20th March 2020
Covid-19
Christ Church Response To Government Guidelines
Christ Christ Cottingham will be a "church together at home" for a while.
We see this happening in 3 simple ways:
1- Church Family
Our Church Facebook page is useful to connect on, but texting and generally keeping in contact is a good idea. Quite a few folk are now self isolating. We will create a church Whatsapp group but obviously there is no compulsion to use this. Our email system is working just fine. We can call each other on our telephones or mobiles to stay in contact. It is a good idea if you are a connect group leader to keep in contact with your group. There is still an opportunity to ask us to deliver essential items to you if you are self isolating, please text, call or email me through all the usual channels so we can help. We are also doing this for our regular cafe customers and they are making good use of this. We only ask for you to let us know your needs ok?
2- Church Services & Meetings
These are all postponed until further notice, but we can still connect Sunday mornings if folks want to online. The website Sunday live section will have a couple of messages streaming at the same time from our usual speakers. If for any reason a recorded message is not possible they might be able to provide a transcript. I will start a weekly mini series this Sunday with a positive message and Bible study alongside it. This kind of replicates the 2 services we would normally hold. At the same time as that the Facebook page and Whatsapp group (in case some are not using social media) I will pop the power point slides or whiteboard drawings up on these. I am very happy to do this as staying home twiddling my thumbs is harder than I imagined. Also positive messages will be helpful. I will aim to be online from 9am-12pm just like I would have been at church except I don't have to get up at 7am which is great! I might be in my Sunday leisure flip flops with a cup of tea but you won't know it!
3- Daily Prayer
There is a national prayer and fasting initiative which is fine but... I would suggest as a church family we create a prayer opportunity daily from 12pm-1pm especially if you are self isolating. Prayer is always central to church family and it creates a great sense of rhythm. If people wanted to on our Facebook page or whatsapp group those praying can post testimony, words of prayer, thoughts and reflections and even prophetic words. At times like this our Intercession for church, community, nation and world is really important.
We see this happening in 3 simple ways:
1- Church Family
Our Church Facebook page is useful to connect on, but texting and generally keeping in contact is a good idea. Quite a few folk are now self isolating. We will create a church Whatsapp group but obviously there is no compulsion to use this. Our email system is working just fine. We can call each other on our telephones or mobiles to stay in contact. It is a good idea if you are a connect group leader to keep in contact with your group. There is still an opportunity to ask us to deliver essential items to you if you are self isolating, please text, call or email me through all the usual channels so we can help. We are also doing this for our regular cafe customers and they are making good use of this. We only ask for you to let us know your needs ok?
2- Church Services & Meetings
These are all postponed until further notice, but we can still connect Sunday mornings if folks want to online. The website Sunday live section will have a couple of messages streaming at the same time from our usual speakers. If for any reason a recorded message is not possible they might be able to provide a transcript. I will start a weekly mini series this Sunday with a positive message and Bible study alongside it. This kind of replicates the 2 services we would normally hold. At the same time as that the Facebook page and Whatsapp group (in case some are not using social media) I will pop the power point slides or whiteboard drawings up on these. I am very happy to do this as staying home twiddling my thumbs is harder than I imagined. Also positive messages will be helpful. I will aim to be online from 9am-12pm just like I would have been at church except I don't have to get up at 7am which is great! I might be in my Sunday leisure flip flops with a cup of tea but you won't know it!
3- Daily Prayer
There is a national prayer and fasting initiative which is fine but... I would suggest as a church family we create a prayer opportunity daily from 12pm-1pm especially if you are self isolating. Prayer is always central to church family and it creates a great sense of rhythm. If people wanted to on our Facebook page or whatsapp group those praying can post testimony, words of prayer, thoughts and reflections and even prophetic words. At times like this our Intercession for church, community, nation and world is really important.
18th March 2020
Covid-19
Government Guidance and Health Recommendations
We are sure you are aware of the growing Coronavirus concern:
As a church, we will continue monitoring the ever increasing situation with Coronavirus, we want to care as best we can for the church family in line with Public Health England’s guidance. (click underlined link for more information)
Church Services and Events:
From this Sunday, until further notice, we will not be holding public gatherings at our church location.
Instead, we will be streaming our messages from 9:00am every Sunday morning. Click here for our messages.
We encourage you to join us online from 9:00am, a few of us will be around online to chat and answer any questions.
Connect Groups:
We have made the decision to postpone our Connect Groups.
Giving:
Christ Church is built upon the generosity of many and we are grateful for every person who continues to build God’s kingdom with us. If you would like to give your tithes and offerings online or set up regular giving with a standing order, please click here and let us know.
