COVID-19 Update – Parish Council Treasurers to provide monthly updates
8 May – Number 2 Parish Council Treasurers to provide monthly updates Payment restrictions remain in place Treasurers to continue to provide monthly updates An essential feature of Jobkeeper is the role of the Australian Taxation Office in monitoring eligibility. Treasurers will be required to provide evidence each month of the parishes finances to the…
COVID-19 Update – Wonderful stories of increased electronic giving in parishes
8 May Wonderful stories of increased electronic giving in parishes Parishes to pay as much of their debt to the diocese on a timely basis Important to review non-clergy work arrangements Church buildings and op-shops are not permitted to re-open The conversation about parish clusters and hubs is being renewed and brought forward Again, thank…
COVID-19 Update – No changes in the restrictions on the use of church buildings
28 April – Number 2 No changes in the restrictions on the use of church buildings This evening I received the following advice from Multicultural NSW which is responsible for the relationship with churches during the COVID-19 emergency. I share it with you as together we prepare our ministries in the coming period. As soon…
COVID-19 Update – Change in visiting ministries from 1 May 2020
28 April – Number 1 Change in visiting ministries from 1 May 2020 Home communion possible with the bread alone The changes announced by the NSW Premier enable us to make some changes to our pastoral practices. From Friday 1 May, clergy and lay people can undertake visiting ministries as a result of changes to…
COVID-19 Update – Commonwealth Government makes important amendments to support charitable sector during COVID-19
24 April – Number 2 Commonwealth Government makes important amendments to support charitable sector during COVID-19 Clergy entitled to Jobkeeper support The Federal Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenburg, has made significant announcements about Jobkeeper and other support for the charitable sector. Among the announcements, the Federal Treasurer has confirmed that JobKeeper Payments can be made to clergy…
COVID-19 Update – We can host a virtual morning tea or afternoon tea using ZOOM
24 April – Number 1 We can host a virtual morning tea or afternoon tea using ZOOM People without internet can join a virtual gathering by phone Consider having a ten minute talk from someone who has good advice about navigating the COVID-19 space Encourage people to bring a friend As we have settled into…
COVID-19 Update – Creating resilience during adversity
21 April – Number 1 Creating resilience during adversity Please find attached a helfpul article from Tim Dyer who is associated with JohnMark ministries. Tim has been a great friend and supporter of the Diocese of Newcastle in developing responses to disclosures of abuse and thinking about the supervision program. +Peter
COVID-19 Update – Grant to care for seniors in our community
20 April – Number 3 Grant to care for seniors in our community The NSW Government has established a grant round aimed at combatting isolation of NSW seniors. Among other things, they are not interested in projects that do not address social isolation and loneliness for seniors while mitigating COVID-19 risks projects that do not…
COVID-19 Update – E-Safety Resources
20 April — Number 2 E-Safety Resources Child safety online Resources for the safe use of Zoom The E-Safety Commissioner has reached out to the Diocese to highlight the Child protection and online learning webinars they are commencing on Wednesday. The E-Safety Commissioner has also provided some information on e-safety when using Zoom. The E-Safety…
COVID-19 Update – People can call 40582680 to access a short service of prayer by telephone
20 April – Number 1 People can call 40582680 to access a short service of prayer by telephone We have been conscious of people who do not have access to the internet or are uncomfortable using it. We have arranged for a short service of prayer to be available for the cost of local call.…