News from St John's

On June 22 2021, the Scottish Government announced that the whole of Scotland would move to Level 0 of the Covid-19 restrictions with some modifications.  This was confirmed by the First Minister on Wednesday, 14 July 2021.

For churches, including St John's, this means that the distance between household groups will reduce from 2 metres to 1 metre and that congregational singing is now allowed.  Those attending church must continue to were face coverings, even when singing.  The numbers able to attend a wedding or funeral was also increased to a maximum of 200, although the actual number able to be accommodated will be much less than this.

At an emergency meeting, held on Saturday 16 July 2021, the Kirk Session approved a new seating plan which takes the reduced distancing requirement into account.  A revised Risk Assessment was also approved.  Both documents were sent to Presbytery and confirmation of Presbytery approval was received on Monday 19 July 2021, in time for the new procedures to be applied to attendance at a funeral to be held in the church on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

Sunday Services

Up to now, Sunday services had been pre-recorded using contributions from the minister and others and archive recordings of congregational hymns from the past 6 years.  As of Sunday 25 July 2021, the actual service will be recorded as it happens and the resulting recording uploaded to the website as soon as is practicable afterwards.  CDs, will also be prepared and delivered as quickly as can be managed.  Work will shortly be started on upgrading our AV system which will allow for video recordings of the service to be made.  When this work is completed, the uploaded recording will revert to video format.

Booking a place at a Sunday Service

If you wish to attend a Sunday morning worship service, you must book a place for yourself and any others in your household who will accompany you.

During the week before the Sunday service you wish to attend and no later than noon on the Friday, phone or text the Registrar on 07751 962 414.

If your call is answered, and there is space, you will be asked for your name, the number of people who will be attending and a contact phone number (or your full address, if you do not have a phone). If there is no answer, please leave your name and contact details and we will get back to you.

If we are unable to accommodate you for the upcoming service, you may, if space allows, be offered a place at the service for the following week.

If you need to cancel your booking for any reason, especially including where you, or any of your household develop Covid-19 symptoms after booking, you must inform the Registrar immediately, by phone.