Dear Members and Friends, 

RE: Latest Government Announcement: Tier 4 Restrictions for London and the South-East 

We pray and trust you are all keeping safe and well. 

As of 4pm today, the government made the very serious announcement that the whole of London and the South-East would be placed into Tier 4, the most severe tier of restrictions, as of 12am on Sunday 20th December. This is due to COVID infection rates – and a new strain of the virus – rising significantly and rapidly in these areas. 

When I wrote to you on Wednesday, we had already made the decision that this Sunday (tomorrow) would be the last time that we would meet for communal worship until after 3rd January due to a rapid rise in the COVID infection rate in the region. Based on today’s announcement, we definitely feel that we made the most responsible decision for the safety and wellbeing of our members. 

The Prime Minister confirmed that communal worship can continue in Tier 4, however, our decision still stands to reduce the risk of transmission amongst our community. Tomorrow morning will therefore be the last time we will meet in person for a while and all other services over the Christmas will be streamed and accessed online. 

We realise that this is a very difficult time for us all and Christmas will be very different this year, however, please be encouraged and assured that the love, peace, joy and freedom that the Christ of Christmas brings is still as real as it was over two thousand years ago. Jesus is still very much the reason for the season. 

And please remember, our worship to God has not been cancelled. We are connected in the Spirit and are members of one body. Please do tune in to all our services that will be broadcast throughout the season (please see the attached flyer). 

I have summarised what Tier 4 means more widely, as outlined by the government, on the next page of this letter. 

We are still the church where no one stands alone. Please be assured of our love, our support and our prayers. 

With every blessing, 

Pastor Andrew Wignal