Back in the autumn of 2019 I thought that the snap election and the events surrounding Brexit were fairly unexpected. Little did anyone know that we would soon be facing a once in a lifetime pandemic that would affect every aspect of life. No one could have predicted the impact that Covid would have on us and on church life in particular.

When the first lockdown happened in March 2020, we were just three Sundays into the launch of the Fishponds site. We were able to adjust fairly quickly to delivering services online from home and almost immediately started producing the 'City Daily' videos 6 days a week. In the end, we produced over 150 City Dailies! We opened up the Elmgrove for limited numbers to attend in person on Sundays in the autumn, whilst still livestreaming the services. We then had to go back online during the lockdown at the start of 2021.

Since Easter this year, we've been able to open up in-person services more and more, with the weekly livestream services at Cotham and the all-age family services at Bradley Stoke. We also held monthly site services happening at Bradley Stoke, Cotham and Fishponds in May, June and July. It was fantastic to have over 200 people at the site services in June, with some children's groups provided at all three sites.

During the summer, with the end of legal restrictions, but infections still quite high, we made the decision to run 'Pop Up Church' in homes, gardens and parks across Bristol. The aim was to help people start to reconnect relationally and feel comfortable physically meeting in smaller groupings.

The plan is to re-open Sunday services fully from 5th September at all three of our sites. We are asking people to book to attend, not as a requirement for entry, but simply as an indication of the numbers to expect. We are asking people to wear a face mask during sung worship. We feel this is a sensible precaution until the level of infections in Bristol comes down to a lower level so that the risk of infection is significantly reduced. We will keep this under constant review.

We would encourage everyone who feels able to attend in person. Please use your common sense in judging whether to attend. Please stay away if you test positive, are experiencing Covid symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate. Our services will run in the usual way with kids provision at all three sites, but at the new times of 10am at Bradley Stoke, 10.30am at Cotham and 11am at Fishponds. We will, of course, keep livestreaming the Cotham service for those who are unable to attend in person. We realise for some who are clinically vulnerable it is a very difficult decision to know if it is sensible to attend in person. Please feel free to take your time.

It's been wonderful to hear voices raised in worship during our worship evenings in August. We're so excited to be able to gather together again as a church family. We have the same vision of HELPING BRISTOL BELIEVE, the same heart to reach the whole of Bristol with the gospel, to serve the most needy in the city and to be a resource for all that God is doing. We hope to see you in September. And if you're new to Bristol or new to church, we'd love you to join us.

We're ready when you are.