2020

News from local churches and brief CTSD council meeting notes & links; this page has been edited following maintenance and upgrade in September 2021

See also our Facebook page for Hope4Spalding which has continued to repost many church online or livestream services, news and more throughout this year

Church services in December: includes links for carol, crib and nativity services, Midnight Mass and other services through Advent to Christmas Day

Christmas services: our comprehensive, chronological, ecumenical listing of church services across the area included drive-in carol services; all services are dependent on Government guidelines and regulations (18/11, 27/11, 21/12, 26/12)
Update 21 December: services continue as planned (
CofE website)

Spalding churches open for private prayer from 5 November - some offering services online (updated 5 November):

Broad Street Methodist (FB): 10:00am: Sunday morning digital service online
Calvary Baptist (FB): 10:30am: Sunday services continue online
Lighthouse (FB): Sunday worship and midweek devotions continue online
Spalding Baptist (FB): Sunday services and prayer meetings continue online
Spalding United Reformed Church (FB): Sunday mornings tba
St John the Baptist (FB - public; FB - private group): Sundays online, details awaited
St Mary & St Nicolas (FB): daily for prayer; Sunday & midweek services continue online
The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert (FB): various dates and times with some Masses livestream
St Paul's (FB): online details awaited

Timeline of local developments around Spalding webpage

Wednesday 30 December: CofE update following Tier 4 changes

The Government has announced a formal tiering review, whereby more areas have been elevated to tiers 4 and 3. The guidance for places of worship within tiers has not changed at this time, and public worship may continue in all tiers, in line with the Government guidance and advice; more detail on CofE website

Thursday 26 November: Tier 3 update
via St Mary & St Nicolas, 26/11:
The Health Secretary has announced that all of Lincolnshire will be in Tier 3. This is the guidance from the government "places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events"
This confirms that we will resume Sunday worship on 6 December. We will, though, need to ask people not to socialise after church.

Monday 23 November: New government guidance from 2 December
via St Mary & St Nicolas, 23/11:
'The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has welcomed the publication of the Government's Covid-19 Winter Plan, detailing that places of worship will be permitted to reopen for public worship from 2nd December.
Bishop Sarah, who Chairs the Church of England's Recovery Group, said: "We are encouraged by the confirmation that places of worship will soon be able to reopen for public worship in all tiers and in all parts of the country.
"Churches and cathedrals can now approach Advent and Christmas with more certainty; a time when we know many people will look forward to attending services celebrating the birth of Jesus.
"We await more detailed guidance and will update our own advice once this is published." CofE website

Saturday 31 October: New government guidance from 5 November
Places of Worship will be closed, unless they are being used for:* Funerals* To broadcast acts of worship* Individual prayer
* Formal childcare or where part of a school
* Essential voluntary and public services, such as blood donation or food banks
* Other exempted activities such as some support groups
Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, and it is advised that only close friends and family attend. Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Anyone working is not included. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble

Church re-openings in Spalding for worship services to October (updated 24, 25, 28, 30 June, 4, 5, 9, 12, 16, 18 July, 21, 30 August):

Changes to government restrictions allowed churches to open for worship in July - until 5 November (see right); please check with individual churches for latest details:

Broad Street Methodist (FB): digital services from 28/6, church open 5/7
Calvary Baptist (FB): Sunday services continue online, doors open 12/7
Friends Meeting House (Quakers): doors open 12/7
Harvest Church (FB): services continue online (21/8)
Lighthouse (FB): phased re-opening (started 5/7), advance booking for two services with music and sung worship from 6/9: 9:00am (for vulnerable) and 11:30am (for families); Sunday worship livestream online during transition
South Holland Community Church (FB - private group): ceased meeting at Ayscoughfee Hall school
Spalding Baptist (FB): date awaited; Sunday services continue online
Spalding United Reformed Church (FB): church open for public worship on 19/7
St John the Baptist (FB - public; FB - private group): 10:00am service from 12/7, with plans to livestream via Zoom and later add the service to their YouTube page
St Mary & St Nicolas (FB): 10:30am service from 5 July, readings and sermon available online
The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert (FB): Mass in church from 4 July - book places in advance direct with the church; Sunday & midweek Mass continue online
St Paul's (FB): 9:15am service from 19/7

