Opening the Doors

Our church buildings have sadly but necessarily been closed as part of the Government’s measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. The Church, of course, has not been closed, and has continued to support our communities in wonderful ways, through acts of community service and through online worship, to mention just two.

Thankfully many of our buildings are now beginning to reopen, firstly for individual prayer and funerals, and then from 4th July for weddings and for regular gathered worship. This reopening will be a source of great comfort and joy to many people, including some who were not actively part of a worshipping community prior to lockdown.

Opening the Doors is the name of a simple set of resources that churches can take and make their own as and when it is appropriate for them to do so. They include:

• Posters and invitations, digital and hard copy, that churches can use to invite the parish to worship.
• Liturgical resources, provided by the Liturgical Commission, as well as some others produced by Fresh Expressions practitioners as their contribution.
• Webinars from the Digital and Evangelism and Discipleship teams
• In due course, resources and guidance to help churches prepare for Advent and Christmas

The prayer of those who have been involved in producing Opening the Doors is that every church will be helped to welcome and engage the many who have engaged with worship online as well as offering care to those longer-standing members of our congregations.