PLYMPTON TEAM MINISTRY

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update July 2021

On Sundays there is a Eucharist at St Mary’s church at 9.30 am and at St Maurice church at 11.00 am.

On Wednesdays there is a Eucharist at St Maurice church at 10.00 am

Private prayer will be held at St Mary’s on Wednesdays between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm, and at St Maurice on Saturdays between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon.

In response to the Government’s decision to move to step 4 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown from 19^th July, the following has been agreed in our churches.

You must not attend church if you have any Covid-related symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
The option to check in for NHS Test & Trace will continue to be made available either with the stewards or using the NHS Covid app
Hand sanitiser should be used on entering and leaving church, and before receiving Communion.
The wearing of face coverings is no longer compulsory, however we strongly encourage you to continue to wear a mask, for the consideration of everyone within the church. At the very least, we would ask that you always wear your mask when moving around the church, when coming forward for Communion and whilst singing.
Singing by the congregation is now allowed but we would request that you wear a mask when doing so.
Although social distancing is no longer compulsory, please think of others when seating yourself and check that anyone sitting in the same pew is comfortable with the distance between you. Both churches are operating at a lower maximum capacity than usual, and alternate pews remain closed.
Communion will continue to be administered in one kind only i.e. just the bread

Please pray for the leaders of our Team Ministry as they continue to seek to implement the latest advice from the Government and the National Church.

Access to online services and reflections can be made through our Facebook page, St Mary’s Church Plympton, or through our YouTube channel, The Plympton Team Ministry – St Mary & St Maurice. If you wish to join us for our ZOOM service each Sunday at 10.00 am, please email the Team Administrator – plymptonteamministry@gmail.com who will be pleased to provide you with the link.

The latest advice for churches can be viewed by following this link: www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches

For urgent pastoral matters, please telephone 01752 658762, for other queries, please email plymptonteamministry@gmail.com

The Plympton Foodbank is now operational and supporting households in need in Plympton. Donations of non-perishable items can be left at St Mary’s church hall on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Table Top Sales – St Mary’s Church Hall

Held on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 1.00pm. Tables are available to rent and cost £7. To book, please contact Marcia on 01752 335541. Next date: 2nd October 2021

St Mary’s Churchyard – information regarding Memorials and Tributes

St Mary’s Churchyard is used and appreciated by many people. For some it is a place to find peace and stillness; for others a place to enjoy the beauty of the trees and wildlife; most importantly, it is somewhere for people to remember their loved ones.

We have a team of dedicated volunteers who strive to maintain the churchyard for the benefit of all. However, they need your help. It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the Churchyard because of the large number of unauthorised vases, ornaments, and artificial flowers. These are leading to a growing number of complaints from the volunteers who maintain the Churchyard and from other Churchyard users.

Please follow the Diocesan regulations, especially concerning flowers and ornaments. These are intended to ensure that the churchyard remains a pleasant environment for all users. Compliance with the Churchyard Regulations is a legal requirement.

REGULATIONS APPLYING TO THE WHOLE CHURCHYARD

No artificial flowers may be placed in the Churchyard. The exceptions are remembrance poppies/crosses which must be removed by 1st December and Christmas Wreathes which must be removed by 6th January.
No ornaments, except a vase (where authorised) may be placed in the churchyard.
All dead and wilted flowers must be removed from any grave you are tending.
No glass vases or jam jars may be used as these present a safety hazard.

REGULATIONS APPLYING TO CREMATION PLOT 4

This area is on the West side of the church between the drive and Market Road. The Diocese of Exeter introduced additional regulations when authorising this area.

No vases, containers or ornaments of any kind are permitted in this area.
Natural flowers may be laid upon the memorial tablets. These should be removed from any cellophane or other plastic wrapping.
A wreath or arrangement of flowers may be placed upon the memorial plaque to commemorate birthdays and at Christmas. These must be removed after two weeks.

We regret that any objects which fall outside the regulations will be removed. They may be collected from the bank adjacent to the machinery store. Unclaimed objects will be disposed of after one month.

Thank you for your help and cooperation.

The Churchwardens.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

If you have a concern about the safety of someone or the actions of someone working with children or vulnerable adults, please speak to someone.

The Parish Safeguarding representative for Plympton St Mary’s is Mr Sam Snelling who can be contacted by telephone 07484 370905 or email: safeguarding.plymptonstmarys@gmail.com
The Diocesan Safeguarding Team’s contact details can be found at – https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/safeguarding/safeguarding-team/ The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Charles Pitman, telephone: 01392 345909
If you are a young person and you feel unhappy about something happening to you, you can call Childline on 0800 11 11
Other support agencies include:

Plymouth Children’s Services 01752 308600
Out of hours 01752 346784

Plymouth Adult Services 01752 668000
Out of hours: 01752 346984

Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service 01752 252033

Rape crisis 0808 802 9999

NSPCC 0800 389 5344

Childline http://www.childline.org.uk 0800 1111

The Parochial Church Council has formally adopted and fully implements the Church of England and Exeter Diocesan Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Adults published October 2017.

A link to the policy can be found here: Diocesan-Safeguarding-Policy-Statement-2017 (3)

Any applicant wishing to help or work with any of our church groups, whether paid or voluntary, may be asked to agree to an Enhanced Plus check with the National Disclosure & Barring Service