Dear Member of Mourne,

The November News Sheet once again reflects the restrictions that have been placed upon church activities.

Presently we are only able to hold services of worship on a Sunday but we are hopeful that this may change at some stage during the month.

You can keep up to date on our Facebook page or our church website.

Sunday announcements will be at a minimum because of the shorter time we will have together. All announcements will therefore be printed or placed on Facebook. Please don’t ask for announcements to be made at the services.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

The congregation will be divided into two districts. A. The town which is from the Scrogg Road to the Council Road and B. the country which is everywhere else including Ballymartin and Annalong.

Please note that though the church will be heated windows will also be left open for ventilation purposes so you may wish to bring something warm to put on if you feel cold.

Hand sanitisation and social distancing measures will be in place and there will be an overflow provided in the Lecture Hall if the church is full to its new capacity.

All services will be livestreamed on our you tube channel.

SUNDAY SERVICES – NOVEMBER

Sunday 1^ST November

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Town District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Town District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Country District

Sunday 8^th November –  Remembrance Sunday

10.50am –  Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph. 15 invited representatives only able to attend.

10.30am –  No Family Service

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Country District – with Act of Remembrance and laying of wreaths in church.

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Town District

Sunday 15^th November

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Town District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Town District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Country  District

Sunday 22^nd November

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Country District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Country District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Town District

Sunday 29^th November

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Town District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Town District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Country  District

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

The Kirk Session feel that it is important to have a service at the Cenotaph on Sunday 8^th November. We are however bound by government to keep numbers limited to fifteen people only attending.

Having met with representatives of the Royal British Legion it was decided for 15 representatives of the armed services and their associations along with representatives of the Legion only  to attend. The short service will be conducted by the Rev Bingham.

Any organisation or individual who would normally lay a poppy wreath can do so after 2.00pm on Sunday 8^th November at their convenience. Please note Poppy wreaths or British Legion Poppy crosses only may be laid.

Wednesday 11^th November

11.00am –  2 Minutes silence and Act of Remembrance.

CONGREGATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING

There will be a meeting of the Congregational committee        ( restrictions permitting ) on Tuesday 24^th November at 8.00pm in the Meeting House.

Samaritan Purse Christmas Appeal Boxes.

The Minor Hall  will be open each Sunday morning until 15^th November for filled shoe boxes to be left. Details of what is needed can be found at Samaritans-purse.org.uk. Thank you for your support.

LATEST ADVICE FROM CHURCH HOUSE ON

GOVERNMENT RESTRICTIONS

Services of worship

The exact wording on the NI Direct website (the official NI Executive website) states: “Places of worship can remain open.  Religious activities can continue to take place in line with relevant guidance. There is no restriction on numbers attending religious activities, but a limit of 15 otherwise applies in places of worship (25 for weddings and funerals).”      

Please note especially during periods of enhanced restrictions, it is especially important that all of PCI’s formal guidance be strictly adhered to within all congregations e.g. regarding 2 metres social distancing, hand sanitiser available, face coverings etc. Also those who are feeling ill, have any symptoms of Covid-19, or have been told to self-isolate, should not attend worship or other meetings in person.

Face coverings

With regard to the wearing of a face covering in a place of worship, the regulations (law) in Northern Ireland now states that: “A person (other than a person leading a service) entering or leaving a place of worship, or being within a place of worship but not at a seat, must, unless there is a reasonable excuse, wear a face covering while doing so.”  (This) “shall not apply to a couple at a ceremony to solemnise their marriage”.

This means that it is now the law that stewards at the door and anyone moving around inside a church building must wear a face covering.Please also note that within PCI, it is the clear formal advice that face coverings should continue to be worn at all services, and during all services, apart for those leading from the front of the church.

Funerals

Following the introduction of new restrictions from 16th October 2020, the formal government guidance has been revised to ensure that it aligns with legislation and the current situation. Those operating, organising or attending a funeral must comply with this revised guidance. You should note that the maximum number of people permitted at a funeral service in a place of worship or funeral home is now limited to 25. This includes clergy or officiants and children. This limit also applies to committals at a graveside.(Please see the note regarding face coverings above, which also applies to funerals.)

Please also note that the formal government guidance also states that: “The remains of the deceased may be brought to a private dwelling when the death has not been Covid-19 related, however only visitors from a linked household (a bubble) are permitted to gather in the house. No other visitors are allowed and funeral services are not permitted in private homes during these restrictions.”

