Roadmap to Returning

It is with great anticipation that we now begin to return to in-person church, knowing that as we’ve been physically apart, we’ve remained united by the Holy Spirit, as we’ve gathered online around the glorious word of God.

From next weekend, Saturday 16th October, we’ll be able to include some people face-to-face, whilst we continue to provide the best-possible livestream for everyone.

For the next two weeks the public health orders advise that we may only accommodate in-person participants who live in Regional NSW (which excludes Shellharbour and Greater Sydney), who are not required to ‘stay at home’ (due to contact with confirmed cases or venues), who are not showing any flu-like symptoms, and who are fully vaccinated (noting that unvaccinated children under 16 can attend if accompanied by a fully-vaccinated adult from their household.)

Everyone must wear a face mask (unless under 12 or exempted) and refrain from congregational singing, and we can seat 34 people (plus workers) in the church and 45 people in the hall to watch the livestream in-person.

Both services will offer a separate children’s program (with plenty of time outside) which will commence approximately half-an-hour into the service, but our youth Bible studies will remain online only until Friday 29th October.

We will be joining for dinner on Saturday and morning tea on Sunday, and will initially eat outdoors on our church lawn to increase ventilation.

Two weeks later, on Saturday 30th October, people can attend regardless of where they live or their vaccination status, unless they are unwell or required to stay at home.

Four weeks after that, on Saturday 4th December, we can double the number of people in our buildings, remove our masks (when you’re ready), and start to sing together.

So, whether you’re online or in-person, we are so thankful that we continue to be together as we travel the roadmap to returning to ‘normal’ church.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Simon Berger via Flickr)