God’s second message during COVID’s second wave

Covid-19 in Australia has changed dramatically from the positivity last month, to a second wave. We are seeing record numbers of people being infected and dying. In NSW, we are on the verge of another lockdown. And we may face further disease, death, unemployment, poverty and isolation.

This second wave is the second Covid experience for us. In the Bible, God often gave second messages to his people. What is God telling us during our second wave? Perhaps we might think that we were OK last time, and be tempted not to take a second wave seriously. But that was the attitude of the Israelites in the Book of Judges, who failed to learn from their cycles of turmoil. They grew harder and harder in their hearts towards God.

During this second wave, God reminds us again that Covid is under his control and timing, and not under our own plans. It is a reminder of his sovereignty. The first wave was not about the success of human measures. Instead, the entire Covid pandemic is in God’s hands alone. Perhaps we need to recognise this and respond seriously. The second wave is a second reminder – a second warning.

May we as church heed to God’s second message: to renew our call to be wholeheartedly prayerful, trusting in his deliverance, to be personally godly, united as one spiritual body, committed to our church’s needs, radiant with our witness, generous to the needy, and submissive to our governing authorities.

WSCCC and Covid

Covid’s second wave has resulted in reintroduction of increasing restrictions to social interaction in places of worship. As a church, we will comply with the requirements for WSCCC before rushing back to services on site.

Our priorities remain:

• Health and safety of our attendees of all ages.
• Continued ministry to our attendees through other means.
• Consider new ministry needs or opportunities brought by Covid.
• Continue financial support for our pastors and missionaries.
• To complete the building project at Croydon Park.

Being a Covid-safe church

WSCCC is registered with the NSW Government as a Covid-Safe church. This means that we have an accountable Covid response plan, based on NSW Health guidelines. These are constantly being revised, and we ask all members to update themselves with the plan, available on our website here: https://wsccc.org.au/news/. All leaders and organisers of ministries are required to be familiar with these guidelines please and ensure that your activities comply.

As of 1 August 2020, the general guidelines are as follows (please see the Covid response plan for specific details):

Church development plan (CDP) update

The Croydon Park stage of the CDP will be going ahead soon! We have signed the contract to go ahead with the same builders
– Reitsma Constructions – who renovated our Strathfield buildings. Since we cannot meet for church onsite during Covid restrictions, this is an ideal time for the building work to take place. We do not need to hire alternative premises, and there is no additional inconvenience to our members, who already share in on-line worship. The target completion date for the project is June 2021.

We are thankful to our members who have worked hard to clear out the Croydon Park site, and the many people who are storing items at home during the renovation. May we remember that the vision for our building project at both sites is to grow and build God’s church for people of all needs, in future generations, to be able to come together for worship, outreach and ministry.

Financially, we have reached the stage where we have raised enough money to commence the project. This does not mean that we have raised the total budget yet, but based on past building fund giving patterns, we should be able to reach the target by the time of completion of the building.

For the 2020-21 financial year, our budget target for the building fund is $360,000, part of which includes repayment of some interest-free loans. May we continue to give generously to the building fund as our offering to the Lord, and with the goal of growing his kingdom through our church.

Note that our regular bi-monthly special building fund offering will be collected on Sunday, 30th of August.

Annual General Meeting and Deacon Election

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 12:30pm, Sunday September 27, 2020. Covid has resulted in restrictions on our church meetings. Therefore the AGM will still be held at the Strathfield chapel, but with the following changes:

• Members intending to attend on-site need to indicate by RSVP to info@wsccc.org.au by Sep 25, so that attendance numbers are not exceeded, and seating plans are organised. The church can accommodate up to 100 people in the chapel, hall and foyer (by video link).
  The usual Covid hygiene measures will apply.
• An online video broadcast of the AGM will be available via Zoom. Pre-registration is required by Sep 25 – please RSVP to info@wsccc.org.au to get the login details. This broadcast would be only for viewing (due to challenges of a registrations, shared screens etc). It would not be for online voting, questions or even members’ online attendance recorded. Home viewers would still need to submit proxy votes prior to the meeting.
• Voting will be by ballot papers for those attending, and those unable to attend may submit proxy votes by Sep 25. Proxy voting forms will available from deacons, and may be returned by paper or email (instructions on the papers).

More detailed instructions will be circulated on August 30. Members will receive by email (or if you request, we can send to your home) all relevant papers: AGM agenda, Annual Reports, Deacon Candidate Profiles, and proxy voting forms.

If Covid restrictions require complete lockdown or public meetings for less than 30 people, then the AGM will be held entirely online, and all voting by proxy. In this case, the members will be informed accordingly. The deacon candidates have been confirmed, and we will publish their profile information on Aug 30. We are thankful for the members who have come forward to offer to serve the church in the ministry of deaconship, which is particularly challenging during this time of Covid. Please pray for God’s wisdom as you elect deacons to oversee the church during the next Diaconate term.

Update on staffing

Our church’s pastoral team has been working hard during the past few months, adjusting to the major changes required due to Covid. Not only have they managed to conduct new worship services on-line, but they have had to work out effective means for pastoral care for our members.
If you have any pastoral care needs, please don’t hesitate to contact any of our pastors.

Following review and discussion, the Diaconate has also agreed to renew the contracts (which were due) of the following staff.

May we thank God for each of their ministries, and may we take time to encourage them as they serve the Lord in our church.