26th october update
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It is now several weeks since we restarted Sunday services in the building, and it’s good to see more people turning up each Sunday; the services run from 11 am to 12 noon.
The recent Government announcements about the ‘Rule of 6’ do not apply to church meetings for worship and prayer; there is an exemption for places of worship. So we can continue to meet for the time being on Sunday mornings – and pray that the situation will not deteriorate such that more restrictions need to be introduced. There are lots of precautions in place to keep us safe; social distancing, sanitising door handles and other surfaces, cleaning with antiseptic spray machine, etc. And apart from the singers/preacher, we have to wear masks. Please look at the following list of things, some of which derive from Government advice, on how to say safe. If for any reason you don’t feel able to return to the church building till a bit later on, that’s fine, services will continue to be streamed. Please pray for all those making arrangements for the restart of church, for God’s protection upon us, and for other churches in Haringey as they face similar situations. Thanks to all of you for continuing financial support of the church at this time, and to the volunteers at the Food Bank who are seeking to meet the needs of others in the community. Paul Tomkins |
guidance for return to church building - 2nd august
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The following are the guidelines which we are using to stay safe and keep social distancing now that services have restarted.
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- Do not come to church if you have any of the well-documented symptoms of Covid-19, e.g. fever, loss of smell or tase, persistant cough.
- Face masks to be worn, unless in the worship group or preaching.
- Please bring your own face masks, bottle of water if you need a drink, and Bible.
- Keep at least 1m. apart in the foyer and 2m. in the church.
- No hugging, kissing, or shaking of hands.
- Entrance and exit is via foyer.
- No use of kitchen, - so no teas or coffees.
- In church we will use alternate rows of seating, and except for household/family groups, leave two vacant chairs between each person. This will probably limit numbers to around 50-60.
- The service will continue to be streamed.
- Surfaces such as door handles, switches and the metal backs of chairs, to be wiped with antiseptic cloth before the service.
- Service time from 11am - 12pm.
- The foodbank will operate from the church hall, at its usual time of 11.30am - 1 p.m.
- Use of toilets; not more than one person at a time in each of the three toilets; try and minimise use of toilets, in order not to conflict movements with people working in food bank.
- Prayer for individuals; not in church, but possible one to one in the creche and in rear car park. We have introduced Prayer Cards; if you need prayer, fill these in with your name, phone number, and your prayer request. A member of the Prayer Ministry Team will contact you and pray via a phone call.
- The Youth group will meet in the Upper Room during the morning service.
- No buckets passed around for offerings; a bucket placed at back of church to drop in offerings. Gloves to be used in counting.
The Gospel Centre Newsletter
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SUnday Morning Service
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The Gospel Centre Choir
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The choir practice will not be taking place but will now be in the form of a conference call every Wednesday from 7:30pm-8:30pm, mainly for prayer and support. The line will be open to all who would like to join for prayer. For future information about the choir, please contact via email: thegospelcentrechoir@gmail.com.
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care groups
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Care Groups have been set up, so that Pastoral workers, Elders and others in leadership have each been given around 7 to 10 people to ‘look out’ for, I.e. to keep in contact, usually by phone, e-mail or Facebook. It’s particularly to keep an eye out for those who are a bit more vulnerable, but also to keep in touch with each other as it looks like we shall be physically isolating for some weeks ahead.
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The food bank - Update 26th October
Wow - what a time it has been! The food bank has been so busy. During this pandemic from March we have seen many people in need struggling with debt, loss of insecure jobs, both on a regular and irregular basis. We have had a threefold increase in numbers including many more families with babies too.
As some of you may have seen from the website, we had to put tables across the entrance of the church. Coming along each Sunday knowing that people would normally be coming into God’s house was both eerie and sad. However, we knew that we had a responsibility to serve those in need to show God’s love. humbling to have responsibility in showing God’s love for others
Conditions were not that favourable, whether it was the supply of food or that of our regular volunteers could not be involved. With help a team was built including many from the community who were able to help. Fortunately, the weather was usually good when we were open. As the church was to reopen in August we moved our operations to the front of the church hall next door. Where we could spread out.
We have been blessed to have received many donations from members of the local public including people on local COVID-19 support group apps from the likes of Lausanne, Burgoyne and Raleigh and indeed our neighbours in Paragon Court. We have also relied on regular collections such as from the food hub set up by the Council at Hornsey Parish church. We have also been blessed by unsolicited financial donations too, including from St Pauls church.
We are now part of a network of providers, both of perishable and non- perishable food across the borough which should enable us to be able to serve our clients better in practical ways. It has been difficult that we do not have the same amount of time talking with our visitors as before, given the layout and numbers. At times the changes have been exhausting. 2 Corinthians 4: 8’ sums this up ‘‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, often perplexed but not abandoned; struck down; but not destroyed’. Now we have received funding to develop our service, which brings new opportunities, but also challenges. So, if you feel able to contribute or have ideas or questions please talk to us with goods or ideas please contact us: gospelcfoodbank@gmail.com
As some of you may have seen from the website, we had to put tables across the entrance of the church. Coming along each Sunday knowing that people would normally be coming into God’s house was both eerie and sad. However, we knew that we had a responsibility to serve those in need to show God’s love. humbling to have responsibility in showing God’s love for others
Conditions were not that favourable, whether it was the supply of food or that of our regular volunteers could not be involved. With help a team was built including many from the community who were able to help. Fortunately, the weather was usually good when we were open. As the church was to reopen in August we moved our operations to the front of the church hall next door. Where we could spread out.
We have been blessed to have received many donations from members of the local public including people on local COVID-19 support group apps from the likes of Lausanne, Burgoyne and Raleigh and indeed our neighbours in Paragon Court. We have also relied on regular collections such as from the food hub set up by the Council at Hornsey Parish church. We have also been blessed by unsolicited financial donations too, including from St Pauls church.
We are now part of a network of providers, both of perishable and non- perishable food across the borough which should enable us to be able to serve our clients better in practical ways. It has been difficult that we do not have the same amount of time talking with our visitors as before, given the layout and numbers. At times the changes have been exhausting. 2 Corinthians 4: 8’ sums this up ‘‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, often perplexed but not abandoned; struck down; but not destroyed’. Now we have received funding to develop our service, which brings new opportunities, but also challenges. So, if you feel able to contribute or have ideas or questions please talk to us with goods or ideas please contact us: gospelcfoodbank@gmail.com
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