COVID-19 RESPONSE
UPDATE: In Person Meetings Postponed – Click “More Info” below to find out more
Frequently Asked Questions
When will we be physically meeting again for Sunday morning services?
On Sunday 27th June, we will be fully restarting our in-person Sunday morning services in all of our locations. We will be updating you closer to the time as to what those services will look like, and whether you will need to pre-register for them.
In the meantime, we are running our Sunday morning services online and Kids Church (for Primary School ages) is running in-person on Sunday mornings. You can read more about this by clicking on the Kids Church FAQs
Is there anything I can attend between now and the end of June?
Yes. As well as a large amount of online content, there are a number of smaller gatherings (prayer meetings, worship nights) taking place in all of our locations. Keep an eye out for emails and on social media for local congregational updates. You can also keep up to date with Family Church events here.
How do Government restrictions affect the smaller gatherings we are currently running?
Places of worship have specific guidance to follow at this time, including guidance around social distancing. There is no maximum limit on the number of people who may attend a place of worship for the majority of gatherings/services – this is subject to the capacity of the building.
Can I socialise with people at these gatherings?
Currently, you cannot interact with anyone outside of your household or support bubble at these gatherings.
Can we sing at these gatherings?
In keeping with current government guidelines, whilst our worship teams are able to sing and lead worship (in a safe way, following specific guidance), congregational singing is not currently taking place at our gatherings.
Do I need to wear a face covering at these gatherings?
Yes. Wearing a face covering in places of worship is currently mandatory by law. There are a few exemptions to this ruling, which you can find here. This exemption includes those who are leading the service/gathering.
Do I need to register for these gatherings?
Yes, due to reduced capacity we are running a booking system for all of our gatherings. You can book for any event by clicking here.
What is available for the Youth?
Momentum Youth are meeting in-person in all of our locations on Friday evenings. Contact your local congregation for further information. Momentum Summer Camp will also be going ahead on 16th-20th August. Click here to register for Summer Camp.
What is currently available for my children?
Kids Church (for Primary School ages) is running in-person on Sunday mornings. Please see more details by clicking on the Kids Church FAQs. For children who would normally attend our Little Stars, Rising Stars or All Stars groups, our team will continue to send out weekly emails with kids church materials that parents/carers can do with their children and there continues to be a weekly ‘Kids Church at Home’ session that runs on Zoom each Sunday at 3pm. For further details, email [email protected]
Are Connect Groups still running?
Yes. We have lots of Connect Groups running in all of our locations on a weekly basis. You can find a full list of our Connect Groups here.
Can my Connect Group meet in a home?
Under current Government guidance, indoor household mixing is not allowed. As we progress through the Government’s ‘roadmap’ of restrictions being eased (see summary here), more outdoor and indoor social interaction will be permissible, and most Connect Groups will begin to meet in-person again.
What about our community initiatives?
We will be looking to restart our community initiatives (such as Tots & Toys, Community Dinner, Messy Church, etc.) later in the year. In the meantime we will continue to support people through phone calls, food hampers, meals, family support, online content, etc.
I am finding this time extremely difficult and need some support. Is there anyone I can speak to?
You don’t have to do this journey alone! If you need support, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or phoning 0300 302 0090 (our Portsmouth office will then put you in touch with someone local to you).
What is currently available in-person for my child?
Kids Church (for Primary School ages), and in some locations Ignition (yr 7-9), is running in-person on Sunday mornings.
Currently Kids Church is open to primary school aged children and we will look to expand the age groups to include pre-school children as soon as possible.
Why have we started by regathering the children first on Sunday mornings?
There are a few reasons for making this decision. As a church leadership, we feel that over the past year, the age group in church who have missed out the most are the children and young people. This is despite the fact that our kids and youth teams have provided amazing resources and opportunities for our children to connect!
What is driving us is this statement that Jesus made: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14). We want to do everything within our power to help our children and young people grow their relationship with Jesus.
When will the adults regather?
On Sunday 27th June, we will be fully restarting our in-person Sunday morning services in all of our locations. We will be updating you closer to the time as to what those services will look like, and whether you will need to pre-register for them.
In the meantime, our Sunday morning online service will continue to be broadcasted live at 10:30am, and there continues to be plenty of other online content and in-person gatherings across our locations (outside of Sunday mornings). You can keep up to date with all Family Church events here.
Is it safe to run Kids Church?
Family Church will be following Government guidance in order to run childrens and youth activities safely. You can read through the guidance here. The Government has also produced guidance for parents and carers of children attending ‘out of schools settings’ which you can find here.
What kind of measures are in place to ensure the safety of children and the Kids Church team?
We are following all of the current Government guidelines. Currently, this includes, for example:
- Children using hand sanitiser or washing their hands as soon as they arrive and have been registered into Kid’s Church.
- Social distancing measures.
- All workers wearing visors throughout the event.
Will the children be in ‘bubbles’ like at school?
Yes. For now, Kids Church (and the specific groups your child may be used to attending) looks a little different to normal. Kids Church groups will be run in groups of a maximum of 15 children (plus any staff/volunteer leaders) that effectively become a ‘bubble’.
Are parents/carers still being sent weekly Kids Church activities to do at home if they can’t access Kids Church at their location?
Yes. For children who would normally attend our Little Stars, Rising Stars or All Stars groups, our team will continue to send out weekly emails with kids church materials that parents/carers can do with their children and there continues to be a weekly ‘Kids Church at Home’ session that runs on Zoom each Sunday at 3pm. For further details, email [email protected]