On Tuesday 23 June, the Government advised that Churches can reopen for services from Saturday 5 July 2020.

Our Churches will reopen for private prayer on Sunday 5 July and for public worship on Sunday 12 July. To help reduce the risk of spreading the Coronavirus, the public services will not involve singing and will not involve Holy Communion or end with refreshments.

Holy Trinity Church (Waterhead) cannot open until the repairs to the unsafe floor are complete. The first services will occur in the Parish Hall.

Advice

Message from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York.

Latest advice about baptisms (Diocese of Manchester, dated 30.08.2020)

Latest advice about weddings (Diocese of Manchester, dated 30.08.2020)

Latest advice about funerals (Diocese of Manchester, dated 12.06.2020)

Latest advice from NHS England

Latest advice from Church of England (includes advice, resources, and FAQs)

Latest advice from Diocese of Manchester

Latest advice from Oldham Council

Latest advice from HM Government

Spiritual resources

Online resources

For transcripts and videos of services in our two Churches, please click here.

For copies of the Churches’ magazine, please click here.

The Church of England have produced some Prayers at home (pdf) Some of the prayers will be useful when praying with children.

This site Prayers at home gives sample liturgies, prayers, patterns of prayer, recommended Bible verses.

Prayer for today (from the Church of England website) includes links to services of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer (both Common Worship)

Church of England app with prayers and liturgy (Common Worship)

Downloadable resources

Guide to outdoor guided meditation (pdf with thanks to Oakwood Forest Church)

Prayers for children and families (MS-Word)

Resources for worship at home (MS-Word)

When you feel anxious (pdf file)

Church services

The BBC is planning to broadcast one live service each Sunday. Please look at your TV listings for more details.

Details of some Churches that plan to stream services (BBC website)

Explaining the virus to children

Child-friendly explanation of Coronavirus (pdf)

Talking to children about Coronavirus (pdf, produced by the British Psychological society)

Guidance from educational psychology for parents supporting their children during COVID-19 (pdf, produced by Oldham Council’s

Educational and Child Psychology Service)

Last updated 1 July 2020