Prayers answered as faithful return to reopened churches for Sunday worship
CLERGY have welcomed the return of parishioners through their doors as many gathered for Sunday worship in churches across Northern Ireland for the first time in almost four months.
Since last Monday, people have been able to return to church services after 15 weeks of lockdown and many reopened their doors yesterday to resume Sunday services.
Congregations were smaller than usual because of new attendance restrictions and government guidelines concerning hygiene and physical distancing.
There was strict social distancing in and between pews, no hymn-singing — only a band or an organist to provide sacred music — while people had to ‘sign in’ as they arrived, to facilitate track and trace measures.
Many churches say they will continue to stream online services, which has become the ‘norm’ since mid-march, for those still unable to return to church for the moment.
Parishioners of St Philip and St James in Holywood, Co Down were among those back to worshipping in church buildings and halls on Sunday.
Rev Gareth Harron, rector of Holywood, welcomed 90 people, ranging in ages from tiny tots to those in their 90s.
“We can’t put an age limit on those coming through our doors but I was delighted to see a full range of people represented.
“Some of our older parishioners really enjoyed being back as they have been a bit more isolated at home,” he said.
“I think anyone who came along and saw how we kept to social distancing guidelines would have felt that they were in a safe place and we had those within family support bubbles sitting together which worked well.
“In general, the atmosphere was really good and I’ve had a few lovely messages from people who appreciated being together once more.
“While services have been continuing online for the past few months it was very emotional for people to see members of their church family in person again.
“There was a lot of work going on behind the scenes to prepare for this day and it was something that we didn’t want to rush into without doing everything safely.
“We normally have five Sunday services but we have reduced this to two for the moment.
“We had stewards in high-viz vests to help set the tone as people came in and everyone did a great job,” Rev Harron added.
“We are lucky to have the benefit of large scale buildings and a staff team but I appreciate that not all churches have the infrastructure to be able to open up again just yet.
“We are also in the fortunate position of being able to have one service in the church and the other in the parish centre which helps in terms of cleaning.”
Elsewhere 65 worshippers gathered once again and at a safe distance at Willowfield Parish Church in east Belfast.
Parish curate, Rev Karen Salmon, said it was an exciting day and one that marked a step in the right direction.
“Normally we would have four services on a Sunday but we just had one at 10am which was broadcast later on Facebook and Youtube as well as continuing to record our evening service.
“Everybody came in excited, smiling and just glad to be allowed to be together again and that’s how they left.
“The feedback from them was that it was really good to be able to see each other again.
“At the beginning of the service we got everyone to wave at each other across the church because they couldn’t get up and mingle as they usually would.
“We had contact tracing cards for people to complete, two metre floor markers, automatic hand sanitiser machines, and when people arrived, they were shown where to sit rather than choosing a seat themselves so that they weren’t passing other people.
“For me all these things were important in order to make people feel safe and confident about coming back to church,” Rev Karen added.
“I think once those who didn’t come along today watch the service back online, see how separated out everyone was, and speak to those who were there, that will help encourage them to return also because we had space for many more people.”
Rev Colin Morrison from Eglinton Presbyterian Church in north Belfast was equally glad to see 100 people back in the Ballysillan Road building.
“We had a good congregation of regulars and a few visitors too with a good balance of ages — from a three week old baby through to a few healthy senior citizens who took the risk.
“Once everyone had safely filed out of the church afterwards they were able to chat to each other in the car park at a safe distance which they did for a while.
“While there was some nervousness beforehand, we were happy that all the plans we had put in place in terms of stewarding, sanitisation and social distancing worked very well but a few tweaks will still be needed here and there,” he added.
Speaking as churches reopened in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, Bishop Andrew Forster said the coronavirus had exacted an enormous toll.
“It’s changed everything — how we act, how we think, how we live our daily lives,” he said.
DON’T bring your own towels, reduced numbers and equipment and regular hand sanitiser — it’s the future of gyms in the new normal world.
Gyms are preparing to open on Friday and the owners of two businesses in Lurgan and Limavady told the Belfast Telegraph about their new routine.
Michael Lavery (42) owns The Columbia Gym in Lurgan which has been open for 11 years.
While many fitness instructors have turned to online coaching in recent months, he instead rented out equipment to customers and has spent the time refurbishing the premises.
During peak times he previously would have had around 30 customers taking part in class with around the same number in the gym area.
His new set up will include reducing the number of treadmills, keeping gym users two metres apart and asking them not to bring towels and to use hand sanitiser.
In a similar move to supermarkets at the start of the pandemic, he is also introducing quiet hours to reassure any vulnerable members.
Updating his customers on social media, he said, has been key to building up trust ahead of reopening.
He has also called for more direct guidance to be made available to gym owners.
“Usually we would be closed during the Twelfth weekend but we’ll have to stay open this year,” he said.
“We’ve really made a completely new gym over the last two months. We used to have eight treadmills but now it’s down to four. I don’t think any gym will be able to have every piece of kit, so people will just have to use their common sense.
“There’s no guidance whatsoever from the government as to what we can and can’t do.
“A week ago we started a booking system to see how people would behave using it by themselves, but we’re scrapping it.”
With a facility of 1,000 square metres, he now expects to have around 50 members attending during peak times but will restrict numbers to avoid crowding if needed.