Reflections Blog

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ANNUAL CHURCH MEETINGS - ST. IPPOLYTS

The delayed “Annual Parishioners Meeting” (to elect churchwardens) and “The Annual Parochial Church Meeting of the Parish of St. Ippolyts” will be held in St. Ippolyts Church at 6.00p.m. on Wednesday16th September 2020 .  The meeting will commence with Revd Ginni’s Live streamed 10 minute Evening Prayer. Everyone is welcome to attend but only those on the St. Ippolyts Church Electoral Roll may vote at the second meeting.  We are hoping that we can hold the meeting outside the Church but should this not be appropriate due to inclement weather we will retire to the Church. 

The meeting is the Church’s AGM and there will be a review of 2019 with reports from the Revd Ginni, Our Safeguarding Officer, Churchwardens, Treasurer, and St. Ippolyts School, as well as the appointment of officers, sidesmen and independent financial examiners.  To make the evening ‘go with a flow’ we hope that there will be wine, soft drinks and nibbles available but this will depend upon any coronavirus restrictions.

The Church Electoral Roll is closed 15 days before the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and this means Wednesday 1^st September 2020.If you would like to be included on the Church Electoral Roll then forms can be obtained from the Church Electoral Roll officer, Alan Hinks, H 452429, or a Churchwarden, Michael Hooper, H 457350 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Jane Veasey, H 434254.

We are looking for new members of our Parochial Church Council.  If you are interested in playing a key role in the future of our church please consider putting yourself forward for election, it is not a particularly onerous task! Those wishing to be elected can put their names on the election list at the back of the church or contact one of the Churchwardens on the contact details above. In additional we are still seeking a treasurer to take over from Michael. If you feel you could spare the time to play an important roll in the life of our church please consider taking on this task.

            Michael Hooper

Churchwarden

13^th August 2020

Good News we will be holding our annual horse blessing service on Sunday 16th August at 15:00. The service hwich is held in St Ippolyts Churchyard offers plenty of opportunity for everyone to be socially distanced, even the horses!

Everyone is welcome to this annual celebration to raise money for the "Riding for the Disabled" Charity.

Face Coverings in church compulsory from 8th August 

Further guidance has been issued on the wearing of face coverings, more details will follow. However, it is clear that ministers who can remain suitably distanced from their congregation not need to wear face coverings all the time during services. The advice also confirms that the minister, bride and groom are exempt from wearing face coverings during the wedding service. 

Welcome Back to Church!!

Please do see this as a guide to help you understand what will happen and why when we reopen our churches for the first time after lockdown, rather than yet another list of do’s and don’ts designed to drive you mad!!

We want to welcome you so we can worship God together but we also want to keep you safe, follow the government guidelines and minimise misunderstandings.

We can safely seat and socially distance 22 people in St Ippolyts Church and St Mary’s, Little Wymondley and 12 in St Mary’s Great Wymondley.

Whilst we cannot sing hymns (as singing increases the transmission by aerosol and droplet), we can listen to music.  We can also receive Holy Communion (bread only), although please do not feel that you have to.  We can share the peace but without physical contact.

What will happen when I arrive at church?

It is very important that you arrive at church by 9am.

You will be greeted by a Steward who will ask you for your name and contact details (so we can Track and Trace any cases of Covid, details will be kept for 21 day and then destroyed).  

You will then be asked to use the hand sanitiser and shown to your pew – your service book will be on your seat and we ask that you leave it there when you leave so that we can clean it properly before it is used again.

Please remain in your pew for the entire service and wait for the steward to tell you when it is appropriate for you to leave afterwards.  This is so that we can manage social distancing effectively.

Although it’s really tempting to join in with the hymns when the music plays, please resist the urge!  Entertain yourself by watching your neighbour’s eyebrows wiggle and lips twitch as they too try not to burst out into song!!

The Vicar will bring Holy Communion to you in your pew should you wish to receive it.  She will have sanitised her hands immediately prior to doing this and will wear a glove but please do not feel you have to receive Holy Communion if you feel vulnerable.  It is YOUR decision and your right to decide what is best for you.

The entire service will be live-streamed directly to Facebook.  This is so that those who cannot come back to church at this time are able to worship with us.  The camera will be positioned by the organ and will only focus on the Sanctuary.  At no point will any of the congregation be filmed, however, please do be aware that it is also recording sound so there is a possibility that anything you say may be broadcast and we ask that you keep any conversations inside the church to a minimum.

Unfortunately, we are unable to gather inside the church to chat after the service but you are more than welcome to socially distance yourselves in the churchyard to catch up with friends. (You can bring your own coffee too if you like!)

Finally....PLEASE, PLEASE don’t be offended if we are full when you arrive.  It will break our hearts to turn you away but we absolutely have to follow the guidelines issued by the government.  We’ve worked really hard to make our churches as accessible and safe as we can and if we work together on this then hopefully we’ll see a further easing of restrictions soon.

Thank you for your support.

With much love

Revd Ginni and the PCC’S from St Ippolyts, Great Wymondley and Little Wymondley.