months can't be made at present we hope to move forward with a display of photographs and eulogies as soon as is practicable.
"We know that members of the worshipping congregation as well as the wider community have missed being able to pop into church at any time during the day as well as gathering together for services and all will welcome this first step towards normality."
Under plans for the June 15 reopening, individuals are expected to be able to “reflect and pray” while adhering to social-distancing rules – but worship groups, weddings and other services will still not be permitted.
Downing Street said the changes would only be made if the Government’s five tests for easing lockdown are met.
Places of worship come under step three of the Government’s road map to lift restrictions, and are not due to fully reopen until at least July 4.
Ministers had been warned that worshippers felt “disappointment and hurt” at not being able to visit places of worship, despite some shops being reopened.
A Government taskforce with faith leaders was launched last month to develop a plan to enable the phased and safe reopening of religious buildings.
The Church of England closed all of its buildings on March 24, meaning funerals could only take place at crematoriums or the graveside. Clergy were encouraged to live-stream worship from their own homes.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “Ensuring places of worship can open again, beginning with private prayer by individuals has been my priority.
“Their contribution to the common good of our country is clear, as places of solace, comfort, stability and dignity. And the need for them is all the greater as we weather the uncertainties of the pandemic.
“I’m pleased the Prime Minister has announced that this is expected to happen from June 15. As Communities Secretary, I have worked with faith leaders and representatives to prepare guidance that ensures this can be done safely.
“People of all faiths have shown enormous patience and forbearance, unable to mark Easter, Passover, Ramadan or Vaisakhi with friends and family in the traditional way.
“As we control the virus, we are now able to move forwards with a limited but important return to houses of worship.”
A Number 10 spokesman added: “The Prime Minister recognises how important it is, at this unprecedented time, for people to have the space to reflect and pray, to connect with their faith, and to be able to mourn for their loved ones.
“The PM is so grateful to people of all faiths and none, who have followed the social distancing guidelines, and in doing so, protected their communities.
“We plan to open up places of worship for individual prayer in a safe, Covid-secure way that does not risk further transmission.”
The Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally – who chairs the Church of England’s Recovery Group, welcomed the Government’s announcement that church buildings can open for private, individual prayer.
She said: “This is the start of the journey for church buildings to open up safely in line with Government advice, and we look forward to their detailed guidance on enabling this first step to happen.”
- Is your church reopening for private prayer on June 15? Let us know by emailing steve.creswell@iliffepublishing.co.uk or calling 07808 632807.