It's been a big week with so many changes. I hope and pray you are doing well and are able to look after yourself during such changes. Our pastoral team are here to help so please do let us know if we can. This morning in staff meeting, we particularly prayed for those in the new lockdown LGAs.
I hope you are able to keep tuning in to our livestream. We've made, and are making, some ongoing changes to improve the online experience, since we know we will be with it for a while longer. We will make the most of it and keep improving as the days allow.
As I saw someone post online today: We are not all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm. Some of us are in big boats, others are in canoes. Let's look after each other, and allow others to look after us as we need.
Recent lockdown changes
Yesterday, the NSW government announced that the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA) has also gone into tighter lockdown until August 28. We realise this affects around a third to a half of our members and staff at St Phil's and St Mark's.
If you are in the Parramatta LGA, we realise that this will be a more difficult time for you and we are here to help. Please let us know if you, or someone you know, is facing difficulties so we can reach out to help.
This also means that many people will not be able to travel in to the church site to assist with live-streamed services. Of course this is sad for us all, but we will continue services online with those who are able to travel. I would like to encourage you, more than ever, to tune in for services as one of the best ways we currently have of gathering and not giving up meeting together.
We are adjusting services to make them more manageable for people at home to
watch. There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes to make adjustments to our streamed services. We appreciate your feedback and your encouragement.
How to stay connected during lockdown
Connect cards
Please reach out to the pastoral team using our connect card if you need extra support, or have any questions or concerns.
Online services
All services are live streamed each Sunday. You can find the links on each services page on our website.
Zoom prayer meetings
Each Tuesday 8pm - 8:30pm you are invited to join us for Parish prayer over Zoom. it's also a chance to say hello to others. Please contact Bruce or the church office for a link to the meeting.
Growth Groups
Most growth groups are now online (Zoom). If you would like to join one, please let us know by filling in a connect card online or contacting the office.
Moore College Sunday
Even during COVID, our missions partners continue to serve God here in Sydney and throughout the world, and we continue to support them through this difficult time.
This Sunday during services we will be hearing a little about Moore College and the work they continue to do in training people for ministry across the world. If you would like to know more, you can visit their website here: moore.edu.au/moore-college-sunday