Déjà vu: that strange feeling that we’ve been here before…

We have indeed been here before, haven’t we?

As we know, the SA government has re-imposed lockdown measures on the state as it seeks to curb an outbreak of community-transmitted COVID cases. The lockdown is more severe than the first time around as the government attempts to prevent the sort of second wave that so affected Victoria. All South Australians have been issued with clear directives by the government about the initial 6-day lockdown. It is important that all of us keep abreast of any announced changes via the news services. The implications for the Blackwood Uniting Church are as follows. All Community Classes and room hire have been suspended. All face-to-face events such as worship, playgroup, Mainly Music have been suspended. The church itself has been closed, with Michael, Jacqui and Tim working from home.

Since we cannot use the church, even with a skeleton crew, in order to live-stream worship, we are opting instead for “Home Delivery”! For Sunday 22^nd November and Sunday 29^th November, the preacher/worship leader will be pre-recording, in their own homes, their respective contributions to worship, and then sending them electronically to Tim Lee, who will compile them into a final pre-recorded worship service that will stream on the Sunday morning from the BUC website. This process is far from ideal but it is, in the circumstances, the best we can do.

During the earlier shutdown, albeit a less severe shutdown than now, we coped well as a community by looking out for each other. We encourage you to do so again. During the 6-day shutdown, and in the period immediately thereafter (with whatever as-yet-unannounced restrictions will then apply), please keep in touch with each other by phone, text, email, or Zoom. If you are in a church friendship group or cluster group, check in on each other; make sure that everyone is doing okay.

If there are particular pastoral or other concerns, please contact Michael Dowling, Chris Bray, or Jacqui Harrison. We aim to keep you posted on any changes specifically impacting our life as a community. We hope to see you in the flesh again soon. In the meantime, stay safe and stay connected.

Michael Dowling
Minister

Chris Bray
Council Chair