Caithness churches look forward to welcoming back worshippers as restrictions ease
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Churches in Caithness are preparing to welcome back worshippers this Sunday following the latest easing of restrictions.
The Scottish Government announced on Tuesday that people in all parts of Scotland will be able to attend places of worship in gatherings of up to 50, as long as there is space for physical distancing.
The updated guidance comes into effect on Friday and local ministers have said they are pleased that the news has come in time for Easter. It is hoped restrictions on worship will be further relaxed as the Covid-19 vaccination programme continues.
During the pandemic many churches have used online platforms such as YouTube, Zoom and Facebook to keep worshippers connected in the absence of traditional services.
The Rev Andrew Barrie, minister at Pulteneytown and Thrumster Church, said: "We’re excited to be returning to public worship this weekend. Gathering to worship God is a key part of the Christian faith.
"When we worship, we meet with God and He speaks to us through the message of the Bible. This refreshes us – it’s like a spiritual refuelling for us for the week ahead. We also pray for each other and for our community, for God’s help and blessing for us all.
"We’re also very happy that this has come just before Easter, where we celebrate what we believe is the life-changing news of the events of Jesus's death and resurrection. It’s a message of hope that I think can speak to us all at this time.
"While we are restricted to 50 people attending, anyone is welcome to join us and discover what we believe is truly good news in a bad-news world.
"While I understand the Scottish Government’s caution in this area, I hope that as the vaccination programme continues, they will continue to ease restrictions for worship quickly."
The Rev Matt Alexander, pastor of Wick and Keiss Baptist Church, confirmed that his congregation will be returning to the church building from Palm Sunday (March 28).
"There is a real desire to gather together for worship once again, and we appreciate the opportunity to celebrate the Easter season as a physically gathered community," he said. "We do, however, recognise that some will not yet feel ready or able to attend services in person, so we will be continuing with our online services until such a time as restrictions are fully lifted."
The Rev Heather Stewart, Parish of Latheron, said: "I am delighted that we are able to reopen our church buildings – the prospect of not being together for a second Easter was quite a thought.
"The Parish of Latheron is holding a service on the 28th at 10am in Dunbeath Church and on Easter Sunday at 11.30am in Lybster Church. Our maximum numbers are approximately 22.
"It is important to note that it is up to individual congregations whether they open at this time. Many of our regular attenders will not be attending until the vaccination programme is completed, and that is sensible. We will still miss being able to sing hymns but I am excited at being able to worship within our local communities once again."
Kevin Crowe, an individual who attends St Joachim's Catholic Church in Wick, said: "It is great news that we can once again worship in person and take communion. However, people should continue to stick to the guidelines by wearing masks and keeping their distance.
"Fifty is a maximum and, in order to maintain social distancing, many smaller churches will only be able to accept smaller numbers."
The Western Isles moved to level three on Wednesday but all other council areas will remain at their current levels, with restrictions on non-essential travel across local authority boundaries.
The latest easing was announced on the anniversary of Scotland first entering lockdown, when a National Day of Reflection was observed.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reflected on the loss of life over the past 12 months and thanked health and care workers, public service workers, teachers, local authorities, businesses, community groups and volunteers for their efforts to support the nation through the pandemic.
“The return of collective worship in greater numbers is an important change that I hope will be especially welcomed as we head towards important religious festivals over the next few weeks," Ms Sturgeon said. "That we are in a position for the Western Isles to move to level three reflects their success in reducing transmission in recent weeks.
“I am grateful to everyone who has shown solidarity, compassion and love to one another by sticking to incredibly tough rules and restrictions. By following the rules, all of us have saved lives – we’ve helped keep the virus under control, and helped to create the situation we are now in, where we can now start to plan our route out of lockdown. We know too that the vaccination programme is now reducing deaths, and recent research also gives us confidence that vaccination will reduce transmission rates.
“To lift restrictions in the future, we still need to suppress the virus just now, so please stay within the rules in the coming weeks – stay at home for now, unless for an allowed reason. Do not meet people from other households indoors. And follow the FACTS advice when you are out and about.”
The Scottish Government guidance says two-metre physical distancing and strict hygiene safeguards must be maintained at places of worship, while congregational singing "should continue to be avoided at this time".
- The Scottish Government’s treatment of churches during the pandemic went further than was lawfully allowed, Lord Braid said in a judgment this week at the Court of Session following a challenge by a coalition of faith leaders. The ruling could prevent similar bans on public worship from being imposed in the future. The Scottish Government said it would carefully consider the findings.
