Although we have no information currently regarding St William’s – the Diocese has asked for those who are willing and able to volunteer to enable the re opening of some churches. If you feel this is you, they are asking you to express your interest using the form below. This covers the whole partnership, so if you are able to help at another church other than your own please add that onto the form.

You can find more information, including a handbook full of key information on the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese website.

Thank You

Volunteers wanted to support the reopening of churches

We have been asked to start preparations for a gradual re-opening of our churches. Providing a safe and COVID secure space for prayer and worship is our utmost priority at this time, and you could have a part to play in this.

To ensure that churches reopen in a safe and timely manner, we will require assistance from you, our parishioners, and therefore we are asking for volunteers from across the parish/partnership. Could you give up a few hours of your time each week to volunteer at one of our churches? This may be at any of our churches across our parish/partnership; you can indicate a preference on the form.

The Diocese has produced guidance for the re-opening of churches and full training will be given.

• If you are in the clinically extremely vulnerable group, you must not volunteer at this time.
• If you are in the clinically vulnerable group you could be at a higher risk of severe illness from Covid-19.
• For more information please read page 3 of our handbook for the reopening of churches which includes links to HM Government guidance.

We can only open churches with your help. Please do consider volunteering and if you are interested in doing so, please complete the form – available to download here

IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE SHARE

Reopening of Churches: Places of worship will be allowed to open for private individual prayer under government plans to be announced this week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to discuss the next stage of the lockdown easing with his Cabinet on Tuesday.These measures are expected to come into effect in England on 15 June.

This initial reopening will not include the celebration of Masses, Funeral services, Weddings, Baptisms or any other communal services or lay group worship. These will be permitted at a later date.

The diocese of Hexham and Newcastle has announced today that just FIVE ‘pilot’ churches will open first.

These churches are:

• St Aidan’s, Ashington
• St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle
• St Patrick’s, Consett
• St Mary’s, Sunderland
• St Joseph’s, Hartlepool

The safety of parishioners, volunteers, staff and clergy will be the highest priority. Full compliance with the Diocesan health and safety regulations and procedures will be required by clergy, employees, volunteers and all visitors.

Volunteers will be needed for church cleaning, and as stewards to ensure social distancing when a church is open.

We will update as and when anything changes.