Coronavirus (COVID-19) - St Mary's Response

Thank you for coming to the website for your local parish Church St Mary Magdalene with St Martin 

The Church is open for Public Worship and prayers this week see calendar for details

Please read Seating in Church 

Please see the latest COVID-19 guidance

COVID-19 remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.

• Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
• You must wear a face covering in shops and on all public transport
• Get tested and self-isolate if required
• If you haven’t already, get vaccinated

New rules in response to Omicron variant , this guidance applies to ENGLAND

You must wear a face covering in shops and on public transport. Face coverings should be worn in communal areas of universities, colleges and schools by staff, visitors and pupils or students in year 7 and above.

If you’re travelling to England from abroad you must take a PCR test before the end of day 2 following your arrival and self-isolate until you get a negative test result, even if you’re fully vaccinated.

If you’re a contact of someone who may have been infected with the Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of your age or vaccination status.

Changes to the red list for international travel , this guidance applies to ENGLAND

Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia have all moved to the travel red list. You can only enter England from these countries if you are a UK or Irish resident. You must quarantine in a managed hotel on arrival and take 2 COVID-19 tests.

Booster vaccines , this guidance applies to ENGLAND

People aged 40 to 49 can now get a booster vaccine 6 months after their second dose. Book your vaccination appointment online or find a walk-in clinic.

Also see the latest guidance for places of worship

As the situation is ever-changing, we will endeavour to keep the information on this page as up to date as possible. So please do check back on a regular basis – updated 9.15pm Friday 3rd December 2021

Saturday 4th December 9.15am - Time to Pray in Church

Services Sunday 5th December (Toy Sunday)
Sunday 5th December is Toy Sunday at both services. We would like you to bring a brand new toy for a young child between 6 months – 3 years old to the service. These will be sent to Christian Family Concern. Thank you.
9.30am Holy Communion - In-person and Live stream on YouTube
11am Informal All Age Worship - In-person and Live stream on YouTube

Christmas Services for 2021

Seating in church (wef 24th October 2021)
We want to continue to offer the same opportunity to be seated as we have been for the past year and a half, whilst allowing for those who would now prefer to be seated as was the norm in the past. So from Sunday 24th October 2021 we may continue to sit at a distance using the seating on the north side of the church building, those who would like to sit closer with one another are asked to use the seating to the south side of the church which has been returned to its former layout. Our Welcomers on the door will direct you if you are not sure which side to go to.
We cannot require you to wear masks, and so leave that to your discretion, but urge you to consider others in making that decision. We do request that you take a lateral flow test before coming to church, especially if you would prefer not to wear a mask. Thank you so much for respecting the needs of others around you.
Movement around the church remains as it was, with a one-way system.

Help for those experiencing Domestic Abuse

Lockdown has raised many needs in our community. Not least those who suffer domestic abuse. Domestic abuse may affect anyone at any time, but the isolation resulting from COVID-19 is particularly affecting victims/survivors of domestic abuse. The National Domestic Abuse helpline has seen a 25% increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown, according to the charity Refuge. Victims/survivors of domestic abuse may be self-isolating with someone who is harming them, and they may feel they have no way out. Previous places of safety or respite, such as friends, family or local churches, may no longer appear accessible.

It is vital that victims/survivors of domestic abuse know that they are not alone and there is still help available in these challenging times.  Please follow this link for information that will help you.

In addition we want to inspire and energise church members to join with others in our wider community to offer practical support and care for those who will feel most vulnerable in our society at this time. eg those who are older and those who have underlying health conditions or who have had to self-isolate. Be aware you are only allowed to be outside for reasonable exercise and to do essential shopping. 

As a church family we want to do our part to offer both prayerful and practical support for those who are being affected by these adjustments or any other effects around Covid-19. As such many  of you have offered help in shopping and picking up prescriptions for those who are unable to leave their home.  If you can offer help please contact the church office. This help must be given with due consideration of the seriousness of our situation. In other words it must  be incorporated into the ‘essential shopping’ trip that you will take for yourself. If you are not in the parish Check  your local residents association to see if you can join in to help there.

1. Please follow the government advice from the onset of symptoms (new continuous cough or high temperature) and carefully follow the government advice regarding ending self-isolation.
2. We strongly encourage everyone to follow Public Health England’s general best practice hygiene advice
3. We also strongly encourage everyone to follow the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice if you have recently travelled back from overseas or are planning to travel.

Please let me know if you would like to suggest other ways of sharing in prayer and worship and learning and helping during this extraordinary time. 

The Vicar, that’s Amanda Johnson,  and churchwardens of this church Ms Isabella Lisk can be contacted in an emergency by telephoning 0206 656 3457 or emailing stmmmoffice@btinternet.com  or amanda@stmmm.org.uk 0208 654 3459

With love and grace

Amanda 

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

To protect the vulnerable amongst us, please do not leave your home except for essential trips.