Hi All
Great to catch up with you at church online and remind ourselves of the magnificence and intimacy of God’s presence. He is always with us moving and acting on our behalf.
Our Elders continue to pray and plan for the coming season as we look to how we can best serve our church family and reach out to the wider community . Please keep us in your prayers as we lean into God for His wisdom and creativity.
Survey
We have asked you to complete a survey to help us as we prayerfully consider the next steps for church gatherings. The survey will be open until 22nd August after which the elders will prayerfully make a decision on the way forward.
To complete the survey please follow the link below:
Frequent questions and comments from the survey so far
There have been some common questions in our survey responses so far. Here are our responses to help bring clarity as we move forward together:
Q. Would it be possible to sing if we wear a mask?
A. Current government guidance does not allow congregational singing even with masks. We can listen to worship leaders as long as they are behind a screen but cannot sing together with them currently.
Q. Will there still be youth and children’s provision?
A. Children and youth will be of course welcome at all of our gatherings. We will continue to consider how and when we are able to offer separate children’s and youth provision in line with government guidance.
Q. Will attendance to gatherings be first come first served? Will we give priority to those who are shielding and live alone?
A. We are currently arranging a gathering for people who have been unable to connect online. We will also ensure that all gatherings are accessible to those who would like to attend. They will not be first come first served but will be shared between those who are happy to gather.
Q. Can we do multiple services to get more people through?
A. At this point multiple services are not being considered due to the numbers of volunteers we would require to manage worship, welcome, track and trace, PPE, social distancing and then deep cleaning between each service. However as confidence grows and government guidance changes multiple services may be considered.
Q. Can we meet outside instead?
A. Currently government guidance only allows 30 people to gather outside and the same singing restrictions would be in place. So we are currently able to gather more people in church than outside. We will of course monitor government guidance for any changes in these restrictions.
Q. I am concerned with so many people using the building during the week. Have cleaning, PPE, and track and trace measures been in place?
A. Yes, as a provider of essential services we have had to produce a risk assessment and COVID19 procedure for all of our midweek activities. Cleaning, track and trace, PPE, hand washing and social distances measures have all been in place. Access to the building has been limited to collection and dropping off of food and donations. The kitchen and toilets have remained closed to the public. Our cleaning regime has also changed to accommodate the service we offer and stay COVID19 compliant.
Reach group gatherings
We continue to see new Reach groups starting and people joining existing groups. Thank you for the excellent response as we aim to gather each of us together in a Reach group.
To inquire about starting or joining a reach group or to book your in church Reach group gathering follow the link Below:
Send us your videos
We would love to see & hear from you as you begin to gather in your Reach groups. Please send us some photos or even consider recording a short video greeting and a word on what God is saying to your group.
Live Streaming
Thank you to those who have already given towards the streaming equipment. We believe God has accelerated the gospel going out beyond the walls of the church in this season. Online church is here to stay and we will be offering a live stream of our services going forward beyond the COVID19 pandemic. We will be recruiting a team of people to help with the technology and a team of online pastors to minister to those connecting. If you would still like to give there is time to do so. To give online please use the reference “stream”. For physical offerings place them in an envelope marked “Stream”
Gospel power and Gospel works
I believe the season we are living in is a season of opportunity. The Gospel is powerful and you as ministers of the gospel carry the power of God. I believe in this season we need to not only use words to demonstrate our faith but offer people encounters with the supernatural power of God. Paul reminds us of the power of the gospel in his letter to the Corinthians
1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
James also implores us to demonstrate our faith with deeds or good works.
James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.
We have an opportunity to serve the community around us in power and with good works. As the Church of Jesus Christ let us step out in this time in power and in service. Let us demonstrate the good news of the gospel in powerful and practical ways as we love Jesus and love people.
Love & Blessings
Craig