Coronavirus updates and resources archive (updated 1 April 2022)

This page provides the Scottish Episcopal Church community with an archive of all announcements and relevant information from the Advisory Group and the College of Bishops in relation to how to respond to the requirements of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The Scottish Government removed the specific coronavirus-related legal restrictions on places of worship in April 2022. Previous guidance produced by the Scottish Episcopal Church Advisory Group has therefore now been archived at this page. The final update from the Group, on 1 April 2022 remains available below.

Following the removal of legal restrictions, it is for each congregation to consider its transition into a less constrained future. Congregations should take decisions in the light of local circumstances and local risk assessment.

General Scottish Government guidance is available at: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

01/04/22 Advisory Group e-mail update

16/03/22 Advisory Group e-mail update

28/01/22 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 13 – 28.01.22)

25/01/22 Advisory Group e-mail update

23/12/21 Advisory Group e-mail update

20/12/21 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 12 – 20.12.21)

20/12/21 College of Bishops’ Pastoral Letter

16/12/21 Advisory Group e-mail update

09/12/21 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 11 – 9.12.21)

05/11/21 Revised Guidance (Version 9 – 5.11.21)

25/08/21 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 10 – 25.08.21)

14/07/21 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 9 – 14.07.21)

14/06/21 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 8 – 14.06.21)

04/06/21 Revised Pastoral Guidance (Version 6 – 04.06.21)

28/05/21 Revised Guidance (Version 8 – 28.05.21)

07/05/21 Guidance on Physical Distance Based Capacity  (07.05.21)

07/05/21 Frequently Asked Questions (Version 7 – 07.05.21)

20/11/20 Revised Phase 3 Guidance (Version 7 – 20.11.20)

20/11/20 Frequently Asked Questions for Phase 3 (Version 6 – 20.11.20)

02/11/20 Revised Phase 3 Guidance (Version 6 – 2.11.20)

02/11/20 Revised Pastoral Guidelines for Phase 3 (Version 5 – 2.11.20)

02/11/20 Frequently Asked Questions for Phase 3 (Version 5- 2.11.20)

24/09/20 Revised Phase 3 Guidance (Version 5 – 24.9.2020)

24/09/20 Revised Pastoral Advice for Phase 3 (Version 4 – 24.09.20)

24/09/20 Frequently Asked Questions for Phase 3 (Version 4 – 24.09.20)

24/09/20 Pro-forma plan for re-opening churches

24/09/20 New version of re-opening guidance video released

14/08/20 Revised Pastoral Guidelines for Phase 3 (Version 3 – 14.8.2020)

14/08/20 Revised Guidance for Phase 3 including mandatory face coverings

07/08/20 Face coverings mandated for Places for Worship

04/08/20 Further revision to Phase 3 Guidance

22/07/20 SEC churches open for private prayer

17/07/20 FAQs for SEC churches in Phase 3 of the Route Map out of Lockdown

14/07/20 Revised guidance for Phase 3 out of lockdown

06/07/20 Phase 3 guidance: Gathering together again for worship

03/07/20 FAQs for SEC Churches in Phase 2 of the Route Map out of Lockdown

19/06/20 Revised Guidance for Phase 2 of emerging from lockdown

18/06/20 Start date confirmed for Phase 2 Guidance

12/06/20 Guidance for SEC ahead of Phase 2 of easing lockdown

05/06/20 Advisory Group to issue guidance next week

28/05/20 No change to Bishops’ guidance at Phase 1

22/05/20 Advisory Group formed to assist College of Bishops

18/05/20 Zoom guidelines and tips for Scottish Episcopal Church use 

15/05/20 Bishops plan for eventual easing of lockdown

08/05/20 Online Worship from around the Scottish Episcopal Church

07/05/20 Watch out for copyright issues

06/05/20 College of Bishops addresses lockdown debate

06/04/20 Abbreviated Funeral Rites for use in the COVID-19 Crisis

31/03/20 Prayers in a time of Pandemic

27/03/20 College of Bishops reflection on worship during lockdown

26/03/20 Guidance on weddings, funerals, baptisms and church access

24/03/20 Closure of General Synod Office

23/03/20 Church buildings closed to public until further notice

23/03/20 Lambeth Conference postponed until 2021

20/03/20 Online worship: ‘From my home to your home’

19/03/20 How to join our online Sunday worship

19/03/20 Light a candle on National Day of Prayer

18/03/20 A message from the Primus

18/03/20 Safeguarding considerations

18/03/20 Advice to Provincial Board and Committee members

18/03/20 Additional guidance following closures

17/03/20 Suspension of church services

13/03/20 2020 General Synod postponed