From the Advisory Group The Advisory Group has met this week to take stock of the First Minister’s announcement on Tuesday, 3 August 2021. In that announcement, she confirmed that with effect from Monday 9 August, Scotland will move “beyond level 0” in the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework. In general, the move entails the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions, and the key issues arising from the changes insofar they affect Places of Worship, are as follows: – 1) The restrictions regarding physical distancing and the limits on the size of social gatherings are removed. This means that for churches there will no longer be a legal requirement to maintain 1 m social distancing. We assume, but have not had confirmation, that this will also mean that the requirement to display the maximum Physical Distance Based Capacity will no longer apply. 2) The law will continue to require the wearing of face coverings in indoor public places. Consequently, the wearing of face coverings in church continues to apply (that likewise applies for congregational singing). 3) Churches continue to be encouraged to maintain a record of contact details for those attending services. 4) Government generally encourages the continuation of measures to mitigate risks including maintaining good hygiene, practising respiratory hygiene, ensuring good ventilation, getting vaccinated and continuing to engage with Test and Protect. 5) Given the removal of restrictions on numbers meeting households, church house groups and other similar bodies will be able to resume. The Advisory Group recognises that for some the removal of restrictions will be welcomed. Others, however, will feel apprehensive. Consequently, whilst the various requirements mentioned above are removed, congregations may wish for the time being to continue their existing practices (for example in relation to physical distancing) if they consider that it would be advisable to do so for local pastoral reasons. The Advisory Group is waiting to hear from Government as to whether it intends to withdraw or substantially modify its own Places of Worship guidance following the move beyond level 0 and once further information is available, the Group will issue a further update. In general, we anticipate that the relaxation of restrictions will mean that a less prescriptive approach will be required in future but that congregations will nevertheless need to apply general principles in the way they operate. There are no guidelines from them regarding the use of the church for activities other than worship, but the following link might be of some use https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-3-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of- places-of-worship/pages/other-permitted-uses/ Breaking News Craft Group Marjorie Ward has announced that St Peter’s Craft Group will resume on Monday 6th September from 10am until 12 noon (Please note change of day and time). The following guidelines will be in place: She will be asking those attending to have a lateral flow test (free from the chemist) twice per week Hand sanitising before entry to hall Masks to be worn except while drinking and eating 1 metre distancing, therefore only two per table and Track & Trace will be in operation. Letting of Halls As we are moving beyond Level 0, the Vestry have agreed to open up the Church for hall bookings. If you are interested then you can now download the latest Terms and Conditions together with a Booking Form by clicking on your preferred format: Microsoft Word Document .doc or .docx, PDF. At a recent meeting of the Diocesan Global Partnerships Committee, the situation in our link diocese of Kolkata in India and Amazonia in Brazil regarding COVID 19 and the lack of supply of vaccines was discussed. It was agreed that the Diocese would lobby MPs and MSPs to try to help those countries and others in the same situation by asking that both parliaments consider sending out excess vaccines to help alleviate the suffering. The Revd Canon Bob Harley, Convenor of the committee has drafted a letter of explanation and a letter template in the event that you might support this initiative. Copies of the letter and template can be found here and Google will provide you with information on your local MP and MSP. Please do help if you can. Click here for details of the proposed Diocesan Pilgrimages taking place in 2021 and 2022. Registration information is included in the leaflet, please register directly with the Diocese if you wold like to particiapte in any or all of them.