All apologies for errors or omissions; please check with individual churches for latest changes

Government website - detail for weddings and funerals
Monday 28 September: New government guidance came into law today; there is no change to the number of people who can attend Sunday morning worship which is limited by the capacity of the building with social distancing.
For funerals there can be 30 people For weddings the limit is 15 people For christenings it is 6 people.These numbers do not include the church "staff", like the vicar or the organist.
Wedding blessings, renewal of vows, memorial services, burial of ashes and other so-called "life events" are all limited to 6 people
With thanks to St Mary & St Nicolas

Sunday 20 September, 7:00pm: Lincolnshire remembers - an online service organised by CTAL and accessed on the day through Alive, remembering the human impact of Covid; watch again via CTAL

Sunday 6 September: Rev Evan McWilliams first Sunday on placement to St John's

Church re-openings in Spalding for private prayer (updated 15, 17, 18, 24, 25, 28, 30 June, 16, 18 July):

Following government guidelines, some churches are opening their doors midweek for personal, private prayer; please check with individual churches for latest details:

Broad Street Methodist (FB): Sunday mornings (30/6)Calvary Baptist (FB): midweek date awaited, Sunday services continue online
Lighthouse (FB): date awaited; Sunday worship and midweek devotions continue online
Spalding Baptist (FB): date awaited; Sunday services and prayer meetings continue online
Spalding United Reformed Church (FB): open for private prayer Sunday mornings from 21/6
St John the Baptist (FB - public; FB - private group): weekends, various hours; Sunday services continue online
St Mary & St Nicolas (FB): daily from 22/6; Sunday & midweek services continue online
The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert (FB): various dates and times (25/6); Sunday & midweek Mass continue online

Churches in surrounding towns and villages re-openings for private prayer or services (updated 15, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29 June, 1, 4, 6, 14, 15, 16, 18, 29, 31 July, 5, 6, 7, 30 August, 6, 10, 17 September, 3, 8, 17, 20 October); please check latest details direct with the church, especially with regard to changes on 5 November:

Baston, Langtoft & Thurlby - The Ness Group (FB): all three churches from w/c 6/7, various days & times, opening Sundays from 9/8
Crowland Abbey (FB): open 1-3pm Wednesdays for private prayer and heritage visitors; Sundays 7:45am, 11:00am services, safe distancing; services available on Zoom, further details from the vicar
Deeping St Nicholas: 'Sunday service 9:30am, open daily, safe distancing applies'
Fleet Baptist: Sunday service from 6/9
Gosberton Baptist (FB): Sunday service from 16/8
Gosberton, Gosberton Clough Methodist: Sept/Oct (Circuit website)
Gosberton (FB), Gosberton Clough (FB) & Quadring (FB) The Gosberton Group: open daily for private prayer and for services from 5/7
Old Roman Catholic Church, Gosberton (FB)
Holy Trinity, Gedney Hill service on 26/7
St Polycarp's, 2/8
Long Sutton St Mary (FB): private prayer from 18/6, services from 5/7
Long Sutton Baptist (FB): from 4/10; Sunday services continue online
Market Deeping: St Guthlac's (FB): daily for private prayer from 15/6, various times; open for daily services starting with Evening Prayer on Sunday 5/7
Deeping St James (FB): from 15/6, Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays for private prayer; update 18/7: Sundays 10am service plus Wednesday & Saturday for private prayer, 10-3
Open Door Baptist church Deeping St James (FB): services online
Deepings Methodist (Circuit) (FB): services online
Pinchbeck Baptist (FB): re-opening 16/8, services from 13/9
Pinchbeck (FB), Surfleet (FB) & West Pinchbeck (FB) The Glen Group: Surfleet open various times, usually Tuesdays & Fridays for private prayer (23/6); benefice service in St Mary's at 11am from 2/8, then moving around the group from 6/9 (Surfleet)
Moulton, Whaplode (FB): Moulton open from 15/6, midweek, various hours and days for private prayer, opening for public worship from 12/7
Ringstone in Aveland Group (FB), Morton & Rippingale, various days & times for private prayer, opening various Sundays for public worship in August
Sutterton, St Mary's (FB): open for private prayer Wednesdays & Sundays (18/7). Sunday services continue on Zoom; further details from the church
Sutton Bridge St Matthew's (FB): Wednesdays & Sundays 10-12 for private prayer (from 21/6) and services from 5/7
Sutton St James - Baptist (FB): from 27/9 - [further] delayed due to power supply - reopening on 18/10; services and more continue online after reopening

