Dear parishioners and friends,

 
I write in relation to our church and online services for Christmas. Please note there are changes this year for obvious reasons as we continue to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic, so please read this email carefully.  The service schedule is as follows:
 
Christmas Eve
7pm    St Mary’s Church, Marmullane (Passage West)
9pm    Holy Trinity Church, Frankfield
 
Christmas Day
8.30am  St Michael’s Church, Blackrock
10.00am Holy Trinity Church, Frankfield
11.15am St Luke’s Church, Douglas
All services are Holy Communion.
 
Coming to Church
It must again be emphasised that no one should come to Church who either
 
– has symptoms of Covid-19 or is awaiting the result of a Covid-19 test
or
– is living with someone who has symptoms of Covid-19 or is awaiting the result of a Covid-19 test
or
– has been out of the country and has not yet fulfilled the restricted movements/quarantine requirements
or
– is living with someone who has been out of the country and has not yet fulfilled the restricted movements/quarantine requirements.
 
When you arrive at church, you will be guided by the churchwarden or another steward to a seat. Unfortunately under government regulations, numbers attending church services are strictly limited so please be understanding. Once the church has reached its capacity, no one else can be admitted. In St Luke’s Church in Douglas, we do have outside speakers so people can choose to remain in their cars and listen to the service outside. However it has to emphasised that people must remain in their vehicles as there can be no congregating outside on church property or mingling between those inside and outside the church. I also remind you that all people must wear masks when attending church unless they are young children or for medical reasons are exempt. 
 
I hope the above does not seem overly heavy handed, but I assure you it is what is required of all of us if we are to protect each other in these current very difficult circumstances and this is standard practice in all churches.
 
Those who are older or who are in other ‘high risk’ categories may choose to worship at home this Christmas. If so I have prepared and will be recording two lovely services from St Luke’s Church which will appear on our Parish YouTube Channel  on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The first is our short Children’s Crib Service which incorporates many favourite hymns and other music. It also proves popular with parents and grandparents too. While I can’t have the children in church to prepare the Crib this year, they can watch it being done and enjoy the attached activity sheet which will be sent with the email link.
The second is Holy Communion for Christmas and also includes familiar readings and hymns. I hope you enjoy it too.
 
Unfortunately after Christmas Day our churches are to remain closed under Level 5 health restrictions. I will continue to update you via email as the situation evolves in the New Year.
 
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. Also I ask that you distribute this information to other family members and parishioners you know who are not on email. In a fast changing situation, the postal service has its limitations and there is not time to phone everyone up individually.
 
I thank you for taking time to read this email and I look forward to seeing some of you at services over Christmas.
 

Kind regards,

Adrian

 
 

 

—

Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

 
The Rectory,
Carrigaline Road,
Douglas,
Cork.
T12 A2RC