Article from the Weekend Advocate – 28/29 March 2020
UCA Cycle of daily prayers for the season
The President and Moderators have prepared a weekly cycle of prayers for use by congregations and in people’s personal devotions, as a way of connecting Uniting Church members. as we pray each day for one another and the life of the Australian community. We hope these prayers nurture and encourage you.
Click here for a copy of the daily prayers for this week.
Worship & Devotional Resources
‘Connecting people to God’ is our core mission – even though we cannot, for the moment, meet together in person. We are committed to helping everyone maintain (and perhaps deepen) their relationship with the God of Comfort and Hope at this time.
Weekly worship resources
- We will be publishing and sending out weekly worship resources (linked to the Revised Common Lectionary and season) so that those who wish can all ‘share’ in devotions ‘together’ each week.
(It might be fun to call someone and chat about the week’s worship; read together; pray together…) - Resources will be on the Coronavirus page of our website (www.bathurstunitingchurch.com.au).
They can also be emailed to you – or delivered on a USB-drive or DVD. Please let us know IF you’d like resources and HOW – by email to BUCconnect@gmail.com (or phone us, if you don’t use a computer!)
Some other resources for ‘at home’ worship and devotions (to be going on with)
- Songs of Praise – 11.30 am Sundays on ABC TV (or on-demand)
- rootsontheweb.com – Click on ‘Worship at Home’ for free devotions, family activities etc.
- Hope Uniting Church – Podcasts available (usually from Monday) at hopeuniting.org.au
- Terrigal Uniting Church – Services uploaded – www.facebook.com/terrigalunitingchurch
- www.sacredise.com – Click on ‘Lectionary’, then ‘Year A’, then pick the week (22 March is Lent 4A): access to the Lectionary readings, prayers, hymns and message
- pray-as-you-go.org – Beautiful daily devotionals with music and prayer
- Saltbush On-line – On-line services at 9.00am on Sundays for those who have access to Zoom on computer, iPad or Phone: ask us how, if you’re interested.
And if you don’t use a computer, don’t forget your own library: Bible; With Love to the World (daily reflections: let us know if you’d like a copy); Christian books; Bible study booklets; worship CDs. We’re happy to help arrange a share/swap!
Pastoral messages from the leaders of the Uniting Church
- From UCA President, Dr Deidre Palmer:
https://assembly.uca.org.au/news/item/3144-a-pastoral-response-to-the-pandemic - From the NSW/ACT Synod Moderator, Rev. Simon Hansford
https://nswact.uca.org.au (Moderator’s Message or A Pastoral Message from the Moderator)
We’ll post the text (and links) on the Website.
‘Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for the One who promised is faithful.’
(Hebrews 10:23)
Click here for a copy of the Worship and Devotional Resources sheet
Pastoral support, Connection & Welfare Resources
Pastoral care
Coronavirus Response Team – BUCconnect@gmail.com
Email us with any questions, offers of help, requests for help or support etc.
Rev. Claire Wright – rev.claire.wright@gmail.com or 0490 678 593
Rev. Claire will be able to refer you to our Pastoral Response Group.
Keeping in contact
Please remember that we ALL have a part to play in ensuring that no-one is left isolated or left behind – and that we keep each other connected, in good spirits and even (perhaps) entertained in this time of physical distancing.
Let’s commit to calling someone each day, to have virtual ‘tea’ together, have a chat, ask how they’re going, read a book together – or whatever!
If you’d like help setting up FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or other tools to meet ‘visually’ together (e.g., for your book group or study group or neighbourly chat) – let the Coronavirus Response Team know.
Welfare Response Team
If you have ideas of how we can support each other and the community in creative, caring, practical ways (e.g., by delivering worship materials, purchasing and delivering supplies, sending outreach cards, sharing board games or books or videos) – and/or if you are willing to help with such activities – and/or if you NEED help or support in some way, please contact the Welfare Response Team: BUCconnect@gmail.com
“We, though many, are one body in Christ – and each member belongs to one another.’
(Romans 12:5)
Click here for a copy of the Pastoral support, Connection and Welfare Resources sheet
Coronavirus Information Resources
Bathurst Uniting Church
Coronavirus Response Team – BUCconnect@gmail.com
Email us with any questions, offers or
requests for help, suggestions etc.
Website – www.bathurstunitingchurch.com.au
Check the ‘Coronavirus Response’ page
regularly for updates, information and
resources (including weekly worship)
Rev. Claire Wright – rev.claire.wright@gmail.com
0490 678 593
Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and safety measures
NSW Health Information – www.health.nsw.gov.au
Click the ‘COVID-19 Find the Facts’ button
World Health Organization – www.who.int
Go to: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
| Please note that there is a lot of false information on-line and in the media, including scams. For best guidance on how to keep safe, please consult reliable sources! If in doubt, contact our Coronavirus Response team. |
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9)
Click here for a copy of the Information Resources sheet
Sunday Worship
Worship gatherings will be suspended after this Sunday’s services (22 March) – weekly resources for at-home worship/devotions will be made available.
Let us know your contact preferences if you’d like to access these resources by web, email, USB-drive or DVD delivered to you.
Church Activities
Church groups, activities and events are taking immediate steps to suspend ‘in-person’ meetings for the time being – and, where possible, going ‘on-line’ or ‘on-the-phone’, to maintain social connection and activities.
If you would like help setting up ‘virtual’ ways of meeting and sharing together, please contact the Coronavirus Response Team – BUCconnect@gmail.com
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response statement
Our Church’s Coronavirus Response Team, with the support of Church Council, has taken on board the strong advice of NSW Synod, Macquarie Darling Presbytery and civil authorities, and made some difficult decisions – for the common good, and to protect our most vulnerable.
At the same time, we are focused on ensuring that we can continue to connect people with God, people with people and people with community in new, creative and positive ways.
- After this Sunday’s services, all ‘in-person’ gatherings for worship will be suspended until further notice.
- All small social/outreach/activity/study groups will be taking immediate steps to suspend ‘in-person’ meetings until further notice.
- We have put together a range of resources and mechanisms to help us all maintain pastoral care and social connection, worship/devotions (including Easter services) and welfare activity – without physically meeting together!
- We have put in place a dedicated Coronavirus Response Team (planning, information and resources); a Pastoral Response Group (co-ordinating pastoral care and contact); and a Welfare Response Group (co-ordinating practical helps).
- Information Packs are availablethis Sunday (22 March) at church, to take home (with spare for friends), and will then be emailed out, and posted on the website. These will tell you everything you need to know (for now) about how to access pastoral connections, worship resources and other information.
- The Website and weekly Newsletter will be hubs for updates, information, prayer requests and resources – and we will email urgent news and information as required.
- Please ensure that we have your best up-to-date contact details (especially email if possible) – and if you would like help with getting on-line – or setting up and using ‘virtual’ meetings tools – let us know.
Please be assured: no-one will be left isolated or left behind if we can help it – and if we all work together to connect with and look after each other, our neighbours and networks.
The God who has never failed us yet will surely not fail us now. Our strength is in Christ, and in each other, as we walk this journey together.
If you need to talk to someone, or pray with someone; if you need help in any way – please reach out.
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Response
All information and news regarding to the Church’s response to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) will be posted regularly on this page.