Greetings in the name of Christ,
As churches consider questions of re-opening, and specifically policies and procedures surrounding whether or not (or in what way) to afford access to buildings and worship services to those who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, the Assembly’s Growing in Faith panel has collected and produced a range of resources that might assist in those deliberations.
These resources are by no means exhaustive, and there might well be helpful pieces that we have not come across in our preparations, but we hope they will service church councils, ministers, and whole church communities.
We also acknowledge that between and within States there is a wide variety of contextual differences, and so this document will speak with varying degrees of relevance.
Key to the preparation of this document is our belief that the immediate question of access is related to and dependant upon a raft of broader theological questions, assumptions, and commitments. Thus the current context is an opportunity to interrogate and reflect upon various theological positions and doctrines that shape how we conceive of our life together. We hope then, that this document will be in service not only of the immediate conversation, but help to foster a renewed sense of exploration into the people we are called by Christ to be in and for the world.
The document now unfolds with a series of articles and reflection pieces, each with questions for consideration, before closing with a prayer.
We hope this serves you well, and we send it with our prayers and love.
Rev Liam Miller, Growing in Faith Advocate, on behalf of the Panel.
On Vaccination Status and Gathered Worship, Rev Dr Craig Thompson
Download the paper.
Worship planning and Vaccination Status: Reflections to support a Church Council conversation, Rev Rachel Kronberger
Questions for reflection found within the paper.
A Reflection on Christian Freedom, Matt Julius
Questions for reflection found within the paper.
As We Emerge from COVID Lockdown, Rev Simon Hansford (Moderator of the UCA Synod NSW/ACT)
https://talbragar.net/2021/09/29/as-we-emerge-from-covid-lockdown/
Question for reflection:
- Think of the current procedures in place in your church community that are in place to ensure safety (particularly the safety of a vulnerable community), what are the Christian commitments underpinning/informing those procedures? How might this shape how you think about safety in the current context?
Pastoral Letter, Rev Denise Liersch (Moderator of the UCA Synod Vic/Tas)
Questions for Reflection:
- How might your congregation make this decision communally (including and extending beyond the congregation’s members)?
- How might what (and how) we discern be changed in contexts where some in our community (ministers, ministry agents, those serving in varying capacities) are required to be vaccinated in order to worship in person?
Vaccination, Inclusion and Exclusion: The ethics of regathering for worship in a part vaccinated world, Rev Dr Rob McFarlane
Published in Insights https://www.insights.uca.org.au/vaccination-inclusion-and-exclusion-the-ethics-of-regathering-for-worship-in-a-part-vaccinated-world/
Questions for Reflection:
- Has your community made decisions during lockdown to proceed with worship services in a way that not everyone could participate equally? What informed that choice and does it translate to the return to in-person worship?
- Can you imagine a person who might come to worship with your community who would experience a sense of unwelcome (implicit or explicit), or at least not be able to enjoy the same level of access as others?
A fellowship of the vaccinated? How churches should — and should not — respond to the state government’s COVID-19 restrictions, Andrew Errington
Published in ABC Religion & Ethics https://www.abc.net.au/religion/nsw-churches-and-restrictions-on-the-unvaccinated/13548940
Question for reflection:
- How do we love when we love our neighbour? Are there biblical stories (beyond the Good Samaritan) that inform/expand/refine/shape how you think about the question of who is our neighbour and how to best love them?
- Does your church have policies and procedures in place for discipline? How might you be prepared to respond to the activity of a member who is discerned to be putting the community at risk?
‘The blood of Jesus is my vaccine’: how a fringe group of Christians hijacks faith in a war against science, Robyn Whittaker
Published in The Conversation https://theconversation.com/the-blood-of-jesus-is-my-vaccine-how-a-fringe-group-of-christians-hijacks-faith-in-a-war-against-science-165236
Questions for reflection
- Are there ways your community can be ready to offer pastoral care, discipleship, and theological guidance to those who have been caught up (or have had family/friends caught up) in misinformation about COVID?
- What additional considerations might we need to make if we return to the Lord’s Table before all members of our community can return (or feel comfortable returning) to in-person worship?
Closing Prayer from Hee Won Chang
Loving Christ, you meet us wherever we are.
You hold us together in our gathering and scattering.
You are present in the light of day and the dark of night, in hope and in the depth of despair,
O God, you are with us.
As we are faced with new challenges, dilemmas, and questions in the new normal we are living in,
As we are faced with discussions and decisions for our community,
Let us never lose sight of you and your calling on us to be your body.
As we engage in difficult conversations and discernment,
Allow us to be gentle in our sharing,
intentional in our hearing,
and compassionate in our decision-making.
In a world where freedom is thrown around ever so lightly, nudge us to continuously work for your kin(g)dom to come so that we can truly rejoice in the freedom that You will bring- freedom from patriarchy, oppression, racism, and colonialism.
We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ who has walked this earth and proclaimed the Good News. Amen.