All Saints Church in Northampton - how will it be different now it's back open

Despite its name, easing is not easy! For churches, the news came last week that we may open for public worship, after a very, very long eucharistic fast.

The news was greeted anxiously by some, for a large part of our nation thinks this is all happening too fast.

Others heard the news with relief, joy, and – dare I say it? – enthusiasm.

‘Let’s get on with it’, wrote one bishop, eagerly anticipating welcoming his people back to their churches.

Many of us have been surprised by the large number who have wanted to make this bold step toward normality.

So what should you expect when going to church? Here’s a few things that you might notice:

1. You might have to tell your priest when you’re coming to church. This is actually an old instruction from the 17th century prayer book, and from a time when they needed to get the bread order right. In the time of preservatives and just-in-time ordering, it’s not so common now, but with limited capacities in all our buildings due to social distancing, we need to know whether we’ll need more services to welcome more people.

For example, All Saints – which normally can hold 950 people, can only take about 30 at a time at the moment.

2. Your church might understandably not be opening for public worship yet. You might want to carry on watching their livestream or reading their resources for prayer at home, but no-one will think any the less of you if that just doesn’t seem enough right now.

Those churches that are opening will try to make sure there’s capacity for visitors, even if they only come until their own church is open.

3. We’d like to know who you are. Churches, like any other organisation, will be working with the support of NHS Track and Trace. If someone gets sick at church, or around the time they’ve been there, we’ll want to tell you so that you can get tested too. That way we can play our part in combatting the virus. Of course, you can say ‘no’ to us holding your details (which we only have to keep for 21 days) and we’ll not stop you from worshipping.

4. There’ll be no singing. Actually, there probably will, because we’re allowed to have a ‘cantor’, doing all the singing for the congregation. But you won’t get a confusing hymn book thrust into your hands.

Just sit back and let the music wash over you. Once you’ve sanitised your hands, of course.

5. Social distancing is still essential, so you won’t have to get too close to your neighbour and there’ll be none of that hugger-mugger handshaking at the Peace. Just make a meaningful look over your (recommended, but not mandatory) face mask, and let that – not your firm handshake – do the talking.

6. The collection plate won’t be going round, and you’ll be invited to donate (and please do if you can, as church finances are seriously suffering everywhere) on a bowl placed somewhere static, or by chip-and-pin, or online. So no more embarrassing moments fishing for your mysteriously missing wallet while simultaneously juggling a hymn book.

In short, it might be disorientating to come back. There might even be some measures mentioned that you’ve longed for in churches.

But many have ached to see the inside of their churches, not because they can’t pray anywhere and everywhere (hint: you really can), but because they long to worship God again in God’s own house.

To all those who are really feeling that right now, I say; Fear not, the time is coming soon.