Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

I am delighted to tell you that three long months after I was asked to close the doors of Holy Trinity Church indefinitely, I will be opening them again on Wednesday (June 17) at 12 noon.

You may have heard the Prime Minister formally announce on Tuesday that places of worship can now begin to open from next week for private prayer. So, from Wednesday, Holy Trinity will be open from midday to 4pm – Monday to Friday - with the Lady Chapel designated for this purpose.

Just as the country undergoes a gentle easing of the lockdown, we are opening Holy Trinity in this limited way for the coming two weeks in the hope that we will eventually be open for longer hours on more days and making more and more of our building accessible as time goes by. 
 
I am sure that you will understand that because we have to comply with significant requirements that involve supervising visitors, social distancing, regular cleaning of the building, hand sanitizing on entry and departure and other restrictions,  we have to be modest in what can be achieved initially. Indeed, many churches will decide not to open immediately because they do not have the human resources to do so. But the Churchwardens and I believe that the doors of Holy Trinity need to open now for the good of our community.

However, we will need YOUR help to achieve this. So, if you are under the age of 70 (in line with the guidelines) and would be willing to sit at the supervision desk for a two-hour slot, wearing a face mask (that will be provided) and socially distanced from any visitors, please do contact our Parish Administrator Sophie Wilson with your offer of help: parishoffice@sloanechurch.org or call the Parish Mobile: 07842 486514

There is a long road ahead of us. We are still a good way from public worship and when that is allowed, possibly next month, it is likely to be quite different for some time to what we know and love.  Like so many aspects of life transformed by Covid-19, we will have to reflect deeply on where the Coronavirus Pandemic has left us and where we go from here.

We will, however, not be alone.  We will be sharing the recovery with churches in the Chelsea Deanery, the Diocese of London, the Church of England and, indeed, faith communities across the world. We will also be undertaking this journey as beloved children of God. Whilst this may seem at times overwhelming, we can take confidence in the words of St Paul to the church in Philippi that “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 

So for now, let us give thanks that one of our primary purposes, to be a shrine and sanctuary for Sloane Square, can now resume, and let us march forward together in faith, hope and love.
 
Yours in Christ,

Fr. Nicholas Wheeler 
Rector