Dear PHBC Family,
It is with a sense of some sadness that I find myself, yet again, having to write to you as a response to an announcement about COVID-19 restrictions.
In the time since I first wrote to you about this issue, tens of thousands of people in the UK alone, have lost their lives after having been diagnosed with the virus. Despite the pressure on companies, the astronomical job losses, increased food poverty, devastation of local communities as well as the mental and emotional toll this pandemic has taken among so many, the physical health of the nation is of paramount importance, and the decision has today been taken by the government to impose a third national lockdown.
In light of this, I want to update you on the implications for us as a church.
The government guidance (see link below) makes it clear that you can leave home to attend a place of worship for a service, and this is exactly the same as per previous tier 3/ tier 4 restrictions.
With this in mind, your attendance at church is still a choice and I will once again, ask you to prayerfully follow the leading of the Lord, as you are comfortable to do. If you choose to not worship with us in person, please worship at home. The Lord is interested in true worship from our hearts, not our postcode.
Unlike the previous national lockdowns, this time around we will be streaming the services live on PHBC Radio, as well as on Facebook, Twitter (Periscope) and YouTube. I would also recommend you subscribe to our YouTube channel, so you can be kept updated when we go live (just go to the YouTube website, search for Pollards Hill Baptist Church, and click ‘subscribe’).
For those who wish to attend in-person services, you are welcome to join in, every Sunday, at the usual time.
In light of current circumstances, please note the following:
- Please ensure to follow the guidance and instructions of the members of the stewarding team. Any inconvenience is not personal to you, their service is a benefit to the whole church family, as we seek to follow practices that are best for us all.
- Please remember to keep your hands clean/ washed/ sanitised at all times.
- Please check and follow all signs on doors and one-way systems in corridors as you go through the building, and if unsure, check with a member of the stewarding team, to see if there are changes you need to be aware of.
- If you are or a member of your household are ill with COVID or non-COVID related symptoms please do not come to church, but let us know, in order that we can pray for you, and if necessary, be a point of alert in notifying of any possible infection or transmission.
Apart from the Sunday worship services, please note that absolutely all other church groups and meetings have been suspended for now. Alternative arrangements are in process for some of the groups (e.g. Prayer Meeting). If you are a member of any of the groups where there is an alternative plan, the group lead will notify you as such.
I want to personally thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility, particularly over the last ten months, as we have sought to keep adapting to what is a continually changing situation, so please be encouraged with the words from the writer of Hebrews, who says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
With every blessing,
Rev. Deji Ayorinde
Pastor