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Covid Communique 42 - 29 March 2022
As you will have likely already know, from this morning, mask wearing is no longer mandatory in WA and the space requirements have also been removed. This means churches, halls and Op shops which have had to restrict numbers because of the previous 2sq.mtr. rule no longer need do so.
Furthermore, proof of vaccination is now not required where food is being sold/consumed.
Some people may still choose to wear masks out of concern for themselves or others and masks remain mandatory for hospital and aged care visiting.
The advice not to attend events or services when feeling unwell and to get tested remains. As does the advice to be fully vaccinated, wherever possible.
As you will have likely already know, from this morning, mask wearing is no longer mandatory in WA and the space requirements have also been removed. This means churches, halls and Op shops which have had to restrict numbers because of the previous 2sq.mtr. rule no longer need do so.
Furthermore, proof of vaccination is now not required where food is being sold/consumed.
Some people may still choose to wear masks out of concern for themselves or others and masks remain mandatory for hospital and aged care visiting.
The advice not to attend events or services when feeling unwell and to get tested remains. As does the advice to be fully vaccinated, wherever possible.
Covid Communique 41 - 29 March 2022
As you are likely to have heard, from 12.01am on Thursday 31 March, there is no longer a requirement for churches, op shops, Halls etc. to keep a contact register or require people to sign in digitally. (You may choose to keep a voluntary register of who attended in case you need to let anyone know that someone may have tested +ve, but you are not required to do so, and no-one is obliged to give their particulars).
Mask wearing, the same 2 sq. mtr. space requirements and use of sanitiser, etc. all remain as before.
Up to 30 people may now congregate indoors in one house, including household members. Outdoor private gatherings can have up to 200 people.
The limit of two visitors will remain per resident per day to residential aged and disability care facilities.
There is no change concerning essential visitors allowed to hospitals, for:
As you are likely to have heard, from 12.01am on Thursday 31 March, there is no longer a requirement for churches, op shops, Halls etc. to keep a contact register or require people to sign in digitally. (You may choose to keep a voluntary register of who attended in case you need to let anyone know that someone may have tested +ve, but you are not required to do so, and no-one is obliged to give their particulars).
Mask wearing, the same 2 sq. mtr. space requirements and use of sanitiser, etc. all remain as before.
Up to 30 people may now congregate indoors in one house, including household members. Outdoor private gatherings can have up to 200 people.
The limit of two visitors will remain per resident per day to residential aged and disability care facilities.
There is no change concerning essential visitors allowed to hospitals, for:
- compassionate reasons such as end of life
- accompanying a child or patient with complex needs
- birthing partner
- carer of a person with a disability, chronic illness and frailty.
Covid Communique 40 - 1 March 2022
As you may well have heard, WA is moving to Level 2 from Thursday this week. Mercifully, the 4 square metre rule will not apply to churches but the 2 square metre rule remains and now a new maximum limit of 150 persons will apply for all indoor and outdoor church activities, including services, funerals and weddings, and our Easter services. The lesser of the 2 square metres per person, or the 150 maximum, will apply. Home groups must be a maximum of 10 people. As before, heavy fines can be levied on us if we do not abide by these regulations, which are designed to try and limit the spread of Covid and the risks of hospitalisation and death.
There are now limits to how many and which people can visit in hospitals and Aged Care. Aged Care facilities across our region are rapidly moving to requiring visitors to be not only vaccinated for Covid and Flu but also have a negative RAT result. Some facilities are supplying RATs to visitors. If they do not supply a free test but require a negative result, parishes should consider reimbursing clergy and lay pastoral staff for the costs of a RAT. If this proves prohibitively expensive, or you cannot access these tests, please contact the diocesan office.
Please see the details of the WA Level 2 measures below…
Based on the latest health advice, upgraded public health and social measures will be introduced state-wide from 12:01am, Thursday 3 March.
Level 2 measures include:
Masks
Density and capacity limits2sqm rule and 150 patron limit (not including staff) for the following venues:
50 per cent capacity limit for entertainment venues with forward facing seating, such as theatres and cinemas, and for major stadiums, including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Stadium (main area) and HBF Park, with mask wearing at stadiums.
4sqm rule and seated service only for the Crown Casino gaming floor.
Hospitals, aged and disability care facilities
As you may well have heard, WA is moving to Level 2 from Thursday this week. Mercifully, the 4 square metre rule will not apply to churches but the 2 square metre rule remains and now a new maximum limit of 150 persons will apply for all indoor and outdoor church activities, including services, funerals and weddings, and our Easter services. The lesser of the 2 square metres per person, or the 150 maximum, will apply. Home groups must be a maximum of 10 people. As before, heavy fines can be levied on us if we do not abide by these regulations, which are designed to try and limit the spread of Covid and the risks of hospitalisation and death.
There are now limits to how many and which people can visit in hospitals and Aged Care. Aged Care facilities across our region are rapidly moving to requiring visitors to be not only vaccinated for Covid and Flu but also have a negative RAT result. Some facilities are supplying RATs to visitors. If they do not supply a free test but require a negative result, parishes should consider reimbursing clergy and lay pastoral staff for the costs of a RAT. If this proves prohibitively expensive, or you cannot access these tests, please contact the diocesan office.
Please see the details of the WA Level 2 measures below…
Based on the latest health advice, upgraded public health and social measures will be introduced state-wide from 12:01am, Thursday 3 March.
Level 2 measures include:
Masks
- Mask wearing requirements expanded to children in Years 3-6 in all public indoor settings (usual exemptions apply)
- Home gatherings limited to a total of 10 people indoors and outdoors, except weddings and funerals
- Private outdoor gatherings in a public space limited to 50 people
- 2sqm square metre rule and 150 person capacity limit indoors or outdoors for weddings and funerals, and for places of worship – no more than 10 people inside if held at a private residence
Density and capacity limits2sqm rule and 150 patron limit (not including staff) for the following venues:
- Hospitality venues (seated service only)
- Fitness venues
- Entertainment venues (excluding seated entertainment venues – see below)
- Galleries and museums
- Places of worship
- Hairdressers, tattoo parlours and beauty services
- Nightclubs (seated service only)
50 per cent capacity limit for entertainment venues with forward facing seating, such as theatres and cinemas, and for major stadiums, including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Stadium (main area) and HBF Park, with mask wearing at stadiums.
4sqm rule and seated service only for the Crown Casino gaming floor.
Hospitals, aged and disability care facilities
- Limit of 2 visitors per resident per day to aged care and disability care facilities
- No visitors to hospitals, except for spouses, parents or carers, birth partners or for compassionate reasons
- 2sqm rule and 150 person capacity limit indoors or outdoors for higher education facilities including pathway colleges and English language schools
- Indoor community sports as per venue requirement, with no spectators, expect for parents or guardians
- Outdoor community sports permitted with no spectators, except for parents or guardians
- 2sqm rule and 500 person capacity limit for outdoor public venues and events. Masks required.
Covid Communique 39 - 18 February 2022
Return of the 2sq metre rule for churches, latest Covid Safety plan template and other measures from 6am on Monday
The Premier has today announced new Level 1 measures that will take effect from 6am Monday, 21 February.
Existing requirements relating to indoor mask requirements, proof of vaccination, contact registration and restricted access to remote Aboriginal communities remain in place, but the 2sqm rule has been reintroduced for places of worship. The indoor mask requirement has been extended to cover the Kimberley, Gascoyne, Mid-West and Goldfields-Esperance regions. This means Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun will now also have to wear masks in church from Monday.
Other measures that may affect some of our activities are as follows:
Gathering limits
Level 2 measures may include:
Return of the 2sq metre rule for churches, latest Covid Safety plan template and other measures from 6am on Monday
The Premier has today announced new Level 1 measures that will take effect from 6am Monday, 21 February.
Existing requirements relating to indoor mask requirements, proof of vaccination, contact registration and restricted access to remote Aboriginal communities remain in place, but the 2sqm rule has been reintroduced for places of worship. The indoor mask requirement has been extended to cover the Kimberley, Gascoyne, Mid-West and Goldfields-Esperance regions. This means Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun will now also have to wear masks in church from Monday.
Other measures that may affect some of our activities are as follows:
Gathering limits
- Home gatherings limited to a total of 30 people
- Private outdoor gatherings (not at a private residence) limited to a total of 200 people
- Visitation at residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities and hospitals limited to 4 visitors per patient/resident per day
- Exemptions apply for compassionate reasons
- COVID Safety Plans are encouraged for all workplaces. The latest Safety Plan guidelines and template may be downloaded from https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/covid-19-coronavirus-covid-safety-plans-and-guidelines
- Workplaces to implement COVID-19 safe settings to manage workforce impacts.
Level 2 measures may include:
- Mask wearing expanded to include those in Year 3 and above
- Working from home advised for vulnerable people
- Rapid antigen tests (RATs) for visitors at residential aged care and disability facilities
- Home gatherings reduced to a total of 10 people
- 4sqm rule indoors and 2sqm rule outdoors places of worship
Covid Communique 38 - 28 January 2022
As you will have heard, from 6pm last night, the mask mandate in public indoor settings now extends to almost the whole of our diocese, covering the Wheatbelt and Great Southern as well as Peel and the South West. The only place that we believe is exempt is Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun.
That means everyone in the Great Southern and the Wheatbelt need to follow the information in Covid Communique 37 about mask wearing in Church, Op shops, offices and Halls.
As you will have heard, from 6pm last night, the mask mandate in public indoor settings now extends to almost the whole of our diocese, covering the Wheatbelt and Great Southern as well as Peel and the South West. The only place that we believe is exempt is Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun.
That means everyone in the Great Southern and the Wheatbelt need to follow the information in Covid Communique 37 about mask wearing in Church, Op shops, offices and Halls.
Covid Communique 37 - 25 January 2022
The mandating of mask-wearing in indoor public areas in the South West region from Monday last week, as well as in Peel and Perth, has caused a little confusion for some of our churches on Sunday, particularly in the South West, where we are less used to mask wearing.
Masks must be worn in all indoor public settings in Peel and the South West. This includes churches, parish halls, Op shops and offices. Masks can be removed whilst you are reading a lesson, or leading intercessions, or giving a notice and indeed when the person leading worship or presiding at Holy Communion is speaking. Masks should not be removed whilst singing hymns or songs, because singing unmasked is a particular risk for spreading Covid. With masks on, however, it is presently in order to sing.
It is a good idea to have notices prominently displayed (in the Peel and SW regions) which remind people that masks must be worn in an indoor public setting and to have a supply of spare masks for anyone who arrives without one. Just as we have been encouraging people to sign in, we should also encourage everyone to wear a mask, unless they have a medical exemption, or some particular disabilities, or are primary aged children.
At present churches are not places where people must be double-vaccinated in order to attend. The only persons who must be double vaccinated are anyone involved with organising or ministering at a funeral or with food distribution and indeed with visiting hospitals, or aged-care facilities. The latest research shows the chances of being hospitalised and ending up in ICU are between 9 and 25 times greater for those who are unvaccinated, which is why the WA government is encouraging as many as possible to be vaccinated, including with booster jabs.
We also need to remind people to stay home if they are unwell and get tested if they have any flu-like symptoms and self-isolate, particularly now there is community transmission of Omicron in WA (including 7 new cases overnight in Bunbury). Practicing physical distancing of 1.5 metres from each other and good hygiene all assist. The need for good hygiene is especially the case with the distribution of food and with all high touch areas.
Signing in is required. At present this can be done by physically signing in, or by the Safe WA App, or the new WA Service App. The new Service WA app is not required at the moment for churches but you may wish to spruik it for people who have Smart phones. The process takes at least 30 minutes. Your existing Safe WA code for each of our churches remains the same. (At Christ’s Church, Mandurah, Revd Ian Mabey hosted 9 Yr 12 Frederick Irwin Anglican School students who helped 24 members of the congregation put the Service WA app on their devices).
We are seeing the period of notice for changes in WA Health Directions getting shorter and shorter. Thus, not only is it likely that WA Health Directions may be subject to further change but it may also leave us with little or no notice and we may need to prepare people for this possibility and be both adaptable and flexible.
With the exception of the Peel region, we have been very blessed in largely not having to confront many of these challenges until now. I believe it is an important opportunity to increase our prayer and our faith and our love for one another and our communities as a Diocese.
The mandating of mask-wearing in indoor public areas in the South West region from Monday last week, as well as in Peel and Perth, has caused a little confusion for some of our churches on Sunday, particularly in the South West, where we are less used to mask wearing.
Masks must be worn in all indoor public settings in Peel and the South West. This includes churches, parish halls, Op shops and offices. Masks can be removed whilst you are reading a lesson, or leading intercessions, or giving a notice and indeed when the person leading worship or presiding at Holy Communion is speaking. Masks should not be removed whilst singing hymns or songs, because singing unmasked is a particular risk for spreading Covid. With masks on, however, it is presently in order to sing.
It is a good idea to have notices prominently displayed (in the Peel and SW regions) which remind people that masks must be worn in an indoor public setting and to have a supply of spare masks for anyone who arrives without one. Just as we have been encouraging people to sign in, we should also encourage everyone to wear a mask, unless they have a medical exemption, or some particular disabilities, or are primary aged children.
At present churches are not places where people must be double-vaccinated in order to attend. The only persons who must be double vaccinated are anyone involved with organising or ministering at a funeral or with food distribution and indeed with visiting hospitals, or aged-care facilities. The latest research shows the chances of being hospitalised and ending up in ICU are between 9 and 25 times greater for those who are unvaccinated, which is why the WA government is encouraging as many as possible to be vaccinated, including with booster jabs.
We also need to remind people to stay home if they are unwell and get tested if they have any flu-like symptoms and self-isolate, particularly now there is community transmission of Omicron in WA (including 7 new cases overnight in Bunbury). Practicing physical distancing of 1.5 metres from each other and good hygiene all assist. The need for good hygiene is especially the case with the distribution of food and with all high touch areas.
Signing in is required. At present this can be done by physically signing in, or by the Safe WA App, or the new WA Service App. The new Service WA app is not required at the moment for churches but you may wish to spruik it for people who have Smart phones. The process takes at least 30 minutes. Your existing Safe WA code for each of our churches remains the same. (At Christ’s Church, Mandurah, Revd Ian Mabey hosted 9 Yr 12 Frederick Irwin Anglican School students who helped 24 members of the congregation put the Service WA app on their devices).
We are seeing the period of notice for changes in WA Health Directions getting shorter and shorter. Thus, not only is it likely that WA Health Directions may be subject to further change but it may also leave us with little or no notice and we may need to prepare people for this possibility and be both adaptable and flexible.
