Category Archives: News

What do our services look like?

For many weeks churches were closed and all sorts of things have been done to give people the opportunity to worship.

But in July churches were allowed to open, but all manner of constraints as driven by the current situation. Currently we are only able to hold services in Horndon and Orsett due to their lay out accommodating distancing guidance. These are being done on a week about basis. If you would like to attend please see the guidance https://www.hobnob.org.uk/services/upcoming/ and https://www.hobnob.org.uk/news/what-to-expect-at-sunday-services-2020/. If you do not feel able to attend the services are being live streamed and you are more than welcome to join our worship in this way https://hobnob.org.uk/watch.

To give you an idea of what to expect if you comes along here is photograph from the service in Orsett on August 16th

Orsett Church Sunday 16 Aug photo courtesy of Mark Willett

Churchwarden becomes a Grandmother

In all of the current goings on good news is like hen’s teeth.

But Orsett Churchwarden Janet Wilkins has been able to celebrate becoming a grandparent when her son Andrew and his wife Lisa had a daughter Willow Louise.

Andrew has given permission for us to share this picture of Willow with her proud mummy and daddy.

Sue Mann

23rd July 2020

Dear All,
I hope this finds you well. I am hoping that we can  revert to a  slightly amended form of notice sheet after this which will be emailed out and also put on our website and hard copies will be made available for those without a computer.
It was good to see some of you at our Holy Communion Service on Sunday and to share the worship virtually with others of you.
This Sunday the service will be at Horndon at 10am. Please try to let me know if you would like to come to this service so that we can plan accordingly. At the moment we are fine for numbers and, hopefully, this will remain the case  but should there be too many people to accommodate priority will be given to those who were unable to come  last week. 
Thank you for your continued support  for the Foodbank. Needs this week are crisps of all flavours, savoury snacks such as cream crackers and cheese twists, condiments such as tomato sauce, brown sauce and mayonnasie, mashed potato, sponge puddings and nappies, sizes 2,4,5 and 6.
Following the sad news that Hazel Swift died last weekend, we now know that her funeral will be on Thursday 30th July at 3pm at Horndon Church. Because of limited numbers able to attend, for the service and committal it  will be invitation only but  I know that Vanessa and Caroline woud be pleased for people to stand in the road to show their respects before the service and Brands are planning to drive round the main roads in the village prior to the service. Please do hold Vanessa and Caroline in your prayers at this difficult time.
The interment of ashes of Doreen Bartley will take place at Orsett Churchyard on Monday 27th July at 2pm. 
Other prayer needs within the Benefice include Nicola, Steve, Dave, Steve and Steve.
The link to the Diocesan Cycle of prayer for the rest of this month is 
http://click.hobnob.org.uk/ls/click?upn=7zNYsYQ4TytkeQI2qnMH8XVDwriBbuZ7b0PCIzKkN3zX4no2N-2BPGlSni2AI0TxItX9sVebT7a7CXXe-2BsrABqNYysIszFbtslXq-2Ffq7-2FirKY-3DL0bh_feKQ4xWNExwk9uM3ZmfeY-2FIFx35WGm0ujSUt2sL-2FyP90GA0fGBb9NU0KnkW3JvLhjrf6KfEH-2FYbghmPVFPEG8qoB-2Bnr1ZJXXatz-2B28-2Bzx6lZ7j2faMXnLE20mbe8Idlx5nMm5TXTKfneMG-2BRg6DybTrb5H6EB3FBW6NcJzrZZUMm76F9HBfOoN9xHimDmb9BSWLZHNIFtOjk6X2s9hnVfJqnHXr8ru-2FakOBmOOIfxRM-3D
As ever, please do be assured of my prayers for you and please do hold the Wardens, Max and me in your prayers as we negotiate the return to church.
Take care and God bless,
Sue 

What to Expect at Sunday Services

As we begin to reopen our churches, there will be a number of measures and precautions at the church:

Before you come to church:

  • Please try to inform us that you are coming. You can do so via the online form.
  • We advise that you wear a mask.
  • Do not come to church if you or anyone in your household has confirmed or suspected COVID-19, or is otherwise self-isolating.
  • Attending church is the visitor’s decision alone. Those at extra risk and those who are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ should be advised of the risks of attending public worship.

When you arrive at church:

  • You may need to wait in a queue before you can enter. Please observe 2m social distancing.
  • Hand sanitiser will be available at the door.
  • We will register all who attend, and may ask you for additional contact details. (This is so that we can provide details of our visitors to NHS Test and Trace, if requested.)
  • You will be shown to your seat by a sidesperson.
  • Movement around the church will be via a one-way system.

During the service:

  • There will be no singing. (This is because of the potential for increased risk of transmission from aerosol and droplets.)
  • Communion will be completely optional, and only the bread will be distributed.

After the service:

  • There will be no refreshments.
  • You should leave church promptly when the service is over.
  • Take care to remain socially distanced as you leave. This may be overseen by a sidesperson.
  • Again, hand sanitiser will be available at the door.

When you get home: