Diocesan News
Church services in the ‘new normal’
The Rector of Magheralin, the Revd Simon Genoe, was interviewed by BBC NI for their recent article “What will church services look like in the ‘new normal’”.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sunday attendance in Magheralin and Dollingstown combined would have been around 500 people.
Simon is hopeful of holding at least one service on Sunday 5 July, but anyone who wants to attend will have to pre-book a ticket online, or through the church office.
They will enter and exit through different doors, sanitise their hands, and follow stewards’ instructions as to where they can sit. There will be no hymn books or service sheets with screens used instead.
Simon says he’s worried about how services will be affected: “I think it won’t have the same dynamic and sense of community we would normally enjoy. But buildings are important places where people have met God and important events have happened.”
Drive-in church services in a nearby field have been popular with parishioners, as have online services. He says they will continue for anyone who is shielding, or doesn’t yet feel confident enough to come to an indoor service.
“It’s a really difficult time, but it’s an exciting time as well.
“People are saying we need to do life differently after this and I think we should consider doing church differently as well.”
Read the full article online here.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Down & Dromore
07840 006899
Mrs Annette McGrath
dco@downdromorediocese.org