Church services pattern over recent weeks (to 1/6); see also July, August, September
Daily: devotions from Lighthouse church - reduced to Tuesday & Thursday in August
Almost daily: Mass from St Norbert's, livestream
Monday: morning prayer from All Saints Moulton/St Mary's Whaplode* (* until 19/8)
Wednesday: midweek reflections from St Mary & St Nicolas; morning prayer from All Saints Moulton/St Mary's Whaplode* (* until 19/8)
Friday: Midday prayers via Zoom led by Sutton St James Baptist Church (most weeks)
Sunday: Services, reflections, livestream and pre-recorded

See also our Hope4Spalding Facebook page

Many Methodist churches resumed public worship in recent weeks, some weekly, some fortnightly, some on Sundays, some on other days; local arrangements and details from the South Holland Methodist Circuit (updated for October) (5/10)

Sunday 11 October: Broad Street Methodist resumed previous service patterns with their informal service at 9:00am in the hall with activities for children and the ten o'clock service returns to 10:30am; the Tuesday morning Shoppers' Service returned - in the church - during October

St Mary's church, Whaplode has launched a new website (17/8)

Friday 24 July: Lighthouse Project furniture shop (FB) re-opens

Pentecost Sunday, 31 May: livestream and pre-recorded services are being presented from inside some churches in accordance with changes to government guidelines; reports of daily offices of Morning Prayer to be led in the open air in some churchyards

Updates from national churches following PM statement on 10 May on our timeline page

CTAL (Churches Together in All Lincolnshire) have revived their open, public Facebook page (11/5)

St Norbert's renamed their Parish Mission Facebook page (St Norbert's Catholic Church Spalding, 1/5)

CTBI Holy Week joint statement; also available from CTBI

Live-stream and recorded services (updated 24 March):
For funerals there can be 30 people For weddings the limit is 15 people For christenings it is 6 people.These numbers do not include the church "staff", like the vicar or the organist.
Wedding blessings, renewal of vows, memorial services, burial of ashes and other so-called "life events" are all limited to 6 people
With thanks to St Mary & St Nicolas

Sunday 20 September, 7:00pm: Lincolnshire remembers - an online service organised by CTAL and accessed on the day through Alive, remembering the human impact of Covid; watch again via CTAL

Sunday 6 September: Rev Evan McWilliams first Sunday on placement to St John's

Friday 24 July: Lighthouse Project furniture shop (FB) re-opens

Live-stream and recorded services (updated 24 March):

Churches in surrounding towns and villages offering on-line services include (updated 9 April):

Baston, Langtoft & Thurlby - The Ness Group (FB)
Long Sutton (Baptist) (FB)
Pinchbeck (FB), Surfleet (FB) & West Pinchbeck (FB) The Glen Group
Moulton, Whaplode (FB)
Sutterton, St Mary's (FB) using Zoom
Sutton St James - Baptist (FB)

Churches using Facebook for updates and brief messages in addition to their websites (updated 7 April)

Broad Street Methodist (FB)
Gosberton (FB), Gosberton Clough (FB) & Quadring (FB) The Gosberton Group
Gosberton Baptist (FB)
Old Roman Catholic Church, Gosberton (FB)
Pincbeck Baptist (FB)
Pinchbeck (FB), Surfleet (FB) & West Pinchbeck (FB) The Glen Group

Spalding churches offering on-line services, messages, pauses for thought and similar:Calvary Baptist (FB)

Harvest Church (FB) using Zoom
Lighthouse (FB)
Spalding Baptist (FB)
St John the Baptist (FB - public; FB - private group)
St Mary & St Nicolas (FB)
The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert (FB)

Places of Worship closed - Prime Minister's address to the nation, 8:30pm, Monday 23 March (BBC News) More info (right) and the timeline page
22 March: Most churches have closed doors to public worship following Government guidance; some offer alternatives including live-streaming an act of worship
Church members across the area were invited to join in the National Day of Prayer on Mothering Sunday, 22 March 2020

Churches with YouTube channel (updated 21/4 & 18/5; see also Hope4Spalding on Facebook)