Marriages

The NI Direct website states: “From Monday 19 October 2020, marriages ……. are limited to 25 people. This number includes children under 12 and the celebrant.”    (Please see the note regarding face coverings above, which also applies to marriages.)

Please note that during the current restrictions, a marriage cannot take place in a private home (or garden) apart from where one or other of the couple are terminally ill. In those circumstances the numbers are limited to ten people in total.

Dear Member of Mourne,

Thank you for your prayers and support since Lockdown. It has been a difficult time for everyone.

The Kirk Session have been planning what our church refers to as a “Phased return” to church meetings and activities. This means rather than have every organisation re-opening at the same time we do it in a phased way and as safe as possible.

Please find below a summary of what this will mean for the different activities and organisations in October. The Kirk Session will review the situation monthly and if there are emergency measures introduced by the government there will be an update on Facebook and our website.

Sunday announcements will be at a minimum because of the shorter time we will have together. All announcements will therefore be printed or placed on Facebook. Please don’t ask for announcements to be made at the services.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

The congregation will be divided into two districts. A. The town which is from the Scrogg Road to the Council Road and B. the country which is everywhere else including Ballymartin and Annalong.

Please note that though the church will be heated windows will also be left open for ventilation purposes so you may wish to bring something warm to put on if you feel cold.

Hand sanitisation and social distancing measures will be in place and there will be an overflow provided in the Lecture Hall if the church is full to its new capacity.

We will be having our Harvest Thanksgiving services on 11^th October. Anyone wishing to drop off a prepared arrangement of flowers or some fruit and vegetables can do so on Saturday morning the 10^th October from 10.00am to 11.00am.

All services will be livestreamed on our you tube channel.

SUNDAY SERVICES – OCTOBER

Sunday 4^th October

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Town District. Parents please bring colouring pencils for children’s work sheets.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Town District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Country District

Sunday 11^th October –  Harvest Thanksgiving

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Country District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Country District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Town District

Sunday 18^th October

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Town District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Town District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Country  District

Sunday 25^th October

10.30am to 11.15am – Family Service for Country District.

11.45am – 12.30 –   Morning Worship –  Country District

7.00pm –   Evening Worship –   Town District

Please note there will be no Sunday School, creches, Children’s church or Sunday Knight Kids during October. Anyone wishing to have a child baptised should contact Rev Bingham. No Brackney Hall meeting this month.Due to cleaning of the church between services we are sorry that no funeral services can be held on a Sunday.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP, JUNIOR AND SENIOR BIBLE CLASS, SENIOR SUNDAY SCHOOL (Year 8 and over)

These groups are combining to meet each Friday night at 8.00pm in our Church Hall from 2^nd October. The name for the meeting is RELITE – and details are available on the facebook page and website. Parents will need to complete an online form for those under 18.

THE KIRK SESSION – Tuesday 13^th October at 8.00pm in the Church

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN.

The P.W. will meet once per month instead of two times per month. The first meeting will be on Monday 12^th October at 8.00pm in the Church. Averil will  share about her work in Belfast. Please note there will be no supper afterwards. Meetings now on 2^nd Monday in the month.

THE HARVEST FAYRE

No Harvest Fayre this year. Envelopes in pews available to support P.W. Missionaries.

CHOIR PRACTICE  –  No choir practice this month.

BADMINTON CLUB –    No meetings in October

RAINBOW MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP– No meetings in October

THE GIRLS BRIGADE  – No meetings in October

THE BOYS BRIGADE

Anchor Boys and Mourne Robins –   No meetings in October

Junior Section will meet on Monday 5^th and 19^th October in the Church Halls from 7.30pm to 8.45pm. No uniform necessary. Further details available on our church website.

Company Section will meet on Wednesday 7^th and 21^st October in the Church Halls from 7.30pm to 8.45pm.  No uniform necessary. Further details available on our church website.

Please note that if social distancing and health and safety rules are not adhered to then we will not be able to continue with the meetings.

LADIES WEDNESDAY FELLOWSHIP –  No meetings in October

MIDWEEK MEETINGS

Each Thursday evening in the Lecture Hall at 8.00pm. Meetings also available online.

THE MENS FELLOWSHIP 

Friday  16^th October in the Youth Centre at 8.00pm.

SATURDAY CLUB –   No meetings in October.

THE WALKING CLUB –  No walks in October

DUBLIN CHRISTIAN MISSION

Items of warm clothing can be left at the home of Rosemary Edgar.

For more information and the joining codes, join Mourne Youth Fellowship 2020 on Facebook.