June 2021 restrictions update

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Due to the temporary restrictions announced by the NSW Premier yesterday, face masks will be mandatory for everyone who attends our services this weekend (see exemptions below). There are a number of church activities affected by the restrictions over the next week which are outlined below. These are based on the current Public Health Order.

Sunday services at the Ministry Centre

Our services are still on and we have plenty of space for everyone. We’ll be humming and clapping along to our band instead of singing, but we will still pray together, hear God’s word and encourage each other over refreshments after the services. Morning tea/supper will be available outside, prepared and served in a COVID-safe way. Please note the following:

  • No congregational singing during worship
  • Bring a mask (face masks are compulsory indoors and outdoors – see exemptions below)
  • Keep at least one seat gap between households in the main hall
  • Practice physical distancing when talking with people who are not from your own household
  • Greet others without making contact
  • Wash your hands & use hand sanitiser
  • Cough or sneeze into your arm
  • Stay home if sick!

Growth Groups in homes

Growth Groups meeting in homes are limited to five people, including children.

Growth Groups at the Ministry Centre

  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors (see exemptions below)
  • The 4m2 rule applies to room capacities

Lakes Youth Extreme on Friday night

Leaders and children are NOT required to wear masks at Lakes Youth Extreme, however parents must wear masks when dropping off or picking up kids.

Lakes Youth Camp

The camp is going ahead however please note the following:

  • The campsite has offered extra accommodation to allow for physical distancing
  • No congregational singing during worship
  • Facemasks will NOT be required for youth and leaders during camp, in line with guidelines for education programs
  • Facemasks will be required by parents picking up and dropping off kids at the camp

State of Origin night after Church@5

This event is cancelled. There will be a dinner after Church@5 on 4th July.

Seniors Day

  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors (see exemptions below)
  • No congregational singing
  • Held in the main hall to allow physical distancing

Funeral on Monday

  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors (see exemptions below)
  • No congregational singing
  • Held in the main hall to allow physical distancing

Church office and Ministry Centre during the week

Everyone who visits, volunteers or works in the church office or the Ministry Centre during the week will be required to wear a mask (see exemptions below).

Exemptions to mask-wearing

In accordance with NSW Government guidelines, the following people do not need to wear masks at the Ministry Centre: children 12 years and under while in church, singers/speakers on stage, teachers and children in Kids Church, anyone while eating or drinking. For a full list of exemptions click here.

Salt Update

This Friday the 1st of May, Salt will join in the live stream of an annual youth event called KYCK, which usually happens at Katoomba Christian Convention each year.

The program will start at 7pm and finish at 8.30pm. Salt will run discussion groups until 9pm. Here’s a snapshot of what will be happening:

  • Watch some of the best KYCK moments we’ve shared together
  • Have some fun with MC’s Ben and Katie
  • Sing along with songs from our KYCK bands
  • Listen to a talk from Hebrews 10:19-25 – ‘Let us not give up!’

They’ll be asking for youth to be involved in various ways on the night, these opportunities will be announced on Facebook and Instagram – so stay connected!

Download the talk outline here

Salt will still gather together online as normal to show the event through our usual zoom link. For the link to join please contact Mel Clement (contact details in the church directory)

Kids Holiday Club and Salt youth

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Salt online

Our Salt youth team recognises that it’s been a while since your teens have had an opportunity to connect with one another. This is why we’re running Salt through the school holidays on the 17th and 24th of April, continuing on into term 2. We had an encouraging gathering last Friday and it was great to see so many of our teens connecting and engaging with each other and God’s word.

7pm Fridays

Video chat sessions with organised activities will start from 7pm. We’ll catch up and play a game all together, hear a talk from the Bible and then split up into age and gender groups to do a short bible study and chat.Parents of current Salt teens will have received the zoom link via email. If you’d like more info or the link for your teen to join, please contact Mel Clement (her details are in the church directory). Save the date and let your teens know!

Kids Holiday Club online

Salt Lite will not be running during the school holidays, however we’re running a Kids Club for K-6 children to catch up with each other and have some fun together. Our kids ministry leaders can’t wait to hang out with them!

Wednesdays & Fridays during the school holidays at 5pm-5.30pm

Parents of current K-6 children will have received the zoom link via email. If you’d like more info or the link for your child to join, please contact Mel Clement (her details are in the church directory). Save the date and let your kids know!

Good Friday Salt online

On Good Friday (10th April) we’ll be running Salt online! We really value meeting together so we’ve been working on an alternative so our teens can gather virtually and keep growing in Jesus.

What will we do?
  • Catch up and play a game all together
  • Hear a talk from the Bible
  • Split up into age and gender groups to do a short bible study and chat
What time will Salt be online?

Online video chat sessions with organised activities will start from 7pm. Save the date and let your teens know!

Parents of current Salt teens will have received the zoom link via email. If you’d like more info or the link for your teen to join, please contact Mel Clement via email

Youth online

Salt Lite

Salt Lite will not be running for the foreseeable future. However, keep your eye on your emails for ways that the Extremities might be able to connect with one another digitally over the next few weeks.  

Salt

Salt will no longer be running this term due to safety concerns. If your child would like to engage in a youth program over the next two Fridays, EV Church at Erina has a great live-streamed program on a Friday night from 7.30. To access it click here.

Beginning in term 2, our Salt leaders will be creating their own content on The Lakes YouTube channel for teens to enjoy and plug into community with.

Senior Salt Camp

Unfortunately it will not be possible for Senior Salt Camp to go ahead this year. If you’ve paid for this already, you will be reimbursed. This is understandably a big disappointment for our teens. We’re looking into how our senior youth can connect with each other during that week so keep the 20th to 23rd of April in your diaries and stay tuned for updates!