Dear Ministers and leaders of congregations

3 July 2020

Thank you for your adaptability and the leadership you offer in these continually changing times. It has certainly been an interesting journey as you have managed the various desires of members of your congregations, those re-engaging or engaging for the first time with the activities of your ministries, and those seeking the help of the church in many ways.

It brings me joy to see and hear of the many creative ways you have connected in times when physical contact has been limited. I am thankful for the stories I have heard from people who, in their physical isolation, feel more connected to their congregation than ever before. The increased pastoral care through phone calls, letterbox drops and front porch conversations, has been significant.

Online worship, study and discussion groups are increasing in popularity, with people engaging in ways not previously experienced. I appreciate the extra workload this has placed on leaders to make it happen and the rapid learning undertaken in areas previously outside your expertise. It is good to hear of congregations sharing resources and skills as well as exchanging ideas. Even so, I know many of you are feeling exhausted with the changed responsibilities and expectations.

In your planning for the future, I encourage you to carefully consider the priorities in ministry for your congregation, those people reached in recent times, and the wider community. It may not be reasonable or practical to retain the recent initiatives, while also going back to the mission and ministry of the congregation as it was before COVID-19. Opportunities to offer particular ministries in partnership with other congregations may be a way forward in your situation. You may be able to seek help from your presbytery to facilitate this.

I thank you for your willingness to think outside of the normal practices and consider new ways of being church as we settle into the “new normal”. One certainty for me is that our situation will change again. This change may happen many times in the near future as the church, government and society manage the long term effects of this virus among us.

Please know that the Synod staff continue to be available to assist and resource your congregation as you make decisions about the shape of future ministry. As Moderator, I welcome emails and phone calls as you consider the next steps.

Thank you once again for your faithfulness as disciples of Christ. May we all remember that it is through our connections with God, our church and the wider community that we can truly fulfil the ministries to which we are called.

moderator@sa.uca.org.au    0434 691 776