No images? Click here For updates and resources, go to Issue 03 - 20 March 2020‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, These are extraordinary times, and it is extraordinary that I should write to you three times in one week. Government and societal responses to the COVID-19 coronavirus have been fast-moving as we have learned more about the spread of the virus. I hope you are finding these communications from the LCA/NZ helpful and encouraging as we hold fast to Christ, knowing that he holds us in his loving embrace.
Pastoral Guidance and advice from the College of Bishops The College of Bishops met yesterday and were of one mind on some matters that I now need to share with you prior to Sunday, when most of us will gather across Australia and New Zealand* for divine worship. 1. Suspension of Holy Communion services We recommend that congregations and worship centres now hold Services of the Word, rather than Holy Communion. To be quite plain, our advice is not to offer Holy Communion for this period. This is a temporary arrangement, without undermining the centrality of the Sacrament and the precious promise of God it contains. Right now, however, we must care for those who are vulnerable. We have no certain way of knowing who the most vulnerable are, or who the most likely carriers of the virus are. Good pastoral care, therefore, requires us not to expose people to situations of high risk while this situation continues. As you plan your worship, we hope you will use the profound Christian liturgies, composed almost entirely of Scripture, which generations have handed down to us. They have brought rich comfort to many people during times of displacement and turmoil. LCA pastors are trained in the use of these liturgies, and in preparing sermons for times such as these. Please use them now to comfort and inspire God’s people as we gather to hear the Word, praise and pray. In ancient, scriptural words such as the ‘Lamb of God’ (Agnus Dei) and ‘Lord, have mercy’ (Kyrie eleison), God draws near, fills us with his Spirit, and provides strength to meet the challenges of human perplexity, uncertainty and distress. They are as contemporary and relevant as they were when first spoken and later recorded in the Bible. The LCA/NZ provides support for worship planning at www.lca.org.au/worship/wpp. Sermon resources are also available. 2. Planning for a period when you cannot gather The College of Bishops advises congregations to plan what you will do if, and most likely when, you must temporarily stop gathering for public worship. There is a high probability of this becoming necessary, to care for and protect those most at risk from the virus. Governments will likely mandate it anyway (the gathering size in Germany is now down to no more than five people), so it is best that you are prepared. Even without a specific government directive, a good moment to suspend all public worship gatherings will be when schools are instructed to close. Congregational leadership and pastors need to develop plans that allow worship and pastoral care to continue, using methods that do not require close, physical proximity. Also, consider how you can continue to give your weekly offering. Helpful information on that is available at www.lca.org.au/REG. The LLL stands ready to assist you – please call them toll free on 1800 556 457. The LCA is developing resources to help you with these plans. They will be on the LCA/NZ COVID-19 Response page www.lca.org.au/covid-19, or get a friend to help, or call your district office if you don’t have a computer. Also, please remember to tell your district administrator (districtadministrators@lca.org.au) what you are doing. Some congregations will continue to worship via live-streaming, but not all are able to do that. If you are one of the blessed ones which can, consider sharing that resource with others by informing your district administration 3. Planning to return We also suggest that your congregation thinks about how you will return to your worship space once this is over and you can gather there again in prayer and praise. That will be a positive moment to go down in history, a highlight when we will give thanks to God from the bottom of our hearts. You can start preparing for that moment right now, discuss how you will celebrate, and anticipate the joy of being together again in one place. How special that will be! I also remind you of the need to consider your connections with the wider, ecumenical church community. All worship is affected, of whatever denomination. We can offer each other encouragement, prayer, and other forms of support as we go through this together.
Updated daily devotions from the LCA/NZ I am also pleased to tell you that from Monday next week, the LCA will be offering fresh, current devotions, which are emailed directly to members daily upon subscription. It’s free, and easy to sign up by clicking here. Please share this information with your congregation’s members and friends.
Ongoing updates See www.lca.org.au/covid-19 for ongoing updates.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
God give you peace and hold you in his care. Pastor John Henderson * On Thursday 19 March New Zealand, as already the case in Australia, announced that indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 100 people. You are receiving this email because you are an LCA/NZ pastor or other church worker, congregation office-bearer or General Synod delegate, or you have signed up to receive LCA eNews. To subscribe to other eNews lists, click here. To unsubscribe from this list, click here.(This option is not available to pastors, congregation chairpersons and General Synod delegates). To change your email address, click here.
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