COVID-19

From September our church premises was restored to its pre-COVID state to enable it to be fully used by all [see latest status update below].  Further general information regarding COVID can be found from the following:
 

SRMC Status Updates
 

January 2022
Since the ending of Plan B, there is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering in church.  However the government suggests that we continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces where we may come into contact with other people we do not normally meet. As these relaxed restrictions come into play, we are sure everybody will be respectful of other people’s points of view about wearing face coverings in church.  We continue to provide hand sanitiser and to display the track and trace QR code at the entry to the building and encourage people to use these.

December 2021
The premises are now restored to their pre-COVID state, removing the one-way system and allowing access to the kitchen and all the toilet facilities.  There will no longer be a sign in desk for track and trace, but the NHS QR code will be displayed and its use encouraged.  However in the light of recent developments and following the government’s decision to go to Plan B please be aware that it is now compulsory for everybody except those legally exempt to wear face coverings in places of worship.  Singing is still allowed under the current rules but for everybody’s protection we are encouraging people to keep their face coverings in place while singing during Sunday morning services.  We continue to encourage everybody to sanitise their hands on entering the building, and to undertake regular lateral flow tests.

The premises are now restored to their pre-COVID state, removing the one-way system and allowing access to the kitchen and all the toilet facilities.  There will no longer be a sign in desk for track and trace, but the NHS QR code will be displayed and its use encouraged.  Face masks are no longer a legal requirement but many people will still prefer to use them and we continue to urge people to be vigilant and to take all necessary personal precautions when using the building and mixing with others.  Singing is allowed in the building.  We will continue to monitor the situation and may make further changes as and when there are new developments.

May 2021 As the country starts to open up and ease COVID restrictions, we give thanks for the success of the vaccination programme and the significant reduction in the spread of infection.  As the rules relating to COVID have changed we have taken a cautious approach on how we use our building and will continue to do so.

We have established a strong online presence during the Pandemic and will continue to offer pre-recorded weekly online services, plus a monthly online Messy Church.  We are delighted that the Church will reopen for morning services starting on Pentecost Sunday 23rd May under COVID safe restrictions, and the content of the online service for that Sunday will be the basis of each service. 

The building will also be open under COVID safe restrictions for a few mid-week groups to restart from Monday 17 May.  The Church Council will be meeting at the end of May to discuss a reopening strategy so details will be available from June.

March 2021 As we continue to closely monitor the situation we give thanks for the progress that has been made in the country since the vaccination rollout programme started.  Assuming this progress continues the Church Council has decided to reopen the building for services on Pentecost Sunday 23 March under COVID safe restrictions.

Recognising that this will significantly limit the number of people who can attend, we will continue to offer weekly online services, plus monthly online Messy Church and use Zoom interactions and other communications to support our fellowship.

The building will also be open for a few mid-week groups to restart from Monday 17 May.

January 2021 We are closely monitoring the developing situation with the COVID virus, and have decided not to reopen the premises on 10 January as previously hoped.  However the Church Council will reassess the situation when it meets in February.  In the meantime we continue to offer weekly online services, plus monthly online Messy Church and use Zoom interactions and other communications to support our fellowship.

December 2020 Following the end of lockdown 2 and the allocation of Wiltshire to Tier 2, Wiltshire Council has produced a bulletin outlining what this means for the county.  This bulletin may be accessed here.

November 2020 Following the government’s announcement on 31 October, the church premises will be closed from Thursday 5 November.  To bring some clarity for future weeks it has been decided that the premises will remain closed till the New Year and hopefully reopen for worship on Sunday 10 January.  We are focussing our efforts on offering weekly online services, using Zoom interactions and other communications to support our fellowship.

October 2020 As a Christian community charged with loving our neighbour, we feel deeply our responsibility to protect public health and safety.  Recognising the increasing impact of COVID on the whole UK population at this time, the Church Council (the trustee body) has decided that if Chippenham is decreed to enter Tier 2 of the current restrictions, we will close the building completely for all users.

Face-coverings are now compulsory in the building for everybody over the age of 11 unless they are in one of the government categories where they don't have to (please note – face shields are not considered face coverings under these rules).  If you need a couple of face coverings then there are some in the box on the table in the church café area.

To support the Track and Trace system an NHS QR code is displayed at the entrance.  If you don’t have the NHS app you will be asked to sign in at the desk.  Groups hiring the premises are required to keep their own registers of participants.

We have in place rigorous risk assessment procedures and require all groups using the premises to submit their own risk assessments which have to be approved before permission is given to start. 

Cleaning and hygiene: we have re-engaged our contract cleaners to come in early morning on certain weekdays, plus we have a team of volunteer cleaners so that the building is properly cleaned throughout the day between each group that meets.  We also have in place a one-way system so that people leaving the building do not have to pass those entering. 

Christmas: recognising the increased risk over the Christmas period when many people travel to visit family and students return home, that irrespective of what tier category Chippenham is in, the Church Council (the trustee body) has decided to close the building completely from Saturday 19 December to Saturday 9 January, and will reopen for our annual Covenant Service on Sunday 10 January.  During this time all church services and other Christmas programmes will take place either outside, through this website, or on Zoom.

Living in hope: under these arrangements, a few church groups and non-church groups have been able to restart.  However the Church Council (the trustee body) have decided to limit the number of groups using the building, as we have only a limited capacity to clean in between groups meeting.  So with much regret we are not able to take on any new bookings at this time.  We live in hope that in the months to come the restrictions will be lifted and we will be in a position to welcome back the many groups who were using the premises before lockdown.

July 2020 The church building is re-opening on Sunday 19th July for Sunday morning services which commence at 10.30 am.  To ensure the well-being of all persons entering the building, comprehensive safety measures have been devised, a copy of which is available for download.  There is also further information regarding what you will experience when attending.

July 2020 Following government advice, SRMC is preparing to open the premises - initially for private prayer on Wednesdays between 10 am - 12 noon [commencing July 8th], and then for Sunday services [commencement date to be advised].  Information about other activities will be provided as and when the situation changes.  To ensure the well-being of all persons entering the building, comprehensive safety measures have been devised, a copy of which is available for download.

May/June 2020 As with the majority of the country, the arrival of COVID-19 has had serious implications upon the normal life of the church.  During March the premises had to be closed following government and Methodist Church guidelines.  For a church that is very active both within the local community and within its own fellowship this has resulted in a severe curtailment of  normal life.  However this situation did not stop SRMC from meeting and functioning in some form with people  working and contributing from home, and members of the fellowship continuing to meet and worship online.

As time progresses with  plans for restrictions gradually being loosened, so the church has been working to see  to what extent it can re-open, in what form, and when.  This is obviously a very fluid situation and as soon as further information becomes available then it will be published here.