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Bible Fellowship is suspended - again!!

The R Rate of the Covid-19 pandemic - the infection rate - continues to climb, and the Northern Ireland numbers are slowly getting out of control and is currently over 100 people per 100,000 population (figures released by the NI First Minister, 21/9/2020).  Our alert level has once again been recommended to be upgraded to Level 4 - Infections rising exponentially, so taking no action at all is no longer an option!

We seriously need to be careful how we interact and live with each other.  Please continue to wash hands, wear masks, and keep your distances from each other when we are out!  I have personally witnessed the decrease in the numbers of people wearing masks when out and about - which shows the decreasing level of anxiety towards the coronavirus.

The other step we are going to introduce is to limit the exposure we have in church. Whilst we are still going ahead with our services on Sunday 4th October - we are going to limit our exposure by cancelling the Bible Fellowship. Our Bible Fellowship is more of a “social” gathering, in that we have a discussion rather than a formal service - so for the foreseeable future, our midweek Bible Fellowship is suspended.

I realise this will be a disappointment to some, but hopefully we will be able to resume as soon as possible. I believe that the church needs to take a firm stance in light of the growing pandemic, and not need to be “told” to be responsible.  We, collectively as Christians, should be setting an example for others during this difficult period.

I know some will disagree; I know some might think we are moving too soon; I also know that some might think that we have nothing to really worry about - and that’s fine!  I acknowledge your right to hold such an opinion, but as a church leader, with a congregation to be responsible for, I am taking the decision upon myself to be safe and act as an example to the rest of society, joining their discomfort in these strange days.  We don’t have to agree upon the reason, but I hope you can continue to support the parish in leading the corporate response to this pandemic.

Blessings

Johnny

Rector

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