With the exception of the Peel region, we have been very blessed in largely not having to confront many of these challenges until now. I believe it is an important opportunity to increase our prayer and our faith and our love for one another and our communities as a Diocese.
Covid Communique 36 – 18 January 2022
Masks mandatory now in all indoor public settings in Perth, Peel and the South West
People in Perth and Peel will know already the mask mandate was renewed at 6pm on Sunday evening, due to further community transmission of Covid 19. But you may have missed it has now been extended to the South West region as well from 6pm last night and applies to all workplaces, so church offices, and all indoor public settings, including worship and meetings, and to everyone from those regions travelling elsewhere.
This does not apply in the Great Southern as yet.
Masks mandatory now in all indoor public settings in Perth, Peel and the South West
People in Perth and Peel will know already the mask mandate was renewed at 6pm on Sunday evening, due to further community transmission of Covid 19. But you may have missed it has now been extended to the South West region as well from 6pm last night and applies to all workplaces, so church offices, and all indoor public settings, including worship and meetings, and to everyone from those regions travelling elsewhere.
This does not apply in the Great Southern as yet.
Covid Communique 34 - 28 December 2021
As you will probably have heard the current restrictions in Peel and Perth now remain until 6am on Tuesday 4 January. This continues to include anyone who has been in the Perth and Peel regions since 16th December. For more information, please click on the following link: www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/public-health-and-social-measures-continue-until-600am-tuesday-4-january-2022
As you will probably have heard the current restrictions in Peel and Perth now remain until 6am on Tuesday 4 January. This continues to include anyone who has been in the Perth and Peel regions since 16th December. For more information, please click on the following link: www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/public-health-and-social-measures-continue-until-600am-tuesday-4-january-2022
Covid Communique 33 - 23 December 2021
We have just heard there is a new Health Directive as a result of a person being infected and in the community in Perth. With effect from 6pm tonight, masks must be worn in all public places in the Peel and Perth regions. Unfortunately this will affect all our Christmas services in the Peel region. Masks must also be worn by anyone in the State who has recently been in Perth during the relevant period.
For more information, please click on the following link: Restrictions introduced for Perth and Peel from 6pm tonight (www.wa.gov.au)
We have just heard there is a new Health Directive as a result of a person being infected and in the community in Perth. With effect from 6pm tonight, masks must be worn in all public places in the Peel and Perth regions. Unfortunately this will affect all our Christmas services in the Peel region. Masks must also be worn by anyone in the State who has recently been in Perth during the relevant period.
For more information, please click on the following link: Restrictions introduced for Perth and Peel from 6pm tonight (www.wa.gov.au)
Covid Communique 32 – 23 December 2021
It is a sign of how protected we have been in WA that our last Communique was over 5 months ago.
We have just been made aware, however, of the following and attached information, which we believe affects all churches where funerals are held, our campsite and all parishes or settings providing a food service, like Cliff’s Kitchen, Manna and Mercy, Rafters, and St. John’s Albany. This is also likely to affect wherever we give out food as part of Emergency Relief. This applies only from 1 January 2022. From that date all relevant clergy, employed staff and volunteers must have had their first vaccination. From 1 February all relevant clergy, employed staff and volunteers must have had their 2nd vaccination. The diocese must keep a record of the vaccination status of all relevant persons. Further to the Premier’s announcement yesterday, all relevant persons must now also obtain their booster shot when applicable.
Please note this does not apply to office staff who are not involved with funeral services or with food distribution. Nor does it apply to Op shops.
We are unsure about the status of Morning Teas at this stage.
I have attached the relevant WA Health Order, which makes clear why these measures are being brought in. There is also a provision for medical exemption so long as it is recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register and displayed on the individual's Immunisation History Statement.
It is an offence for a person to fail without reasonable excuse to comply with the WA Health Directions, punishable by a fine of up to $20,000 for individuals or $100,000 for bodies corporate.
Given the first deadline of 31 December, please would you convey this information to all who need to know as soon as you are able and let the office know by email to Diocesan Office office@bunbury.org.au about the vaccination status of all relevant clergy (unless you have already done so), employed staff and volunteers.
A further option may be to temporarily suspend any relevant activities until you have had time to make sure everyone is compliant with this WA Health Order. Please click below to read the directions in full.
It is a sign of how protected we have been in WA that our last Communique was over 5 months ago.
We have just been made aware, however, of the following and attached information, which we believe affects all churches where funerals are held, our campsite and all parishes or settings providing a food service, like Cliff’s Kitchen, Manna and Mercy, Rafters, and St. John’s Albany. This is also likely to affect wherever we give out food as part of Emergency Relief. This applies only from 1 January 2022. From that date all relevant clergy, employed staff and volunteers must have had their first vaccination. From 1 February all relevant clergy, employed staff and volunteers must have had their 2nd vaccination. The diocese must keep a record of the vaccination status of all relevant persons. Further to the Premier’s announcement yesterday, all relevant persons must now also obtain their booster shot when applicable.
Please note this does not apply to office staff who are not involved with funeral services or with food distribution. Nor does it apply to Op shops.
We are unsure about the status of Morning Teas at this stage.
I have attached the relevant WA Health Order, which makes clear why these measures are being brought in. There is also a provision for medical exemption so long as it is recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register and displayed on the individual's Immunisation History Statement.
It is an offence for a person to fail without reasonable excuse to comply with the WA Health Directions, punishable by a fine of up to $20,000 for individuals or $100,000 for bodies corporate.
Given the first deadline of 31 December, please would you convey this information to all who need to know as soon as you are able and let the office know by email to Diocesan Office office@bunbury.org.au about the vaccination status of all relevant clergy (unless you have already done so), employed staff and volunteers.
A further option may be to temporarily suspend any relevant activities until you have had time to make sure everyone is compliant with this WA Health Order. Please click below to read the directions in full.
Covid Communique 31 - 13 July 21 - Phase 5 of the COVID-19 Roadmap For the Whole Diocese again!
Peel and Perth has joined the rest of WA in Phase 5 of the COVID-19 roadmap since 12.01am Monday, 12 July.
As a reminder, Phase 5 means:
Peel and Perth has joined the rest of WA in Phase 5 of the COVID-19 roadmap since 12.01am Monday, 12 July.
As a reminder, Phase 5 means:
- The removal of the two square metre rule.
- The removal of the 75 per cent capacity limit for hospitality and entertainment venues.
- Major events of all kinds resuming with no limits on size or crowds.
- Mandatory contact registers
- COVID Safety Plans for businesses
- COVID Event Plans for large-scale events (More than 500 patrons)
- WA’s controlled border
- Travel restrictions to some remote Aboriginal communities.
Communique 30 - 2 July 2021 - Perth and Peel Transition out of Lockdown
As announced this afternoon, from 12:01am Saturday 3rd July (tomorrow) the Perth and Peel lockdown will lift and transitional arrangements will come into force which affect people within those regions and anyone who has been in those regions since noon on Sunday 27th June.
Briefly: for the next 3 days until 12:01am Tuesday 6th July, strict restrictions remain in force including 4sqM capacity limits on venues and a maximum of 20 patrons including churches. Masks are mandatory outside the home.
For the following 6 days until 12:01am Monday 12th July, some restrictions remain in force including 2sqM capacity limits on venues and a maximum of 150 patrons including churches. Masks are mandatory indoors but can e removed outdoors as long as physical distancing can be maintained around people from outside your household.
A full list of restrictions across Perth and Peel for the next 9 days can be found at the following link:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/end-of-lockdown-perth-and-peel-1201am-saturday-3-jul
As announced this afternoon, from 12:01am Saturday 3rd July (tomorrow) the Perth and Peel lockdown will lift and transitional arrangements will come into force which affect people within those regions and anyone who has been in those regions since noon on Sunday 27th June.
Briefly: for the next 3 days until 12:01am Tuesday 6th July, strict restrictions remain in force including 4sqM capacity limits on venues and a maximum of 20 patrons including churches. Masks are mandatory outside the home.
For the following 6 days until 12:01am Monday 12th July, some restrictions remain in force including 2sqM capacity limits on venues and a maximum of 150 patrons including churches. Masks are mandatory indoors but can e removed outdoors as long as physical distancing can be maintained around people from outside your household.
A full list of restrictions across Perth and Peel for the next 9 days can be found at the following link:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/end-of-lockdown-perth-and-peel-1201am-saturday-3-jul
Covid Communique 29 - 29 June 2021 - Lockdown for Perth and Peel
Please especially note the directions pertaining to travel between the regions, restrictions on the numbers at weddings and funerals, and the closure of places of worship and op-shops.
Further information can be found at the following link:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/4-day-lockdown-introduced-perth-and-peel
Please especially note the directions pertaining to travel between the regions, restrictions on the numbers at weddings and funerals, and the closure of places of worship and op-shops.
Further information can be found at the following link:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/4-day-lockdown-introduced-perth-and-peel
Covid Communique 28 - 22 June 21 - Phase 5 of the COVID-19 Roadmap from 12.01am on Wednesday, 23 June.
WA will transition to Phase 5 of the COVID-19 roadmap from 12.01am Wednesday, 23 June.
Phase 5 will result in:
I have contacted the Covid Hotline and written to WA Health about the use of the common cup and about Holy Communion wine, as the use of the common cup was specifically withdrawn last year and there has been no mention of it in the latest Phase 5 information. I will let you know as soon as I receive a reply, which may take a week or more.
WA will transition to Phase 5 of the COVID-19 roadmap from 12.01am Wednesday, 23 June.
Phase 5 will result in:
- The removal of the two square metre rule.
- The removal of the 75 per cent capacity limit for hospitality and entertainment venues.
- Major events of all kinds resuming with no limits on size or crowds.
- Mandatory contact registers
- COVID Safety Plans for businesses
- COVID Event Plans for large-scale events
- WA’s controlled border
- Travel restrictions to some remote Aboriginal communities.
I have contacted the Covid Hotline and written to WA Health about the use of the common cup and about Holy Communion wine, as the use of the common cup was specifically withdrawn last year and there has been no mention of it in the latest Phase 5 information. I will let you know as soon as I receive a reply, which may take a week or more.
Covid Communique 27 - 14 May 21 - End of lockdown restrictions across our whole diocese from 12.01am on Saturday morning
The Perth and Peel regions will return to pre-lockdown life from 12.01am Saturday 15 May, following the latest public health advice.
No additional cases have been detected in the Perth and Peel regions since the detection of the last community case on Saturday, May 1.
Pending no further cases, the following restrictions will be eased:
Masks will no longer be mandatory, unless at the airport;
There will be no capacity limits for weddings and funerals;
Major stadiums including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Park and HBF Stadium – main arena can operate at 100 per cent capacity;
Visitor limits for patients in hospital, aged care or disability facilities will be lifted; and
The 100-person capacity limit for home gatherings removed.
Western Australians are reminded to register their contact details via the SafeWA app or written contact registers at businesses and venues where contact registers are mandatory.
The SafeWA app and written contact registers are vital tools for health contact tracers to more efficiently identify people that may have been exposed to the virus, helping reduce the potential of a wide-spread outbreak.
In the ‘What you can and can’t do’ section of the wa.gov.au website it further states:
Places of worship will be able to have 100 per cent of the capacity of a space being used for formal worship.
The Perth and Peel regions will return to pre-lockdown life from 12.01am Saturday 15 May, following the latest public health advice.
No additional cases have been detected in the Perth and Peel regions since the detection of the last community case on Saturday, May 1.
Pending no further cases, the following restrictions will be eased:
Masks will no longer be mandatory, unless at the airport;
There will be no capacity limits for weddings and funerals;
Major stadiums including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, HBF Park and HBF Stadium – main arena can operate at 100 per cent capacity;
Visitor limits for patients in hospital, aged care or disability facilities will be lifted; and
The 100-person capacity limit for home gatherings removed.
Western Australians are reminded to register their contact details via the SafeWA app or written contact registers at businesses and venues where contact registers are mandatory.
The SafeWA app and written contact registers are vital tools for health contact tracers to more efficiently identify people that may have been exposed to the virus, helping reduce the potential of a wide-spread outbreak.
In the ‘What you can and can’t do’ section of the wa.gov.au website it further states:
Places of worship will be able to have 100 per cent of the capacity of a space being used for formal worship.
Covid Communique 26 - 27 April 21 - End of lockdown restrictions until 12.01am Saturday morning
Please see the WA announcement: "End of lockdown in Perth and Peel" https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/end-of-lockdown-perth-and-peel
Please note that churches in the Perth and Peel regions are only allowed a maximum of 20 persons and/or the 4 square metre rule applies, until Saturday morning. Funerals and weddings can have up to 100 people but require an exemption. To request an exemption, please email Public.Events@health.wa.gov.a
Please see the WA announcement: "End of lockdown in Perth and Peel" https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/end-of-lockdown-perth-and-peel
Please note that churches in the Perth and Peel regions are only allowed a maximum of 20 persons and/or the 4 square metre rule applies, until Saturday morning. Funerals and weddings can have up to 100 people but require an exemption. To request an exemption, please email Public.Events@health.wa.gov.a
Covid Communique 25 - 24 April 21 The impact of the community transmission in Perth on our whole diocese
Further to yesterday’s Covid Communique 24 regarding the 3 day lockdown affecting Perth and Peel regions, there are also consequences for the remainder of our diocese we need to be aware of. This is because of the time the virus has been in the community and the flow of people to the South, especially over a long weekend.
There are some exemptions to mask wearing for people who have been in Perth and Peel. They are as follows:
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, you will be able to remove your mask, if necessary, to communicate. Writing notes, pointing or the speech to text app, where possible, are encouraged.
Children 12 years of age or under are exempt from wearing a face mask People also don’t need to wear a face mask if:
It causes a risk to their health and safety and when travelling in your car with people who reside in your household in an emergency.
Further to yesterday’s Covid Communique 24 regarding the 3 day lockdown affecting Perth and Peel regions, there are also consequences for the remainder of our diocese we need to be aware of. This is because of the time the virus has been in the community and the flow of people to the South, especially over a long weekend.
- All people who have been in the Perth or Peel areas since 17 April should be wearing a mask even if they are now not in Perth or Peel.
- All churches, Op shops and Halls need to maintain good hygiene and non-physical ways of greeting one another and sharing the peace, for example.
There are some exemptions to mask wearing for people who have been in Perth and Peel. They are as follows:
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, you will be able to remove your mask, if necessary, to communicate. Writing notes, pointing or the speech to text app, where possible, are encouraged.
