Churches pull plug on host of events
Churches across Rutherglen and Cambuslang have cancelled a number of activities and events as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
At Cambuslang Parish Church the Girls Brigade, the choir, Tuesday morning services and the Pipe Band have cancelled all meetings with immediate effect until further notice.
The afternoon tea scheduled for this Saturday has been postponed.
The church’s Kirk session were meeting last night (Tuesday) to discuss all aspects of church life.
St Bride’s Parish Church have cancelled their Eat Up group, which provided meals to the needy every week.
Rutherglen’s Salvation Army have closed their lunch club.
Castlemilk Parish Church have stated that they are only having a small number of people organising teas and coffees, by using a dishwasher to sterilise dishes, by only using wrapped biscuits and cakes, by using best hygiene when handling the collection, by not shaking hands after church and by reminding parishioners to stay at home if they felt unwell.
The 217th Gilberfield Boys Brigade have cancelled their remaining meetings.
The church guild meetings at Flemington Hallside have been cancelled for the immediate future.
It comes after we reported recently that Motherwell Diocese issued precautionary measures against the spread of coronavirus within its parishes.
The Rt Rev Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell, issued a letter – to fathers, revered deacons, sisters and others – that explains he believes it is“prudent to make comment on the possibility of coronavirus affecting Scotland”and has taken preventative steps. These include: ■ Emptying the Holy Water stoops for blessings;
■ Suspending the sign of peace for the time being;
■ Holy Communion being given in the hand rather than on the tongue;
■ The lay faithful will not receive the precious blood while the present crisis continues.
The bishop is also encouraging everyone who attends mass to take good care with hygiene and asks those with cold or flu like symptoms not to attend.