August 2021 Covid-19 Update
Following the Government’s relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions on 19 July 2021, the Croydon SDA Church Pastoral team has agreed that a phased approach will help people feel safe to resume attending in-person services.
- From 26 September 2021, the following guidelines will be in place:
- You will no longer need to book a seat to attend Sabbath School or Divine Service in person.
- We will continue to collect and keep a record of your relevant personal details for 21 days, in the event of a Covid-19 outbreak.
- Congregational singing will continue.
- We will continue caring for one another and reducing risks by taking your temperature before entry and encouraging you to wear a face covering where they are able.
- We also ask everyone to keep sanitising their hands on entry and exit.
- Social distancing is reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre. (We ask that people leave one seat between households.)
- We will encourage people to socialise and mingle, including having lunch together outside in the nearby park. Please note that the church building will not be open for the purpose of dining and you will need to bring water as the water dispenser remains out of operation.
- We also wish to remind members and visitors that to protect the church family we do not expect anyone to attend if they have any of the COVID-19 symptoms. If you subsequently test positive after attending a service, you should let a member of the Safeguarding Team know as soon as possible at: safeguarding-team@croydonadventist.org.
We will continue joyfully worshipping God together via YouTube and Livestream but encourage you to come and join us in-person when you feel ready and comfortable. If you are particularly anxious and have questions about coming back do not hesitate to contact any of the Pastoral Team or please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.
These arrangements are likely to remain in place until we will review them again in the lead up to winter. We hope that this helps you to know what is happening and feel safe.
Many thanks for your cooperation and understanding.
Church Opening: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When will church be opening?
A. We have been open for in-person worship since 22 May 2021. Please come and participate in our live Sabbath School and Family Worship (“Divine Worship”). Learn more about the guidelines around attending in person here.
Q. Will everybody be allowed back into church?
A. Yes, eventually. However, as the Covid-19 cases are rising we want to continue to restrict the numbers attending and maintain social distancing to protect the vulnerable.
Q. What will you do with the details of those who register to attend worship in-person?
A. The church will keep a record of your relevant personal details for 21 days, as required for NHS track and trace in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Q. I have underlying health issues, can I come to church?
A. At present government has cancelled the shielding programme, so anyone can attend.
Q. I am over 70 years old, can I come to church?
A. Everyone is welcome to attend, and each person should take personal responsibility for protecting their health. We recommend that you wear a face covering.
Q. Will you be conducting temperature checks?
A. Yes. A First Aider will ask you to wait for your temperature to be taken before entering the church. This will be done using an electronic thermometer and is not harmful. If the reading is below 38c /100F and you do not have a continuous cough, you will be permitted to enter the building. If the reading is above 38c /100F, you should immediately leave the building and self-isolate and seek medical assistance as per the government’s direction.
Q. Will I have to wear a mask in church?
A. Wearing masks while seated in the pews will be optional, but is highly recommended. While sufficient social distancing and ventilation has been put in place in the Sanctuary (our place of worship), we suggest that face masks be worn in all communal areas.
Q. Will the church be providing us with masks, hand sanitisers, or gloves?
A. Hand sanitisers will be provided, however you will be expected to bring your own face masks. (If you are unable to obtain a mask, we have a limited number of masks available for your use.)
Q. Will the water dispenser in the Youth Hall be available?
A. Not at present. We therefore encourage you to bring your own water for the time being.
Q. Will I be able to sing at church?
A. Congregational singing will be allowed for those who would like to participate. If you do not wish to sing, you can continue to wear masks while seated near to those who are singing.
Q. Can I greet others by shaking hands, embracing or cheek kissing?
A. This is down to personal choice. However, be aware that Covid-19 is still with us and cases are rising, so be extremely cautious about these activities.
Q. Can I socialise/mingle with others between services?
A. At present Government guidance is that there is no restriction on this. However, as Covid-19 cases are rising, we recommend that all gatherings take place in the open air where you are less likely to contract the disease.
Q. Are there any other restrictions in place about how many people can be in one room at a time?
A. No. However, we are recommending that toilets are limited to just a few persons at a time. Also, we are keeping the other meeting rooms closed until we are fully open.
Q. How often will the church be updated on the guidelines?
A. Going forward, at each point that the Government updates their roadmap, we will aim to review and update our guidelines soon after.
Q. How many services will we be having each Sabbath?
A. We are having one Worship Service each Sabbath.
Q. What time will Sabbath School and Divine Service be held?
A. Sabbath School will start at 9:30am and Family Worship (“Divine Service”) will start at 11:15 am.
Q. Will Adult Sabbath School classes resume in-person?
A. We are currently providing a fusion of the online Sabbath School and those attending in person. While individual classes have not yet resumed, for those attending church in person, we are inviting you to be part of the congregation and participate in Sabbath School by asking questions and offering comments. Sabbath School continues to be an interactive and online service for those not able to attend in person.
Q. Can I use the kitchen facilities during Sabbath?
A. No. The kitchen will be closed during services until October.
Q. Will the church be providing lunch?
A. No. This will be reviewed in October.
Q. Can I bring my lunch and share with others?
A. We recommend having a picnic outside as this is safer, and transmission is less likely in the open air.
Q. Can I bring snacks for my child?
A. Yes.
Q. Will the water dispenser in the Youth Hall be available?
A. Not at present. We therefore encourage you to bring your own water until this is reviewed again.
Q. When the church is re-opened can I bring my toddler to church, in light of the new restrictions in place?
A. Parents with toddlers should still feel free to attend church despite the restrictions.
Q. Will there be a Children’s Church or Sabbath School?
A. Children’s Church in-person will remain closed until further notice. In the meantime, kids can join in a variety of activities via Zoom from Monday to Saturday. We provide fitness sessions, quizzes, prayer, worship and Bible study. Contact Children’s Ministry leader, Lee White on 07944 884 154 for Zoom details. We will consider having in-person services in late autumn.
Q. Will there be Youth or Teens’ Sabbath School?
A. At present all Youth/Teen Sabbath Schools classes in-person are cancelled until further notice. In the meantime, we’re conducting Bible studies and Youth Church programmes via Zoom. Find out more here. After August we will consider having in-person services.
Q. Will we be able to have Communion?
A. Yes, we have had virtual had a Communion Service and now intend to have a fusion of in-person and virtual .
Q. Will we be able to have baptisms?
A. Yes, we we have hard three baptisms so far in 2021.
Q. Can we have a baby dedication?
A. Yes, please contact us.
Q. What about Wednesday midday and evening Prayer Meetings?
A. Virtual Prayer Meetings will continue via Zoom. We hope to have a fusion of online and in church in the future. More details to follow.
Q. Will the Community Friendship Club, Racquet Club & Cooking Classes restart any time soon?
A. Yes, the Racquet Club has started on Monday evenings. The other clubs will follow soon. More details to follow. In the meantime, we have other community activities available online – all free: Bible Book Club, Plant Based Cook-along Classes, Youth Friday Fix, Women’s Forum, and a variety of Singles Events. We have also recently launched a Make Your Own Natural Products Workshop. Look out for more community events on our Events page.
Q. What about other social activities?
A. Not at present. We hope to resume these soon. More details to follow.
Q. What about the Community Kitchen and Foodbank?
A. The Community Kitchen and Foodbank continue to operate under strict COVID-19 rules every Tuesday at 6pm – 7:30pm. We will consider whether we can re-introduce the sit-down meals sometime in the future.
Send us your questions/comments
If you have any further questions or comments about these FAQs, we would love to hear from you.