Category Archives: COVID19

2020, COVID19, News

Update (23rd March) for Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, & Services

Additional details can also be found on the Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/church-england-close-all-church-buildings-help-prevent-spread-coronavirus

All our church buildings are now closed until further notice

Weddings: All weddings are now suspended until further notice!

Baptisms and funerals can still be held with the followining restrictions

Only immediate family members can attend. That is defined as a spouse or partner, parents and children – all maintaining a physical distance.

Baptisms: Emergency baptisms can take place in hospital or at home, though subject to strict hygienic precautions and physical distancing as far as possible

Funerals: Funerals can only happen at the crematorium or at the graveside.

Services: As previously stated all services are now suspended.

2020, Archive, COVID19, Headlines

National Church Service 22nd of March

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will lead the Church of England’s first national virtual service tomorrow morning.

It will be broadcast simultaneously at 8am on the 39 BBC local radio stations in England and as BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship. It will then premier on Facebook through the Church of England’s page at 9am.

Details about this and further online/virtual services can be found at the Church of England web-site page https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/church-england-takes-sunday-worship-peoples-homes-response-coronavirus

2020, COVID19, News

Update & Support for Foodbanks

The Local Foodbank will be shut to callers from Monday, but there will be home deliveries. 

Due to the present crisis Waterside Foodbank has had to change the way it does things, 80% of the volunteers are over 70!

So as from Monday 23rd March the Foodbank premises in Blackfield will be closed to the public. However, emergency foodboxes will still be available to clients but on a delivery basis only. At present we are able to meet demand and donations are still coming in. However I realise that with congregations unable to meet, your essential donations will be missing.

Could I ask you therefore to convey to your members the need to continue to donate by putting donations in the supermarket Foodbins located at

  • Tesco Applemore
  • One Stop Fairview Parade, Hythe
  • Waitrose Hythe
  • Sainsburys Blackfield
  • The Coop Holbury
  • The Coop Marchwood

The Foodbank also needs used carrier bags so if these could be donated via the Foodbins too we would be grateful. Financial donations are also welcome and this can be done via stewardship through the online giving platform give.net https://waterside.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/.

For the latest updates please check https://waterside.foodbank.org.uk/ 

2020, Archive, COVID19, News

Initial Update for Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, & Services

Additional details can also be found on the Church of England website https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/church-updates-guidance-weddings-and-baptisms-light-coronavirus

Weddings: can take place, but only with 5 people: priest, couple, two witnesses.


Baptisms: can take place with priest, parents, 3 Godparents


Funerals: only immediate family and it is suggested that it is a graveside service or just a few in church suitably distanced. At the local crematorium, capacity has been reduced to 30, spread out around the chapel.

Services: the Archbishops have reiterated that when a priest celebrates Communion on behalf of everyone, it is not a public service. Therefore when I do this the church will be locked and opened after I have finished. Anne will be present so I am not alone, the whole company of heaven are allowed to be there too!

2020, Archive, COVID19, News

Prayer about the outbreak & Light a Candle 7pm 22nd March

The Church of England are holding a light a candle of hope: A national call to prayer in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Join us, with thousands across the nation, as we light a candle* and display it prominently in a window. For the sake of each other we self-isolate; but Jesus light and love in our lives can hold us together – even if we must be apart for a time.

We’ve attached a prayer for you whilst you light a candle.

*Please be careful with your candle ensuring any curtains or nets are safely tucked away.

2020, Archive, COVID19, Headlines

All Church Services Suspended Until Further Notice

As you may have seen elsewhere all church services are currently suspended until further notice. This includes Open Door at Good Shepherd and the Lent groups.

If you have a wedding booked please check with your venue about the reception, we are awaiting confirmation about how many guests may attend a wedding.

The church will though remain open for private prayer.

Further details will follow shortly around support that will be available.