Churches welcome first congregations in three months
CHURCHES ACROSS England reopened their doors for public services at the weekend after more than three months of online worship during lockdown.
Worshippers were asked to observe hygiene and social distancing guidance, including changes to singing and Holy Communion, during services.
On Saturday evening some places of worship welcomed their first congregations, such as Ripon Cathedral and York Minster.
At York Minster, opening for evening prayer on Saturday after being closed since March 16, worshippers were limited in number and asked to leave their names and contact details.
Staff and clergy wore face masks and visors to welcome visitors, a one-way system was in place and hand sanitiser was available. Ahead of the reopening, the Minster said services would be simpler and shorter initially, with changes including no congregational singing, handshaking or drinking from the common cup during Holy Communion.
The Dean of York, the Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Frost, said: “We are delighted to open our doors again to welcome people for public worship and to explore this magnificent sacred space.
“Over the last few weeks we have welcomed many for individual prayer, but to gather again for worship – with relevant physical distancing measures in place –will be a huge encouragement for many.”
At Ripon Cathedral, 120 people attended the Saturday evening worship which was led by the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Rev Nick Baines.