Vicar reveals provisional church re-opening date

Llangollen's vicar has given an update on the re-opening of St Collen's Church after the latest lockdown.

Father Lee Taylor says: "We are provisionally looking to reopen the St Collen's for public worship on Sunday 21st March. This date is provisional upon the further guidelines from the Welsh Government and of the Church in Wales.

"This gives us time to carry out a thorough and up-to-date risk assessment as well as air and sanitise the building.

"Legally, churches have been allowed to be open for communal worship, but the advice from the local health authorities and from the Diocese was to find alternatives to public gatherings, which is what we have done.

"When we reopen, we will be returning to the pattern of worship and practices that we developed since we emerged from Lockdown 1 last year: Only one service (11am) at St Collen's on Sunday morning until further notice.

"The details relating to these decisions for our group of churches has been given in the statement which is now available on our website.

"Our safe capacity in St Collen's stands at 60 people maximum. It is doubtful that we will exceed this number on a regular Sunday morning (apart from Easter Sunday – more details will follow). However, attendance will be on a first come, first served basis.

"Please note the following very carefully:

"Some people have been vaccinated and some haven’t. Remember, no one is safe until we are ALL safe.

"Only members of the same household or bubble will be able to sit together.

"No socialising is allowed in church, and only one person from two households can meet outside.

"Please wave your greeting rather than stopping for a chat, and please leave the church in a timely fashion.

"Masks are to be worn at all times.

"Hands should be sanitised before entering the church.

"Social distancing of 2 metres should be maintained (including moving all the way into the pew you have chosen).

"Do not attend church if you are feeling ill.

"Temperature checks will be taken at the door (this means that the person taking the temperature will be at the same arm’s length distance as the priest giving communion).

"As ever with this pandemic, the church will be open for Sunday worship for those who feel comfortable enough to attend, and live-streaming will continue for those who don't.

"All this means that we will be able to keep some of Lent, Holy Week and Easter in Church.

"After Easter we will look to re-open for private prayer. If you can spare an hour or so a week, do get in contact with Tony.

"So, this is phase 1 of re-opening our churches. I hope that somewhere between Easter and the summer we can proceed with the next phase and consider safely (and legally) reopening St Tysilio's and Trevor church.

"When we do so, there will be a revised pattern of Sunday worship for our group of churches. More details will follow in due course."