Guidance about Live-stream and In-House Worship
1 October 2020
Dear ESCCC,
We thank God for the improving COVID-19 situation in NSW.
As of 24th September we are allowed to have gatherings of up to 100 people, spread across our sanctuary, the mezzanine and the main function hall.
While this is an improvement, it means we sadly cannot have the fullness of our existing church family return all at once.
We remain on a ‘first come first serve basis’ - if we exceed our limits then we will have to turn people away.
In light of this, we are committed to making the Sunday service experience as good as it can possibly be, both for those of us joining us on the live-stream and those joining us in person. In this way, we give ourselves the best chance to preserve and foster both our physical and spiritual well-being while respecting government health orders.
Therefore we ask that you consider your individual and family circumstances so that you can wisely decide how best to participate in Sunday worship:
> If you are connected with the church community during the week and are OK with participating in the live-stream and digital morning tea, please continue to do so.
> However, if you are feeling a bit disconnected, frustrated, lonely or otherwise spiritually ‘dry’, then we encourage you to worship with us in person.
For those who choose to worship in the sanctuary, we remind you of the following aspects of the Sunday service that you need to observe:
> You must provide your contact details for contact tracing purposes.
> You must consent to having your temperature checked.
> We encourage the use of hand sanitizer and face masks. Both will be available on site if you require them.
> You may be seen on the live-stream if you are in the sanctuary. If you do not wish to be seen on camera, you must go up to the mezzanine.
> You cannot sing aloud in the congregation.
> You must observe the 1.5m social distancing rule at all times, including when seated and when moving about in the sanctuary.
If you have any questions or concerns, then contact one of the pastors or elders, or otherwise get in touch at https://www.esccc.org.au/contact-us.html
Thank you for your patience, and God bless you,
The Pastors and Elders of ESCCC
1 October 2020
1 October 2020
Dear ESCCC,
We thank God for the improving COVID-19 situation in NSW.
As of 24th September we are allowed to have gatherings of up to 100 people, spread across our sanctuary, the mezzanine and the main function hall.
While this is an improvement, it means we sadly cannot have the fullness of our existing church family return all at once.
We remain on a ‘first come first serve basis’ - if we exceed our limits then we will have to turn people away.
In light of this, we are committed to making the Sunday service experience as good as it can possibly be, both for those of us joining us on the live-stream and those joining us in person. In this way, we give ourselves the best chance to preserve and foster both our physical and spiritual well-being while respecting government health orders.
Therefore we ask that you consider your individual and family circumstances so that you can wisely decide how best to participate in Sunday worship:
> If you are connected with the church community during the week and are OK with participating in the live-stream and digital morning tea, please continue to do so.
> However, if you are feeling a bit disconnected, frustrated, lonely or otherwise spiritually ‘dry’, then we encourage you to worship with us in person.
For those who choose to worship in the sanctuary, we remind you of the following aspects of the Sunday service that you need to observe:
> You must provide your contact details for contact tracing purposes.
> You must consent to having your temperature checked.
> We encourage the use of hand sanitizer and face masks. Both will be available on site if you require them.
> You may be seen on the live-stream if you are in the sanctuary. If you do not wish to be seen on camera, you must go up to the mezzanine.
> You cannot sing aloud in the congregation.
> You must observe the 1.5m social distancing rule at all times, including when seated and when moving about in the sanctuary.
If you have any questions or concerns, then contact one of the pastors or elders, or otherwise get in touch at https://www.esccc.org.au/contact-us.html
Thank you for your patience, and God bless you,
The Pastors and Elders of ESCCC
1 October 2020
Beirut Emergency Appeal (23 August 2020)
Dear ESCCC,
Thank you for praying for Lebanon these past few weeks given the recent catastrophe in Beirut.
Overseas Council Australia (OCA) is one of our trusted mission partners and have asked for emergency funds to help Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) with the relief effort in Beirut.
OCA are trying to raise $40 000 to support ABTS in converting their dormitories so that they can be used for emergency accommodation to 30 families, approximately 200 people or so, for the next few months. They have currently raised about $16 000.
More details of the project can be read at this link. https://www.overseascouncil.com.au/latest-story/beirut-emergency-appeal
Please prayerfully and sacrificially consider giving at this time to help those who are in need.
Please give to the Church's Mission Trust Fund and mark it with 'BEA' (Beirut Emergency Appeal) by the end of Sunday 30th of August.
ESCCC Mission Trust Fund
BSB: 032054
Account No.: 331282
We will pool the funds together and send it to OCA.
Let us help our brothers and sisters at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary to share the love of Christ to their neighbours in both word and deed.
May all the people of Lebanon find permanent homes in the Kingdom of Heaven.
John 14:1-4
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Dear ESCCC,
Thank you for praying for Lebanon these past few weeks given the recent catastrophe in Beirut.
Overseas Council Australia (OCA) is one of our trusted mission partners and have asked for emergency funds to help Arab Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS) with the relief effort in Beirut.
OCA are trying to raise $40 000 to support ABTS in converting their dormitories so that they can be used for emergency accommodation to 30 families, approximately 200 people or so, for the next few months. They have currently raised about $16 000.
More details of the project can be read at this link. https://www.overseascouncil.com.au/latest-story/beirut-emergency-appeal
Please prayerfully and sacrificially consider giving at this time to help those who are in need.
Please give to the Church's Mission Trust Fund and mark it with 'BEA' (Beirut Emergency Appeal) by the end of Sunday 30th of August.
ESCCC Mission Trust Fund
BSB: 032054
Account No.: 331282
We will pool the funds together and send it to OCA.
Let us help our brothers and sisters at Arab Baptist Theological Seminary to share the love of Christ to their neighbours in both word and deed.
May all the people of Lebanon find permanent homes in the Kingdom of Heaven.
John 14:1-4
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
SPECIAL NOTICE (Last Updated 25 July 2020):
We thank God that the COVID19 situation in NSW has improved to the point where restrictions will be eased further on 1 July.
However, we do not expect to be fully ready by Sunday 5th July. So we ask that our congregation members refrain from returning "en masse" to physical worship on that date.
It will take time to transition to the "new normal".
As we gather from Sunday 5th July onwards, we will be learning what this "new normal" will look like. There may be delays. There may be frustration. So we all need to exercise grace and patience with one another during this time of transition.
In the meantime, the Pastors and Elders have drafted a plan to help congregation members make decisions about whether to come into the church building for Sunday service worship.
The plan may be viewed here: ESCCC Stage 3 Church Gatherings and COVID19 Restrictions
The aim is to help us:
i) comply with the 4sqm social distancing rule,
ii) practice good personal hygiene, and
iii) assess for ourselves how best to participate in worship on a given Sunday.
Thank you!
- The Pastors and Elders of ESCCC
However, we do not expect to be fully ready by Sunday 5th July. So we ask that our congregation members refrain from returning "en masse" to physical worship on that date.
It will take time to transition to the "new normal".
As we gather from Sunday 5th July onwards, we will be learning what this "new normal" will look like. There may be delays. There may be frustration. So we all need to exercise grace and patience with one another during this time of transition.
In the meantime, the Pastors and Elders have drafted a plan to help congregation members make decisions about whether to come into the church building for Sunday service worship.
The plan may be viewed here: ESCCC Stage 3 Church Gatherings and COVID19 Restrictions
The aim is to help us:
i) comply with the 4sqm social distancing rule,
ii) practice good personal hygiene, and
iii) assess for ourselves how best to participate in worship on a given Sunday.
Thank you!
- The Pastors and Elders of ESCCC