We are excited to be opening our buildings and meeting again in person for Sunday Services.
Preparation Measures
Your safety and wellbeing is our top priority. So, in line with the Government Guidelines for Places of Worship and for your protection, we have implemented a number of changes across all our venues to the way we would normally meet. Please ensure you have read the COVID-19 changes in full before you decide to reserve a space at a physical gathering.
At this time we will continue Church Online services via Facebook and YouTube, so if you are unable to attend a physical Sunday Service, please continue to tune in and connect with us online.
As we’re sure you will understand, we care deeply for the heath and safety of our congregations, that is why we have worked hard to implement the changes we have made across all our locations, so that you can feel confident in attending a physical gathering. We know there may be lots of questions, so we’ve tried to answer as many of them as we can for you below.
FAQs
Will I need a ticket?
To ensure we can maintain effective social distancing measures, each of our four venues has a maximum safe capacity. To ensure entry, you will need to reserve a seat in advance, for you and everyone in your family or social bubble. This will need to be booked through Eventbrite and will be made available from the Sunday before.
If you need help to reserve your seat, you can speak to your Connect Leader, or contact the church office on 01748 823161. Please only reserve seats which you will use to ensure someone else doesn’t miss out.
In the event that you arrive after the service has started, we may not be able to guarantee you a seat.
What happens when I arrive?
You can arrive up to 15 minutes before any of our Sunday Services start. You will be asked to sanitise your hands upon arrival at the front door. Our Welcome Team will check you in and direct you to your allocated seating, without you needing to touch any surfaces.
We are unable to open the entrance areas or foyers at this time.
Will I need to wear a mask?
In accordance with current Government Guidelines, everyone over the age of 11 will be required to wear a face covering throughout the service, unless you are otherwise exempt. If you are exempt, we will ask to see your Exemption Card.
Can I use the toilet?
Toilets will be available, but we ask that you avoid using them where possible, especially considering the reduced service lengths. If your child needs the toilet, they should be accompanied at all times. We also ask that you use the Hand Sanitiser provided both before and after use.
Are Social Distancing measures in place?
Seats will be allocated in accordance with the latest Social Distancing guidelines. Households, family units and social bubbles will be able to sit together, but not mix between households. Children should stay with you and within your allocated area throughout the service. Once seated, please do not move around the room, this is to help maintain effective social distancing.
We ask that you cooperate fully with our Welcome Team and Church Staff on this. We know you will be excited to greet people you haven’t seen in a long time, but we ask that you follow the guidelines by not greeting with hugs, handshakes or other physical greetings.
Will we be able to sing?
In line with Government Guidelines, we are not allowed to sing as part of our Sunday Services. We look forward in anticipation to this being reviewed, but until then we will be encouraging alternative ways of worshiping together.
Can I be prayed for?
Social Distancing means we will not be able to facilitate response times at the front of Church or engage in the practice of laying on hands whilst praying. We will still be encouraging prayer and response, but in alternative ways.
Alternatively, Prayer Requests can still be submitted via the Influence App, or by speaking to your Connect Leader.
Will I be able to give an offering?
We will not be able to leave our seats to give in the offering, but if you would like to give by cash or cheque, this can be done by placing your offering in a bucket on your departure from the service. Alternatively, online forms of giving are available on our giving page.
Can my children go to Hero Factory or Mini Heroes?
Children are a central part of the Influence Church family, and we are sad that we cannot reopen Mini Heroes and Hero Factory at this stage. Until we are able to resume these ministries, we will be asking children to remain seated with their parents throughout the service.
In order to help you as a parent, we have reduced our service length and we have also made Children’s Packs available to enjoy throughout the service. These will be available on entry.
In addition there is a room open for parent led play in some locations. These rooms will be fully cleaned, but will not be manned. Please bring your own toys for your children to play with. Each room will have a capacity, which must not be exceeded.
What happens at the end of the service?
At the end of the service you will be directed to leave row by row by a member of the team. We ask that you cooperate fully with this process. We do not wish to stifle safe, socially distanced interaction outside of the building but we ask that you do not congregate outside the exits.
Please also remember that outside of the church premises, government guidelines apply which restrict meeting sizes to two family units, or six people.
Are you cooperating with NHS Test and Trace?
When you reserve your seat through Eventbrite, we are required to collect your details for the purposes of NHS Test and Trace. In line with guidance issued by the Department for Health and Social Care, we will keep your details safely and in compliance with GDPR legislation for 21 days before securely disposing of or deleting them. We will only share your details with NHS Test and Trace, if asked, in the event that it is needed to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. We will not use your details for any other purposes within the life of Influence Church or pass them on to anyone else. For more information, please see our privacy policy.
What if I feel unwell?
If you feel unwell, are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must not attend an Influence Church service or venue. Instead, we would encourage you to join us online. Likewise, if you have been in close contact with someone diagnosed or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 please stay at home.
In addition, if you have returned from international travel or been in close contact with someone who has returned from international travel in the last 14 days please stay at home.