COVID-19 Update
Dear sisters and brothers,
- We must continue to act as if COVID-19 is in our communities
- Wear a Face Mask at church
- Small singing groups (max 5) are permitted under strict conditions
- Congregational singing not permitted
- Services, activities and events must commence and finish at different times when using more than one building on the same site
It is clear that there remains concern about the presence of COVID-19 in the community and places of worship are deemed to be high risk. We must continue to undertake all of our activities with this concern in mind.
Face Masks
On Thursday, the Premier stressed that the NSW Chief Medical Officer continues to strongly recommend that face masks be worn in places of worship.
It is important that we continue to ensure a supply of disposable face masks for people attending church.
Singing groups
A small group of up to 5 people may sing together in a large well-ventilated (preferably outdoor) area if:
- all singers face forwards and not towards each other
- have physical distancing of 1.5 metres between each other and any other performers, and 5 metres from all other people including the congregation/audience and conductor.
Ensembles and other musical groups should rehearse and perform outdoors or in large, well-ventilated indoor spaces.
Over the next few weeks we will begin to see singing groups in churches. Please pray for those engaged in this ministry.
Copyright agencies have been open to music being live-streamed but are not open to copyrighted music being stored and replayed. Recorded music may also breach Youtube and FaceBook conditions.
Congregational singing is not permitted
It is is important to remind congregations to refrain from singing. Singing in this way, even with face masks, would breach the relevant public health order.
The wisest course of action is to invite the congregation to listen to the music being played or the video clip with singers or the singing group. One person’s humming seems like another person’s singing and can move the clergy or churchwardens to having to speak with or a guide a person. The easiest way is to refrain from this aspect of worship for the time being.
Multiple buildings on the same site
The current Public Health Order requires us to ensure that where we use multiple buildings on the same site for services, activities or events they must commence and finish at different times to another service, activity or event in another separate area in the place.
With every blessing
+Peter