Testimonies:
We would love to hear your stories and testimonies of how God has used you to be a blessing in your families or your community. Follow this link to let us know your story.
Help:
While we can, we want to help as much as we can. We can pray for you, deliver essential items and keep in touch over the phone/text or email. Please let us know how we can help by contacting us here.
As a church, we will continue monitoring the ever increasing situation with Coronavirus, we want to care as best we can for the church family in line with Public Health England’s guidance. (click underlined link for more information)
Church Services and Events:
From this Sunday, until further notice, we will not be holding public gatherings at our church location.
Instead, we will be streaming our messages from 9:00am every Sunday morning. Click here for our messages.
We encourage you to join us online from 9:00am, a few of us will be around online to chat and answer any questions.
Connect Groups:
We have made the decision to postpone our Connect Groups.
Giving:
Christ Church is built upon the generosity of many and we are grateful for every person who continues to build God’s kingdom with us. If you would like to give your tithes and offerings online or set up regular giving with a standing order, please click here and let us know.
Testimonies:
We would love to hear your stories and testimonies of how God has used you to be a blessing in your families or your community. Follow this link to let us know your story.
Help:
While we can, we want to help as much as we can. We can pray for you, deliver essential items and keep in touch over the phone/text or email. Please let us know how we can help by contacting us here.
11th March 2020
Covid-19
Government Guidance and Health Recommendations
Corona-virus (COVID-19) church recommendations:
While we know this virus is primarily spread through close contact, we want to take precautionary measures to create a safe and healthy environment for us all to gather and worship. Although these guidelines will change and adjust based on the updates received, as of March 12, 2020, here are the precautions we have been advised to take to increase health measures and mitigate the spread of germs.
PLATE TITHES & OFFERINGS
If you usually give donations through the offering bags passed around during the morning service, we ask that you now use the red post box or the brown offerings box both in the foyer on the information desk before or after the service. We do thank you for your kind generosity as these donations help us in ministry here at Christ Church. If you give online or via automated bank transfer then nothing changes of course and we thank you for your generosity too. If you would prefer to give online please see Giovanna or Tim.
COMMUNION
We will not be passing communion trays around during communion. Instead we will ask you to collect the bread and the cups from a designated area which will be near to where you are sitting. One person will prepare the bread and cups before the service in the kitchen where all surfaces, communion plates and cups will have been sanitised.
DOORS & SURFACES
All door handles, chair handles and surfaces throughout the church are sanitised before services. We sanitise the microphones and music/sound equipment also.
GREETING
When we have a time of greeting during services, we recommend you greet each other with smiles and waves instead of handshakes.
CHILDREN'S AREA OR SPECIAL EVENTS
We are wiping down surfaces between all events with disinfectant. It is recommended everybody washes their hands in the facilities with water and liquid hand soap supplied.
-We encourage you to take some time to understand proper prevention measures to avoid spreading the virus by reading through the .Gov website recommendations https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Here are some of the basic measures:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
While we know this virus is primarily spread through close contact, we want to take precautionary measures to create a safe and healthy environment for us all to gather and worship. Although these guidelines will change and adjust based on the updates received, as of March 12, 2020, here are the precautions we have been advised to take to increase health measures and mitigate the spread of germs.
PLATE TITHES & OFFERINGS
If you usually give donations through the offering bags passed around during the morning service, we ask that you now use the red post box or the brown offerings box both in the foyer on the information desk before or after the service. We do thank you for your kind generosity as these donations help us in ministry here at Christ Church. If you give online or via automated bank transfer then nothing changes of course and we thank you for your generosity too. If you would prefer to give online please see Giovanna or Tim.
COMMUNION
We will not be passing communion trays around during communion. Instead we will ask you to collect the bread and the cups from a designated area which will be near to where you are sitting. One person will prepare the bread and cups before the service in the kitchen where all surfaces, communion plates and cups will have been sanitised.
DOORS & SURFACES
All door handles, chair handles and surfaces throughout the church are sanitised before services. We sanitise the microphones and music/sound equipment also.
GREETING
When we have a time of greeting during services, we recommend you greet each other with smiles and waves instead of handshakes.
CHILDREN'S AREA OR SPECIAL EVENTS
We are wiping down surfaces between all events with disinfectant. It is recommended everybody washes their hands in the facilities with water and liquid hand soap supplied.
-We encourage you to take some time to understand proper prevention measures to avoid spreading the virus by reading through the .Gov website recommendations https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Here are some of the basic measures:
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.
Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
