Quantock Villages Benefice
Welcome to the Quantock Village Benefice which consists of six picturesque parishes; each community and church has its own unique character and rich mix of worship, offering something to satisfy a range of spiritual needs.
Please see the Keep Connected tab for a whole selection of ways to keep busy in body, mind, spirit and worship throughout these extraordinary times.
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Coronavirus – Covid -19 update
In light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice.
Reopening of Churches
The Government has announced that churches may now reopen for private prayer and this I know will be welcome news to many. However, just like schools and shops, there are plans to make and risk assessments to work through so that any reopening can be as safe as possible for all.
Although the Government and Church of England are allowing churches to open, the decision for each individual church is made locally and the Churchwardens and Church Councils in the Benefice are now considering all that is involved with opening the buildings.
We need to think about the cleaning requirements, signage, need for social distancing and provision of hand sanitiser, and the management of these safety measures on an ongoing basis. We also have to consider whether the churches need to have a person on-site while the building is open, and what length of ‘open time’ is achievable and sensible, bearing in mind all of the other factors.
So, there is much to think and pray about, and safety will be crucial in any decision. Please remember that any decision to reopen relates only to private prayer; public worship is not permitted.
The Church Councils will be discussing these issues in the next couple of weeks, and we will keep you posted as decisions are made. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Revd Eleanor or Revd Kate. Thank you for your patience.
Please do keep in contact by phone with people around you and consider how we might help those who feel vulnerable and alone.
Please continue to visit our website and our Facebook Page for regular updates.
The full statement from the Church of England can be read here: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser
Glenys Armstrong tel: 01749 685135 mobile: 07834 514842 email: glenys.armstrong@bathwells.anglican.org
Safeguarding Officers in the Benefice:
Parish Safeguarding Officers in the Benefice:
Aisholt: Peter Baker tel: 01278 671311 email: pete.baker6@btopenworld.com
Goathurst: Brenda Smith tel: 07790 825207 email: gsafeguarding@gmail.com
Enmore: Debbie Coles tel: 01278 671779 email: coles.bellevue@hotmail.co.uk
Nether Stowey: Gerry Wright tel: 01278 734 584 email: NSsafeguarding@gmail.com
Over Stowey: Peter Higginson tel: 01278 732102 email: OSsafeguarding@gmail.com
Spaxton: Mel Moore tel: 07799802240 email: melmoorejjsg@gmail.com
For further information regarding safeguarding and to view the full safeguarding policy please see the safeguarding button at the bottom of the page.