Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
It has become clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is spreading through the Australian community and can no longer be ignored. The time has come for churches to be proactive about protecting their members and the community.
The NSW/ACT Synod and the Canberra Region Presbytery have strongly recommended that all worship services be suspended for the time being, and all church gatherings and activities should cease. The letter from both is attached.
To that end, the Church Council has agreed that we suspend our public activities for the next four weeks, and pending more information, potentially longer. That includes the following activities that will be put on hold:
- our Sunday worship
- Preloved Clothing
- Thursday lunch
- our small groups
- Our bible studies
- and our meetings
It also means that in all likelihood we will not be celebrating Holy Week and Easter at church, but in our homes and with our families, and hopefully, using online facilities that can link us together. This is clearly a decision we did not take lightly, but one that we believe to be in the best interest of our community.
More than ever, we are called to love one another, and to love our neighbours, as Jesus has loved us. We need to explore new and creative ways of being a faith and fellowship community. We need to check on our vulnerable or isolated neighbours, and on each other.
With the Presbytery, we are looking at how we might meet together differently using the internet or social media, we are thinking about how we can develop resources, and putting plans in place so we can keep in regular contact with everyone and offer the pastoral care TUC is well known for.
We will put more information into the newsletter as it comes to hand, as well as spiritual resources you can use at home.
Blessings
Elizabeth and Chris
(Minister) (Chairperson, Church Council)
Written by Rev Elizabeth Raine
Elizabeth is minister at Tuggeranong Uniting, beginning her ministry here in December 2018.
Over the years, she has had a number of diverse and interesting placements, such as a school chaplaincy, a tenancy worker with UnitingCare, a congregational minister, a lecturer at UTC, a Presbytery minister, and as an Intentional Interim minister.
More from Rev Elizabeth Raine