Thank you Maybeth for the following message re Caerlaverock Kirk, (it is addressed to members but also general information for the parish.)

Dear Member

When the Kirk Session feel it is safe to reopen the Church for Sunday worship you will be contacted. Meantime, we are grateful to the Reverend Douglas Irving for putting the weekly service on Youtube. Links to the Services are published weekly on the Kirk’s website www.caerlaverock.church, the Community Association website at www.caerlaverock.org.uk and on their facebook page.

The Kirk Session has decided not to recommence Sunday Services at the Church meantime. The Church of Scotland has produced detailed guidelines on how services can be conducted as safely as possible under current circumstances, and we draw your attention to the points made below, to both reassure and encourage you, when we do reopen:-

  1. You should enter the church by the bell tower door and follow the one-way system in operation.
  2. The congregation will be required to wear face covering at all times when in the church.
  3. All members of the congregation will be required to give their name and a contact phone number when arriving.
  4. You will be required to keep two meters from the minister, elders and other worshippers.
  5. You will be asked to sanitise your hands on entering and leaving the building and should touch as few surfaces as possible.
  6. While music will be played, singing will not be permitted. Hymn books will not be required or available.
  7. The balcony cannot be used.
  8. Online giving is preferred but there will be a collection plate on leaving the building.
  9. Pew bibles will not be available so you should bring a bible with you if you wish.
  10. Tea and coffee will not be served after the service.
  11. The Toilet is available on a ‘one in one out’ basis via the Flower Room.
  12. If you need to leave the building before the end of the service, you should do so by the nearest door.
  13. At the end of the service you should leave using the one-way system, sanitise your hands on the way out and wash your hands when you get home.

There is a maximum of 30 allowed for the service. While large numbers are not expected, if you wish to pre-book a seat please do so by contacting the session clerk. Please consider your own health and condition. If you are considered vulnerable you may wish to delay returning to church till a later date. There are many factors that may make you ‘vulnerable’ including being 70 or over, having a chronic respiratory disease or diabetes (See Church of Scotland Guidelines, Appendix 4 if in doubt).