Insights on opening up our Churches:
Last week the First Minister announced that we were moving into the third phase of the Scottish Government’s Route Map through, and hopefully out of, this pandemic. Along with the possibility of Churches opening for Private Prayer made permissible during the second phase, it is in this third phase that we read of proposals that begin to impact on the life of our congregations as the opportunity to meet together is afforded to us.
Following discussions with both our Kirk Sessions the sense we had was not to rush too quickly to a return to what we once knew as ‘normal’.
Nonetheless, after due consideration, we are proposing to open Dalmeny Kirk for Private Prayer on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00 - 4.00pm beginning on the 22nd July. Should we find that demand is greater than we anticipate then we will increase the opportunities for access.
By this time we will have ensured that all the safety and signage measures are in place and all the necessary approvals received from the Presbytery following completion of the appropriate Risk Assessments.
As to opening up for additional events and services, as permitted under Phase 3, we still have some way to go in understanding the constraints
upon us and further discussions are going on this week between the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Government in order to get some clarification on what is allowed. Once these conversations have concluded, further direction shall be published by the Kirk and this in turn will allow us to arrive at a decision locally.
Until such times as we feel it both safe and wise to consider a return to our Church buildings for something resembling worship as we once knew it, it is our intention to continue to provide the present provision of online worship. That said we do recognise that there are many folks who haven’t been able to access this and as part of our decision making process in August we will be looking into providing something that might address this lack of access.
Given that these opportunities are being extended to us during the heart of the Summer holiday season it may be mid August before we reach a mind on the way forward.
Your prayers for us as Kirk Sessions would be greatly appreciated as we seek to balance the many facets of this process.
Primary aged children are invited to join us this summer for Holiday Club—online!
Together with our team of “scientists,” discover God’s wonderful world through story, experiments, and more. Each participant will receive an activity pack. The cost is free.
Information on how to register for the holiday club can be found by clicking this link.
If you would like to book the church hall for your own purposes, please enquire using the form below and we'll get back to you.
Please note: all form fields are required for submission.
11.00am Sunday Morning Service
10.00am Sunday Family Service
11.30am Sunday Morning Service
9.30am Thursday Morning
