Dear members and friends of Burniston Methodist church,

I am sorry to announce that following the UK Government decision to move Scarborough into tier 3, with immediate effect we will be suspending the current live bookable morning service and reverting to a live stream service only. This decision has not been taken lightly. Although corporate worship is allowed even in tier 4, at a meeting of all the District’s superintendents together with the Chair, a strong recommendation was made that in the event of any area being moved into tier 3, corporate worship in Methodist churches in those areas should cease. The circuit leadership team (of which I am a member) adopted this recommendation and on the 27th of November Graham Morgan sent a message to church stewards saying that should Scarborough be moved to tier 3 it was the strong recommendation of the CLT that corporate worship be discontinued.

On the 28th of December we had a steward’s meeting as we could see the direction in which government thinking was going. The overall feeling was that there was a strong desire to continue with and provide communal worship for anyone in this way. I therefore wrote to both the District Chair and to our Superintendent, noting that since their November communications tier 4 had been added and asked if the November recommendations stood. The reply was yes and on the 30th of December, soon after the government announced that we were moving into tier 3, a further email came out again strongly recommending discontinuance of our corporate worship.

The stewards hold differing views, some noting that worship is legally provided for in the regulations, and they would therefore like to continue. However, and not without considerable pain, the conclusion has been reached that to continue corporate worship would place Burniston, and me in particular as your minister, in a difficult position within our Circuit and District. In addition there is the desire that solidarity with others should be maintained, not just in Methodism locally but with other businesses which have been forced to close.

I am sorry for the hurt and disappointment this change will bring to many of our members; I know we all look forward to a time when we can worship vibrantly together again free from any restrictions.

God bless you all and I do pray that 2021 will soon become a far happier New Year than 2020 has been.

John Hartley

This is an update to let you know that the Stewards have agreed to continue to open the Church building for services in the new year (for limited numbers in a Covid safe way). As with our first service before Christmas, those wishing to attend any future Sunday services will need to book by 7pm the Wednesday beforehand. We will continue to live-stream video of all services for those unable to attend in person.

Keeping the church building open for services will be subject to all Government guidance and the guidance of the Methodist Church. Currently the Methodist District and Circuit have recommended that Churches close in Tier 3 areas, so a change in Tier for our area might prompt us to close again, however we are in dialogue with the Circuit and District about how any changes might affect us.

Our next service is at 11.00am on Sunday 3rd January 2010. We hope you can join us, either online or in person.

Please book today if you would like to attend our next service in person:

• Ring our booking secretary Gwen Hawes on 01723 870166
• Email bookings@burnistonchurch.org.uk

While we are very limited in what we can do, we will try and keep services short and family-friendly. Families will be seated at tables, with activity sheets for any children.

Please keep in mind the following requirements for those attending services (those over 70 and other clinically vulnerable groups are advised not to attend):

• Anyone displaying any symptoms of COVID or who has been in contact with anyone displaying symptoms should not attend.
• Facemasks are required for adults and children over 11 years.
• Social distancing of 2m at all times (except from same household).
• Children should remain with a parent or guardian at all times
• Please follow instructions and markings for entry and exit of the building.
• The heating system does not provide ventilation and will not be switched on (so bring warm clothing).
• When the service ends, attendees must leave the building promptly. Formal or informal gatherings (including in the car park) are not permitted.

We realise that it is very frustrating to have all these restrictions, but we are determined to do the right things to keep everyone safe. Nevertheless, after a long and difficult year, we are thankful to have the opportunity to worship together again.