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.
 
However, following directives from the Archbishop of Canterbury and church authorities, we have suspended all Public Worship to counter the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among worshippers and visitors.
 
Therefore, the public celebration of Mass (whether on weekdays or Sunday) has been suspended, and there will be no public worship until further notice.
 
All Saints’ will be open to the public as often as possible for personal prayer. These opening times will depend on the goodwill of volunteers to keep the building open and secure. Opening times will be advertised on our Facebook page.
 
In response to the outbreak we have also implemented the following:
 
General

• All Social Events and Study Evenings scheduled until June are cancelled.
  
• Choir practice, Bellringing practice, and Houghton Music Experience are cancelled until June.
  
• Coffee Morning on Saturdays will not take place until June.
  

 
Funerals

• Church authorities allow funeral to take place, but we are limiting the number of mourners attending to the immediate family of the deceased, and up to thirty individuals. Similar restrictions are in place at local Crematoria and other places of worship.

 
Church buildings

• All worshippers will be encouraged to wash their hands regularly with hot water and soap or use a personal hand sanitiser gel (with a minimum of 60% alcohol content).
• Bins will be provided at the entrances of churches to enable people to dispose of used tissues; catch it, bin it, kill it.
• Door handles and access points will be cleaned on a regular basis to minimise the potential spread of germs.
• Holy Water stoops have been emptied.

 
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 (or a designated minister)

• Individual home visits by the Parish Priest will continue for those who wold like to receive Holy Communion in their homes. However, if are quarantining or self-isolating, or in a care home this may not be possible. Please contact the Parish Office if you wish to request or discuss a visit.

 
Ministry to the dying

• Visits to those who are dying will continue. 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.