Meeting houses remain closed
During the Coronavirus pandemic meeting houses have been closed and Quakers have been meeting online and from their own home. Now the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced that from Monday 15 June places of worship in England will be permitted to open for individual prayer in line with social distancing guidelines.
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk for Quakers in Britain said, “I've been so impressed by the innovative ways Quakers across Britain have found to worship together during the pandemic. However, the government's latest announcement doesn't open the door to our usual way of worshipping together in a gathered stillness. Quakers do not seek sacred spaces, rather, worship is about finding an inward connection and seeking that of God in each other."
Under the existing regulations, funerals, including graveside services, are allowed in places of worship where it is possible to do so safely. Other gatherings and services such as weddings, supplementary schools, meetings and classes are not permitted. Also places of worship may open for the hosting of essential voluntary activities such as homeless services, for registered early years and childcare providers and for blood donation sessions.