Page Text: Latest advisories on COVID-19 are on the Australian Government web site here.
And on the Synod website here.
Any questions or concerns about issues affecting the presbytery can be directed to the Presbytery Minister Rev. David Busch
With worship gatherings cancelled and significant constraints imposed on people’s travel and social distance, we are being challenged to develop new ways to be church and to do church, for our own people and in service and witness to the wider community.
South Moreton Presbytery is keen to encourage and resource Congregations and ministry agents for these times. On this page, we’ll recommend various resources, mostly coming from within the UCA context. These are also being published on our Facebook page .
You can find Synod’s formal advisories about coronavirus here . This also includes a range of ideas and advice for Congregations engaging in ministry in this new context.
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #26
Rev. Beth Nicholls has compiled a great list of online resources available for children’s and families ministry, including through Holy Week and Easter. Check them out here.
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #25
If you’re familiar with The Bible Project, you’ll know the excellent resources this team continues to produce on the books of the Bible and major biblical themes. During COVID-19, they are providing a free weekly Church at Home resource which includes video, audio and written material, ideal for individual Bible study. Certainly worth a look, and recommending to your people.
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #24
Here’s a beautiful, evocative video reflection for Palm Sunday or Holy Week, based on the renewal of bushland after the fires in East Gippsland, by Rev. Ian Ferguson in Melbourne. He’s offering it for online use as churches wish. .. click here ..
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #23
There are several Christian music streaming offers to assist with online worship during COVID-19. Here is one from Resound Worship Music in the UK.
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #22
Here’s a beautiful video reflection piece, called Presence, created by Rev David MacGregor who also wrote the instrumental music. David is offering it for inclusion in online worship as people may wish.
Posted by David MacGregor on Monday, 30 March 2020
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #21
Rev Ralph Mayhew (Burleigh Heads UC and Village Church) has applied his expertise in photography to offer 3 excellent video tutorials on basic techniques to improve home-based video recording. Each runs about 10 minutes and the content is all very practical and low tech.There’s a general one and then 2 focusing on getting good audio and lighting. With video platforms central to Congregation life in many places during COVID-19 and, for certain, beyond, these are a helpful gift for us at this time. The playlist is on YouTube:
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #20
Some Australian Christian songwriters are offering their music for free, for worship streaming or recording during COVID-19. Craig Mitchell is curating a page indicating composers, songs and links.
The page will be updated as information comes in: click here.
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #19
Starting this weekend, the UCA Assembly is offering worship streaming through its Facebook page. On Sunday April 5, Rev. Alex Sangster in Melbourne will lead an online Palm Sunday service at 10:00 am. Here is a list of the services and leaders each week through April and May. Join in via the Assembly Facebook page, “Uniting Church in Australia.”
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #18
Good article in Eureka Street (Australian Jesuit online journal) this week on social connectivity in a pandemic. Lots of good examples, and maybe some ideas to spark a Congregation initiative or two.
..click here..
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #17
Project ReConnect (Hunter Presbytery, NSW) provides a lectionary-based sermon on video for every Sunday. Can be used in church or home, but has been especially valuable for small Congregations. The sermons have all been uploaded to the end of May 2020. Our former PresMin, Rev. Alan Robinson, is the preacher for April 19!
..click here..
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #16
Adrian Taylor is the eLearning Facilitator for the VicTas Synod / Pilgrim Theological College and a theology student at Pilgrim. He posted this in the UCA Assembly Transforming Worship circle Facebook page. It makes some good points abouty where our expectations and energies might best be placed as we seek to adapt to ‘dispersed church’. (Reposted with permission.)
Hi all, many of you are dealing with having to do church online in a really short period of time, as a former Assistant Media Director for a mega church I have spent most of the last ten years being asked to think about ways to take church online. Since I don’t have time to answer every question, I’ve listed some ideas here:
1) Start simple. We don’t have the time to do this right, we are responding to an emergency we haven’t planned for.
2) Prioritise connection over production or liturgical beauty. The best thing you can do for your community this weekend is connect with them. Instead of stressing about Facebook Live, write a separate text message to each person in your church, asking how they are.
3) Reduce screen time. We’re all being asked to spend more time in Zoom meetings or reading emails on top of being glued to news feeds. Send people something they can print out or a playlist they can listen to.
4) Move away from scheduled activities. While people need to maintain routines in isolation, we’re all being asked to attend more meetings and this is causing schedule anxiety. Find ways people can connect in flexibility.
5) Focus on spiritual practice over liturgy and preaching. What we need most is assistance in letting go of stress and regaining connection with God and with others.
6) Lower expectations. We all need a little grace. Think twice before asking your teenager or church tech guy for help. Everyone is coming to us.
7) Invite don’t ask or tell. Make everything you do optional. Listen to your congregations needs and let them reflect.
8) Keep reassessing. None of us know what’s going to work. Last Sunday I would’ve told you to consider a small group on Zoom. I’ve spent all week on Zoom meetings and would rather not go to another one. People don’t know yet what is going to work for them.
9) Thank you. For every person who is trying to do things differently. For every person who is caring for others. For every person who is feeling exhausted. Thank you.
10) Forgive the mistakes. If your church isn’t getting it right or doing it the way you would like, be patient. None of us trained for this, we’re all learning.
UNITY IN DISPERSITY #15
Going online for worship invites creativity in use of visuals and sound. A poetic imagination can be expressed very simply. A script, some lovely images, and sensitive editing can produce a memorable engagement with scripture, and a gentle worshipful space. Here is Rev. Ian Ferguson’s video reflection on Ezekiel 37 (can these bones live?), which he has shared for others to use this Sunday if they wish. It might also inspire you, or others in your Congregation, to try something, especially for Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter.