NEW QR CODE 20 March 2021
The Algester Anglican Church is using the new Check In Qld app.
We have sent information out to those parishioners who have supplied us with their
email addresses. However, if you are having difficulties downloading the app after
following the steps, do not worry as we can still use our paper COVID-19 Register
and, in time, the church plans to have its own device where parishioners and visitors
can sign in.
This is a work-in-progress! Thank you for your patience.
COVID UPDATE 9 July 2020
We have moved to stage 3, which means we can now have 50 attendees at face to face worship. There will be no need to be invited or register every week for worship anymore, just come along to the Church of the Holy Spirit at 7am or 9am.
The restrictions that have already been in place must continue:
* 1.5 metre physical distancing must be observed at all times
* If you are unwell you must not attend
* If you are a vulnerable person you may prefer not to attend face to face worship
* Please use hand sanitiser on arrival (available at the door)
* The greeter will record your name for tracing purposes
* If you have offertory we ask that you place it in the collection plate as you enter the church
* No moving around the church during the greeting of peace
To enable us to meet current guidelines, we have made some necessary changes.
Firstly we would ask that all worshippers enter by the double doors at the front of the church. Relevant signage and floor markings are in place to remind you of the requirements.
At the conclusion of the service we would ask that you also depart via the double doors, continuing to observe physical distancing. When departing you may need to remain in your seat for a little while to ensure we do not have congestion in the aisle. Rev’d Morris will not be able to shake your hand but will be happy to have a quick catch up.
The other major change is to communion and how we receive the sacrament. As most of you are aware, we must continue to take communion in one kind only (the bread).
It is a directive that (if able), hand sanitiser be used prior to taking communion. To ensure good flow, and to give communicants time to rub hand sanitiser in, we will trial the following. We will begin with the left side of the church, followed by the right side. Instead of moving into the central aisle we will move into the side aisle. As you leave your seats, stand back for the person sitting in the seat next to you to move ahead into the aisle. We would like you to walk around to the top of the aisle, use the sanitiser, then move forward to the altar rail. Each row will follow observing physical distancing. You will then return to the side aisle to take your seat.There will be an usher to assist you with directions for this new system.
Along with 50 attendees we can also have morning tea. This will also require changes. Food will be served to you as we are not allowed to have any buffet or self service of food.
As far as Sunday School goes, we will possibly be resuming in August, however the families involved will be contacted separately.
If you have any concerns, questions or suggestions please feel free to ring the office 32737169 or Kay O’Brien 0438 833 617.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday at either the 7am or 9am service.
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19 June 2020
Weekly Sunday Services
Commencing 21 June we will now have a weekly 7am and 9am service in the church on a Sunday with a maximum of 20 people at each. We will also resume offering Holy Communion, bread only, to all communicants.
If you would like to attend either of these services please contact Joan on 3372 7496.
The 9am service will also continue to be streamed live on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82199826984
Meeting ID: 821 9982 6984
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10 June 2020
With the lifting of restrictions, we can now have 20 people in the church for worship on Sundays. If you would like to attend a service at the church, please register your interest with the church office.
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Weekly Offering Update – Bpay details added
To continue to contribute to weekly offerings, we suggest the following:
Electronic transfer:
BSB 704 901
A/C No. 00001070
Algester Anglican Church
or
BPay https://www.bpoint.com.au/pay/TIM/?BillerCode=1729904
or
Parish Direct via Anfin – forms can be found on the Anfin website (www.anfin.com.au).
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Easter Sunday Online Service Update
Please join us for our Easter Day Service on 12th April at 9am on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/605550815
Meeting ID: 605 550 815
If you do not have Zoom you can join by clicking the link above and participating in your browser.
You do not need a password but you will need to run the application or program that comes up when you are asked.
Click yes to joining with the audio and video. Please check that your microphone is muted. Those controls should be in the bottom left hand corner.
People can make the screens of people larger by using speaker view in the top right hand corner. When the PowerPoint is shared there may be controls at the top that will enable you to see the screens side by side. You can change the sizes by sliding the double bars between them left or right.
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Good Friday Online Service Update
Rev. Morris Rangiwai is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting to commemorate the events of Good Friday.
If you do not have Zoom you can join by clicking the link and participating in your browser.
You do not need a password but you will need to run the application or program that comes up when you are asked.
Click yes to joining with the audio and video. Please check that your microphone is muted. Those controls should be in the bottom left hand corner.
If they are not there they may appear when you move the mouse.
For people using Zoom you will not need a password when you click on the link below.
When you sign in use the device audio and video, unless you are experienced and have another set up your microphone will be automatically muted, but please check that it is.
People who are praying or reading will be unmuted.
It seems to work best if you select Speaker View, in the top right hand corner.
Topic: Good Friday – Stations of the Cross
Time: Apr 10, 2020 08:55 AM Algester
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/964297852
Meeting ID: 964 297 852
See you in Church.
Please make a Silent Exit at the end of our Service.
Feel free to pause for a moment in meditation or quietly exit the ‘Zoom Room”.
______________________________________________________________________________31 March 2020 Update
Live streaming
We are hoping to be able to live stream very soon and will be using Zoom as the platform to do this. In preparation for this, please download and sign up to zoom at https://zoom.us/ It is free to download and sign up.
Weekly Offering
To continue to contribute to weekly offerings, we suggest the following:
Electronic transfer:
BSB 704 901
A/C No. 00001070
Algester Anglican Church
or
Parish Direct via Anfin – forms can be found on the Anfin website (www.anfin.com.au).
______________________________________________________________________________
25 March 2020 Further Update from Anglican General Manager
The Federal Government introduced further restrictions last night in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and provided clarity regarding some church activities.
The Prime Minister said:
“Australians should stay at home, unless shopping for essentials, travelling to and from work – where you cannot work from home – going to school and exercising. Keep visitors to your home at a minimum. In outdoor spaces do not congregate in groups.”
In seeking to support the work the Government is doing to reduce the spread of the virus and to comply with the new restrictions, the Anglican Church Southern Queensland is advising the following:
Small group gatherings in private spaces
All small group gatherings (e.g. Bible studies and prayer groups) held in private spaces, such as people’s homes, should be suspended immediately. Groups are encouraged to meet online.
Parish Council Meetings
Parishes should suspend face to face meetings of parish council and church committees as gatherings should be kept to minimum and include only a small number of attendees. Face-to-face meetings of the priest and wardens are allowed but should follow the social distancing protocols outlined by the Government including the four square metre rule. Parishes are encouraged to meet online.
Online Meetings
Some parishes are already using online solutions such as Microsoft Teams, Skype or Zoom to conduct meetings “face to face” without having everyone physically in the same room.
Weddings
Weddings may be conducted, although with no more than five people, including the couple, the celebrant and the witnesses. The four-square-metre per person rule and social distancing rule must be observed.
Baptism and Confirmation
Baptism and confirmation services are suspended until further notice.
Funerals
Funerals may occur (on or off site) but must be limited to a maximum of 10 people. The four-square-metre per person rule and social distancing rule must be observed.
Live streaming and recording of services
A maximum of 10 people may meet to enable live streaming or recording of a worship service, provided that the prescribed social distancing measures are strictly followed by those involved, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres between people and having at least one person per four square metres in a room. Worship services that are live-streamed must not be open for physical attendance by the public.
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24 March 2020 Update from the Anglican General Manager
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Dear all You will be aware that last night the Australian Government introduced new restrictions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The advice has left churches with some questions about their activities. This email is intended to provide some clarity; however, the situation is rapidly changing, and we are still seeking advice on some matters. Please continue to check the Diocesan COVID-19 Guidance and Information page regularly for updates. Church gatherings and meetings The Government has instructed that “Non-essential gatherings are suspended for an initial four weeks to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus”. At this stage, this means that all worship and ministry gatherings held on church grounds or in other public spaces are suspended. This includes public worship, prayer gatherings and gatherings relating to children’s and youth ministry. These gatherings may continue online, where possible. Small group gatherings (such as Bible study and prayer groups) that are held in private spaces, such as people’s homes, may continue at this stage, provided that the following social distancing measures are strictly followed by attendees and enforced by hosts/gathering leaders:
Gatherings to enable live streaming The meeting of a small number of people to enable live streaming of a worship service is permitted, provided that the social distancing measures listed above are strictly followed by those involved, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres between people and having no more than one person per four square metres in a room. Church business meetings Meetings relating to church business (such as parish staff meetings and Parish Council meetings) can continue at this stage, provided that the following social distancing measures are strictly followed by attendees and enforced by hosts/gathering leaders:
Weddings and baptisms Following the Australian Government advice issued on 22 March 2020, weddings and baptisms are to be suspended for the time being regardless of the size of the group or social distancing measures – both outdoors and indoors. Funerals Funerals are also suspended, although they are specifically exempted in the government’s public health directive where the numbers are limited to a small group and where the following social distancing measures can be adhered to:
Use of church buildings and facilities The Australian Government has instructed that: The following facilities will be restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020: · Places of worship and that, These measures also apply to outdoor spaces associated with the above venues. This means (and we have been advised by the Queensland Premier’s Office and Queensland Chief Health Officer) that church buildings and other church property, including outdoor church property/spaces, are to be closed to the public. This includes for private prayer. Clergy and church staff are not expected to secure the outdoor spaces of churches, but activities or signage should not encourage gathering in these spaces. Hiring of church property and facilities With the closure of church buildings and outdoor church property/spaces, the hiring out or provision of church buildings (such as church halls) and other facilities to external groups is to cease until further notice or unless you receive advice from the Government that the activity is an essential service. As we move further into this COVID 19 public health crisis, we continue to pray for you and your community. It was encouraging to see and hear about the many churches who streamed worship, sermons or reflections over the weekend. Don’t forget the grants being offered by the Diocese to assist you move into the online space. God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to all who wait or work in uncertainty. Bring hope that you will make them the equal of whatever lies ahead. Bring them courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. -Adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book Regards Tim Reid General Manager |
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Dear Friends in Christ,
From Monday 23 March 2020 all public Anglican worship services will be suspended until further notice due to COVID-19.
We acknowledge that this decision to place public worship on hold will have a massive impact both for you, and our parish in general. Our focus will continue to be the vocation of care and compassion to our parishioners and community. The most important way we can do this, is to identify the various methods we can use, to share the word of God and continue to update you on any developments.
We are looking to have daily devotionals online. The daily prayer service is currently available online, just put Australian Anglican Daily Prayer into your search engine. If you prefer, please take a prayer book home. We would just ask that you record your details on the clipboard to enable us to keep track of the books. May we also recommend viewing Songs of Praise on ABC at 11.30am on Sunday mornings.
In the very near future we hope to be able to live stream services.
We will also be initiating a support network, matching up parishioners to ensure practical and spiritual support. Please ensure that you have completed your parish roll details.
The Parish Council will meet weekly, rather than monthly, to assist with ongoing management of the church and to keep you updated with any relevant information.
During this time of uncertainty, we request you avoid coming into the office unless it is necessity. Please try to phone or email instead. We ask this to protect the health of Rev’d Morris and Kerry. Please be assure that the church will still be open most mornings and should you want to attend for prayer, you are most welcome. If you do come into the church or office, please use hand sanitiser as you enter and observe the 1.5 metre social distancing rule.
Please do not hesitate to contact Rev’d Morris or Parish Councillors for any practical or spiritual needs or if you know of anybody who requires support at this unprecedented time.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Rev’d Morris and the Parish Council.
Please see below for links to further information:
Anglican Church Southern QLD https://anglicanchurchsq.org.au/covid
Archbishps Ad Clerum letter 19 March 2020