2020 Book of Learning - Page 6

39% of the responses highlighted Yes

21% of the responses highlighted Yes when safe

“We would love to return to church services when it is safe - to worship together in person, and for our daughter to return to her network group - being together is a great way to learn and grow in faith.”

“Yes eventually when the coronavirus no longer poses a risk.”

 “Yes but perhaps in a new way.”

“Communion - yes, please return to it but it may be a long way off. Sung worship - yes, please but maybe simplify. Children's provision within the service - yes.”

“I feel that in some ways it is important to return as a church but safe guarding and safety issues need to be addressed. Church does not always mean a building.”

“Regular services? Yes, of course – Heb. 10v25. There is not only a social dynamic, but a spiritual one involved in all worshipping together.”

“It’s a difficult question at this time. So, no, continue as we are until its 100% safe to reopen our church. Let’s stay as we are with zoom and the calls, the emails, the encouragement from all the St Giles team means so much.”

“To this day the resurrection of Jesus is the solid foundation of all hopes for a better world. The first Christians found that God had made new life possible and offered it to us. In Christ Jesus, the first Christians were empowered with the resources to live in ways that brought abundant life to rich and poor, strong and weak, the privileged and the rejected. An amazing community grew and they loved and served in time of peace and war, of health and of great epidemics. This is the same community, the global church that still lives and grows all over the world. The resurrection changes not just us individually, but is the fuel for hope-filled ambition and for imagination that builds dreams into reality.”  Justin Welby

As set out above, we are actively working on a phased-return which will open up opportunities for fellowship and contact which people have missed so much.

In doing so, we recognise that safety is a real concern for all. Our ‘COVID TASK FORCE’ are paying close attention to the assessment of risk and ensuring we abide by the relevant guidance and legislation.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.
Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

 Psalm 91: 1 - 4