Children 12 years of age or under are exempt from wearing a face mask People also don’t need to wear a face mask if:
It causes a risk to their health and safety and when travelling in your car with people who reside in your household in an emergency.
Covid Communique 24 - 23 April 2021
The Premier had just announced that Perth and Peel regions will begin a 3 day lockdown from midnight tonight. That means no church services or ANZAC observance for Secret Harbour, Mandurah, Coodanup and Pinjarra/Waroona. Mask wearing will be compulsory in the area. This is due to some recent community transmission with at least two new cases that were undetected previously.
The Premier had just announced that Perth and Peel regions will begin a 3 day lockdown from midnight tonight. That means no church services or ANZAC observance for Secret Harbour, Mandurah, Coodanup and Pinjarra/Waroona. Mask wearing will be compulsory in the area. This is due to some recent community transmission with at least two new cases that were undetected previously.
Covid Communique 23 - 12 April 2021
From 10 April the restrictions for places of worship have been further eased, but will need to be applied, and possibly explained, carefully.
Churches can have 100% capacity of the space normally used for formal worship, during formal worship. The rest of the time it is ‘recommended’ that churches follow the normal social distancing rules of 1.5 metres and all other usual hygiene measures.
Some parishes may wish to limit still how many people sit in a row or a pew, for example, because of the social distancing recommendation. Nevertheless, this relaxation does in fact allow more worshippers to be present during services, which will greatly help some of our churches.
Covid Communique 22 - 9 March 2021
The WA govt. have given notice that, if there are no further outbreaks and subject to the latest health advice, from very early Monday morning 15 March the following relaxation will take place:
Churches and Church Halls can have up to 75% of their maximum capacity, or 2sq mtr per person, whichever is the greater.
There is no change to the advice not to use the common cup and, on enquiry to the Covid hotline, no sign this will be relaxed for some time to come. We are continuing to receive Holy Communion in one kind only.
There are no changes to the regulations governing hospitality and safety in regard to parish operations like Manna and Mercy.
There are inspections to check organisations are conforming with these regulations. Infringing regulations can occur fines up to $250,000 for organisations, $50,000 for individuals and the police can also issue $1000 on the spot fines.
From 10 April the restrictions for places of worship have been further eased, but will need to be applied, and possibly explained, carefully.
Churches can have 100% capacity of the space normally used for formal worship, during formal worship. The rest of the time it is ‘recommended’ that churches follow the normal social distancing rules of 1.5 metres and all other usual hygiene measures.
Some parishes may wish to limit still how many people sit in a row or a pew, for example, because of the social distancing recommendation. Nevertheless, this relaxation does in fact allow more worshippers to be present during services, which will greatly help some of our churches.
Covid Communique 22 - 9 March 2021
The WA govt. have given notice that, if there are no further outbreaks and subject to the latest health advice, from very early Monday morning 15 March the following relaxation will take place:
Churches and Church Halls can have up to 75% of their maximum capacity, or 2sq mtr per person, whichever is the greater.
There is no change to the advice not to use the common cup and, on enquiry to the Covid hotline, no sign this will be relaxed for some time to come. We are continuing to receive Holy Communion in one kind only.
There are no changes to the regulations governing hospitality and safety in regard to parish operations like Manna and Mercy.
There are inspections to check organisations are conforming with these regulations. Infringing regulations can occur fines up to $250,000 for organisations, $50,000 for individuals and the police can also issue $1000 on the spot fines.
Covid Communique 21 - 12 February 2021
After a further week of restrictions with mercifully no evidence of any community transmission, Perth and Peel will be able to revert to pre-lockdown life from midnight on Saturday, 13 February. I know the folk there will be very glad to no longer have to wear masks!
Here is the link to the WA govt. announcement: Return to pre-lockdown life from 12.01am Sunday, 14 February (www.wa.gov.au)
After a further week of restrictions with mercifully no evidence of any community transmission, Perth and Peel will be able to revert to pre-lockdown life from midnight on Saturday, 13 February. I know the folk there will be very glad to no longer have to wear masks!
Here is the link to the WA govt. announcement: Return to pre-lockdown life from 12.01am Sunday, 14 February (www.wa.gov.au)
Covid Communique 20 5 February 2021 Leading worship – do not need a face mask when speaking
Further to the information in Communique 19, I have checked with the WA Covid hotline and they have confirmed that ministers leading worship do not need to wear a face mask when they are speaking in order to aid enunciation, as with teachers in classes.
Further to the information in Communique 19, I have checked with the WA Covid hotline and they have confirmed that ministers leading worship do not need to wear a face mask when they are speaking in order to aid enunciation, as with teachers in classes.
Covid Communique 19 5 February 2021
The following advice could change depending on whether any community transmission is found and reported on at the midday Press briefing today.
This Covid Communique specifically concerns our churches and Op shops in the Peel region: Christ's Church, Mandurah, Church of the Way, Coodanup, Secret Harbour, Pinjarra/Waroona and the churches in Gateway Parish that are in the Peel region and holding services this Sunday.
For all churches and communities in the South West region the lockdown restrictions cease at 6pm today. The only exception will be if you have people due to visit or assist you from the Perth or Peel regions as they will need to have a G2G pass, and wear a face mask at all times in public.
For churches in the Peel region: services and Op shops can resume from this evening but everyone, including those leading worship and working in Op shops, must wear face masks. The capacity of the services is reduced, back to the 4 square metre rule (half the capacity you were allowed under the 2 square metre rule), with appropriate distancing. These restrictions apply until just after midnight on Sunday morning, 14 February, so hopefully just for this Sunday (and in Christ's Church's situation, it also applies to your Saturday evening service on 13 February). This may mean notifying people in the congregation in advance about face masks and reduced numbers, if you are able to do so.
The use of QR codes and/or contact registers is now compulsory for both churches and Op shops.
Because of the concern about any possible virus transmission, we recommend considering the use of Morning Prayer or a Praise, Prayer and Proclamation service in place of Holy Communion for this Sunday. If you are holding a Holy Communion service, the safest way may be to administer the bread/wafers to people where they sit and for everyone only to remove their masks to consume.
There is no restriction on singing!
These are the details from the WA government's announcement: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/transition-out-of-lockdown-6pm-friday-5-february
The following advice could change depending on whether any community transmission is found and reported on at the midday Press briefing today.
This Covid Communique specifically concerns our churches and Op shops in the Peel region: Christ's Church, Mandurah, Church of the Way, Coodanup, Secret Harbour, Pinjarra/Waroona and the churches in Gateway Parish that are in the Peel region and holding services this Sunday.
For all churches and communities in the South West region the lockdown restrictions cease at 6pm today. The only exception will be if you have people due to visit or assist you from the Perth or Peel regions as they will need to have a G2G pass, and wear a face mask at all times in public.
For churches in the Peel region: services and Op shops can resume from this evening but everyone, including those leading worship and working in Op shops, must wear face masks. The capacity of the services is reduced, back to the 4 square metre rule (half the capacity you were allowed under the 2 square metre rule), with appropriate distancing. These restrictions apply until just after midnight on Sunday morning, 14 February, so hopefully just for this Sunday (and in Christ's Church's situation, it also applies to your Saturday evening service on 13 February). This may mean notifying people in the congregation in advance about face masks and reduced numbers, if you are able to do so.
The use of QR codes and/or contact registers is now compulsory for both churches and Op shops.
Because of the concern about any possible virus transmission, we recommend considering the use of Morning Prayer or a Praise, Prayer and Proclamation service in place of Holy Communion for this Sunday. If you are holding a Holy Communion service, the safest way may be to administer the bread/wafers to people where they sit and for everyone only to remove their masks to consume.
There is no restriction on singing!
These are the details from the WA government's announcement: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/transition-out-of-lockdown-6pm-friday-5-february
Covid Communique 18 - 1 February 2021
It may have been quite a shock for many to hear the news yesterday of a new community transmission in WA when we have been so blessed for ten months with no such occurrence.
Please see Communique 17 below with the announcement of restrictions made yesterday by the WA government.
The lockdown applies in the Perth, Peel and South West regions of our diocese. It therefore does not apply to: Albany, Denmark, Southern Ranges, Kojonup, Katanning, Bremer Bay, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun, Lake Grace, Narrogin, Wagin, Dumbleyung, Hyden, Corrigin and Kulin, for example.
As a result all churches, Op shops and Halls in the Perth, Peel and South West regions need to be closed until 6pm on Friday. You will see from Communique 17 that weddings are not permitted but funerals are, albeit with restricted numbers.
The diocesan office is closed as the public are being encouraged to stay at home but all the staff are working and contactable. It is best to contact them by email as some are working from home.
We have sadly had to take the decision to postpone the Ordination Retreat and the Ordination service. We could not go ahead with the Retreat and we also could not be certain the lockdown would cease on Friday. Please pray for the candidates: Justine, Kevin and Leon in this liminal time for them.
At the moment, Saturday and Sunday public worship this coming weekend may be able to go ahead. This is a fast moving situation, however, and we will be dependent on further information, guidance and possible additional restrictions as the week progresses. We may need to prepare for a number of possibilities. These could include a continuing lockdown and the possible streaming of services again or pointing parishioners to churches which are already doing this or the diocesan Facebook streaming page Anglican Diocese of Bunbury Online | Facebook, or greater restrictions on how many can attend church, the possibility we might need to wear masks in church or be unable to sing. We will certainly need to maintain safe distancing, careful hygiene, keeping contact lists of those who attend/Safe WA registration and reminding people not to attend church if they are feeling unwell and to seek testing instead.
In this uncertain lockdown time we may also need to consider resurrecting the pastoral phoning many parishes instituted in order to ensure members of our congregation and especially any who are vulnerable do not feel alone. Wherever possible it is good if this care can be extended to all who live in the vicinity and not just churchgoers, as we know it is a scary time for many and that for some loneliness or their home situation can be really difficult.
It may have been quite a shock for many to hear the news yesterday of a new community transmission in WA when we have been so blessed for ten months with no such occurrence.
Please see Communique 17 below with the announcement of restrictions made yesterday by the WA government.
The lockdown applies in the Perth, Peel and South West regions of our diocese. It therefore does not apply to: Albany, Denmark, Southern Ranges, Kojonup, Katanning, Bremer Bay, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun, Lake Grace, Narrogin, Wagin, Dumbleyung, Hyden, Corrigin and Kulin, for example.
As a result all churches, Op shops and Halls in the Perth, Peel and South West regions need to be closed until 6pm on Friday. You will see from Communique 17 that weddings are not permitted but funerals are, albeit with restricted numbers.
The diocesan office is closed as the public are being encouraged to stay at home but all the staff are working and contactable. It is best to contact them by email as some are working from home.
We have sadly had to take the decision to postpone the Ordination Retreat and the Ordination service. We could not go ahead with the Retreat and we also could not be certain the lockdown would cease on Friday. Please pray for the candidates: Justine, Kevin and Leon in this liminal time for them.
At the moment, Saturday and Sunday public worship this coming weekend may be able to go ahead. This is a fast moving situation, however, and we will be dependent on further information, guidance and possible additional restrictions as the week progresses. We may need to prepare for a number of possibilities. These could include a continuing lockdown and the possible streaming of services again or pointing parishioners to churches which are already doing this or the diocesan Facebook streaming page Anglican Diocese of Bunbury Online | Facebook, or greater restrictions on how many can attend church, the possibility we might need to wear masks in church or be unable to sing. We will certainly need to maintain safe distancing, careful hygiene, keeping contact lists of those who attend/Safe WA registration and reminding people not to attend church if they are feeling unwell and to seek testing instead.
In this uncertain lockdown time we may also need to consider resurrecting the pastoral phoning many parishes instituted in order to ensure members of our congregation and especially any who are vulnerable do not feel alone. Wherever possible it is good if this care can be extended to all who live in the vicinity and not just churchgoers, as we know it is a scary time for many and that for some loneliness or their home situation can be really difficult.
Communique 17 31 January 2021 - Perth metro, Peel and South West to enter hard lockdown
The Perth metropolitan area and the Peel and South West regions are moving to a 5-day lockdown effective at 6pm, Sunday 31 January, 2021 until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021.
Perth, Peel and South West region enters lockdown from 6pm, 31 January 2021
Effective from 6pm tonight until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021, the Perth metropolitan area, Peel and South West regions will enter a lockdown.
The following restrictions apply for the lockdown period:
Further details available from www.wa.gov.au
The Perth metropolitan area and the Peel and South West regions are moving to a 5-day lockdown effective at 6pm, Sunday 31 January, 2021 until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021.
Perth, Peel and South West region enters lockdown from 6pm, 31 January 2021
Effective from 6pm tonight until 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021, the Perth metropolitan area, Peel and South West regions will enter a lockdown.
The following restrictions apply for the lockdown period:
- People should not leave Perth, Peel or the South West during this period
- People can enter Perth, Peel or the South West only to access or deliver essential health and emergency services and other essential requirements
- Non-residents currently in Perth, Peel and the South West are required to remain until the end of the restriction period however if you must leave for serious reasons you are to then return home immediately, stay home and get tested if symptoms develop
- Restaurants and cafes to provide takeaway service only
- Elective surgery and procedures for categories 2 and 3 will be suspended from Tuesday, 2 February. Category 1 and urgent category 2 surgery will continue
- No visitors will be allowed in homes unless caring for a vulnerable person or in an emergency
- No visitors to hospitals or residential aged care and/or disability facilities
- No weddings permitted
- Funerals are limited to 10 people
- Travel remains prohibited within remote Aboriginal communities.
- Schools, universities, TAFES and education facilities
- Pubs, bars and clubs
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor recreational facilities
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, and casinos
- Large religious gatherings and places of worship
- Libraries and cultural institutions
- do essential work because they can’t work from home or remotely; (essential work is defined here COVID-19 Coronavirus: Essential workers (www.wa.gov.au);
- shop for essentials like groceries, medicine and necessary supplies;
- medical or health care needs including compassionate requirements and looking after the vulnerable; and
- exercise within their neighbourhood, but only with one other person and only for one hour per day.
Further details available from www.wa.gov.au
Covid Communique 16 1 December 2020 A change in capacity calculations and updating Covid Safety Plans
Following hard on Covid Communique 15 about registering people, which applies from this Saturday, the Premier has announced this morning that all places of worship can, with immediate effect, remove the 2 sq. mtr rule and instead have up to 60% capacity. You will find details below of how this is calculated and some further information.
How do I calculate the capacity of my seated entertainment space under the 60% capacity exemption?
The maximum capacity of a seated entertainment space is the number of patrons who could be seated in the fixed seating at the space as at 19 October 2020. Under the exemption, 60 per cent of the maximum capacity may be seated at seated performances in the seated entertainment space. For 'entertainment space' please read normal seating capacity in your Church or Hall.
