Dear Ministers, members of Church Councils and Congregational Leaders,

15 May 2020

As the Uniting Church in SA continues its cautious approach to unwinding the necessary restrictions created by COVID-19, the Crisis Management Team (CMT) has been listening carefully to the Government and health advice. I want to express our thanks to presbyteries, congregations and other organisations for your commitment to keeping people safe at this time.

As we interpret and understand the details of Step 1 on the Government’s road map, we feel confident that it is time to reopen most of our Op Shops. The Synod, through this communication, has sought to provide some Operating Guidelines (click here to download: UCA SA COVIDSAFE Op Shop Operating Guidelines) and a Checklist (click here to download: UCA SA COVIDSAFE Op Shop Checklist) to assist Church Councils prepare and monitor the re-opening of their Op Shops. Also click here to download posters and other resources from Safe Work Australia which we hope will be helpful.

We have received many enquires about the involvement of vulnerable people in the activities of the church. How we ensure the safety of vulnerable people as well as respectfully and joyfully including them in the life and witness of the church is challenging. We have provided some guidelines, which we believe are consistent with the Government’s guidelines. While the CMT, at this time, does not encourage vulnerable people to attend our church buildings for group activities, we respect that Church Councils may determine that some vulnerable people can attend as long as strict hygiene and distancing recommendations are in place and closely monitored.

In the coming weeks the CMT will continue to talk with Government via Leaders of Christian Churches South Australia (LoCCsa), Presbytery Office Bearers and Church Council members about the pending advice from the Government in relation to Step 2 of the road map. While we have some indication of what that might look like, CMT fully anticipates there will be some changes. We will endeavour to have our communication in congregations as close to the 8th June announcements as possible.

Please continue to contact the Associate General Secretary, Rev Sue Page (spage@sa.uca.org.au or on 8236 4217) or Executive Officer Placements & Safe Church, Rev Philip Gardner (pgardner@sa.uca.org.au or on 8236 4268) with any questions or concerns you have.

Thank you for your patience and your prayerful support during this time. It is our prayer that you and your ministries will continue to be uplifted by God’s love and grace in Jesus name. Amen.