August 2021 Update

Following the Government’s announcement that Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed from 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 Sabbath 24 July, the following guidelines will be in place:

• * The current booking system will remain in place 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.
• * We are delighted to welcome back congregational singing.
• * We will continue caring for one another and reducing risks by taking your temperature before entry and encouraging people 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. (The overflow hall will be in use in order to accommodate more people attending and keep the 1 metre distancing. 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.

We will continue joyfully worshipping God together via 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).

These arrangements are likely to remain in place at least until the end of August when we will review them again. We hope that this helps you to know what is happening and feel safe.

Many thanks for your cooperation and understanding.

In response to the Covid-19 outbreak all worship gatherings are suspended until further notice. This includes the main Sabbath gatherings of the Divine Service, the Sabbath School,  the Wednesday Prayer Meetings, and all other on site church activities throughout the week. 

Following discussions by British Union Conference (BUC) field leaders concerning the rapid spread of the Coronavirus and the announcements made by the Irish and British governments (Thursday 12 March and Monday 16 March) advising against ‘social’ gatherings, all public worship services are suspended within its territory from Sabbath, 21 March in the interest of safety for all members and the local community.

These measures are unique and difficult to make but as a church we have to do our part to prevent the spreading of infection in our various communities and to take responsive and proactive action to ensure the wellbeing of all congregants especially those who are most vulnerable.

With church services being postponed, we will look for creative ways to sustain a worship experience on Sabbath, including arranging messages to be shared via livestreaming to their members. The suspension of public worship services is not the closure of the church. We encourage all our members where possible to be involved in responding to the needs of both their members and neighbours and show ourselves to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in our communities.