You may need to copy and paste the following links into your browser but they will give you further information:-
Places of worship to operate at greater capacity (www.wa.gov.au)
Phase 4 exemption – Easing restrictions for seated performances – frequently asked questions (www.wa.gov.au)
Phase 4 - Easing of restrictions - frequently asked questions (www.wa.gov.au)
Please note that all Churches, Halls, Op Shops must have up to date Covid Safety Plans in place by Saturday. This will include your new capacity figures. If you have multiple premises they each need an up to date Covid Safety Plan. Please kindly send a copy of any updated plans to Archdeacon Julie.
There are lots of suggestions around the website around updating your Covid plan but the best link is this one:
COVID-19 coronavirus: Business tools and information (www.wa.gov.au)
Following hard on Covid Communique 15 about registering people, which applies from this Saturday, the Premier has announced this morning that all places of worship can, with immediate effect, remove the 2 sq. mtr rule and instead have up to 60% capacity. You will find details below of how this is calculated and some further information.
How do I calculate the capacity of my seated entertainment space under the 60% capacity exemption?
The maximum capacity of a seated entertainment space is the number of patrons who could be seated in the fixed seating at the space as at 19 October 2020. Under the exemption, 60 per cent of the maximum capacity may be seated at seated performances in the seated entertainment space. For 'entertainment space' please read normal seating capacity in your Church or Hall.
You may need to copy and paste the following links into your browser but they will give you further information:-
Places of worship to operate at greater capacity (www.wa.gov.au)
Phase 4 exemption – Easing restrictions for seated performances – frequently asked questions (www.wa.gov.au)
Phase 4 - Easing of restrictions - frequently asked questions (www.wa.gov.au)
Please note that all Churches, Halls, Op Shops must have up to date Covid Safety Plans in place by Saturday. This will include your new capacity figures. If you have multiple premises they each need an up to date Covid Safety Plan. Please kindly send a copy of any updated plans to Archdeacon Julie.
There are lots of suggestions around the website around updating your Covid plan but the best link is this one:
COVID-19 coronavirus: Business tools and information (www.wa.gov.au)
Covid Communique 15 27 November 2020
Please note that from Saturday, December 5 2020, all churches, Op Shops and Halls will need to keep a mandatory contact register. You will be required to collect the date, name, telephone number and arrival time of all congregation members, clergy, visitors and contractors. You can find more details with this link: Maintaining contact registers, a requirement to keep WA safe (www.wa.gov.au).
You can register in advance to download software and have a QR code for your church or premise, if you have a people in your congregation with smart phones. You are required to keep written registers for 28 days, no other use can be made of this register information, and heavy fines or imprisonment apply if this requirement is not complied with.
All other restrictions remain the same, such as the 2sq metre rule for the number of congregants in a church or Hall, the use of sanitiser, washing hands, and maintaining a safe distance of 1.5 metres.
Please note that from Saturday, December 5 2020, all churches, Op Shops and Halls will need to keep a mandatory contact register. You will be required to collect the date, name, telephone number and arrival time of all congregation members, clergy, visitors and contractors. You can find more details with this link: Maintaining contact registers, a requirement to keep WA safe (www.wa.gov.au).
You can register in advance to download software and have a QR code for your church or premise, if you have a people in your congregation with smart phones. You are required to keep written registers for 28 days, no other use can be made of this register information, and heavy fines or imprisonment apply if this requirement is not complied with.
All other restrictions remain the same, such as the 2sq metre rule for the number of congregants in a church or Hall, the use of sanitiser, washing hands, and maintaining a safe distance of 1.5 metres.
Covid Communique 14 - 13 November 2020
Please may I begin by thanking everyone for carefully heeding the Covid requirements and restrictions that have been keeping us all so safe. As you will know, these restrictions were not lifted on 24 October and thus they remain in force.
At our recent Synod, a Motion was passed requesting "the Bishop, with whatever counsel he deems appropriate, to investigate, and if possible implement options for safe and hygienic administration of communion of both kinds, in order that we can be consistent with the tenets of our faith."
I have carefully investigated this matter, talked with a number of key people, produced two drafts of what it might look like, seen a wonderful video produced by Revd Geoff Chadwick on how Holy Communion might be conducted hygienically, and discussed this matter at our Clergy Conference this week.
The conclusion I have come to, however, is that for now we should continue as we are doing, in one kind only.
There are five main reasons why I have come to this conclusion.
Where parishes share with Uniting congregations who are still receiving in both kinds, it is entirely up to Anglicans to receive as they think fit in Uniting led services, but we will continue not to administer wine in Anglican led Holy Communion services.
Please may I begin by thanking everyone for carefully heeding the Covid requirements and restrictions that have been keeping us all so safe. As you will know, these restrictions were not lifted on 24 October and thus they remain in force.
At our recent Synod, a Motion was passed requesting "the Bishop, with whatever counsel he deems appropriate, to investigate, and if possible implement options for safe and hygienic administration of communion of both kinds, in order that we can be consistent with the tenets of our faith."
I have carefully investigated this matter, talked with a number of key people, produced two drafts of what it might look like, seen a wonderful video produced by Revd Geoff Chadwick on how Holy Communion might be conducted hygienically, and discussed this matter at our Clergy Conference this week.
The conclusion I have come to, however, is that for now we should continue as we are doing, in one kind only.
There are five main reasons why I have come to this conclusion.
- It is not unprecedented to receive Holy Communion in one kind only – this occurred during the Flu pandemic after the First World War in Australia, and provision existed for it in the Book of Common Prayer due to the Plague in England. Receiving in one kind only is regarded by the Anglican Church as entirely sufficient. Article XXX does state the Common Cup should not be denied to lay people but the provisions for not receiving Holy Communion wine in times of pandemic have superceded this particular Article on previous occasions.
- We are legally not able to use a Common Cup, and it is not safe to do so. Although I have looked at a number of ways in which we might use individual cups, or pre-intinct wafers, I have not found any one method that appears entirely safe, and/or seemly. The increase in numbers at Christmas services might make this even more difficult.
- The controlled re-opening of WA's 'hard border' with parts of Australia tonight, and the likely increase in returning international travellers brings a new greater risk of a Covid outbreak in WA after 7 months of no community transmission.
- Archbishop Kay and the majority of Metropolitans in Australia are maintaining Holy Communion in one kind only.
- Not all of our churches wish to receive in both kinds at present and whilst it might have been possible to have some parishes where both kinds did occur and some where it did not, the considerations in paras. 1-4 above have persuaded me to remain as we are for all parishes for the time being.
Where parishes share with Uniting congregations who are still receiving in both kinds, it is entirely up to Anglicans to receive as they think fit in Uniting led services, but we will continue not to administer wine in Anglican led Holy Communion services.
Communique 13 - 27 June 2020
As I have been travelling around the diocese I have been impressed with how much care you have been taking over the Emergency Restrictions.
You will probably be aware that Phase 4 restrictions came into effect today.
These new restrictions largely mean we continue as we are, keeping social distancing of 1.5 metres and 2 square metres per person in our Churches, Halls, and Op Shops.
People should still stay away if they are unwell and handwashing and use of hand sanitiser remain important.
We need to update our Covid Safety Plans to reflect that we are now in Phase 4. These Phase 4 Covid Safety Plans are available, along with further information here:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/covid-safety-plan-and-guidelines
Because we are only receiving this today, please do not worry if you cannot update plans by tomorrow but they should be done so in the coming week and then displayed, with a copy sent to Archdeacon Julie.
There is conflicting advice on the WA website above about whether venues should continue to keep a record of attendance. One section says this is no longer needed and another specifically includes it as a requirement. We suggest you err on the side of caution and keep a record of attendance – this only applies for anyone staying longer than 15 minutes.
The advice about Holy Communion Wine currently remains the same, that we receive Holy Communion in one kind only. I have written again to the Archbishop and also to the Primate asking for some careful consideration of this matter across the Australian Anglican Church.
At present, the WA government are flagging that Phase 5 will offer further easing and may take place on 18 July.
As I have been travelling around the diocese I have been impressed with how much care you have been taking over the Emergency Restrictions.
You will probably be aware that Phase 4 restrictions came into effect today.
These new restrictions largely mean we continue as we are, keeping social distancing of 1.5 metres and 2 square metres per person in our Churches, Halls, and Op Shops.
People should still stay away if they are unwell and handwashing and use of hand sanitiser remain important.
We need to update our Covid Safety Plans to reflect that we are now in Phase 4. These Phase 4 Covid Safety Plans are available, along with further information here:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/covid-safety-plan-and-guidelines
Because we are only receiving this today, please do not worry if you cannot update plans by tomorrow but they should be done so in the coming week and then displayed, with a copy sent to Archdeacon Julie.
There is conflicting advice on the WA website above about whether venues should continue to keep a record of attendance. One section says this is no longer needed and another specifically includes it as a requirement. We suggest you err on the side of caution and keep a record of attendance – this only applies for anyone staying longer than 15 minutes.
The advice about Holy Communion Wine currently remains the same, that we receive Holy Communion in one kind only. I have written again to the Archbishop and also to the Primate asking for some careful consideration of this matter across the Australian Anglican Church.
At present, the WA government are flagging that Phase 5 will offer further easing and may take place on 18 July.
Covid Communique 12 - 29 May 2020
The WA Premier has announced today Phase 3 regulations, commencing on Saturday 6 June.
Up to 100 per gathering and a 2m2 per person capacity requirement. This means all our current calculations will need to be redone but it may greatly facilitate more normal public worship together.
Weddings and funerals can be up to 100 people.
Physical distancing, good hygiene and the 2 spare metre rule apply to all activities in Phase 3.
If you are opening for the first time you will still need a Covid Safety Plan and to have submitted a copy to Archdeacon Julie.
The link below has all the details from the press conference today:
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-wa-roadmap
The WA Premier has announced today Phase 3 regulations, commencing on Saturday 6 June.
Up to 100 per gathering and a 2m2 per person capacity requirement. This means all our current calculations will need to be redone but it may greatly facilitate more normal public worship together.
Weddings and funerals can be up to 100 people.
Physical distancing, good hygiene and the 2 spare metre rule apply to all activities in Phase 3.
If you are opening for the first time you will still need a Covid Safety Plan and to have submitted a copy to Archdeacon Julie.
The link below has all the details from the press conference today:
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-wa-roadmap
Communique 11 - 15th May 2020
Guidelines for the resumption of public worship and use of church buildings from Monday 18 May 2020
(as part of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 WA roadmap) Please find attached Covid Safety Guidelines.The most important restrictions HAVE NOT changed, as follows
Church Services adhering to the 20 person limit, subject to the 4sqm rule within the parameters of the nave
Parishes will need to:
Guidelines for the resumption of public worship and use of church buildings from Monday 18 May 2020
(as part of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 WA roadmap) Please find attached Covid Safety Guidelines.The most important restrictions HAVE NOT changed, as follows
- Requirement to maintain social distancing (at least 1.5m between unrelated persons).
- Good hygiene practices.
- Space of 4sqm per person in indoor venues.
- Anyone who is unwell should not attend and anyone with symptoms should seek testing
- Completion of a COVID Safety Plan prior to re-opening. For details of this, please read: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-business-and-industry-advice#covid-safety-plan. (Attached are an example that Christ Church Mandurah has prepared). Please send a copy of your completed Covid Safety Plan to Archdeacon Julie prior to re-opening public worship in church. You can also contact her with any queries you may have.
- Public gatherings are not to exceed 20 people.
- Congregants at services of worship may not exceed 20; in addition, with up to 10 people permitted to lead the service (eg celebrant, LLMs, deacon, organist, etc.).
- Weddings and funerals are not to exceed 20 people inside or 30 outside.
- Keeping a list of the names of those who attended (other than a brief Op shop visit) and their contact details (tel. no.). This information is only in case they need to be contacted because of possible Covid 19 exposure. It cannot be used for any other purpose – we will send out a form for this purpose early next week.
- If you are re-starting Holy Communion or refreshments at least one person involved in either of these activities must complete the free half hour long Tier 1 online AHA Hospitality and Tourism COVID-19 hygiene course. The link for this course can also be found on the Covid 19 webpage above.
Church Services adhering to the 20 person limit, subject to the 4sqm rule within the parameters of the nave
Parishes will need to:
- Calculate the interior square meterage of the nave and sanctuary (for those leading services) in the church to determine the maximum allowable people.
- It is the responsibility of the parish to ensure the congregation does not exceed the maximum number of allowable attendees.
- Conducting multiple services.
- Conducting multiple mid-week services.
- Conducting Morning or Evening Prayer, or Praise, Prayer and Proclamation services
- Requesting people to register for their preferred service time, which may assist in managing numbers.
- Parishes that have been conducting online services should consider continuing this practice.
- Choosing not to begin Sunday worship at this time, possibly until restrictions are eased further.
- Removing or blocking off seats may assist maintaining separation.
- The placing of tape on floors and seats at 1.5m distances may be useful.
- Physical contact with people should be avoided; hand shaking must be avoided, and the Greeting of Peace should not involve any physical contact.
- Personal Hygiene
- Hand sanitisers must be made available at strategic locations, particularly at entrances of church buildings.
- Parishioners should be encouraged to use hand sanitiser before entering church buildings or gatherings on church property.
- People should be encouraged to wash their hands before and after services.
- As previously advised, the use of the common cup is suspended, and Communion is to be in one kind (bread only). Only the President should drink the wine.
- At the altar rail 1.5m distance is to be maintained.
- Celebrants, Lay Pastoral Ministers, Liturgical Assistants and servers must follow proper hand washing and hand sanitiser techniques. This means washing hands prior to the beginning of worship and using hand sanitiser immediately before the Preparation of the Gifts (i.e. at The Peace). Hands should also be washed after the liturgy/service.
- Baptismal fonts should remain empty. If there is a baptism, the font must be emptied, cleaned and dried at the conclusion of the service. No water should be left in the font.
- The priest must wash their hands before and after making the sign of the cross on the candidate’s forehead. Where possible, if the candidate is a baby or small child, they should be held by the parents/godparents rather than the priest taking them in their own arms. It is preferable for water to be poured on the candidate’s head using a baptismal shell. If chrism/oil is to be used, the priest should use a spoon or similar implement. In any event, the priest should wash their hands before and after the baptism. Baptism by immersion should not take place as this represents a transmission risk.
- Do not pass around the collection plate. Ask parishioners to place their offering in a collection plate as they enter or leave the service.
