Welcome back to Sunday Worship – 5th July

We’re delighted that Government guidance gives us the opportunity to re-open for public worship this weekend. To celebrate this, Bishop Christopher will preside at the Cathedral Eucharist at 10.30 am on Sunday July 5th. Dean John will preach and, reflecting the theme of thanksgiving for the NHS that day, his wife Ricarda, who is Chaplaincy Team Leader at the George Eliot Hospital, will lead prayers. We are not yet able to sing in the Cathedral but very much hope to hear the organ playing before and after the service.

There will be limited seats, laid out at the recommended safe social distance. If you attend with a family group or persons from your household or social bubble then there will be the option for you to sit together. Tickets are not required. You should only travel to the Cathedral if it is safe for you to do so but should you not be able to join us in person the service will be live-streamed on Facebook and an edited version will be made available later in the day. There will, in addition, be an online ‘Welcome to Sunday’ service at 9.15 am, led by Canon Kathryn.

We are working hard to makes sure we do all we can to ensure the safety of everyone who comes to the Cathedral. To this end, anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell) should not attend due to the risk that they pose to others; they should self-isolate at home immediately with other members of their household.

We warmly welcome all children and young people, asking that young children are supervised by their parent or guardian and appropriate hygiene precautions followed. There is no requirement to wear face coverings in places such as the Cathedral where social distancing can be complied with. You are, however, welcome to do so if you wish. Although toilet facilities are not currently available at other times in the week, they will be available on Sunday morning.

We plan to keep a temporary record (for 21 days) of those who attend services in order to assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for data if needed for contact tracing and the investigation of local outbreaks. When you come into the Cathedral you will be invited to allow yourself to be video-recorded as you give your name and contact details.

We look forward to welcoming you.