Clayton Church COVID-19 Updates

Update Wednesday 18/03/2020

Dear Church,

We praise and thank God for your incredible patience and unity in Him during this time of uncertainty. Things are moving extremely quickly, and as we continue to follow the government and authorities’ updates concerning the spread of COVID-19, we are well aware that this situation will continue to impact not only the ways we gather as a church, but our daily lives.

As of this morning’s press conference (Wed 18th March 2020), the Prime Minister has issued a ban on non-essential indoor gatherings of 100 people or more and outdoor gatherings of 500 or more. We are expecting further guidelines and measures regarding smaller indoor gatherings by the end of this week and will communicate these as soon as we know.

At this stage, we are in a good place to embrace all the changes that are quickly happening. The church staff and some amazing volunteers are working hard to put together resources to help our community transition into the changes that are taking place. By Friday this week, we hope to send out more info about:

  • What to expect with this Sunday’s service being live-streamed and our church meeting in small life group settings at home.
  • How-to videos about live streaming, video conferencing into group discussions remotely, and how to join our Facebook community group.
  • Discussion questions for groups to use.
  • Materials and resources for your children.
  • Guidelines to minimise the risk of COVID19.
  • The support we will be providing newcomers who may walk into our church building on Sunday and those who are not yet part of a group.
  • Links and resources that you might find useful.
  • Answers to some FAQs.

As a reminder, please seek medical help and self-isolate if you:

  • Are unwell or experiencing flu-like symptoms.
  • Have recently returned from an affected area.
  • Have been in contact with an infected person.
  • Are worried because you fall into the category of vulnerable people (the elderly or those with compromised immune systems).

If you have been directly impacted or are unable to obtain essentials, please don’t delay in letting us know. Reach out to your Life Group communities or contact us directly at hello@claytonchurch.org.au. Our hope is to look out for one another and share our surplus. If you are not part of a group, you can register to join one.

The life group structure we already have in place will allow us to continue building our church community both online and in homes. We can still message one another, do video conferencing, and live-stream our services with the help of technology. So please stay connected, remember check in with one another and please join us in praying for the situation.

Update: Sunday 15/03/2020

By this time, you would have been aware of the COVID-19 virus outbreak (which has been described by the World Health Organisation as pandemic) that has so far impacted many countries, including Australia. On Friday 13th March 2020, our Prime Minister in a live press conference has called for a national restriction on non-essential gatherings over 500 people. This restriction is in effect as of Monday 16th March 2020. This will have an impact on how we gather as a church community in this pandemic season.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of business-as-usual and going about our daily lives in a calm and wise manner. We, as the leadership of Clayton Church of Christ, want to comply with the temporary precautions put in place as suggested by the government.

In response, this coming Sunday 15th March 2020, our 10am English and 2pm Chinese Service will continue to operate as normal. As a leadership we want to take the time to share with you the plans we have made moving forward and the changes that will take place to our regular programming and events after Monday 16th March 2020 when the restriction is in effect. We will be live-streaming the services and I will be sharing from God’s Word to speak His heart for us as a church and this nation in this time.

As we seek to be proactive in the COVID-19 situation, we ask that you follow the advice given by the Australian Department of Health. Do take a look at this link that will enable you to do a self-assessment for your risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 coronavirus. Take care of your health and protect others by practicing good personal hygiene. Self isolate and seek medical help if you:

  • are unwell or experiencing flu-like symptoms.
  • have recently returned from an affected area.
  • have been in contact with an infected person.
  • are worried because you fall into the category of vulnerable people (the elderly and those with compromised immune systems)

You can access the live streaming of our services.  Subscribe and click on the notification button to be notified when our services go live. You can also access it through our facebook community page.

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Hosted services Sunday 10:00am

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We are committed to doing everything we can to provide a safe environment for our church community, and to continuing our vision to represent Jesus to everyone, everywhere with everything. We want to encourage one another as Christians to remain united in faith, prayer and to look for creative ways to serve those in need and offer hope for those feeling fearful. In the midst of darkness and disease, we exist to shine the light and love of Christ.

We don’t share any of this information to alarm or distress you, but to keep you informed as our heart is to protect our people and ensure the safety of the communities in which God has placed us. We will continue to monitor this closely and update you with relevant information on our facebook page and website.

See you this coming Sunday,

Ps Chee Fah and Church Board

ARE REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES AND OTHER CHURCH EVENTS STILL ON?

This Sunday is our last opportunity to gather in the 10am service as one family before the effect of the ban on Monday 16th March 2020. We will be sharing an update of our way forward on services and other church events after the effect of the ban. We will be live streaming our services and you can access it here. Subscribe and click on the notification button to be notified when our services go live. You will also be able to access it via our facebook community page.

Live Stream

Hosted services Sunday 10:00am

WHAT IS CLAYTON CHURCH OF CHRIST DOING TO PREVENT SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS?

We are following all health and hygiene recommendations and have implemented a range of strategies specific to ministry at Clayton Church of Christ, including:

  • Replacing greeting handshakes with other welcome gestures that don’t involve touching hands or faces.
  • Sanitising common areas, equipment, and other facilities.
  • Changes to food handling practices.
  • Changes to communion and tithing distribution and handing practices (incl. those handling money to wear gloves) as of this Sunday
  • Stopping church lunch from Monday 16th March 2020
  • Additional hand sanitisers and masks have been made available
  • Working collaboratively with our venue providers to ensure hygienic meeting spaces.
  • Extra care and diligence towards health and hygiene in our Kids church and playgroup programs and toys
  • We are praying with you for our government leaders, medical and health professionals, and for those affected.

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

  • Download and read the Victorian Government Coronavirus Factsheet
  • Download, read and share 10 ways to reduce your risk of Coronavirus
  • Wash your hands regularly and/or use hand sanitiser before and after Clayton Church of Christ services and events.
  • Avoid shaking people’s hands at church – consider alternative greeting gestures that don’t involve touching hands or faces.
  • Cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze with a tissue or upper sleeve or elbow, and then thoroughly wash your hands.
  • If you are sick or have cold or flu like symptoms, please do not attend a Clayton Church of Christ service or event (including Sunday services, life groups, and other gatherings).
  • If your children are sick or have cold or flu like symptoms, please do not bring them to a Clayton Church of Christ service or event.
  • If you have recently travelled overseas, please check the current Australian Government restrictions, and follow the isolation guidelines if you have visited one of the high-risk countries. Please do not attend a Clayton Church of Christ service or event during the isolation period.
  • Have confidence in the supremacy of Jesus in all times; continue to love one another, and to serve our church community and our cities with the love of Christ.
  • Be praying for our government leaders, medical staff, and for those affected.

HOW CAN I KEEP CONNECTED IF I AM UNWELL?

  • If you are feeling unwell, you can continue to connect with us via live stream. Subscribe and click on the notification button to be notified when our services go live.
Live Stream

Hosted services Sunday 10:00am

  • If you contract Coronavirus, do let us know so we can support you in any way we can, and to help inform anyone you may have had contact with from church or other relevant people/organisations.
  • Catch up on your recent local sermon through the Clayton Church of Christ podcast or website

    Podcast

    Online messages

    For current information on the coronavirus from the Australian Department of Health.

    To connect or for further enquires reach out to our staff team, or contact hello@claytonchurch.org.au.