- Those counting the collection should use gloves and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards, ensuring they do not touch their face during counting.
- Encourage direct debit giving where possible.
- If multiple services are conducted, cleaning of high touch surfaces must take place between services. This includes door handles, handrails, seats/pews used and bathroom and toilet surfaces.
- Consider ceasing the use of shared bibles, hymn books and prayer books where possible. If this is unavoidable, thought should be given to their distribution. Books should be sanitized with disinfectant wipes before distribution and after they are returned. Announcements might be made by pinning notices on noticeboards rather than distributing pew sheets.
- Volunteers involved in cleaning should wear gloves and a face mask.
- Good ventilation will aid the in providing a healthy environment. Consider keeping doors and windows open while the building is in use.
- If hospitality is being provided it must be in accordance with a high level of hygiene.
- The suspension of catering (tea, coffee, morning tea, etc) where multiple people touch mugs, utensils and foodstuffs should be considered. If it is to continue, good hygiene practices should be carried out by those making and distributing food and drinks, and at least one person must have completed the AHA Tier 1 online course – please see above.
- Food should be served with tongs by servers using gloves or individually plated for each person. Consideration might be given to using food that is pre-packaged and can be opened by the individual.
- Clergy and LLMs may take Communion from Sunday worship to those who are sick. All care must be taken to ensure requirements of hygiene, distancing and Communion in one kind only are adhered to. Only those licensed by the Bishop for this ministry may undertake it.
- Pastoral carers are now able to make home visits. Please see Communique 10 about visiting Aged Care homes.
- Social distancing and personal hygiene must be paramount when visiting those who are vulnerable.
- Hall hire is permitted within the parameters above, including calculating the interior square meterage of the hall to determine the maximum allowable people in that space.
- Those hiring the hall need to be reminded of the building’s limitations of occupancy and that it cannot exceed 20 people, and the requirement to keep social distancing and abide by the cleaning and hygiene regulations (as outlined above).
- Hall hirers should all have existing agreements which comply with parish and diocesan regulations.
- Op shops may open within the parameters above.
- The number of people who can be in the shop at any one time needs to be calculated and exercised.
- Cash handling precautions also apply in op shops.
- Consideration should be given to obtaining an EFTPOS machine
- Consideration should be given to the receiving of goods and how they are made hygienic before offered for sale.
- Good hygiene needs to be enforced for and by op shop staff.
- Notices should be placed on notice boards in churches and halls telling of the requirements placed upon parishes for:
- Limit of 20 people allowed at worship and in buildings
- Hygiene
- Social distancing - this is the link for a poster: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-your-distance.pdf
- Cleaning
- Hospitality
- Hall use
| Covid Safety Guidelines |
| Christ Church's Completed Safety Plan Form |
| Christ Church Covid Safety Plan |
Communique 10 - 11th May 2020
Covid Podcast No. 1
Bishop Ian has recorded a 13 minute podcast about the Pandemic and addressing the question: what does it mean to be the people of God when we have not been able to meet in church, or take Holy Communion together? It is available on the Diocesan website homepage.
New Guidelines come into force from 18 May
You are likely to know some of the following information already. Please note that it does not apply until next Monday, 18 May, and please check the details below carefully. (In the case of Aged Care visiting I believe the changes are already operative but please check with the relevant Aged Care facility first).
Travel restrictions disappear from across our Diocese, and up to Perth
We will be free to travel the length and breadth of our diocese and up to Perth.
The following information is taken from https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/phase-2-easing-of-restrictions-frequently-asked-questions
Religion, places of worship and ceremonies:
Weddings: Up to 20 attendees (not including the person conducting the ceremony) are permitted at indoor weddings, or up to 30 attendees are permitted at outdoor weddings. Social distancing and 4sqm of floor space per person must be adhered to.
Funerals: Up to 20 attendees can attend a funeral indoors or up to 30 attendees outdoors, not including the person/s necessary to conduct the service e.g. funeral director (unless the funeral is in a small indoor or outdoor venue and impacted by prohibited gathering rules which require at least 4 square metres per person) unless an exemption is approved.
Sharing of Communion Cup? This practise is not advised. Current health advice should be followed.
Can churches be open for public worship? Places of worship are permitted to open in a modified way, with a limit of 20 attendees in addition to the people required to conduct and broadcast the service (maximum of 10 people) and one person per 4 square meters.
Please do not feel that you need to rush to re-open your church even if you are certain to have less than 20 attending. If you are likely to have more than 20 and/or cannot guarantee sufficient physical distancing you should not be re-opening for public worship at the moment. If you are livestreaming or recording you can of course already have up to 10 people present to assist and may wish to invite different people each week.
The WA government has indicated that prior to re-opening all businesses including hospitality, sports and recreation, and community and cultural venues will need to complete a COVID Safety Plan and have it available for inspection by authorising officers. The WA Government has begun consulting with key stakeholders to develop COVID Safety Plans and Guidelines which will be available online at WA.gov.au this week. We do not know yet if churches and Op shops will be required to have a Covid Safety Plan, so please check the WA.gov.au website later this week.
In the Federal Government’s plan for re-opening mention has been made of venues keeping a list of all the people who attended (for example, a Sunday service), and possibly their contact details. This requirement has not so far appeared in the WA information.
The information about Op Shops remains the same as in Communique 9, except possibly the need for a Covid Safety Plan (please see above)
Visiting aged care facilities (this information is taken from https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-community-advice#aged-care)Protecting the elderly is a priority. Visits to aged care facilities are limited to:
Covid Podcast No. 1
Bishop Ian has recorded a 13 minute podcast about the Pandemic and addressing the question: what does it mean to be the people of God when we have not been able to meet in church, or take Holy Communion together? It is available on the Diocesan website homepage.
New Guidelines come into force from 18 May
You are likely to know some of the following information already. Please note that it does not apply until next Monday, 18 May, and please check the details below carefully. (In the case of Aged Care visiting I believe the changes are already operative but please check with the relevant Aged Care facility first).
Travel restrictions disappear from across our Diocese, and up to Perth
We will be free to travel the length and breadth of our diocese and up to Perth.
The following information is taken from https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/phase-2-easing-of-restrictions-frequently-asked-questions
Religion, places of worship and ceremonies:
Weddings: Up to 20 attendees (not including the person conducting the ceremony) are permitted at indoor weddings, or up to 30 attendees are permitted at outdoor weddings. Social distancing and 4sqm of floor space per person must be adhered to.
Funerals: Up to 20 attendees can attend a funeral indoors or up to 30 attendees outdoors, not including the person/s necessary to conduct the service e.g. funeral director (unless the funeral is in a small indoor or outdoor venue and impacted by prohibited gathering rules which require at least 4 square metres per person) unless an exemption is approved.
Sharing of Communion Cup? This practise is not advised. Current health advice should be followed.
Can churches be open for public worship? Places of worship are permitted to open in a modified way, with a limit of 20 attendees in addition to the people required to conduct and broadcast the service (maximum of 10 people) and one person per 4 square meters.
Please do not feel that you need to rush to re-open your church even if you are certain to have less than 20 attending. If you are likely to have more than 20 and/or cannot guarantee sufficient physical distancing you should not be re-opening for public worship at the moment. If you are livestreaming or recording you can of course already have up to 10 people present to assist and may wish to invite different people each week.
The WA government has indicated that prior to re-opening all businesses including hospitality, sports and recreation, and community and cultural venues will need to complete a COVID Safety Plan and have it available for inspection by authorising officers. The WA Government has begun consulting with key stakeholders to develop COVID Safety Plans and Guidelines which will be available online at WA.gov.au this week. We do not know yet if churches and Op shops will be required to have a Covid Safety Plan, so please check the WA.gov.au website later this week.
In the Federal Government’s plan for re-opening mention has been made of venues keeping a list of all the people who attended (for example, a Sunday service), and possibly their contact details. This requirement has not so far appeared in the WA information.
The information about Op Shops remains the same as in Communique 9, except possibly the need for a Covid Safety Plan (please see above)
Visiting aged care facilities (this information is taken from https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-community-advice#aged-care)Protecting the elderly is a priority. Visits to aged care facilities are limited to:
- a short duration
- one care and support visit per day, with a maximum of two visitors at a time
- emergency management, law enforcement or otherwise responding to an emergency (for example a police officer, fire fighter or ambulance officer)
- providing goods or services for the effective operation of the facility.
- returned from overseas in the last 14 days
- been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
- a fever or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath)
- not had an up-to-date influenza vaccination.
Communique 9 - 1st May 2020
Restrictions lifting?
It is wonderful news to see the reduction in new Covid 19 cases in WA.
New Emergency Measures were issued on 26 April and we have attached a copy of the section that is relevant to places of worship. Please note, however, that churches remain closed to the public and substantial fines and possible imprisonment apply for non-compliance. They are still open as places of work and for the purposes of live-streaming or recording services, subject to a maximum of 10 persons and the four square metre rule.
I have also attached the current rules for visiting Aged Care facilities. These remain closed for services and pastoral care, except in situations of End of Life.
Op Shops
A couple of parishes have asked about re-opening their Op Shop and are planning to do so. If you are also interested please consider first whether you will be able to maintain safe physical distancing in the Shop, staff and volunteers must be able and willing to resume, and appropriate hygiene for hands, money and donated goods all should be in place. If you have any doubts about your ability to fulfil any of these criteria, please contact Archdeacon Julie. We are not covered by our Insurers for Covid 19.
The Government Stimulus Package
We have received written confirmation from the Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg, that Clergy, or ‘Religious Practitioners’, are eligible recipients for JobKeeper. Every person contacted has sent back their forms and Steve and Laura have submitted all this information to the ATO on schedule. A few clergy and paid staff will have received an extra payment on Thursday. This is because we were mandated to ensure all eligible people received the minimum of $1500 before tax per fortnight during April.
Previous Covid Communiques
Archdeacon Julie has been placing all our diocesan Covid 19 Communiques on our website: www.bunburyanglican.org under the Covid 19 Update button just down on the right hand side.
A prayer by Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark Cathedral
The doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked (John 20. 19)
Ever-present God,
be with us in our isolation,
be close to us in our distancing,
be healing in our sickness,
be joy in our sadness,
be light in our darkness,
be wisdom in our confusion,
be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar,
that when the doors reopen
we may with the zeal of Pentecost
inhabit our communities
and speak of your goodness
to an emerging world.
For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Restrictions lifting?
It is wonderful news to see the reduction in new Covid 19 cases in WA.
New Emergency Measures were issued on 26 April and we have attached a copy of the section that is relevant to places of worship. Please note, however, that churches remain closed to the public and substantial fines and possible imprisonment apply for non-compliance. They are still open as places of work and for the purposes of live-streaming or recording services, subject to a maximum of 10 persons and the four square metre rule.
I have also attached the current rules for visiting Aged Care facilities. These remain closed for services and pastoral care, except in situations of End of Life.
Op Shops
A couple of parishes have asked about re-opening their Op Shop and are planning to do so. If you are also interested please consider first whether you will be able to maintain safe physical distancing in the Shop, staff and volunteers must be able and willing to resume, and appropriate hygiene for hands, money and donated goods all should be in place. If you have any doubts about your ability to fulfil any of these criteria, please contact Archdeacon Julie. We are not covered by our Insurers for Covid 19.
The Government Stimulus Package
We have received written confirmation from the Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg, that Clergy, or ‘Religious Practitioners’, are eligible recipients for JobKeeper. Every person contacted has sent back their forms and Steve and Laura have submitted all this information to the ATO on schedule. A few clergy and paid staff will have received an extra payment on Thursday. This is because we were mandated to ensure all eligible people received the minimum of $1500 before tax per fortnight during April.
Previous Covid Communiques
Archdeacon Julie has been placing all our diocesan Covid 19 Communiques on our website: www.bunburyanglican.org under the Covid 19 Update button just down on the right hand side.
A prayer by Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark Cathedral
The doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked (John 20. 19)
Ever-present God,
be with us in our isolation,
be close to us in our distancing,
be healing in our sickness,
be joy in our sadness,
be light in our darkness,
be wisdom in our confusion,
be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar,
that when the doors reopen
we may with the zeal of Pentecost
inhabit our communities
and speak of your goodness
to an emerging world.
For Jesus’ sake. Amen.
| Extract From Emergency Management Act 26 April 2020 |
| Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No2 |
Communique 8 - 21st April 2020
Thank you!
Children and Young People’s Resources now in Online Resources
Archdeacon Julie has today set up a specific section in Online Resources with links to materials both in our diocese and beyond for children and young people. There is also a Zoom meeting set up from Perth Diocese for tomorrow night between 7.30pm and 8.30pm for Children’s Workers in Parishes. If you are interested in joining in please let Bishop Ian know your name and email address for you to receive a Zoom invitation.
Keeping an eye on Church buildings
We have had a reminder from our Church Insurers to keep a regular eye on buildings if we possibly can, especially if they are not being used at present.
Please continue to pray for:
The Federal Government Stimulus Packages
As a result of submitting our monthly BAS statement on schedule today we have already qualified for one of the Federal stimulus initiatives. We are now concentrating on our JobKeeper application. All stipended clergy and paid workers will shortly receive a form asking if they are willing to receive the JobKeeper amount of $1500 per fortnight. Please could you kindly return these as soon as possible to the diocesan office. JobKeeper payments will not be made until May but they are backdated to the 1 April. They will be paid through the normal pay and stipend mechanisms.
Thank you!
- Thank you to all of you for all your efforts to make worship, mission and pastoral care as accessible as possible, particularly during Holy Week and Easter.
- Thank you for taking the Covid 19 warnings seriously and putting in place all the measures that you have. It is good to see that the rate of infection has come down so spectacularly in WA, just as it is hard to see places in the world where this is still far from the case.
- Thank you too to parishes for paying assessments so promptly this month as this greatly assisted our ability to pay stipends/wages and other bills. We were also grateful for receiving your March 2019 and March 2020 figures. These have proved sufficient for us to make a JobKeeper application immediately. We will therefore not need your April 2019 to April 2020 figures. (Please see more about this below)
Children and Young People’s Resources now in Online Resources
Archdeacon Julie has today set up a specific section in Online Resources with links to materials both in our diocese and beyond for children and young people. There is also a Zoom meeting set up from Perth Diocese for tomorrow night between 7.30pm and 8.30pm for Children’s Workers in Parishes. If you are interested in joining in please let Bishop Ian know your name and email address for you to receive a Zoom invitation.
Keeping an eye on Church buildings
We have had a reminder from our Church Insurers to keep a regular eye on buildings if we possibly can, especially if they are not being used at present.
