Attending Public Worship

St Nicholas' (Arundel) and St Leonard's (South Stoke) will re-open for public worship from 2nd December.

Arundel

Sunday 8.00 am - Holy Communion (CW Order 2 Traditional)
Sunday 10.00 am - Mass
Tuesday 6.30 pm - Mass
Wednesday 10.00 am - Holy Communion (CW Order 2 Traditional)
Friday 12.000 pm - Mass

South Stoke

2nd Sunday of the month 9.00 am - Mass or Communion by extension
4th Sunday of the month 3.00 pm - Evensong (BCP)

Please note that while the risk from Covid 19 continues, we are operating under guidance issued by the government, the Church of England and the Diocese of Chichester. This means that you must take careful note of the information below. This information is specific to St Nicholas' but the same principles also apply at South Stoke.

Are all areas of the church open?

No. In particular the kitchen will be closed and locked; the toilets will be closed (although one will be available in an emergency). The Lady Chapel and the Parish Office are also closed.

Arriving at church

Please ensure that you keep the social distancing rule of 2m between households or 'bubbles' as you come up the church path and enter the church. On entering the church you must use the hand sanitiser provided. Collect a service sheet from the Welcome Desk. You will also be asked for your name and a contact number for 'track and trace' purposes.

Can I sit where I like?

At the Sunday 10.00 am service you will be shown to an allocated seat.

At the Sunday 8.00 am and weekday services you may sit in any of the empty open pews. However, please ensure that you do not sit in a pew that is already occupied by someone from a different household or 'bubble'.

Are numbers be restricted? Do I have book a place?

Social distancing inevitably means that numbers are restricted.

You are strongly advised to book a place at the 10.00 am service. Places will be on a first come first served basis. To book you place you must contact the Parish Office by email or telephone the week before no later than 12 noon on the Friday.

We have to keep a register of attendees for a period of 21 days for the government's track and trace scheme. So when you book you will need to give the number of people in your household/bubble, their names and a contact phone number. After 21 days the details will be destroyed.

It is not necessary to book for the Sunday 8.00 am or Wednesday 10.00 am or South Stoke services. Places will still be restricted, however, which means they'll be available on a first come first served basis. If the church is full when you arrive then sadly you will be turned away.

Do I have to wear a face covering?

Yes. Face coverings are now mandatory for members of the public (except where they are exempt according to the government's guidelines).

Please note that ordinarily clergy only wear a face covering for the purpose of distributing communion. This is because it is impossible to remain 2m apart at this point and for your safety and reassurance.

Can anyone attend church?

At any other time the answer would be a resounding 'of course'! But these are not normal times. The government guidance states that vulnerable people with relevant underlying medical conditions and the over 70s should be particularly careful. This isn't to say that you can't attend – and you certainly won't be turned away – rather that you should think very carefully before deciding to come to public worship.

Anyone with Covid 19, those in self-isolation or quarantine, and those with relevant symptoms (high temperature, new continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) must not attend church.

What about children and Sunday Group?

We very much welcome children and their families to services. You just need to be aware that the children's corner will not be available and neither will the books and soft toys. Also, there'll be no specific family services until further notice.

Limited Sunday Group sessions have re-started. For the time being they are held just once a month and are available for a limited number of children who are in Key Stage 2 and above in order to keep to social distancing rules. Prior booking via the parish office is essential. For further details please contact the parish office.

The upcoming Sunday Group Dates are:-
27th September
18th October
8th November
6th December

Can I get a lift to church?

No. For safety reasons we cannot organise lifts for people.

Will services continue online?

Yes.

Those on our mailing list will receive an email with a YouTube link. You can subscribe by following this link: Mailing List.

There will also be a link on the front page of our website.

Is singing allowed in church?

Small groups of singers are now permitted to sing in church but congregational singing remains prohibited.

Will there be a collection?

No. Please make your offering online before coming to church. Please follow this link: Give a Little

If you regularly attend St Nicholas' please join the Parish Giving Scheme. This is simply the best way to support St Nicholas'. To join the scheme you simply need to call 0333 002 1271. Please have your bank details to hand. Our Parish Giving Scheme number is 101010007. Visit parishgivingscheme.org.uk/for-donors/ for more details.

Can I take communion?

If you are baptised and a communicant member of the Church you may receive communion.

Please note that for the time being there will be no common chalice, which means communion will be in one kind. Also, you must receive communion into your hands.

If you are joining our worship online you can make an act of spiritual communion as communion is distributed. Simply pray this much-loved prayer of St Alphonsus:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you
now and forever.
Amen.

Will there be any after service refreshments?

No. Refreshments remain suspended for the time being.

Leaving church

After the service you must leave the church and not remain behind for a chat. If you wish to catch up with people you may do so socially distanced outside, away from the door, and preferably outside the church gates.

Revised 3rd December 2020