December

27th December
Worshipping on site
We worshipped together onsite on Christmas Day and we will continue to worship onsite on Sunday mornings at 9:30am.  However this is not yet a full return.  We need to attend to a range of COVID safe requirements including

  • social distancing – keep 1.5 metres space between individuals or a group of people.
  • Please sit where there is a yellow marker in the open (not roped off) pews
  • A Household group may sit together.
  • hygiene – sanitiser is provided on entry, the worship space is thoroughly cleaned before and after worship
  • mask wearing is required at all times unless you are leading parts of the worship

We can only welcome 80 people to the worship space

  • you will be asked to check in using the QR code or by signing in.
  • please download the Service Victoria App in preparation for using the QR code.

Morning Tea will not be provided, thankfully though we can stay, chat and catch up with each other after these many long months apart.  We will be trialing live streaming the service to support those who prefer to stay at home and possibly to provide an overflow into the hall.

Live-streaming worship
The roster for our return to worshipping together on site in January has been prepared and is available here.  We are interested in hearing from anyone who is available to join the laptop and sound system operator rosters.  There will be lots of support for these tasks alongside our trial of live-streaming worship.  All offers to join the laptop and sound system operator rosters are welcome as are expressions of interest to support the live-stream trial.  Please contact Saide, 0407 096 743 or saide.cameron@bigpond.com

13th December
Sunday Afternoons in December – 2pm In-Person Worship.
We are holding another Advent service in the church this Sunday 13th December at 2pm. It was great to be together last week and to know the joy of worshipping in person. Come and share the love! There is plenty of room despite physical distancing restrictions – please just let Ian know that you are coming (iferguson@icloud.com 0438 547 842) and spread the word!

When you come you will notice a number of changes:

  • You will need to sign in using a QR code or on the sign in sheets provided.
  • You will need to wear a mask.
  • You will need to sit and stand at least 1.5 metres away from anyone who is not part of your household. We are facilitating this by blocking off every second pew and by marking 1.5 metre intervals along each pew.
  • Initially all the music will be recorded. You are welcome to join in singing with your mask on.
  • There will be no afternoon tea, but you don’t need to hurry off – stay and chat while observing physical distance.

We will hold these 2pm services during December only. We plan to commence 9:30am in-person services in January. Stay tuned for our “Moving Towards COVID Normal” updates.

6th December
Sunday Afternoons in December – 2pm In-Person Worship. 
During December we invite you to come and worship in person at BUC, 2pm in the church worship space (we will be continuing our online worship offerings in the mornings). We have trialled these services over the past couple of weeks for those who haven’t been able to access our online offerings and this Sunday we are pleased to open the service to the whole congregation.

If you would like to come, please RSVP to Ian iferguson@icloud.com, 0438 547 842, by midday on Sunday – this will help us keep track of numbers. We are currently only allowed 80 people in our worship space.

When you come you will notice a number of changes:

  • You will need to sign in using a QR code or on the sign in sheets provided.
  • You will need to wear a mask.
  • You will need to sit and stand at least 1.5 metres away from anyone who is not part of your household. We are facilitating this by blocking off every second pew and by marking 1.5 metre intervals along each pew.
  • Initially all the music will be recorded. You are welcome to join in singing with your mask on.
  • There will be no afternoon tea, but you don’t need to hurry off – stay and chat while observing physical distance.
This is our plan for December only. We hope to commence 9:30am in-person services in January. Stay tuned for our “Moving Towards COVID Normal” updates. 

November

29th November
The COVID Reference Group continues to work with ministry groups and committees to study the changing government guidelines for religious gatherings.   Synod is assisting with advice for use of our halls for groups and activities. Groups that have been meeting on Zoom will continue to do so until the New Year, of course with the usual Summer holiday break. Watch out for information about some special pre-Christmas activities for the Olive Way and Children and Youth.
The Worship Committee is exploring options for worship services in the New Year, including a combination of in person and live streaming, overflow in the hall, or a second service time.  Attendance at our gatherings is limited by the physical distancing rules  for each of our rooms and spaces, which for the main worhsip space is 80 people. Committees and Group leaders will stay connected with their members, so you will be informed when your group is to start again.
Thank you to everyone for your patience. We are all looking forward to when we can meet in person once again.  If you have any questions or comments about moving towards COVID-normal please contact Helen Rowe on Email helen.rowe@rocketmail.com or Mobile 0423 009 813

24th November – COVID Reference group meeting
The COVID Reference Group is meeting on Tuesday 24th November.  If you have questions or concerns you would like the group to address please email Helen Rowe, helen.rowe@rocketmail.com

22nd November – Worship
As restrictions ease the worshipcommittee is providing opportunities togather for worship onsite.  This week’s service is by invitation only forpeople who have not been able toaccess our online services.  But in the weeks to come we will open up to more people. See weekly updates onthe website, Olive Press and Facebook.  Contact Ian Ferguson, 0438 547 842‬, for more information.

15th November – Worship
Your Church Council COVID Reference Group is supporting the Worship Committee to trial a small worship gathering at BUC in the next few weeks.  This will be by invitation only.  A number of friends in our worshipping community are without access to technology and have been unable to join the weekly Worship services on-line during lock-down restrictions. We hope this will be a small beginning to reconnecting in fellowship with each other as the restrictions are lifted.  We are working together to keep everyone safe.  Contact Ian Ferguson, 0438 547 842‬, for more information.

8th November
There is much to consider before we can safely re-open our buildings including restrictions on the number of people who can gather.  The Church Council COVID Reference Group monitors all government advice as it is issued and we are working with Synod to  implement appropriate safeguards. By taking a cautious approach within the guidelines the aim is ensure the health and safety of everyone.  Leaders of programs and groups are developing their COVIDSafe plans but for the foreseeable future groups using Zoom and other virtual options to stay connected will continue in this way.

We will keep you informed about the timing of any activities recommencing at  the BUC Sydney Road site. There are also some limitations for small groups and Committees that normally meet in homes.  Our Pastoral Care Team is available if you are seeking personal support at this time.  Contact Rev Ian Ferguson 0438 547 842‬ or Gwen Arnold 0413 047 938.

Please contact Helen Rowe if there are any questions about this message. Email helen.rowe@rocketmail.com or mobile 0423 009 813