Please continue to pray for:
- Frontline health workers
- Governments who have to make really tricky decisions
- Teachers, schools, students and parents trying to work out how best to tackle Term 2
- The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who are particularly vulnerable
- Kapsabet and countries who do not have the same medical resources, or even basic resources of soap and water in some places.
The Federal Government Stimulus Packages
As a result of submitting our monthly BAS statement on schedule today we have already qualified for one of the Federal stimulus initiatives. We are now concentrating on our JobKeeper application. All stipended clergy and paid workers will shortly receive a form asking if they are willing to receive the JobKeeper amount of $1500 per fortnight. Please could you kindly return these as soon as possible to the diocesan office. JobKeeper payments will not be made until May but they are backdated to the 1 April. They will be paid through the normal pay and stipend mechanisms.
Communique 7 - 31st March 2020
Additional Restrictions
You will have noticed that further necessary restrictions came into being today:
The Diocesan Office
In order to cut down on unnecessary travel, and anticipating further restrictions, the Diocesan office staff are now largely working from home.
As a result, please email if you possibly can, in the first instance.
If you need to ring please use the following mobile numbers, bearing in mind their differing working hours:
Registrar@bunbury.org.au Stephen Biggar, Finances, Insurance
9.00 – 4.30 Mon – Weds
secretary@bunbury.org.au Revd Dr Lucy Morris, Diocesan Secretary
Mobile phone is 0408 916 129
8.30 am - 4.30 pm Mon - Fri
admin@bunbury.org.au Cheryl Norman, property and insurance matters
Work Mobile: 0497 742469
9.00 – 4.30pm Mon – Thurs
dosupport@bunbury.org.au Tiffany Della-Vedova Safe Church support and
administration Work Mobile: 0497 706 522
8.30 – 4.30pm Mon - Thurs
accounts@bunbury.org.au Laura Golding Accounts, payroll
Work Mobile: 0497573 245
8.30 – 3.00pm Mon -Thurs
We will be arranging to collect post and do banking as normal, or as near normal as possible!
Some good ideas and feedback from around the parishes
Op Shops
We have had one Op Shop broken into at Harvey and the old Diocesan office was broken into 12 days ago. It suggests that there are some people who may be desperate. If you have closed up your Op shop please put up a sign stating that no cash has been left on the premises, and also stating that you can no longer receive goods, due to the Covid 19 crisis.
Cathedral Service for Palm Sunday
The Dean and I are hoping to livestream and record a 9am Palm Sunday service this coming Sunday. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/bunburyanglicancathedral/ and Archdeacon Julie has also placed this link on the website.
A short meditation from Oxford Diocese about the absence of our church buildings… (the picture is familiar to Anne and I (and to Morse/Lewis/Endeavour watchers) as we regularly walked or cycled along this lane at the back of New College in our two stays and ten years of living in Oxford)
Additional Restrictions
You will have noticed that further necessary restrictions came into being today:
- Only two people can congregate with one another in public.
- From midnight tonight there are also travel restrictions between different WA Regions for all but essential travel. Our diocese has four regions: Peel, the Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern. There are fines of up to $50,000 for ignoring these rules.
The Diocesan Office
In order to cut down on unnecessary travel, and anticipating further restrictions, the Diocesan office staff are now largely working from home.
As a result, please email if you possibly can, in the first instance.
If you need to ring please use the following mobile numbers, bearing in mind their differing working hours:
Registrar@bunbury.org.au Stephen Biggar, Finances, Insurance
9.00 – 4.30 Mon – Weds
secretary@bunbury.org.au Revd Dr Lucy Morris, Diocesan Secretary
Mobile phone is 0408 916 129
8.30 am - 4.30 pm Mon - Fri
admin@bunbury.org.au Cheryl Norman, property and insurance matters
Work Mobile: 0497 742469
9.00 – 4.30pm Mon – Thurs
dosupport@bunbury.org.au Tiffany Della-Vedova Safe Church support and
administration Work Mobile: 0497 706 522
8.30 – 4.30pm Mon - Thurs
accounts@bunbury.org.au Laura Golding Accounts, payroll
Work Mobile: 0497573 245
8.30 – 3.00pm Mon -Thurs
We will be arranging to collect post and do banking as normal, or as near normal as possible!
Some good ideas and feedback from around the parishes
- Clergy and Parishes have been working really hard to prepare Lenten and Service material and pew sheets and information and distribute these by hand, post and electronically
- Quite a number of you are reporting appreciative responses from setting up phone chains to support people in and outside of the congregations
- At Denmark pew sheets and liturgy are being left in the Church porch for people to collect when they are in shopping
- A number of churches are preparing materials very early in the week to post in time before the next weekend
- Denmark also put out shelves of books from the Op Shop for local people to have something to read whilst self-isolating (beware, however, the length of time the virus can last on surfaces): https://www.livescience.com/how-long-coronavirus-last-surfaces.html
- If you are experimenting with livestreaming or recording services, Dean Darryl found these tips for speaking to a camera: https://vimeo.com/401232380
- Parishes who are livestreaming or recording are finding that they are getting multiple hits, as far away as Japan, so please be aware that your audience may contain people who are wishing to access church but may not be very familiar
- Do check out the Resources section on our website: https://www.bunburyanglican.org/online-resources.html
Op Shops
We have had one Op Shop broken into at Harvey and the old Diocesan office was broken into 12 days ago. It suggests that there are some people who may be desperate. If you have closed up your Op shop please put up a sign stating that no cash has been left on the premises, and also stating that you can no longer receive goods, due to the Covid 19 crisis.
Cathedral Service for Palm Sunday
The Dean and I are hoping to livestream and record a 9am Palm Sunday service this coming Sunday. The link is: https://www.facebook.com/bunburyanglicancathedral/ and Archdeacon Julie has also placed this link on the website.
A short meditation from Oxford Diocese about the absence of our church buildings… (the picture is familiar to Anne and I (and to Morse/Lewis/Endeavour watchers) as we regularly walked or cycled along this lane at the back of New College in our two stays and ten years of living in Oxford)
Communique 6 - 27th March 2020
Thank you for the remarkable and swift way you are adapting to a very different world, whether it is Revds Earle, Geoff, Justine and Noel (not to forget Marcus Baker and others) developing online and blended learning in schools, or Revds Brian Newing and John Jones assisting staff and prisoners who can now have no visitors. Wendy Mabey broadcast the Lady Day service on Wednesday on Christ Church Facebook site and had 212 hits. The Anglicare Board and GMAS School Council used Zoom technology to hold Board meetings with members calling in from their own homes and offices. Some churches were able to hold services last Sunday, observing physical distancing, and others had a go at live streaming or recording. A number of churches have arranged phone chain groups to ensure that all members are contacted regularly by phone, especially those who are most isolated or at risk. Please consider whether there are others who you know who may not go to church who could also be included in these arrangements. Revd Geoff has also tried to find ways of communicating with members of Gelorup Church whose deafness makes phone contact difficult. Digital connection is wonderful for those who have it but about 60+% of those aged over 70 do not have such access. It is therefore wonderful if, like St. Mary’s, Busselton, there are safe ways that information and worship material can be delivered to, and shared with them. A number of our priests and deacons are saying Morning and Evening prayer in church and some are live streaming/recording this and encouraging others to join them digitally.
Archdeacon Julie has been collating online and other resources to assist you, from around our diocese and across the world. You will find these on our Bunbury Diocesan website, along with this Communique and all the previous ones, at: https://www.bunburyanglican.org/ Thank you very much for those who have been experimenting with live streaming and recording of services and daily offices. Equally, I am very aware that not everyone has the technology or IT skills to live stream so I don’t expect every church to begin this, and definitely don’t want anyone to feel they are failing in some way if they aren’t able to!
Our current situation is summed up in the cartoon that Archdeacon Julie has also placed on our Bunbury Diocesan website, as follows:
Which reminds me: if it is at all possible please could you put up signs, if you have not already done so, to explain why the church is not open when people might expect it to be and to indicate how people might contact you if they wished us to pray for anyone, for example?
Not being able to share or receive Holy Communion falls particularly hard on some. This article from Oxford, hence the reference to Bishop Steven, explains how a different form of communion was envisaged in one part of the Book of Common Prayer: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/blog/thoughts-cloistered-house
Please note that from midnight on Tuesday additional travel restrictions are in place that will prevent some travel across our Diocese. Please see the following link for more information:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-27/coronavirus-restrictions-announced-on-travel-across-wa/12096634 You may have noticed on the News this week that Walpole has already gone into voluntary lockdown!
Thank you for the remarkable and swift way you are adapting to a very different world, whether it is Revds Earle, Geoff, Justine and Noel (not to forget Marcus Baker and others) developing online and blended learning in schools, or Revds Brian Newing and John Jones assisting staff and prisoners who can now have no visitors. Wendy Mabey broadcast the Lady Day service on Wednesday on Christ Church Facebook site and had 212 hits. The Anglicare Board and GMAS School Council used Zoom technology to hold Board meetings with members calling in from their own homes and offices. Some churches were able to hold services last Sunday, observing physical distancing, and others had a go at live streaming or recording. A number of churches have arranged phone chain groups to ensure that all members are contacted regularly by phone, especially those who are most isolated or at risk. Please consider whether there are others who you know who may not go to church who could also be included in these arrangements. Revd Geoff has also tried to find ways of communicating with members of Gelorup Church whose deafness makes phone contact difficult. Digital connection is wonderful for those who have it but about 60+% of those aged over 70 do not have such access. It is therefore wonderful if, like St. Mary’s, Busselton, there are safe ways that information and worship material can be delivered to, and shared with them. A number of our priests and deacons are saying Morning and Evening prayer in church and some are live streaming/recording this and encouraging others to join them digitally.
Archdeacon Julie has been collating online and other resources to assist you, from around our diocese and across the world. You will find these on our Bunbury Diocesan website, along with this Communique and all the previous ones, at: https://www.bunburyanglican.org/ Thank you very much for those who have been experimenting with live streaming and recording of services and daily offices. Equally, I am very aware that not everyone has the technology or IT skills to live stream so I don’t expect every church to begin this, and definitely don’t want anyone to feel they are failing in some way if they aren’t able to!
Our current situation is summed up in the cartoon that Archdeacon Julie has also placed on our Bunbury Diocesan website, as follows:
Which reminds me: if it is at all possible please could you put up signs, if you have not already done so, to explain why the church is not open when people might expect it to be and to indicate how people might contact you if they wished us to pray for anyone, for example?
Not being able to share or receive Holy Communion falls particularly hard on some. This article from Oxford, hence the reference to Bishop Steven, explains how a different form of communion was envisaged in one part of the Book of Common Prayer: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/blog/thoughts-cloistered-house
Please note that from midnight on Tuesday additional travel restrictions are in place that will prevent some travel across our Diocese. Please see the following link for more information:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-27/coronavirus-restrictions-announced-on-travel-across-wa/12096634 You may have noticed on the News this week that Walpole has already gone into voluntary lockdown!
Communique 5 - 25th March 2020
Further changes that affect churches and whether they can be open to the Public
The advice about whether churches are able to be open still differs between the WA Police Order and the current information on the WA Govt Covid-19 website. We have talked with Archbishop Kay and notified the Premier and Cabinet office about this, but have not had any reply from the latter at the time of writing.
You will have seen, however, that the Federal Government have issued further guidelines overnight that all but confirm that churches cannot be open to the public except for weddings with a limit of 5 people (Minister, couple, 2 witnesses) and funerals limited to 10 people maximum. This will also rule out baptisms in church for the time being.
There are substantial fines and reputational damage, not to mention risk to public health and safety for not adhering to these regulations.
Feedback from last Sunday
Thank you to those of you who responded – I hope to collate a few of your answers in the next Communique.
Further changes that affect churches and whether they can be open to the Public
The advice about whether churches are able to be open still differs between the WA Police Order and the current information on the WA Govt Covid-19 website. We have talked with Archbishop Kay and notified the Premier and Cabinet office about this, but have not had any reply from the latter at the time of writing.
You will have seen, however, that the Federal Government have issued further guidelines overnight that all but confirm that churches cannot be open to the public except for weddings with a limit of 5 people (Minister, couple, 2 witnesses) and funerals limited to 10 people maximum. This will also rule out baptisms in church for the time being.
There are substantial fines and reputational damage, not to mention risk to public health and safety for not adhering to these regulations.
Feedback from last Sunday
Thank you to those of you who responded – I hope to collate a few of your answers in the next Communique.
Communique 4 - 24th March 2020
Are churches completely closed?
A few minutes after we sent you Communique 3 late yesterday we had an email from Archbishop Kay with a copy of the Police Order for WA ordering all churches to be closed to the public. The information on the WA website, however, remains the same as I included in Communique 3. We are urgently seeking clarification from the Archbishop and/or the WA government and will update you as soon as we hear further. This is the police order: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/closure-of-certain-places-of-business-worship-and-entertainment-direction
Blessing of Oils postponed
We had planned to video the blessing of oils in the Cathedral on Thursday and then deliver them around the diocese. As, however, the Cathedral were having difficulty in sourcing enough smaller bottles, we are not supposed to be using oil and touch if we can avoid it at present, and to prevent non-essential journeys, I have decided to postpone this service and distribution until such times as I hope we can all be together.
Are you now educating your children at home, or know someone who is?
If you are, you may find the attached information helpful from Sam van der Wacht. Sam is the wife of Eric at the Anglican Camp Site in Busselton and mother of two daughters who she has been home schooling for some time. She shares some tips, information and resources she has found helpful.
Lambeth Conference postponed to 2021
On the same day that we heard the Olympic Games are likely to be postponed until next year, the Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed that the Lambeth Conference is also being postponed until 2021.
Livestreaming and recording of worship/services/sermons
A number of you are having a go at this. General Synod office advise that livestreaming or production of videos of worship services only requires those presiding and participating in the service to attend with technical supporters. Those participating should adhere to social distancing guidelines (4m2 and 1.5m apart). This is an ABC report of one Anglican church doing this in Toowoomba, as well as attending to other pastoral needs: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-23/coronavirus-and-church-no-pews-no-problems/12082352
Are churches completely closed?
A few minutes after we sent you Communique 3 late yesterday we had an email from Archbishop Kay with a copy of the Police Order for WA ordering all churches to be closed to the public. The information on the WA website, however, remains the same as I included in Communique 3. We are urgently seeking clarification from the Archbishop and/or the WA government and will update you as soon as we hear further. This is the police order: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/closure-of-certain-places-of-business-worship-and-entertainment-direction
Blessing of Oils postponed
We had planned to video the blessing of oils in the Cathedral on Thursday and then deliver them around the diocese. As, however, the Cathedral were having difficulty in sourcing enough smaller bottles, we are not supposed to be using oil and touch if we can avoid it at present, and to prevent non-essential journeys, I have decided to postpone this service and distribution until such times as I hope we can all be together.
