Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice

The churches of All Saints and St Thomas, the worship we offer in these places, and our ministry in Houghton Regis are signs of God’s presence – they witness of his enduring love in our town and the communities we serve.
 
Following directives from HM Government and national Church authorities about Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we are able to reopen our church buildings for worship from Saturday 4 July. However, we will still offer a reduced schedule for worship; public celebration of Mass will be offered three times a week until further notice.

Mass (Public Celebration)
Mass will be celebrated publicly on

• Sundays, at All Saints' Parish Church, at 10:00am
• Wednesdays, at St Thomas' Church, at 9:30am
• Saturdays (Vigil Mass for Sunday), at St Thomas' Church at 6:00pm
  

Please note that there hygiene, social distancing, safety measures in place for these celebrations.
Wearing face coverings is compulsory (from 1 August) - disposable face masks will be available at the door.
Holy Communion will be distributed in one kind only, under the form of Bread. The Precious Blood (the chalice) will not be distributed among the faithful.
There will not be singing at these celebrations.

Mass (online), Worship, and Teaching
During lockdown we have taken Mass, other forms of worship, and Christian teaching online - on Facebook Live and YouTube. Mass will continue to be live streamed from St Thomas' Church at the following times:

• Sundays and Holy Days at 6:00pm
• Weekdays at 8:30am
  

Opening of church buildings
According to Government advice churches across England can reopen for private prayer from 15 June.

• All Saints' Parish Church will be open to the public on certain days and with a few safety requirements put in place by the Church of England. Check our Facebook page for opening times.
• St Thomas' Church on Lowry Drive remains closed to the public.

Baptisms
Baptisms can take place in church. The same hygiene and social distancing regulations used for Mass (above) still apply, and we have to limit the numbers of people attending to 30.

Weddings
Weddings can take place in church. The same hygiene and social distancing regulations used for Mass (above) still apply.
The Government strongly advises that the number of people attending the ceremony should be restricted to 30. This maximum number includes all those at the ceremony; meaning the couple, witnesses, officiant and guests. It also includes any workers who are not employed by the church such as photographers. It does not include staff or volunteers employed by the church such as vergers or churchwardens.
The service should be kept concise while still consistent with the nature of the occasion, focusing on those parts of the marriage that are required in order to be legally binding under the law of England and Wales.

Funerals and Memorial Services

• Funerals can take place in church again (from 15 June), with a restricted number of mourners. 
  
• Only immediate family members can participate to the funeral service to facilitate social distancing - up to a maximum of 30.
  
• Funerals can also take place at Crematoria or at the graveside.
  

 
Worship in Care Homes and Hospital Visits

• Worship in care homes is suspended as this would usually see a group of up to 10 church volunteers entering places of care and increasing the risk of spreading the virus.
  
• Hospital visits are suspended. Please, contact the Hospital Chaplaincy Team or hospital staff to arrange Pastoral Care on-site.

 
Home Visits by the Parish Priest

• Home visits by the Parish Priest (or a designated lay minister) are suspended to enable social distancing.

 
Ministry to the dying

• Visits to those who are dying will continue wherever possible and allowed. Please, contact the Parish Office without delay if you wish to request or discuss a visit.

 
As time progresses, these directives may be altered in accordance with advice from the Diocese of St Albans, HM Government, and Church of England guidelines.
Thank you for your co-operation.

Updated 31 July 2020
Created 18 March 2020