Anglicans look to hold more, shorter services

AS Government reduces the percentage of worshippers from 50 to 25 per cent capacity, the Anglican Church is considering whether to increase the number of services, but for shorter times than the allotted 90 minutes.

Anglican Bishop Claude Berkley said he anticipated the reduction, given the rise in the number of covid19 cases and deaths, and the thought of having more services for shorter periods has been considered as an option going forward.

“How people would respond to that, is left to be seen, but we would certainly try to put the mechanism in place to offer the opportunity according to people’s time.”

He said the church also has to be mindful of the demand that adding a few more services could have on the clergy.

For this Sunday’s services, he said some people may be disappointed because the congregation will be reduced in keeping with the new regulation announced by Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh on Wednesday morning.

This reduction, to avoid large gatherings, will remain in effect until May 16.

He said the congregation was just picking back up, “but now we have to decide who will come or not come. It will be a 'first come, first served' basis this Sunday, but after that we would look at options available and offer them to people.”

Berkley said the pandemic has affected the church’s coffers and limited its plans, but thanks to the generosity of some members, it has been able to hold its head above water.

How long that will be sustained, he said, is anyone’s guess, at the rate the numbers of cases are increasing.

“We have to consolidate and try to monitor our expenditure very closely in respect of income, as well as try to maximise opportunities for people’s donations, offering, tithes and so on.”