Updated on 29th September 2020

As our numbers on Sunday mornings have reached the capacity of our space (allowing for social distancing), we have now introduced a simple system of pre-registration. This will allow us to love one another by taking turns and “making space” for each other. All the details have been sent out by email and WhatsApp.

If you would like to come to a Sunday gathering and are not on our contact lists, send us an email and we will send you more details: info@mcfchurch.org.uk.

Current Sunday format

At 10am each Sunday we will be gathering in the Sandel Centre, and we will also go live on the MCF YouTube page. For those at home - just go to the YouTube page shortly before 10am and the stream should start automatically.

The live stream will include most parts of the service - worship, teaching and communion. So if you would like to participate in communion at home, please be ready with a little bread and wine/juice.

After the live stream ends, the service in the Sandel Centre will conclude with an open sharing time.

We are currently following a short teaching series looking at the “essentials” of what it means to be the church from Acts 2. It seems like a good time to go back to basics together!

It is possible there may be some glitches or issues with the live stream - please be patient with us and we will be seeking to improve it as the weeks go on!

It is really important that we do our best to follow the current government guidelines as we gather - this is about loving each other, loving our neighbours, and also guarding the public witness and reputation of the church. Please read the details below carefully before coming on Sunday:

ARRIVAL & SEATING

Please arrive no later than 10am so we can make sure everyone is seated before we begin.
When parking, please remember to be considerate to our neighbours by avoiding parking on the street and by using the car parks at Rainbows and Sandel Village.
On arrival you should queue outside, with appropriate social distancing, until a steward checks you in and directs you to a seat.
As you enter you should use the hand sanitiser provided.
Members of the same household should sit together.
Attendees will be spread between the main hall and the cafe area.
We will also have sound outside to allow those who wish to gather in the marquee - you don’t need to pre-register if you are happy to sit outside.

COMMUNION

Communion will be a little different to our usual practice in MCF. Bread and wine will both be set out on a table at the front in small individual paper cups. We will invite those who wish to take part to come up and serve themselves. We don’t think this is the ideal way to serve communion, but we hope people can understand the need for a creative temporary alternative!

CHILDREN

We now have a creche available for children aged 2-4 (no babies). Kids will need to be registered for creche using the same pre-booking system.
We have also now started an Adventurers programme for primary age children - they will need to be registered using the same pre-registration system. This programme won’t run every week so keep an eye out for announcements.
When Adventurers is on, the kids will be in the downstairs service for part of the time with their parents, but will leave for their own programme during the sermon. When they are downstairs, children should remain with their parents at all times and unfortunately will not be allowed to walk/run around without an adult.
With this in mind, we would encourage families with young children to sit in the cafe area.

FACEMASKS

We feel it is important to take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of those attending and we therefore, at this time, are insisting that all attendees should wear a facemask whilst indoors. (Individuals who have a medical condition which would make this difficult will be exempt).
It should be noted that wearing a facemask is for the protection of those around you as much (if not more) as it is for your own protection. Wearing facemasks is also felt to make congregational singing safer.
Therefore everyone should bring a facemask with them. If you don’t have a facemask, both cloth re-usable and disposable masks are widely available in local shops and to order online. (We hope to have a small quantity of disposable facemasks available for visitors or those who forget).
We will ask those sharing in the open time to come up to the lectern at the front, and they will be free to remove their mask while sharing so we can see and hear them.
It should be noted that wearing gloves is not recommended and hand washing or the use of hand sanitiser is more appropriate.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Please be mindful of the current social distancing rules (2m distance where possible, with a minimum of 1m with wearing of facemasks) and ensure that whilst gathering (both indoors and outdoors) that you maintain an appropriate distance from others at all times.
At the end of the service, please leave the building as directed by the stewards and be careful not to block exit pathways by stopping to chat to others indoors.

SHIELDING & SYMPTOMS

The recommendations for those shielding are still in place and do not allow for public indoor meetings. Unfortunately we must therefore advise that anyone in the shielding category should stay at home.
Hopefully it goes without saying that anyone who has a cough, temperature or recent loss of taste or smell should not attend and should self isolate at home.

SHOWING GRACE

We realise that these are strange and difficult times and that many of the restrictions being placed upon us can feel uncomfortable or unfair and may limit the experience of our fellowship together. We are sorry if these detailed instructions seem overly strict, but we believe we must continue to be responsible, obedient to government guidelines, and just as importantly, considerate to others. How we re-open our fellowship together is part of our witness to our local community and is a way in which we can show care for each other.

We recognise that there will be a wide range of views among our members with regards to the current guidelines - from those who feel the risks are very low for them, to those who are vulnerable and perhaps even fearful about being amongst other people again. For example you may not feel it necessary for you to wear a facemask to protect yourself, but doing so may make those around you feel safer. We want everyone to be safe and to feel safe as we meet together, so regardless of your views, please be careful not to make assumptions about what other people might be feeling, and make every effort to adhere to these guidelines. This is a great opportunity for us to practice the gospel and show each other grace.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:2-3)

This is a learning experience for us all and we hope that these guidelines can be progressively relaxed as time goes on. So thank you for your patience, and we look forward to seeing some of you on Sunday!

Grace and peace,

MCF Leadership Team