Following the government's announcement that places of worship can re-open from this weekend for congregational services, churches in Peasedown St John, Wellow and Foxcote have released details of their opening schedules.

St John's Church Peasedown, St Julian's Church Wellow and St James' Church Foxcote, have all been closed since mid-March, with most of their weekly activities either suspended or moved online.

Leader of all three churches, known collectively as the St J's Group Benefice, Revd Matthew Street, said: "It will be great to welcome back members of our three congregations for worship this Sunday.

"Things will not be the same as before though as we will need to have strict safety measures in place to ensure that the spread of the coronavirus is kept to an absolute minimum."

St John's Peasedown has created a new booking system, where those wishing to attend church will need to reserve a seat in advance.

Despite the church being Peasedown's biggest indoor venue with a capacity of 250 people, the church can only allow 34 parishioners to attend – ensuring social distancing guidelines can be adhered to.

"We will have to carefully observe social distancing rules at all times and be mindful to wash our hands before we enter our church buildings and again when we leave", added Matthew. "Unfortunately, we will not be able to sing as singing vastly increases the possibility of spreading the corona virus and we will not initially be offering refreshments at the end of the service or taking collections."

Churches in Wellow and Foxcote will not be using a booking system.

There will be some people who for a variety of reasons will still feel uncomfortable about returning to Sunday Worship in church. For these people and for others who cannot make a particular Sunday, Revd Street and his team are planning on continuing with their 'Sunday Supplement Video News Bulletins' until at least the beginning of September.

The benefice's services on Sunday 5th July will be:

St. Julian's Church Wellow at 10am

St. James' Church Foxcote at 11.15am

St. John's Church Peasedown at 4.30pm (45 minutes in length, booking in advance required, Sunday School available). The time will alternate every week between 10.30am – 4.30pm.

For details about the three churches in the St J's Group Benefice visit www.stjsgroup.church, or contact the Operations Manager Rob Bubyer by emailing [email protected] or calling 07973 972018.