Calvary Baptist Church (FB) (YouTube)
Lighthouse (FB) (YouTube)
Long Sutton (Baptist) (FB) (YouTube)
Moulton, Whaplode (FB) (YouTube - various including: 1 2)
St John the Baptist (FB - public; FB - private group) (YouTube)
Pinchbeck (FB), Surfleet (FB) & West Pinchbeck (FB) The Glen Group (YouTube, usually current week only)
St Mary & St Nicolas (FB) (YouTube)
The Immaculate Conception & St Norbert (FB) (YouTube)
St Paul's (FB) (YouTube)
Sutton St James - Baptist (FB) (YouTube)
Lighthouse Project shop re-opens Wednesday 8 July
St Mary & St Nicolas parish Magazine for July notes their Harvest flower festival has been cancelled this year
Lincoln Diocese letter and poster announcing buildings closure (24/3)
(Note: as at 24/3, there were conflicting messages concerning use of church buildings for live-stream or recordings - since clarified by diocese)

Church of England update and FAQ (25 March)
Roman Catholic, 25 March: all churches must close (Diocese of Westminster)
Coronavirus Covid-19 update - Church of England 17 March 2020
"In light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice.
Churches should be open where possible but with no public worship services taking place. Prayers can be said by clergy and ministers on behalf of everyone and churches should consider ways of sharing this with the wider community."

National Call to Prayer

CTSD Lent series summaries for all five talks are available on this website, with some of the talks uploaded to the Baptist church website

Harvest Church moved from the scout hut to 'The Umbrella' on Westlode Street, PE11 2AE, Sunday 1 March

Flower Festivals listing (including postponements and cancellations as advised) available

St John's, Hawthorn Bank has set up a new Facebook private group in addition to the Facebook public group (24/3)

St Mary's, Long Sutton Flower Festival postponed to September (16/3) and postponed in September to 2021. Listing on this website updated (17/3)

Further postponements on the Flower Festival page

CTSD Lent series has been cancelled due to concerns over Coronavirus COVID-19 (16/3). Talks have been uploaded to the Baptist church website
This prayer was written by Rev Frances Ballantyne (16/3):
Father God, we are aware of our global connections at this time, and our common togetherness as we face this virus in all our communities.
We pray for all peoples at this time, it’s a prayer for strength , compassion and understanding as we all face disruption to our usual patterns of lifestyle.
Help us all to be aware of our neighbours, to be aware of our own well being, and to suffer with those fearful of their livelihoods and anxious in uncertain times.
We pray for your peace as you offer peace that passes all understanding. May we rest in the present, with the power of your presence. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Tuesday 21 January, 7:30pm: CTSD AGM at Spalding URC; agenda included appointment of officers (Clergy chair, lay chair, treasurer & secretary), changes to CTSD bi-monthly meetings, voting at CTSD meetings & subs, Preacher exchange (19/1), Lent talks, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Pentecost, reports from Street Pastors, Food Bank & CAP (downloadable below), Finance and Julian Meetings (Peterborough)

CTSD meetings in 2020 (as amended following AGM): 21/1 (AGM, Spalding URC), 11/3 (new songs evening at Spalding Baptist), 6/5 Council meeting (Broad Street Methodist, no meeting due to Covid restrictions), 7/7 (fellowship at St Paul's), 7/9 Council Meeting (Lighthouse, cancelled 7/9) & 18/11 (fellowship at Spalding Baptist)

Moulton Chapel Village Parade on Sunday 3 May has been cancelled (16/3) (FB)

Methodist update, 23 March: "The Methodist Church is announcing a closure of all its church buildings. The only exception will be for churches that offer essential social outreach like foodbanks, soup kitchens and night shelters, but these must be carried out within Government guidelines" (District website)

Presidents of Churches Together in England have issued a call to prayer in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic. This is for all churches and people of prayer to join on Sunday 22 March, Mothering Sunday. Full text via CTE / article

The Hope4Spalding.org.uk web address lapsed on 6 September; archives remain on Hope 2018 Archives

News archives remain available, including 2019

Ecumenical prayer meetings include Broad Street monthly gathering, dates available on our Diary page for 2020. Meetings continued via Zoom during the lockdown

18-25 January: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Unusual kindness; CTBI resources