Update, July 20th
We’re delighted that with the removal of legal restrictions we’ll be able to start singing together again during Sunday services.
We recognise that currently infection rates remain high, not everyone will have had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, and that not everyone will yet feel comfortable with large gatherings. So, we are taking some precautions to make sure Sunday worship is available and safe for everyone.
Face Masks for singing
Face masks will not be essential when inside the building. However, the evidence suggests that transmission of the virus is higher during activities such as singing. We strongly recommend that everyone wears a face-mask when singing (obviously if you are exempt from wearing a mask you do not need to).
Hand Sanitiser still available
Hand sanitiser will still be available and, again, we encourage everyone to use this.
No more pre-booking
You no longer need to book in advance – just turn up! But we still recommend that you use the NHS app QR code when you enter the building.
In-Person Focus
We would love to see you in-person at Longmeadow, and the in-person service will be the focus. Zoom will still be available and the livestream will still be broadcast so you can continue to catch-up online. Please do join Zoom from home if you are feeling unwell or have been asked to self-isolate.
After the service
We plan to continue to serve refreshments outside after the service and encourage people to chat outside rather than inside.
Seating arrangements
We are at the start of the summer holidays, with many people away. Therefore, we are not expecting to be full. So, we will have fewer chairs out than pre-pandemic, and they will be more spaced apart. You are now welcome to sit with others, but please be mindful that some people may be nervous about sitting very close together.
Update, April 2nd
Starting Easter Sunday in-person morning services will be starting up again.
We still need to be able to maintain social distancing within the building so booking before coming along is essential to ensure that we can meet safely and within current government guidelines.
We know that not everyone may feel able to return to in-person gatherings yet, and limited numbers may mean not everyone who wants to can attend every week, so services will continue to be broadcast on Zoom and by live-stream.
Book into a morning service here.
Update, January 6th
In-person Sunday afternoon services have now been put on hold.
We are grateful that in the current national lockdown the government are still allowing churches to remain open for worship services.
However we recognise that in Stevenage and the surrounding areas Covid-19 transmission rates are particularly high at present, and likely still on the increase. As a result we don’t think it would be wise to hold physical services for the time being. We will review this situation regularly and seek to restart in-person services when Covid transmission rates fall.
Update, December 1st
The nationwide lockdown is coming to an end on the 2nd December which allows us to restart Sunday afternoon gatherings.
Social distancing and facemasks will still be required within the building, but under the new Tier 2 guidelines socialising in groups of up to 6 is allowed outside - so bring a warm coat and hang around for a chat! 🧥
Book into an afternoon service here.
Update, November 5th
With the nationwide four week lockdown coming into operation today we’re forced to suspend our in person Sunday afternoon gatherings.
We will continue to gather virtually on Sunday mornings, for prayer on Wednesday evenings, and as home groups during the week. If you would like to join any of these meetings then please get in touch. You can also follow us on our YouTube channel.
Update, September 17th
We are now meeting in person at the church building on Sunday afternoons at 4pm.
The Sunday morning live streams are continuing and will still be considered our “main” weekly gatherings, but the afternoons will provide a chance for those who wish to gather in person to do so.
We’re following current government guidance which means social distancing will be observed and face coverings will need to be worn within the building. In order to meet safely there will be a limit on the number of people who can attend and we’ll be running a pre-booking system. Book into an afternoon service here.
Update, June 19th
From this coming Sunday we’ll be live streaming morning our services on YouTube. Head over to our channel at 10:30am each Sunday to join us.
Update, May 11th
Though we’re still unable to meet in-person there are lots of opportunities during the week to see & speak to others, be taught from scripture, encourage each other and pray together. Here’s a run-down of what’s happening currently.
Take A Look…
If video calling is a bit daunting, or if you’d just like to get a see what we’re about, videos of Sunday messages can be found on our YouTube channel, or here on the Audio page.
Join In…
A core part of church is community, and community continues whether or not we can meet in person. We’re making use of Zoom and Jitsi to enable people to see and speak to each other in various sized meetings across the week.
Sundays
Morning: Join us for Church Online with a live streamed meeting followed be separate kids time and sermon Q&A groups
Evening: B³ for young people school years 9 and above has virtual meet-ups every Sunday evening
Wednesdays
2pm: French conversation group
8-8.30pm: Zoom Prayer Meeting
Tuesdays / Wednesdays / Thursdays
Home Groups are meeting virtually at a variety of times to chat, pray and study God’s word
Friday
7.30pm: Straight Up for secondary school age meets online for fun and Bible teaching
To find out how to join in any of these activities drop us a message using our contact form.
Initial Notice
In the light of the recent changes to government guidelines in response to the Coronavirus, we have made a number of decisions regarding church meetings. We want to encourage us all to follow the advice that has been issued, both for our own good and for the benefit of others.
We will not be holding any central meetings at church whilst the current guidelines are in place. This means there will be no morning or evening services at church, and both BRAG and Straight Up will not meet. However, we recognise that we still need to be fed and encouraged in our walk with Jesus, and so we will be recording Sunday messages and making them available here on the church website from Saturday evening. We’ll also be e-mailing out with suggestions of songs that you can listen to and sing along with on YouTube, so that whilst we may not be gathered in the same place, we can be aware that we are worshipping and listening to God’s word together.
We are holding various small virtual gatherings both on Sundays and during the week; to read scripture together, encourage each other, pray together, and just stay in touch with our church family. If you would like to become involved in one of these groups drop us a message using our contact form.
During the week we’ll also be sending out passages of scripture for reflection and suggested prayers to join in. If you are not currently on the church mailing list and would like to receive these or the Sunday song suggestions then subscribe to the “Be Kept Up To Date” mailing list on our contact page.
Here are some helpful online resources to help you get into God’s word during this time
Dwell is an app which helps you to listen to the Bible, and they’re allowing all church members free access for the next 60 days - here’s the Dwell signup for our free ‘LEC Stevenage Group’ membership - https://dwellapp.io/signup/with/o7Mqnr
The Bible Project are also providing great resources for the next few months – here are their details:
“As many churches close their doors to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we want to come alongside them to help you continue to engage Scripture. Starting this week, BibleProject will send a weekly email featuring one of our videos, a special message from Tim, Scripture readings, and discussion questions for your family or small group. Go to tbp.xyz/email to sign up for our email list.”
Also for parents, we currently use the Urban Saints “Energise” material for Adventurers and Ignite, and they are opening that up to all parents to use with their children. There are many different topics to explore, all with activities, crafts, games and so on to help illustrate the truths being explored. If you’d like access to that website drop us a message using our contact form.