Services in March 2022

The two select vestries met jointly via Zoom this evening to discuss service times, etc for our parishes in light of the further lifting of restrictions.  As you will be aware from email correspondence, the select vestries, at a joint meeting on 24th January 2022, decided to continue with the restrictions and pattern of services that were in place at the time, and that parishioners would be asked for their opinions and thank you to those of you who have given feedback. There was a wide range of opinions and suggestions.

The select vestries gave careful consideration to all the points made by parishioners, and to various concerns such as those who are no longer able to go to church and who worship via the live-stream at the time that the service is on.  It enables them to feel part of our group of parishes and to be part of a corporate act of worship.  As the live-stream service is a united service for both parishes, it was felt that we should try to have it at time that would work for parishioners of both parishes, and for those who join us via the live-stream from nursing homes and other places of residential care, so we are going to try having the service in St Philip and St James’ Church at 11.00 – please note the time.   This will be reviewed by both select vestries to see if it is working.  The organist, Charles Pearson, and I will be doing a speedy hop across the Stillorgan Road!!!

  • We will continue to administer Holy Communion using the individual cups and little wooden blocks.
  • We ask that people would sanitise their hands on entering the churches.
  • The seating plans will no longer be in place but we ask that people would use all the space in both churches and respect that some people may need more space than others in order to feel comfortable.   The North Transept in St Philip and St James’ Church will be an area where people who wish to socially distance, may sit and be socially distanced from others.
  • Whilst mask wearing is no longer mandated, people may feel more comfortable wearing a mask and especially for singing, which we really appreciate being able to do again.