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Dear all
I am sure like me you are anxious to see everyone and get back to church, however, recent announcements in the media have unrealistically raised our hopes to say the least.
While I would like us all to be back together again, I want to do so in a way that prioritises everyone’s health and safety. 
Clergy and churchwardens in the London Diocese have been sent a letter containing clear directions to be followed when considering whether their church might be opened for private prayer. There is no discussion as yet about holding a public service. 
The PCC has looked in detail at the requirements listed in the diocesan letter and, after a full discussion of all that would be needed to be put in place to make it safe for us to re-enter the church building again, it was agreed that at the present moment it would not be safe to do so. 
We took this decision after discussing and considering those who are most vulnerable in our community plus other factors such as:
-         the need to deep clean the building each time it is opened by ensuring all surfaces and door fixtures, light switches etc. are frequently sanitised in line with Public Health England guidelines, and Historic England guidance for cleaning of historic and delicate surfaces
 
-         not sharing Bibles, prayer books etc
 
-         removing holy water from stoups, all candles and matches/lighters
-         having sufficient people on hand to make sure those who entered the building keep to the appropriate distancing requirements
-         having separate in- and-out entrances and exits
-         keeping a register of all those entering and leaving the building who sign in with their own pens
-         ensuring there are required sanitizer washing facilities at the doors for all those entering
-         ensuring each person will bring their own books, order of service and take
them home with them
 
-         closing toilets
 
There are several more requirements we had to take into account.
The PCC agreed that we will continue to monitor the situation and plan for the future but, in the light of all these requirements, not to re-open the church until, at the earliest, the beginning of September if Covid 19 infection figures show it is safe to do so. 
I know this will be a disappointment to us all, but we must keep each other safe. 
We are doing everything to we can to keep in touch with you and to reach out to the community in Golders Green by sending a weekly newsletter that includes the names and numbers of those who can volunteer to collect shopping, prescriptions etc; ringing up to make sure all is well and putting people in touch with each other; holding weekly prayer sessions and Sunday meditations on zoom, providing information to those who are not on social media of times of Services and moments of prayer on the Radio and TV and on the phone.
If you would like to comment on any of this please do by contacting: Rex rex@gg-pc.co.uk
 
Love Rex