St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church
Owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all Church of Scotland Churches have been asked to suspend all activities and services until further notice. St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church will not be holding any services until advised it is safe to do so.
Update on plans for reopening the Church for worship
The Kirk Session has given careful consideration to when and in what circumstances we will reopen the Church for worship. It is following fully the latest advice from the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Government. Its priority is the safety and good health of everyone who comes to St Nicholas Buccleuch.
We are currently in Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown. Phase 3 has already lasted three weeks and will likely last considerably longer. While it is possible for in-person worship to resume during Phase 3, the Kirk Session has taken into account a number of important considerations.
First is the requirement to observe two metres physical distancing, meaning that there is a restriction on the number of people who could be allowed into the church building. We have calculated that we could accommodate a maximum of twenty people, including the organist and minister and those on duty.
Currently, singing would not be allowed because of the suspected risk of transmission through aerosols produced while singing.
Additionally, we would need to observe additional personal hygiene procedures (using hand sanitiser) and cleaning of the church, especially hand touch areas. In line with Government advice, we would be strongly encouraging everyone to wear a face covering while in the church, and we would need to take contact details of everyone coming to church in order to assist with Test and Protect, should someone attending a service subsequently test positive for Covid-19.
The Kirk Session did not see a problem with enhanced hygiene procedures or taking contact details and, though no one relishes wearing face coverings, the Session accepted that that was a sensible precaution. What gave more cause for concern was the prohibition on singing and the need for there to be two metres in each direction round each chair (or pair of chairs for couples). The Session was most concerned about the possibility that we would not be able to accommodate everyone who might wish to come to church and found the idea of either a booking system or of turning people away quite contrary to the gospel values of welcome and inclusion by which we always seek to live. The Session was also acutely conscious that those over 70 years of age and those who are shielding or have underlying health conditions are being advised either to consider carefully whether to come, or not to come for the time being.
In coming to its decision, the Session was working on the assumption that Phase 4 would be reached by the end of August and that this might include a reduction in the two metre physical distancing requirement. However, the First Minister in Parliament today (30 July) has indicated that Phase 3 may be modified on 24th August and 14th September, but gave no indicative date for the move to Phase 4. On physical distancing, she repeatedly underlined its necessity as various sectors reopen. The only sector in which there may be a reduction to one metre is in public transport.
Although we could reopen during Phase 3, in the light of the considerations outlined above, the Kirk Session decided, on balance, that we should open for worship on 6th September or as soon as possible after we move to Phase 4, whichever is later. Clearly, this date is provisional, and dependent on a number of factors outwith our control.
Although that stands as the decision of the Session as of 29 July when it last met, what we have learned since casts doubt on our ability to keep to it. As further information comes out from the Government, the Session may well wish to review this. We realise that all this uncertainty is unsettling and, to an extent unsatisfactory, but the Session is committed to communicating its thinking and decisions as clearly and quickly as possible to the congregation.
While we are unable to meet, daily prayers and reflections are being provided on YouTube, and can be accessed through the "Online Worship" button below.
The Kirk Session has given careful consideration to when and in what circumstances we will reopen the Church for worship. It is following fully the latest advice from the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Government. Its priority is the safety and good health of everyone who comes to St Nicholas Buccleuch.
We are currently in Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown. Phase 3 has already lasted three weeks and will likely last considerably longer. While it is possible for in-person worship to resume during Phase 3, the Kirk Session has taken into account a number of important considerations.
First is the requirement to observe two metres physical distancing, meaning that there is a restriction on the number of people who could be allowed into the church building. We have calculated that we could accommodate a maximum of twenty people, including the organist and minister and those on duty.
Currently, singing would not be allowed because of the suspected risk of transmission through aerosols produced while singing.
Additionally, we would need to observe additional personal hygiene procedures (using hand sanitiser) and cleaning of the church, especially hand touch areas. In line with Government advice, we would be strongly encouraging everyone to wear a face covering while in the church, and we would need to take contact details of everyone coming to church in order to assist with Test and Protect, should someone attending a service subsequently test positive for Covid-19.
The Kirk Session did not see a problem with enhanced hygiene procedures or taking contact details and, though no one relishes wearing face coverings, the Session accepted that that was a sensible precaution. What gave more cause for concern was the prohibition on singing and the need for there to be two metres in each direction round each chair (or pair of chairs for couples). The Session was most concerned about the possibility that we would not be able to accommodate everyone who might wish to come to church and found the idea of either a booking system or of turning people away quite contrary to the gospel values of welcome and inclusion by which we always seek to live. The Session was also acutely conscious that those over 70 years of age and those who are shielding or have underlying health conditions are being advised either to consider carefully whether to come, or not to come for the time being.
In coming to its decision, the Session was working on the assumption that Phase 4 would be reached by the end of August and that this might include a reduction in the two metre physical distancing requirement. However, the First Minister in Parliament today (30 July) has indicated that Phase 3 may be modified on 24th August and 14th September, but gave no indicative date for the move to Phase 4. On physical distancing, she repeatedly underlined its necessity as various sectors reopen. The only sector in which there may be a reduction to one metre is in public transport.
Although we could reopen during Phase 3, in the light of the considerations outlined above, the Kirk Session decided, on balance, that we should open for worship on 6th September or as soon as possible after we move to Phase 4, whichever is later. Clearly, this date is provisional, and dependent on a number of factors outwith our control.
Although that stands as the decision of the Session as of 29 July when it last met, what we have learned since casts doubt on our ability to keep to it. As further information comes out from the Government, the Session may well wish to review this. We realise that all this uncertainty is unsettling and, to an extent unsatisfactory, but the Session is committed to communicating its thinking and decisions as clearly and quickly as possible to the congregation.
While we are unable to meet, daily prayers and reflections are being provided on YouTube, and can be accessed through the "Online Worship" button below.
St. Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church is a congregation of the Church of Scotland. It is part of the Presbytery of Lothian. The Church of Scotland traces its history from St Ninian, who came to Scotland in 397 AD, through the Scottish Reformation, led by John Knox among others, to the present. It is Presbyterian in government.
There has been a place of Christian worship on this site since at least the 11th Century. The present building, which has undergone many changes, dates from the early 15th Century. This year, 2020, we celebrate the 600th anniversary of our church.
St. Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church is an ancient church with a modern purpose. Set in the heart of Dalkeith, the congregation seeks to serve God and this community in ways relevant to the 21st Century.
You don’t need to sign up to a long list of beliefs to come to church. You don’t need to know all the answers to belong. All you need is a sense of the spiritual dimension of life and a desire to experience it more fully.
All are welcome.
You don’t need to sign up to a long list of beliefs to come to church. You don’t need to know all the answers to belong. All you need is a sense of the spiritual dimension of life and a desire to experience it more fully.
All are welcome.