Are you now educating your children at home, or know someone who is?
If you are, you may find the attached information helpful from Sam van der Wacht. Sam is the wife of Eric at the Anglican Camp Site in Busselton and mother of two daughters who she has been home schooling for some time. She shares some tips, information and resources she has found helpful.
Lambeth Conference postponed to 2021
On the same day that we heard the Olympic Games are likely to be postponed until next year, the Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed that the Lambeth Conference is also being postponed until 2021.
Livestreaming and recording of worship/services/sermons
A number of you are having a go at this. General Synod office advise that livestreaming or production of videos of worship services only requires those presiding and participating in the service to attend with technical supporters. Those participating should adhere to social distancing guidelines (4m2 and 1.5m apart). This is an ABC report of one Anglican church doing this in Toowoomba, as well as attending to other pastoral needs: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-23/coronavirus-and-church-no-pews-no-problems/12082352
Attachment
| Home School Info |
Communique 3 - 23rd March 2020
How are you going?
We would be very interested to know how your Sundays went, whether you had
i) already decided to stop public worship and how that worked or felt, or
ii) if you did carry on, how that went? Please email me anything you would like shared.
A number of you have begun experimenting with live streaming and downloading services. Please kindly let Archdeacon Julie know if you have any links that you would like her to place on our Diocesan website.
Are Churches shut?
You will have heard the Prime Minister’s message last night that all places of worship are shut down. As with schools, however, the reality is slightly more complicated.
The latest advice we have had is that it depends on the jurisdiction of the State. In WA at the moment this is the advice:
Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to implement, through state and territory laws, new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings.
Western Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least 6 months.
The following facilities will be restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020:
This means that for most of us public worship together is not possible. It does, however, mean that weddings, funerals and meeting in church to pray can occur so long as we observe strict distancing rules of 2m between each person. Early reports from last Sunday suggests that it was not always easy to get people to adhere to these rules but it is very important for public health and safety that we do.
Churches are also still able to be open if they are work places. This applies to office staff and Op shops in some cases.
What about Op Shops?
As mentioned several Op shops have shut because volunteers are concerned about infection. If remaining open Op shops also need to observe strict rules about hand sanitation, physical distancing, including in any sorting area, and hygienic receipt of goods. Steve Biggar and Marilyn Royer are tomorrow checking the details of the ‘Australian Cashflow for businesses, Economic Response to the Coronavirus’ to see if there is any respite where paid Op shop staff are employed.
Ideas to help
The Revds Sue Lodge Calvert and Sally Buckley are either encouraging people to borrow Prayer Books from church or printing Morning and Evening prayer and suggesting that everyone say Morning and Evening Prayer at similar times in their respective homes.
Sue has also suggested that the congregation arrange to ring and have virtual tea or coffee
Sue is trying to post Lenten Studies and Sunday worship to non-digitally connected people (likely to be about 65% for the over 70’s) nearly a week in advance because regional post takes so long to reach addresses.
BELLS and Covid 19
Michael Frost’s suggestions of Bless, Eat, Listen, Learn and Send are all highly relevant to this time, with the obvious exception of Eating and direct hospitality (although see Sue’s suggestion of virtual tea above!) Finding ways to bless not only members of the congregation but also our neighbour, because God loves them and us, to listen to God’s Holy Spirit, to learn as Christians and to see ourselves as a Sent people with a mission applies as much if not more, even when we cannot physically worship together as we would wish.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
MU Lady Day this Wednesday has been cancelled but the Rev'd Ian and Wendy Mabey are hoping to stream live from Christ Church Mandurah.
Wendy has issued instructions for accessing, as follows:
If you have a Facebook account, access via Anglican Parish of Mandurah Facebook page - and follow us.
For those who do not have a Facebook account, go to the parish webpage - http://www.anglicanchurchmandurah.org.au/ and click on the Facebook icon (white f in blue square) which can be found on the right hand side of the page under the banner pictures.
The Lay Retreat is now also cancelled for 2020.
The Safe Ministry Audit
In the next week or so, as the next stage of this Audit, Lucy may need to contact you about particular volunteers and staff to check their Safe Ministry paperwork. Please will you kindly assist her with this as it is an important part of our Audit readiness and response.
Some unusual events that have been prompted by Covid 19
I have appointed the Revd Dr Lucy as Non Stipendiary Minister at St. George’s, Dunsborough with effect from last Thursday. This was acknowledging that we are unlikely to be able to hold Lucy’s Service of Recognition on 14 May and enables the parish to have a local decision maker and take some weight of responsibility off of the Wardens. Lucy is of course still very much full-time in her Diocesan Secretary role until the end of April. I hope that post Covid 19 we will be able to have a service of Celebration at St. George’s for Lucy.
Frederick Irwin and I understand all ASC Schools will transition to online learning from tomorrow but will continue to provide supervision on site using the same online learning platform for children of key personnel and those who have no one able to care for them at home.
Youthcare have developed protocols for chaplaincy to continue if schools close.
Prisoners can no longer have visits – please pray for the Revds. Brian Newing and John Jones as they minister in this situation.
The Mission to Seafarers are closing nationwide. Merchant seafarers are the almost the safest group as they have usually been isolated for over 14 days but this is in response to older volunteers. Nonetheless, the pastoral and practical needs of sailors remain and one or two volunteers are remaining on call.
How are you going?
We would be very interested to know how your Sundays went, whether you had
i) already decided to stop public worship and how that worked or felt, or
ii) if you did carry on, how that went? Please email me anything you would like shared.
A number of you have begun experimenting with live streaming and downloading services. Please kindly let Archdeacon Julie know if you have any links that you would like her to place on our Diocesan website.
Are Churches shut?
You will have heard the Prime Minister’s message last night that all places of worship are shut down. As with schools, however, the reality is slightly more complicated.
The latest advice we have had is that it depends on the jurisdiction of the State. In WA at the moment this is the advice:
Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to implement, through state and territory laws, new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings.
Western Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least 6 months.
The following facilities will be restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020:
- Pubs, registered and licenced clubs, hotel bars (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues),
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
- Large religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies).
- Libraries and cultural institutions.
- Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
This means that for most of us public worship together is not possible. It does, however, mean that weddings, funerals and meeting in church to pray can occur so long as we observe strict distancing rules of 2m between each person. Early reports from last Sunday suggests that it was not always easy to get people to adhere to these rules but it is very important for public health and safety that we do.
Churches are also still able to be open if they are work places. This applies to office staff and Op shops in some cases.
What about Op Shops?
As mentioned several Op shops have shut because volunteers are concerned about infection. If remaining open Op shops also need to observe strict rules about hand sanitation, physical distancing, including in any sorting area, and hygienic receipt of goods. Steve Biggar and Marilyn Royer are tomorrow checking the details of the ‘Australian Cashflow for businesses, Economic Response to the Coronavirus’ to see if there is any respite where paid Op shop staff are employed.
Ideas to help
The Revds Sue Lodge Calvert and Sally Buckley are either encouraging people to borrow Prayer Books from church or printing Morning and Evening prayer and suggesting that everyone say Morning and Evening Prayer at similar times in their respective homes.
Sue has also suggested that the congregation arrange to ring and have virtual tea or coffee
Sue is trying to post Lenten Studies and Sunday worship to non-digitally connected people (likely to be about 65% for the over 70’s) nearly a week in advance because regional post takes so long to reach addresses.
BELLS and Covid 19
Michael Frost’s suggestions of Bless, Eat, Listen, Learn and Send are all highly relevant to this time, with the obvious exception of Eating and direct hospitality (although see Sue’s suggestion of virtual tea above!) Finding ways to bless not only members of the congregation but also our neighbour, because God loves them and us, to listen to God’s Holy Spirit, to learn as Christians and to see ourselves as a Sent people with a mission applies as much if not more, even when we cannot physically worship together as we would wish.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
MU Lady Day this Wednesday has been cancelled but the Rev'd Ian and Wendy Mabey are hoping to stream live from Christ Church Mandurah.
Wendy has issued instructions for accessing, as follows:
If you have a Facebook account, access via Anglican Parish of Mandurah Facebook page - and follow us.
For those who do not have a Facebook account, go to the parish webpage - http://www.anglicanchurchmandurah.org.au/ and click on the Facebook icon (white f in blue square) which can be found on the right hand side of the page under the banner pictures.
The Lay Retreat is now also cancelled for 2020.
The Safe Ministry Audit
In the next week or so, as the next stage of this Audit, Lucy may need to contact you about particular volunteers and staff to check their Safe Ministry paperwork. Please will you kindly assist her with this as it is an important part of our Audit readiness and response.
Some unusual events that have been prompted by Covid 19
I have appointed the Revd Dr Lucy as Non Stipendiary Minister at St. George’s, Dunsborough with effect from last Thursday. This was acknowledging that we are unlikely to be able to hold Lucy’s Service of Recognition on 14 May and enables the parish to have a local decision maker and take some weight of responsibility off of the Wardens. Lucy is of course still very much full-time in her Diocesan Secretary role until the end of April. I hope that post Covid 19 we will be able to have a service of Celebration at St. George’s for Lucy.
Frederick Irwin and I understand all ASC Schools will transition to online learning from tomorrow but will continue to provide supervision on site using the same online learning platform for children of key personnel and those who have no one able to care for them at home.
Youthcare have developed protocols for chaplaincy to continue if schools close.
Prisoners can no longer have visits – please pray for the Revds. Brian Newing and John Jones as they minister in this situation.
The Mission to Seafarers are closing nationwide. Merchant seafarers are the almost the safest group as they have usually been isolated for over 14 days but this is in response to older volunteers. Nonetheless, the pastoral and practical needs of sailors remain and one or two volunteers are remaining on call.
Communique 2 - 20th March 2020
Important Update: New space requirements between people at any Indoor Gathering:
This morning the Australian Government has issued a new Order that indoor gatherings should have four square metres immediately around each person. We therefore need to ensure that we have sufficient space to separate everyone by two metres apart, or we will need to discontinue the service or meeting. As a result of this Perth Diocese has cancelled all Sunday Services. Some of our churches have also decided to take this step. Others have sufficient space to be able to continue. Please ensure you are able to conform with this Order. If you are not able to please let parishioners know as soon as you are able and place appropriate signs on Churches.
Signing the Peace:
For those who are able to continue with services the promised video about how to sign the Peace in British Sign Language is now on a link below in Communique 1.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
MU Lady Day Service – still happening but lunch afterwards has been cancelled
Chrism Eucharist – cancelled due to space requirements (see above). We hope to film the blessing of the oils next week and then distribute hygienically to all of who you by various means
Cursillo – has been cancelled
General Synod – is likely to be cancelled, dependent on Standing Cttee. decision
Obtaining contact details
Now is a good time to check that your contact details for parishioners are up to date and you have their permission to hold them. It is wonderful to be able to email, Facetime/Skype those who are digitally connected. It is also good to hear of parishes who are making arrangements to deliver hard copies of sermons, prayers and notices to people who may be housebound and are not digitally connected.
Keeping connected to God and to one another and pastoral concerns
Responding to this situation is an interesting test of our Christian lives, worship and mission. Many people will be shocked by the speed of events, the very significant changes we are experiencing, and by the threat to life, to incomes and to jobs.
We may especially need to look out for the fearful, the vulnerable, the lonely, the disabled, those at risk of domestic violence and the quarantined/self-isolated
and thinking about how we can minister to people who find themselves in these categories
Call to Prayer for tomorrow and 10 ideas on how to worship when not gathered together - please see advert below
Copyright and Livestreaming – new advice obtained by Lucy
Each church that intends to conduct live streaming must have its own individual CCLI Church Copyright live streaming licence. This licence allows you to stream or podcast your live-recorded worship service music on your church’s website or other streaming services. Group licences are currently not available. Further details see https://au.ccli.com/copyright-licences/
APBA copyright
Copyright for the use of material from A Prayer Book for Australia should be acknowledged during livestreaming and a graphic added to end of any published videos.
Use of music during livestreaming services
Those who are using contemporary songs will need to purchase a licence via CCLI (as noted above) but those who are using traditional hymns played live (rather than recordings) should not require permission if the music is in the public domain (which much of it is).
Choral music will need to be in the public domain otherwise a license will be required. Parishes should seek the advice of their person who usually coordinates music in their parish in this regard.
Use of video during livestreaming services
Showing film scenes, videos or clips will require specific licencing to prevent against any breaches of copyright.
Privacy issues
Privacy law should also be considered in the context of livestream. Ensuring that you have the permission of persons appearing in your livestream will minimise the risk of a privacy breach (Australian Copyright Council, Nov 2019)
PRAYER FOR A PANDEMIC This is courtesy of the Revd Justine Richmond and the Anglican Schools Commission. Please also see attached prayers and a poem from St. Mary’s, Busselton. Ven David Thornton-Wakeford was their locum for three months.
By Cameron Wiggins Bellm
May we who are merely inconvenienced
remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
remember those who must choose between
preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children
when their schools close
Remember those that have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money
in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have no margin at all.
May we settle in for a quarantine at home
remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love during this time when we
cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace
Of God to our neighbor. Amen.
Important Update: New space requirements between people at any Indoor Gathering:
This morning the Australian Government has issued a new Order that indoor gatherings should have four square metres immediately around each person. We therefore need to ensure that we have sufficient space to separate everyone by two metres apart, or we will need to discontinue the service or meeting. As a result of this Perth Diocese has cancelled all Sunday Services. Some of our churches have also decided to take this step. Others have sufficient space to be able to continue. Please ensure you are able to conform with this Order. If you are not able to please let parishioners know as soon as you are able and place appropriate signs on Churches.
Signing the Peace:
For those who are able to continue with services the promised video about how to sign the Peace in British Sign Language is now on a link below in Communique 1.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
MU Lady Day Service – still happening but lunch afterwards has been cancelled
Chrism Eucharist – cancelled due to space requirements (see above). We hope to film the blessing of the oils next week and then distribute hygienically to all of who you by various means
Cursillo – has been cancelled
General Synod – is likely to be cancelled, dependent on Standing Cttee. decision
Obtaining contact details
Now is a good time to check that your contact details for parishioners are up to date and you have their permission to hold them. It is wonderful to be able to email, Facetime/Skype those who are digitally connected. It is also good to hear of parishes who are making arrangements to deliver hard copies of sermons, prayers and notices to people who may be housebound and are not digitally connected.
