Inverurie Churches prepare to reopen
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
As the Scottish Government introduce new easing of lockdown with the start of Phase 3 measures, along with retail businesses opening back up full time this also meant that places of worship can reopen.
Although places of worship were allowed to reopen only for individual prayer or contemplation from June 22, the start of Phase 3 means that places of worship can now also reopen for Congregational services, communal prayer and contemplation with physical distancing and limited numbers as of Wednesday, July 15.
Rev Rhona Cathcart from Inverurie West Parish Church commented: “For us, the Acorn Centre and Ubuntu shop are very much part of how we do ‘church’ in the centre of the town, so we are delighted to be able to begin offering takeaways of hot drinks and home baking and fair trade shopping, along with private prayer upstairs in the sanctuary, currently three days a week.
“We are fortunate to have staff and an excellent management team to make this possible.
“To re-open for these purposes we have done a meticulous risk assessment and buildings checklist.
“We are adhering to two metre distancing, and all the recommended precautions.
"These are all explained in a video on our social media channels and website, which will be updated as and when we introduce things such as sit down hospitality in the cafe and congregational worship in the sanctuary.
“Our absolute priority is that everyone who enters our premises feels safe doing so.”
She continued: “To that end, although we look forward to worshipping together in person again, we are proceeding with caution.
"There are many ways to worship and we will be continuing to explore what works best for each stage.
"We’ve had to be creative, and that’s no bad thing.
" I think what most people long for is the simple pleasure of seeing each others’ faces in person, and the wonderful sense of being ‘together’ in the presence of God.
"That and the joy of singing together.
" The latter won’t be happening until it is safe to do so, but I am sure that when that day comes, we will raise the roof!”
As other local churches in the area reopen with safe social distancing guidance, Inverurie St. Andrews Parish Church will not be immediately reopening and are taking the time to make sure they can fully comply with all health and safety requirements.
Rev Carl J Irvine said: “Much though we look forward to getting back together again in our building, we will not be immediately re-opening as there is a lot of work to do before we can fully comply with all health and safety requirements.
“ We are currently making sure we have sufficient PPE and appropriate cleaning and sanitising materials in place.
“We are also drawing up risk assessment and safe operating procedures.
“ Safe distancing means that we can only accommodate 28 - 35 worshippers at any one time, depending on family groupings.
“In addition, some of our congregation are still being advised to shield themselves and others rely on volunteer drivers to transport them to the church, which cannot happen while maintaining social distancing.
“All this means that we may not be in a position to re-open for some time yet.”
"Being allowed to do something does not mean it is necessarily the right thing
to do."
Rev Irvine added: “Our congregation is a family, and families thrive by all they do together, talking, laughing, crying, eating, and so on.
“ Church communities have the added bonus of coming together in the joy of worship and praise of God.
“ We have missed all of this and very much look forward to filling God’s house with His family again – the good, the bad and the minister!”
