Information re. HCCA Services and Activities
During the current situation in Britain and around the world with the COVID-19 strain of Coronavirus we are following advice from the Government and Baptist Union of Great Britain (Baptists Together). The Minister and Elders (Leadership Team) of the church will be monitoring and reviewing the situation regularly, following advice from the Baptist Union.
INFO REVIEWED: 02/09/2020
The Government has announced that places of worship may re-open for public worship from 4th July, with a series of restrictions including limited numbers, social distancing, track-and-trace booking systems and no singing.
Based on the nature of these restrictions, our Sunday services will remain online for the time being.
From mid-September, we will begin one short, reflective communion service per week, prioritising those who do not have online access. For more information, please contact the office.
Baptisms, weddings and funerals may now take place in our building, with a maximum of 30 attendees. Contact Rev. Lee Jennings for more information.
The Leadership Team are reviewing this guidance, along with guidance from the Baptist Union and the Evangelical Alliance. A decision as to when we will resume services in our building, along with details of how to attend will be communicated to the church members and posted on this page.
INFO REVIEWED: 28/05/2020
As the Prime Minister announced lock down on 23rd March, please do not come to HCCA for any reason (including those who hold keys). The building will remain closed.
The Government’s Plan, released on 11/05/20 suggests places of worship may be able to reopen, no earlier than 4th July, if the 5 criteria set by the Government are met. We will follow Baptist Union advice and post updates here. The building will not reopen until the Leadership Team are satisfied we can do so with adequate social distancing and everyone’s safety in mind. The building will also be cleaned and all equipment tested before re-opening. Details of any re-opening after 4th July will be posted here.
All activities of Hope Community Church Aintree are suspended.
This includes Sunday services, all midweek activities, Small Groups, Missional Communities, Café Hope and all external hirers until further notice.
Aintree Village Food Bank will still be available for those in need. Drop in (no appointment necessary) 11:30am – 2pm. Click here for more information.
We do not currently need any donations for Food Bank. Thank you.
Please do not come to HCCA (including those who hold keys).
We will be holding Sunday Services online. Details of all our online services and ways of connecting can be found by clicking here.
Please click here to contact Pastor Lee in the case of bereavement or funeral needs.
On 23rd March 2020, The Prime Minister announced that no one may leave their homes, except for:
- Shopping for basic necessities
- Once a day for one form of excersize, alone or with one person.
- Any medical need or to care for a vulnerable person
- Travel to and from work, only if absolutely necessary.
A comment from Pastor Lee:
We do not want to add to media scaremongering or cause panic, however, we must all recognise that many in our church and community of Aintree Village who use our building during the week are in age brackets considered at risk, or have underlying health conditions. As such, please respect and follow the guidance above out of love for one another. In the Bible, St. Paul (writing about whether to eat meat or not), offers a very important principle, which we can apply to this situation:
“Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.
(v20) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
(Romans 14 v 13b – 15, v20 – 21).
Whereas St. Paul is talking about eating certain foods, the principle can be taken that even if we think we’re OK to meet, if we feel our hands are clean, we feel healthy and like hugs and handshakes – for this short season, we should avoid gathering for services or groups, doing so out of love for one another in church and Aintree Village.
Being aware of many who are elderly or at risk in Aintree Village, please be mindful to look out for and assist those in the community who may be isolating to protect their health. A phone call to say hello and check how people are goes a long way. Please ensure you follow the advice of the Prime Minister and remain in your homes as per the guidance given on 23rd March (above).
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Rev. Lee Jennings.