It turns out 70 is the magic number
Well, the news is out and churches will be free to gather again from the Sunday after the Monday that we hit 70% double dose vaccination target among the eligible population of NSW. If that all sounds a bit confusing, the summary is this—sometime in late October, Christ Church St Ives will open its doors again!
To say I am excited at this announcement is an understatement. Humans are designed for embodied relationship where we experience each other and truly come to know each other. The disembodied electronic world of Zoom and livestreams is a good second where real relationships can be fostered and grown but it is not best. Moreover, God has designed his people to gather for horizontal encouragement of and engagement with each other as we vertically engage with him. Again, we can do this electronically, but it is not best—and I am ready for some best. So I am excited.
But to say I am conflicted at this announcement is also an understatement. It is very clear that the rules the government are putting in place apply to those who are fully vaccinated or those with medical exemptions. Whether we like it or not, this does create a two-tier society and a two-tier church. Under the government rules, those who have made the choice to be vaccinated can go to a church service but those who have not will need to wait until restrictions are further lifted. This wait may be long or short—we don’t know.
So I am conflicted because I believe in freedom of religion and I believe in the importance of gathering but I also believe in the responsibility to love my neighbour and submit to governments as they are instituted by God. Christians have always sought to operate according to the principle of love, particularly love of the weak and vulnerable in the society and at a time like this, we must act with greater vigilance to ensure that our (even well meaning) actions do not cause harm or risk to life.
Last year, the previous Archbishop wisely wrote:
Whatever plans we make as churches, we must continue to show concern for the most vulnerable within our fellowship and community, especially the elderly, and be good citizens in seeking to follow Government regulations.
As you might imagine the staff and I have been musing on these issues for sometime and as we did last year, I have assembled a Guiding Coalition to help us think through the best approach for our church in our context to the Glory of God. This group will be meeting soon to begin consideration of how we might approach the future together. No decisions have been made preemptively or otherwise and I am looking forward to open and rigorous discussion.
Like last year, when we are able to begin gathering, we will be restricted to the 4m² rule, masks will be required and there will be no singing. We are waiting to understand more clearly how the 16-year-old rule applies to youth and church, and what the household rule will mean for Kidspace—but you can be assured that we will be considering all our options carefully.
If you have thoughts you would like to pass on to the Guiding Coalition, please feel free to send me a letter or an email or give me a call! As always, I would only be too glad to hear from you.
