Services have been cancelled for February 5, 2923 due to the extreme cold.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General meeting will be held after the church service on February 12, 2023.

Vestry made the decision that those attending church in the Parish of Central Kings must show proof of double vaccination.  This was not an easy decision to make, but Vestry felt this decision was necessary in order to alleviate some of the fears people may have about attending worship.

For those who are not yet vaccinated, the Parish of Upham will continue Sunday services requesting that those who attend give name and telephone numbers for contact tracing purposes.

As per government instructions in both Parishes, proof of double vaccination is needed in order to attend weddings or funerals.

Archdeacon Rob Marsh

COVID-19 OPERATIONAL PLAN

Christ Church, Bloomfield

This document will provide a framework for the health and safety of our congregations as we attend worship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Older adults, people with immune compromising conditions and chronic diseases appear to be at greater of exposure to COVID-19 please assess your own risks carefully. The church community will be extra vigilant ensuring that our worship spaces are safe spaces.
• Wearing a face masks or face coverings are appropriate In church and people should feel comfortable wearing them. At the directive of  NB Public Health masks must be worn in public spaces. If you do not have a mask a mask will be provided upon entering the church.   
• Physical distancing must take place at all times.  Even while wearing a non-medical face covering. Frequent hand-washing and use of hand sanitizer will is emphasized at this time.
• Cleaning and disinfecting will be done before each worship service.
• Do not bring Bibles, prayer books, and hymnbooks from home. Only those leading the service or music should bring outside materials into the church. These materials must remain in designate areas.         
• Posters have been placed in washrooms and kitchens describing the proper way to clean your hands during COVID-19.
• Posters have been placed in washrooms and kitchens describing how to properly disinfect items and areas during COVID-19.
• Washrooms will be cleaned before and after each service. If you use these facilities while attending church, please use the provided wipes to clean all surfaces that you touch before exiting the washroom.
• Children are very, very welcome at church but must remain in the pew with the adult who has accompanied them to church.
• There are no parking restrictions within the parking lot but physical distancing (6 feet) must take place while in the parking lot.
• When possible, the doors to the churches will remain open to avoid multiple contacts with the door handles. When the weather does not permit this, there will be one person assigned to open and close the church doors.
• Only one person or one family group should be in the foyer (bell tower) at a time. Please wait outside until those ahead of you have entered the church worship space.
• Self-monitoring questions, to determine if you should enter the worship space, have been posted in the foyer. Please read the screening questions to determine whether you should enter.
• Please use the provided hand sanitizer found in the foyer before entering the worship space.
• As you enter the worship space you will be asked a series of health screening questions to keep you and others safe. You will also be asked to give your name and phone number.  This information will be recorded and kept within the parish for two months. We have been asked to keep this attendance record for the purpose of contact tracing for the Department of Health.  One person will ask the screening questions, take the information, then sign and date the form at the end of the church service.
• As you enter the worship space, there will be a table that has been placed to provide appropriate physical distancing for the person asking the screening questions. The offertory plate will be placed on this table and offerings are to be given as you enter the church. There will be no offering taken during the service.  (The offering will be held for 72 hours before being opened in order to provide protection for those doing the counting.)
• There will be no Sunday school or playroom space available until further notice.
• Only the pews marked with green tape are available for use in both churches. (Green means go)
• At Christ Church two people can sit at one end of the long marked pews with one person at the other end of the same pew ((three total) or one family group per marked pew. The short pews by the font can accommodate only one person or one family group. The back pew is reserved for the sides person.
• A distance of two pews between each person or family group must be maintained while walking in the aisle.
• Stay in the middle of the aisle whenever possible.
• Please do not linger in the aisles.
• There is to be only one person in the vestry room at a time.
• Before the service begins, the priest is to take and record their own temperature.
• There will be no congregational singing until we enter the next level of Covid-19 recovery,as determined by the province.
• One singer is permitted when social distanced at 12 feet.
• There should be no physical contact during the Passing of the Peace.
• Just before the Prayer of Consecration, there will be music played as the priest must leave to wash their hands thoroughly in hot water.
• At the altar and during the administration of communion, the priest must wear a mask as physical distancing will not be possible.
• Only one person or one family group can come to the altar rail at a time.
• Please remain standing to receive communion.
• During communion, the host will be intincted (dipped) by the priest and placed in the communicant’s hands with no physical contact between the hands of the priest and the communicant.
• Please do not approach the altar area until the person or family group ahead of you has returned to their pew.
• At the conclusion of the service please leave the church beginning with the people in the back pews leaving first and continuing row by row toward the front.
• Please leave all books in the pews. Do not return them to the back of the church.
• Only one person or family group on the stairs at a time.
• Both churches have been locked to reduce the number of people entering the church. The church will be closed Thursday Friday and Saturday.                        
• There will be no fellowship time or refreshments following the service.
• Your use of hand hygiene, physical distancing, and masks, will stop the spread of COVID-19. We all have a role to play in this and you are encouraged to remind other parishioners to follow these critical points. sometimes people forget and it’s important that we except a gentle reminder for our and fellow parishioners.
• If you have any concerns about our safety at church please bring this to the attention of the Priest, Deacon or Wardens. Our plan over the coming weeks may need to be tweaked and adjusted.

A copy of this operational plan must be kept at the back of the church and in the vestry and be made available upon the request of a government representative.

Diocesan prayer for this time.  

Gracious God, thank you that you are over all, in all and through all. We lift our world before you as we journey through the COVID-19 pandemic. We pray for those who are suffering its effects, the medical personnel who are caring for them, those seeking a vaccine or cure, and all essential workers. We are grateful for the lives of people who have died and pray for their families and friends in their bereavement. We ask that you enable us to know your love for all and give us your peace which passes all understanding. In the name of Christ. Amen. 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events:

Annual General Meeting

February 12, 2023 – Church of the Ascension

Immediately following the service