Special Congregational Meeting 14 March at 10.45am.

On Sunday 14 March at 10.45am

(following the 9.30 service) there will be a Special Congregation meeting.

The only item of business will be the decision on whether to allow the transfer of Tiny Town to Synod management.

there will be more information and actual recommendations to follow in coming weeks.

As we look at how we can start meeting face to face while adhering to all the restrictions a form has been created that will need to be completed and submitted to Church Council prior to commencing.

The form and risk assessment is attached if after reading it you would like some support with completing the form please ask Helen Smith or Brian Hoole.

Hello Emmanuel Community.

Great news. We are excited to announce that we can commence worship services under strict guidelines. Worshipping God together is such an important part of Christian community. Many things have changed due to COVID-19, there are government required processes and procedures that we need to follow to be allowed to re-open so please read the information below carefully.

Commencing this Sunday 21 June we will be conducting one worship service at 9.30am. People need to register, and when we reach 80 people we cannot accept anymore. Other people will need to watch online. At this stage the 8am service is not running, neither is Sunday School.

We have several key messages.

Our health comes first. If you're sick, please stay home. If you're over 70 or a vulnerable person, consider staying home. Practice social distancing and good hygiene while at church. We will have a live video-link available for those who cannot attend as well as the current material we have been presenting each week.

Be Prepared. Only 80 worshippers are allowed. You need to register for Sunday worship in advance. Familiarise yourself with where you're sitting, which entry to use and where to park. You will receive an email once you've registered making this information clear.

Give electronically. This reduces the risk for our volunteers. The banking details are available [here](https://emmanueluca.org.au/payments).

Help out where you can. Each section needs welcomers and cleaners every Sunday. If you are not a vulnerable person please volunteer. Information about that will come later this week.

If you would like to attend Face to face worship on Sunday, [register here](https://emmanueluca.elvanto.com.au/form/650d5e50-a6e1-49b7-9501-c26d1aa7b8f5)

If you have any questions about ticketing and the registration form please contact Helen on 3355 2162.

Key changes for return to Face to Face worship:

Booking and Seating

Seating will be separated into four groups of twenty in 4 areas: Laurel Auditorium, Laurel Hall, South Pine Auditorium and South Pine Hall (see map below).

Attendees will be required to sit with the same group of people each week where possible and will enter and exit through the designated doors on the Laurel St or South Pine Rd entrances as signed and directed.

At registration, please select the tickets for your preferred seating area (please be aware that we may need to reallocate this due to operational requirements). You will receive an email confirming your registration and giving details about which entry and exit doors to use.

Families with Sunday School aged children should use the Hall where possible.

Families with only adults and those with limited mobility should use the auditorium spaces where possible.

Those who need the hearing loop should use the Laurel Auditorium.

Those who are rostered to lead worship (including the preacher, singers, musicians, and the tech team) will need to register as Worship Team,

Other members of worship team families will need to register in their preferred area.

Each section will be looked after by a section welcomer who will direct and register attendance.

Minimising Contact

No printed material will be provided (newsletters, bibles, hymn books etc.).

Please bring your own Bibles and activity materials if you want them (including colouring books, pens/pencils, instruments, toys, food, and drink) for children.

No morning tea will be served.

Mingling before or after the service is discouraged and people are asked to exit the building promptly to allow cleaning to commence.

Cashless offering via direct debit is still the preferred method but Perspex offering boxes will be made available onsite in each section for cash donations and offering envelopes. Money for offering and CHH should be in clearly marked envelopes and put into these boxes at the start or end of worship.

The retreat room will be available with limited furniture and a maximum capacity of 4 people (1 family). Hand sanitiser and cleaning materials will be made available for cleaning after each use.

Cleaning and Hygiene

Regular building cleaning including bathrooms and high touch areas will be undertaken before and after worship activities in line with required procedures and the COVID Industry Plan for Worship Places.

Hand sanitiser will be made available and should be used by everyone upon entry and exit of the building.

Soap, Paper towels and rubbish bins will be available in the bathrooms and retreat room for handwashing.

If you are unwell or are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 including fever, coughing, a sore throat, shortness of breath, or loss of smell or taste, you should stay at home.

In line with Queensland Health guidelines, any people considered “at risk” including people over 70 years of age, over 65 years of age with underlying health issues and Indigenous Queenslanders over the age of 50 with one or more chronic diseases, should also stay home.

Volunteers

Volunteers will be needed for cleaning on Saturday and after the service and for welcoming on Sunday. An email will come out later this week requesting volunteers. Note that vulnerable people, including those over 70, are not able to volunteer.

If you are unwell

If anyone attends the service and displays symptoms of COVID-19, they will be isolated, provided a face mask, and instructed to go home or to a health facility. An incident report will be completed and reported accordingly.

Individuals who attend a service and find later they are a probable or confirmed case of Covid-19 must inform Helen Smith on 3355 2162 or [office@emmanueluca.org.au](mailto:office@emmanueluca.org.au?subject=Covid%20) or Brian Hoole on 0435 242 000 as soon as possible.

Online services and material

Those who cannot attend in person can watch the service online. Details will be in the newsletter.

Sermon, worship and Dig in at Home resources will be made available on the Church website and App as usual.

We look forward to worshipping with you in person or online on Sunday.

Brian