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 Previous guidance produced by the Scottish Episcopal Church Advisory Group has therefore now been archived at this page.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