Monday 13 July 2020

Hello Everyone

This is the first newsletter for a few weeks - mainly because there hasn't been much news to report! 

Everything is OK with the church building and there has been someone there almost every day to do cleaning, maintenance and gardening.  We have continued with the Sunday morning video services and have received some very encouraging comments from far and wide -  so thanks to everyone has taken part.  It has been especially good to see so many of the younger people of our church involved.  Past Sundays are still available on the Acre Mill YouTube channel and most have well over 100 views now.

The Zoom meetings are continuing on Wednesdays(Quiz and Bingo) and Fridays at 7.30pm and on Sundays at 11.30am as a Virtual Coffee Time.  A special thanks to Kimberley for continuing to set the Quiz and to Pauline and her assistants for the Bingo session.

Finally, some good news to report!   The Government recently issued guidelines for the re-opening of churches and this was quickly followed  by further advice from the Baptist Union.  The Deacons have ploughed through these long and complex documents and drawn up a risk assessment relevant our situation at Acre Mill.  The full  risk assessment is available on the church website or by email on request.

We are hoping to open for our first service at 10.30 on Sunday 26 July and a brief guide on safe procedures and practices will be available a few days before that.  National guidance is changing all the time and we are not completely sure what regulations will be in place by 26 July.  If there are any questions, please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

As a "Trial Run" we are having a shortened service on Sunday 19 July at 10.30 with limited numbers to make sure that the measures we have put in place are working properly.  An important task is to establish the number of people that we can seat safely, bearing in mind social distancing rules and the fact that families and those in family 'bubbles' can sit together.  Unfortunately we are not allowed to sing during the service or serve coffee in church afterwards.  However, if you would like to bring your own coffee and biscuits, we are allowed to meet in small groups outside the church afterwards.

If you would like to come to the "Trial Run" on 19 July, please let one of the Deacons know or send me an email or Facebook Message.

Please pray specially for

• Jean Cormack who has had a further operation on her hip and is still in hospital
• All the children who have returned to school and those who haven't been able to
• Teachers and Health Workers
• Older folks and those still shielding
• Shop and service workers as restrictions ease a little

God Bless and Keep Safe

Ben, Terry, Phils B and W, Peter, Jason

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Acre Mill Wednesday Zoom Quiz and Bingo 7.30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87129653919

Acre Mill Friday Night Cafe Zoom 7.30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89022291081

Acre Mill Sunday  Coffee Time Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82419226433