11 June 2020

Statement by Liverpool North Central Circuit 18/3 of the Methodist Church of Great Britain

We are aware that the Government is allowing churches in England to re-open for private prayer from 15 June 2020.  The Methodist Church has put in place an extensive risk assessment which must be completed in full before a church’s managing trustees are allowed to agree to this.  Included within the overall risk assessment is the need to ensure that 1) people can carry out social distancing in a proper manner and 2) that all property can be kept properly sanitised.

We have all heard the stories about the church in Germany where a number of people became infected with COVID19 during worship.  All trustees have a major responsibility to take care of people who enter church premises for any reason, whether for worship or for use by community organisations, as this is a matter of life and death.  It is also unlikely that any church would be insured without following the proper risk assessment process and its agreement by all trustees.  We are continuing to receive ongoing guidance from the Methodist Church on a national level.  However, we are preparing ourselves for the reality that our church buildings are going to look and feel very different for a long time to come.

Liverpool North Central Circuit is committed to take our time in this process and to ensure that we get this right.  While this process of risk assessment and implementation of recommendations is underway, our buildings will remain closed to the public without exception and until further notice when our trustees agree that it is safe for them to be re-opened.

Please take the time to explore our Circuit and Church websites to discover how worship, learning, fellowship, service and care are expanding creatively and in new, fresh ways while our buildings have been closed as a result of the current COVID19 pandemic.

Rev. Ian J. K. Hu

Superintendent Minister

11 June 2020

We realise that we are facing uncertain and difficult times. Please remember our circuit staff are still available to help and support you through this.

We are currently exploring creative ways to share worship with you away from our buildings. If you would like us to pray for you (or a situation), please contact us.

Revd Ian Hu: superintendent@liverpoolnorthcentral.org.uk

Alison Twist: cfw@liverpoolnorthcentral.org.uk  (Children and Family Worker)