Dear Friends,

We held our first service back in the church building on Thursday 10^th September when 18 people came along.   All went well.  While it was strange to be wearing masks and be separated by 2 metres, it was nevertheless really good to be back.

Our next service will be on Thursday September 17^th at 10.30 am and after that we will be worshipping every Sunday at 10.30 am.

We have estimated that the sanctuary can accommodate 45 people with social distancing measures in place, depending on how many people attend individually or in family groups.  In light of this, we have introduced a pre-registration booking system.

The worship will be a normal service, other than the fact that there will not be any singing, which means it will be shorter than normal at around 30 – 40 minutes.    The church will be thoroughly cleaned before every service.  It is important to stress that it is up to individuals as to whether or not they wish to attend, but should someone have an underlying health condition or showing any symptoms relating to Covid 19, they should not attend church.  Children are welcome to attend and sit in their family groups.

The online worship services provided by the Aberdeen West ministers are planned to continue until the end of October, when they will be reviewed.

I would like to thank everyone for their continuing generosity in continuing to support the work of the church financially.   We continue to expect a large deficit at the end of the year, perhaps in the region of £20,000.

Please note that the church office will continue to be closed and so do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.  Please also get in touch if you have any pastoral needs or know of someone who does, and I will be happy to give them a phone call.

With all best wishes

John Ferguson

What Can I Expect When I Return to Church?

We have outlined below how we shall have to operate to comply with the Church of Scotland regulations, which have been set out to conform with the Scottish Government requirements.

• A maximum of 45 people will be allowed in the church to ensure we maintain safe physical distancing. This number includes the minister, stewards, organist and projector operator. This figure may be less, it depends on how many people attend individually and in family groups.
• Due to the restriction on numbers in the church you will have to reserve a place for Sunday services. This can be done by telephoning the Church Office on 01224 735845 or emailing secretary@culterkirk.co.uk by Friday at 12 noon. If there is no place available for the next Sunday, you will be placed on the reservations list for the following Sunday.  If there is no answer on the office phone, please leave a message.
• Names and contact numbers will be recorded and retained for 28 days for Test and Protect requirements. All data will be held in accordance with date protection laws and destroyed after the 28 day period.
• We are asking that you please wear a face mask or face covering in the church – this is mandatory.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands before entering and on leaving the church.
• You may have to queue along the front of the church, maintaining physical distancing before being invited to enter.
• The doors will be remaining open until the service starts to reduce touch points.
• You will be shown to your seat to ensure physical distancing and all seats will have been sanitised before the service.
• Please remain in your allocated seat and, at the end of the service, please remain seated until a steward indicates you may leave
• There will be no singing.
• All bibles and hymn books have been removed from the chairs.
• A collection plate will be available at the door as you enter.
• There will be no teas/coffees following the service.