Keeping connected to God and to one another and pastoral concerns
Responding to this situation is an interesting test of our Christian lives, worship and mission. Many people will be shocked by the speed of events, the very significant changes we are experiencing, and by the threat to life, to incomes and to jobs.
We may especially need to look out for the fearful, the vulnerable, the lonely, the disabled, those at risk of domestic violence and the quarantined/self-isolated
and thinking about how we can minister to people who find themselves in these categories
Call to Prayer for tomorrow and 10 ideas on how to worship when not gathered together - please see advert below
Copyright and Livestreaming – new advice obtained by Lucy
Each church that intends to conduct live streaming must have its own individual CCLI Church Copyright live streaming licence. This licence allows you to stream or podcast your live-recorded worship service music on your church’s website or other streaming services. Group licences are currently not available. Further details see https://au.ccli.com/copyright-licences/
APBA copyright
Copyright for the use of material from A Prayer Book for Australia should be acknowledged during livestreaming and a graphic added to end of any published videos.
Use of music during livestreaming services
Those who are using contemporary songs will need to purchase a licence via CCLI (as noted above) but those who are using traditional hymns played live (rather than recordings) should not require permission if the music is in the public domain (which much of it is).
Choral music will need to be in the public domain otherwise a license will be required. Parishes should seek the advice of their person who usually coordinates music in their parish in this regard.
Use of video during livestreaming services
Showing film scenes, videos or clips will require specific licencing to prevent against any breaches of copyright.
Privacy issues
Privacy law should also be considered in the context of livestream. Ensuring that you have the permission of persons appearing in your livestream will minimise the risk of a privacy breach (Australian Copyright Council, Nov 2019)
PRAYER FOR A PANDEMIC This is courtesy of the Revd Justine Richmond and the Anglican Schools Commission. Please also see attached prayers and a poem from St. Mary’s, Busselton. Ven David Thornton-Wakeford was their locum for three months.
By Cameron Wiggins Bellm
May we who are merely inconvenienced
remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
remember those who must choose between
preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children
when their schools close
Remember those that have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money
in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have no margin at all.
May we settle in for a quarantine at home
remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
Let us choose love during this time when we
cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace
Of God to our neighbor. Amen.
**A NATIONAL CALL TO PRAYER
on 22nd March 7pm (GMT)**
Light a Candle of Hope
A call to prayer re. the Coronavirus pandemic
A National Day of Prayer and Action has been announced by the presidents of Churches Together in England,
re. the Coronavirus epidemic, for this Sunday 22nd March.
In an excerpt from a joint letter issued today, they wrote:
"At such a time as this, when so many are fearful and there is great uncertainty, we are reminded of our dependence on our loving Heavenly Father and the future that he holds.
Therefore, at 7pm (GMT) this Sunday, light a candle in the windows of your homes as a visible symbol of the light of life, Jesus Christ, our source and hope in prayer."
Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to join with us in prayer to see an end to the Coronavirus pandemic.
10 ways to worship together even if not gathered
Today, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby and Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu called for all Church of England churches to suspend public worship to help stem the spread of Coronavirus.
In light of today's announcement, we have created a list of 10 ways churches can worship even if they cannot be gathered together. Click here for the list of ideas.
Let us pray for one another during this difficult time.
"Cast all your cares on to Him, for He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7
Copyright © 2020 Thy Kingdom Come, All rights reserved.
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Attachments
| Coronavirus Prayers and a Poem Sent by David Thornton-Wakeford March 2020 |
Communique 1 - 18th March 2020
This is a fact moving situation, given that we only first heard of this virus in December, and how much has happened since. We will sequentially number Communiques to you, as the situation will continue to change. This is Communique 1.
Thank you for your patience. We have been waiting for promised National Guidelines from the Australian General Synod, which arrived this morning. They are attached to the bottom of this note in their received Draft form. I will refer to them as the ‘GS Guidelines’ or ‘Guidelines’.
Please read through the Guidelines and the additional information below carefully. They are Guidelines and not Directives at this stage.
Sunday services, Holy Communion and preventing physical contact
You will be aware that the Commonwealth Government upgraded their advice this morning about indoor gatherings, restricting them to 100 persons. This will affect a few of our churches. Some particularly vulnerable people will choose not to attend whilst there is a risk of infection. Services have been suspended in Tasmania and Sydney Dioceses and in the Church of England and Wales. We are not suspending services here in the Diocese for the time being, subject of course to any further restrictions or Emergency rulings from the Commonwealth or WA governments. We are, however, leaving you to determine what is best locally about continuing with services, bearing in mind such factors as the advice for people to be 1.5 metres apart from one another.
The advice is for people to temporarily receive Holy Communion in one kind only, although priests as normal should bless both the bread and the cup and consume both elements themselves, subject to appropriate hygiene.
It is hard for people not to shake hands but the Guidelines are clear that physical contact should be kept to an absolute minimum. Churches and schools in our diocese have been innovative with Sharing the Peace using bowing to one another, singing Shalom, and a British sign language for “Peace be with you” the video tutorial for which can be found below.
Op shops, Pastoral offices, Outreach, Chaplaincy, Visiting
The GS Guidelines recommend the closing of Op Shops and the receipt of goods be suspended. We again are suggesting that you may wish to make local decisions about this. This will depend on having volunteers willing to be there and on ensuring hygiene and social distancing. Three of our Op shops have shut due to concerns by the volunteer helpers.
The Guidelines are suggesting that where parishes offer community pantry, free food, and in our case, Emergency Relief, that should be maintained if possible. ER support is being done by phone wherever possible, with social distancing and changes in handling food collections. Anglicare may also be grateful if churches are able to assist in the delivery of Emergency Relief during this period when people may be confined to their homes. Manna and Mercy are having to suspend their Tuesday night meal at Dunsborough because they attract over 100 people at one time but are delivering frozen meals.
The Guidelines recommend that all social and outreach services (such as Alpha) be suspended, and all gatherings of young people. They are also concerned about morning teas and refreshments, so these may also need to be considered.
School and Prison Chaplaincy are subject to the relevant organisations’ policies.
Hospital Visiting – same as above
Aged Care is, or will soon be, in lock down. Services and pastoral visits should be suspended, save for special arrangements for end of life visits, if permitted.
The Campsite to remain open for the time being but will shut over Easter because of the sheer numbers who descend on the site then.
Please note the specific advice for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals on p5. The advice refers to action you may need to take if you are expecting any attendance greater than 100 or have difficulty in keeping people 1.5 metres apart.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
Donnybrook Retreat this weekend - postponed
Boniface Care Committee on Monday – cancelled due to lack of quorum
Chrism Eucharist – may be cancelled – will update next week about this
May Clergy Retreat – this may be cancelled – again we will update as soon as possible
Cursillo – currently planning for happening or not happening
Lay Retreat – currently planning for happening or not happening
Parish Finances
A few priests have contacted the diocesan office concerned about reduced offerings and indeed possible Op shop closures or reduced traffic and the effect upon parish finances. We are checking our Business Interruption Insurance with our Insurers but we have not received an answer yet – we are not hopeful that this event will be covered! The Finance Committee met as usual yesterday and resolved to recommend to Bishop in Council that the planned increase in Parish Assessment from 10% to 12% should not to come in to effect in July. Instead it should be delayed until at least the end of this calendar year, and this will be reviewed nearer that time. This proposal will be considered at the next BiC meeting in April. Some parishes who have reserves or are ahead of repayments on their loans may wish to draw down on these facilities.
It may seem a very odd time to be talking about Stewardship but in fact it may be an important and worthwhile opportunity, whilst being pastorally sensitive, to ask if parishioners would prayerfully consider their giving and also changing from the plate to direct debit.
The Church of England Guidance and worshipping and ministering in new ways
I have also attached a Letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England. We are not following their lead in closing services at the moment but what they have to say about the place of the Anglican church and about considering how we might minister to our congregations and to our communities if we are not able to hold services, or for those who cannot attend, may be of help to you. We will be looking at whether we can record services such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter and have them available on our website for people to view/hear who have digital access. The Archbishops’ letter has a link for churches who may wish to do the same. Indeed several of you already record part or all of your services on a regular basis – we will need to check about copyright for the APBA and certain music and we will get back to you about this. Please let us know if you have innovative ideas from your parish or ministry (and see below re: prayer and phone chains).
Self Care
Please continue to watch over yourself and your family, as well as watching over others and being available to them. If you are unwell please do not soldier on, do follow the guidelines for self-isolation and let us know.
Care for our Community
This is a time of great anxiety. The uncertainty and fear are as contagious as the virus itself. As Christians we have much to offer in being calm, caring and Christlike, and gently pointing people to God and God’s love, providence and eternal plan for all people. We could also, for example, use our noticeboards to send messages of hope or encouragement or appropriate humour. Prayer chains, and pastoral calls by phone for those who are isolated and frightened, and checking if people need supplies or food delivered are all ways that lay people, as well as clergy, can assist.
This is a fact moving situation, given that we only first heard of this virus in December, and how much has happened since. We will sequentially number Communiques to you, as the situation will continue to change. This is Communique 1.
Thank you for your patience. We have been waiting for promised National Guidelines from the Australian General Synod, which arrived this morning. They are attached to the bottom of this note in their received Draft form. I will refer to them as the ‘GS Guidelines’ or ‘Guidelines’.
Please read through the Guidelines and the additional information below carefully. They are Guidelines and not Directives at this stage.
Sunday services, Holy Communion and preventing physical contact
You will be aware that the Commonwealth Government upgraded their advice this morning about indoor gatherings, restricting them to 100 persons. This will affect a few of our churches. Some particularly vulnerable people will choose not to attend whilst there is a risk of infection. Services have been suspended in Tasmania and Sydney Dioceses and in the Church of England and Wales. We are not suspending services here in the Diocese for the time being, subject of course to any further restrictions or Emergency rulings from the Commonwealth or WA governments. We are, however, leaving you to determine what is best locally about continuing with services, bearing in mind such factors as the advice for people to be 1.5 metres apart from one another.
The advice is for people to temporarily receive Holy Communion in one kind only, although priests as normal should bless both the bread and the cup and consume both elements themselves, subject to appropriate hygiene.
It is hard for people not to shake hands but the Guidelines are clear that physical contact should be kept to an absolute minimum. Churches and schools in our diocese have been innovative with Sharing the Peace using bowing to one another, singing Shalom, and a British sign language for “Peace be with you” the video tutorial for which can be found below.
Op shops, Pastoral offices, Outreach, Chaplaincy, Visiting
The GS Guidelines recommend the closing of Op Shops and the receipt of goods be suspended. We again are suggesting that you may wish to make local decisions about this. This will depend on having volunteers willing to be there and on ensuring hygiene and social distancing. Three of our Op shops have shut due to concerns by the volunteer helpers.
The Guidelines are suggesting that where parishes offer community pantry, free food, and in our case, Emergency Relief, that should be maintained if possible. ER support is being done by phone wherever possible, with social distancing and changes in handling food collections. Anglicare may also be grateful if churches are able to assist in the delivery of Emergency Relief during this period when people may be confined to their homes. Manna and Mercy are having to suspend their Tuesday night meal at Dunsborough because they attract over 100 people at one time but are delivering frozen meals.
The Guidelines recommend that all social and outreach services (such as Alpha) be suspended, and all gatherings of young people. They are also concerned about morning teas and refreshments, so these may also need to be considered.
School and Prison Chaplaincy are subject to the relevant organisations’ policies.
Hospital Visiting – same as above
Aged Care is, or will soon be, in lock down. Services and pastoral visits should be suspended, save for special arrangements for end of life visits, if permitted.
The Campsite to remain open for the time being but will shut over Easter because of the sheer numbers who descend on the site then.
Please note the specific advice for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals on p5. The advice refers to action you may need to take if you are expecting any attendance greater than 100 or have difficulty in keeping people 1.5 metres apart.
Upcoming Diocesan Events
Donnybrook Retreat this weekend - postponed
Boniface Care Committee on Monday – cancelled due to lack of quorum
Chrism Eucharist – may be cancelled – will update next week about this
May Clergy Retreat – this may be cancelled – again we will update as soon as possible
Cursillo – currently planning for happening or not happening
Lay Retreat – currently planning for happening or not happening
Parish Finances
A few priests have contacted the diocesan office concerned about reduced offerings and indeed possible Op shop closures or reduced traffic and the effect upon parish finances. We are checking our Business Interruption Insurance with our Insurers but we have not received an answer yet – we are not hopeful that this event will be covered! The Finance Committee met as usual yesterday and resolved to recommend to Bishop in Council that the planned increase in Parish Assessment from 10% to 12% should not to come in to effect in July. Instead it should be delayed until at least the end of this calendar year, and this will be reviewed nearer that time. This proposal will be considered at the next BiC meeting in April. Some parishes who have reserves or are ahead of repayments on their loans may wish to draw down on these facilities.
It may seem a very odd time to be talking about Stewardship but in fact it may be an important and worthwhile opportunity, whilst being pastorally sensitive, to ask if parishioners would prayerfully consider their giving and also changing from the plate to direct debit.
The Church of England Guidance and worshipping and ministering in new ways
I have also attached a Letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England. We are not following their lead in closing services at the moment but what they have to say about the place of the Anglican church and about considering how we might minister to our congregations and to our communities if we are not able to hold services, or for those who cannot attend, may be of help to you. We will be looking at whether we can record services such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter and have them available on our website for people to view/hear who have digital access. The Archbishops’ letter has a link for churches who may wish to do the same. Indeed several of you already record part or all of your services on a regular basis – we will need to check about copyright for the APBA and certain music and we will get back to you about this. Please let us know if you have innovative ideas from your parish or ministry (and see below re: prayer and phone chains).
Self Care
Please continue to watch over yourself and your family, as well as watching over others and being available to them. If you are unwell please do not soldier on, do follow the guidelines for self-isolation and let us know.
Care for our Community
This is a time of great anxiety. The uncertainty and fear are as contagious as the virus itself. As Christians we have much to offer in being calm, caring and Christlike, and gently pointing people to God and God’s love, providence and eternal plan for all people. We could also, for example, use our noticeboards to send messages of hope or encouragement or appropriate humour. Prayer chains, and pastoral calls by phone for those who are isolated and frightened, and checking if people need supplies or food delivered are all ways that lay people, as well as clergy, can assist.
Attachments
| General Synod Draft Guidelines Covid-19 |
| Joint Letter from Archbishops of Canterbury and York Covid-19 17th March 2020 |