Coronavirus Task Group Bulletin No 33 – Thursday 10 December

Akin | Posted on December 12, 2020 |

To all clergy in the Diocese of Southwark, copied to Lay Ministers, Parish Secretaries, Churchwardens, Deanery Lay Chairs and Deanery Secretaries

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

News that the COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out this week is good news indeed. It is wonderful to see that Croydon University Hospital, right here in our Diocese, was one of the first hospitals to administer the vaccine. We are also hearing news of church halls across the Diocese being used as vaccination centres. This is a great example of what partnership working looks like as we start to return to a greater degree of normality than we ever thought possible.

The Church of England has provided some useful information should you want to open your church hall to becoming a vaccination centre: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/COVID%2019%20Churches%20as%20vaccination%20centres%20v1.0.pdf

And here is a link with information about the vaccine: https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/COVID%2019%20Vaccines%20update%20v1.0.pdf

You can also find these documents attached.

Bible Study

Bible studies are not categorised as a support group and therefore cannot meet. We encourage people, where possible, to continue to meet virtually.

Pastoral visits and giving Holy Communion at home

The Government guidelines for all three tiers permit pastoral visits, particularly when ministering to the sick and dying. All care and necessary precautions should be taken especially when administering the host and anointing, including sanitising hands. Please remember to wear a mask especially when in close proximity with others.

You can find more information below:

Both documents are attached.

The Coronavirus Task Group

(Bishop Christopher, the Very Revd Andrew Nunn, the Venerable Alastair Cutting, Ruth Martin and Sophia Jones)

Sophia Jones

Director of Communications

Trinity House