Please see below updates of important directives and guidance in this fast moving crisis. We trust that these new arrangements will be part of the support for all those serving Jesus Christ in church and society.
Your three key sources of up-to-date advice, guides and instructions:
+ For Government Updates click here
+ For NHS Updates click here
+ For National Church of England Updates click here
Latest Updates
The national CofE team have updated their Coronavirus guidance pages with the following:
Last updated: Tuesday 12 January, 17:44
Updated documents:
Updated/New FAQ:
- Is singing permitted? (in Prayer and worship) - further update in light of amended Government Guidance.
Weddings can currently only take place in exceptional circumstances, but a number of CofEB churches have bookings for couples who have already had to postpone their service. As banns can only be called in an actual service of public worship, a Common Licence may be required at a future date if services in some church buildings resume at different times. The fee for this has reverted to the usual £200, but in cases of particular hardship, please consult your Archdeacon.
A few questions have arisen across CofEB about critical worker status for clergy – the Government advice is linked below, and the Archdeacons are happy to discuss this further if that would be helpful:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision
Related links and documents
+ COVID-19: Personal Risk Factors (14 .07.20)
+ Resuming public worship in our buildings: update (09.07.20)
+ Government Financial Measures
+ The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
+ The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme FAQs
+ Finances: Loss of Incomes
+ National Lottery Heritage Fund: Emergency Coronavirus Response
+ Multilingual Hygiene & Prevention Posters
+ Easy-to-read Coronavirus Advice: for those with learning disabilities
+ Pathways for accessing support in Birmingham
+ Access to church buildings during lockdown: advice for incumbents
+ Property guidance on construction work resuming | 13 May 2020
+ A statement from Bishop David regarding the recent national CofE announcement about church building access | 6 May 2020
+ A statement from Bishop David in regard to the continued national lockdown situation | 26 May 2020
+ Access to church buildings during lockdown: advice for incumbents | 26 May 2020
+ Keeping church buildings clean | 26 May 2020
+ Towards re-opening Church Buildings: COVID-19 Risk Assessment Checklist for Parish Churches | 26 May 2020
+ Access to church buildings during lockdown: general advice for incumbents, churchwardens and PCC members | 26 May 2020
+ Click here and here for details of organisations and offered funding support in relation to the COVID-19 Crisis
+ Response to questions regarding Gift Aid Small Donation Scheme
+ Letter to faith groups regarding the pressures placed upon faith communities as a result of social-distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic
+ Safeguarding: Engaging with children online
+ Statement from Bishop David re continued national lockdown situation - 26 May 2020
+ UPDATED National CofE advice on COVID-19 - 9 June 2020
+ Opening for private prayer
+ Comment from Bishop David regards 4 July
+ Archdeacons' guidance regards worship services from 4 July
+ Notification of further Recovery Group documents - 2 July 2020
+ Changes to COVID-19 restriction from Monday 14 September
+ Changes to COVID-19 restriction from Monday 28 September
+ ‘3 Tier’ COVID alert system 13 October 2020
+ Bishop David on the recent IICSA report 2 Oct 2020
+ HM Government guidance for Places of Worship updated 1 Dec 2020
+ National CofE coronavirus guidance updates 7 Dec 2020
+ National CofE coronavirus guidance updates 8 Dec 2020
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