Following the recent announcement by the First Minister and deputy First Minister that churches in Northern Ireland could reopen their buildings for worship from week commencing 29 June 2020, and subject to that indicative date now being confirmed, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has welcomed this announcement that church services can now take place from that date.
Responding to this announcement, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said, “Last week we welcomed the announcement of an indicative date for the reopening of churches for worship. With confirmation of that date, we can now look forward to being able to meet again, with our brothers and sisters in Christ, while ensuring that the required health and safety principles are met. We also welcomed yesterday’s briefing by Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Advisor on the important health and safety principles.
“As we said last week, each of our congregations must think carefully and responsibly about the practical preparations necessary to facilitate this long awaited return. As a denomination, we have set out a robust set of guidelines to support our congregations to make the necessary and practical decisions to enable gatherings to return safely. Any decision when to resume services will be a local decision taken by the Minister and elders together. It will also be dependent on local factors, public health guidance and general health and safety principles that have been designed to keep us safe.”
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