Worship and gatherings
There may be formal moves to limit large gatherings and the Scottish Government will issue its decisions in response to developments; early indications in the First Minister’s comments this afternoon are that Church gatherings will be excluded from this, as they don’t require the same level of resource from police, NHS, and Paramedic Resource, as, say, large football matches or concerts. The situation is dynamic and changing, so please refresh your webpages regularly. Our advice with regard to public worship is to continue to hold services, while observing the practice outlined in the guidance above, and to take care to practice rigorous hygiene, e.g. including handwashing guidance.
Funerals and Weddings
With regards to funerals, undertakers have been issued with guidance by the Scottish Government, and further information can be found at this location as to the guidance they have been given.
For weddings, ministers will have to work with the couple and with venue wedding managers; small weddings will require a different approach compared to larger occasions. Guidance from Government may change, but at the moment, there are no restrictions.
General Assembly
The Assembly Business Committee meets next week and contingency planning around the General Assembly is a key item on the agenda. Contingency planning for Heart and Soul is also taking place.
Pastoral Care
With regards to pastoral visiting, hospitals, care homes, and other institutions may limit access, and your first point of contact should be with the institution concerned. You may be interested to know that Crossreach is limiting access to its residential homes with effect from Monday 16 March.
The general advice to individuals about self care, and observing relevant advice, applies to ministers and their household. If ministers have to self isolate, this shouldn’t be seen as sick leave, unless there are symptoms, whether of Coronavirus or other illnesses.
Ministers – and the general population - are advised to avoid direct physical contact with those who have underlying health conditions and those who have symptoms. Please also avoid contact with those who are self isolating (seven days is the recommended period for self isolation). Avoid physical contact, but maximise virtual contact – email, skype, letters, greetings cards, and try to put together telephone trees or short life online groups, perhaps using Facebook to maintain contact and minimise isolation. Telephone trees are a good way to keep in touch, and mean that it’s not just one person’s responsibility – and it doesn’t need to be the minister.
Other Church Activities
Please refer to the pages on the Church of Scotland website (above.) For questions regarding social events, e.g. holiday clubs, coffee mornings, the following points, and others can be found there:
There may be formal moves to limit large gatherings and the Scottish Government will issue its decisions in response to developments; early indications in the First Minister’s comments this afternoon are that Church gatherings will be excluded from this, as they don’t require the same level of resource from police, NHS, and Paramedic Resource, as, say, large football matches or concerts. The situation is dynamic and changing, so please refresh your webpages regularly. Our advice with regard to public worship is to continue to hold services, while observing the practice outlined in the guidance above, and to take care to practice rigorous hygiene, e.g. including handwashing guidance.
Funerals and Weddings
With regards to funerals, undertakers have been issued with guidance by the Scottish Government, and further information can be found at this location as to the guidance they have been given.
For weddings, ministers will have to work with the couple and with venue wedding managers; small weddings will require a different approach compared to larger occasions. Guidance from Government may change, but at the moment, there are no restrictions.
General Assembly
The Assembly Business Committee meets next week and contingency planning around the General Assembly is a key item on the agenda. Contingency planning for Heart and Soul is also taking place.
Pastoral Care
With regards to pastoral visiting, hospitals, care homes, and other institutions may limit access, and your first point of contact should be with the institution concerned. You may be interested to know that Crossreach is limiting access to its residential homes with effect from Monday 16 March.
The general advice to individuals about self care, and observing relevant advice, applies to ministers and their household. If ministers have to self isolate, this shouldn’t be seen as sick leave, unless there are symptoms, whether of Coronavirus or other illnesses.
Ministers – and the general population - are advised to avoid direct physical contact with those who have underlying health conditions and those who have symptoms. Please also avoid contact with those who are self isolating (seven days is the recommended period for self isolation). Avoid physical contact, but maximise virtual contact – email, skype, letters, greetings cards, and try to put together telephone trees or short life online groups, perhaps using Facebook to maintain contact and minimise isolation. Telephone trees are a good way to keep in touch, and mean that it’s not just one person’s responsibility – and it doesn’t need to be the minister.
Other Church Activities
Please refer to the pages on the Church of Scotland website (above.) For questions regarding social events, e.g. holiday clubs, coffee mornings, the following points, and others can be found there:
- Coffees and teas should be dispensed by a small number of individuals and either placed on a table for collection, or cups and saucers are used to reduce hand contact.
- All cups, saucers and plates must be washed thoroughly using a dishwasher if available
- Individually wrapped biscuits and cakes are suitable, but please avoid sharing plates of open cakes and biscuits.
- Use best hygiene practices when handling hymn books, collection plates or money