Exeter church delighted to welcome people back into its building
An Exeter Church says it is delighted to have opened its doors again for people to come in for its Sunday services, after 6 months of broadcasting online only due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Rediscover Church in Northernhay Street, Exeter have been broadcasting a number of its events and services online for many years, but over lockdown the team switched all of its services to online only broadcasting to a Devon-wide as well as international audience.
The church found that, as well as its regular members engaging weekly with services this way, a number of newcomers have been tuning in online too, including individuals, couples and families discovering church for the first time.
They have also been running online only events including Alpha, which is an opportunity for people to come together on Zoom and discuss the big questions of life. A record number of people have taken part in this course during these last few months.
From September, the team at Rediscover Church have re-opened their building for people to come in and experience the services in person at new times of 9.00am, 10.30am and 12.00pm.
‘Discoveryland’ kids work is also provided in the second service for primary school aged children with games and fun activities each week for them to engage with.
In accordance with government advice, all seats for the services in the building must be booked in advance at www.rediscoverchurch.com/saveaseat and people will be seated in bubbles and socially distanced apart.
In recent weeks, the team have worked hard to make the building Covid-19 secure and a number of health and safety measures are now in place and risk assessments undertaken, all in order to reassure people returning to worship in the building. The changes have achieved the highest assurance ranking by an external auditor.
The church will continue to stream their services live online, recognising that not only will those currently engaged with the church might to join this way, but also by newcomers tuning in might want to see what church is like before they even come in person on a Sunday.
As we enter a new season, people of all ages across Exeter and beyond are being invited to ‘Rediscover Church’ and find out what’s it’s like. Whether joining in person or live online.
Mark Pugh, Lead Pastor of Rediscover Church said,
“The church hasn’t been closed at all during lockdown – only our buildings. These last 6 months have been a really busy time ensuring our large church community have been cared for, as well as encouraged and empowered to help those around them. On top of this we have helped train 200+ churches around the country to make a transition online and it has been so good to see lots of innovation by churches of all sizes. We have run live online programming 7 days a week for months now, but it has been so good to recently reopen the doors of our building and create an opportunity for people to come in person again. Our teams have done a great job making this possible whilst working within all the latest government guidance.”
To book your seat for a Sunday Service or to find out more information about the church visit www.rediscoverchurch.com
