Dear Friends,
Unless something like what is happening in Victoria happens here, it looks like churches will be able to hold services with members gathered together in the not too distant future.
Of course when that happens, it will still be necessary to follow the rules to safeguard all who come. The same thing applies to other church meetings onsite.
To this end a new body has been formed, under the chairmanship of Jason Manning, called the COVID Safety Management Sub-Committee. The task of the committee is to absorb the ever-changing rules and advice and then to advise the Acting Rector and the wardens on what it thinks will be the best way forward.
Working alongside them is the production team in charge of producing the weekly services. They are aiming to stream the services live so that those who cannot be present (due to limits imposed by the rules) will be able to share in the service in real time.
The deliberations of this committee and the decisions of the Acting Rector and wardens will be conveyed to you as and when needed.
My only regret is that when all this happens I will not be around to share it with you. The lockdown caused by COVID-19 occurred just weeks after I arrived and that robbed me of the opportunity to get to know you and share in real fellowship with you.
The new Acting Rector will be the Rev Deryck Howell and he will be commencing his ministry with you on July 20. He knows this area well, having been rector of Rosemeadow for some years. Before that he was Archdeacon of South Sydney.
In the meantime, please make the appointment of your new Rector a matter of earnest prayer.
Your friend,
Bruce Ballantine-Jones
Acting Rector