Gulval Parish Church
Service Times:
Sundays at 11:00am Holy Communion (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month) Family Service (2nd Sunday) , Mattins (trad) (4th Sunday)
We also have a FACEBOOK page for Madron, Heamoor and Gulval churches.
Child-friendly Services
Family Service at 11am on the second Sunday of the month, plus particularly child-friendly occasions to be found on the relevant web page (see Services)
Our safe-guarding officer is Christina de Vries.
Opening Times: Gulval Church is open every Thursday between 10am and noon. Table top sales with a good selection of books, postcards, soft toys and bric-a-brac are on offer. Do come along and have a chat, a prayer or a quiet time for reflection. All are welcome but please remember to bring a mask.
Parking. Free parking is available at all points around the upper churchyard. It gets busy at the top outside the Coldstreamer. The best place is probably at the bottom of the steps, coming along Possess Lane from Jelbert Way. There is level access from the east gate, but there are a couple of steps to negotiate first. There is step-free access via the top gate (opposite the Coldstreamer) and there are usually spaces hard by the churchyard wall. There is no church car park.
Building and other projects (2021) We are trying to replenish our reserves after forking out for tarmacced paths, a new toilet, emergency repairs to wall memorials and ongoing tree trimming (the churchyard is not closed, so we have all the bills for maintenance) . Our lighting is being gradually improved.
Risk assessment Madron & Heamoor & Gulval churches Updated 16/12/21
1) Face masks are to be worn before entering the church, during the service and on leaving. The exceptions are (a) the service leader or lesson reader (b) under 11s (c) those with breathing difficulties (d) those who may be distressed
2) Arrival. Be careful to arrive at a social distance through the main door, where you can sanitise and collect your service papers inside on the table. Do not bunch around the door or the table.
3) Hand sanitiser will be on the table at the back. Please use on entry and do not touch anything unnecessarily except your pew.
4) Services will take place in zones – 11am in the main body of the church ONLY and 6pm (Madron) in the choir stalls.
5) Sit at 2 metres from the next worshipper, in any direction, unless you live together. A maximum of six can arrive, sit or leave together. This determines the capacity of the church, which we estimate to be around 55 (Madron), 40 (Heamoor), 45 (Gulval). The families involved in Weddings and Baptism should be made aware of these numbers as should Funeral Directors when a funeral is arranged. If a Funeral or Wedding congregation is expected to exceed these numbers the person officiating at these should contact the Churchwarden or PCC Secretary on a case-by-case basis; a separate risk assessment should be prepared for each event that exceeds the numbers. At Christmas services where numbers may be at or above maximum numbers the congregation should be directed to “safe” seating by sidesmen.
6) Both doors will be open for ventilation – unless it is really cold or wet – no touching of door handles, please
7) Hymn books and service sheets will be given out upon arrival.
8) No collection bags will be passed around, a plate at the back to be brought up during the service. At the carol service and midnight communion a retiring collection will be in place.
9) Singing is allowed but it is strongly recommended that masks should be worn. The exceptions are (a) under 11s (b) those with breathing difficulties (c) those who may be distressed
10) There is no passing the peace or other physical contact between those present
11) The toilets will not be available (C of E guidelines are to keep toilets open, but the cleaning and other instructions are so involved, it’s best to leave it for now).
12) For track and trace purposes attendees’ names (& contact details) will be recorded
13) Communion is by wafer only. A one-way system to receive will be in place. No queues. At Christmas midnight communion a sideman or other person should direct communicants to the rail in order to avoid queues.
14) Coffee may be served (St Thomas) at the discretion of the worship leader.