The latest advice from the Prime Minister is that all non-essential gatherings of over 500 people should cease to meet after Monday 16th March 2020. Though this would include church services, all CityEdge services individually fall under this guideline and therefore this Sunday and all future services will continue as planned. If there are any Government changes we will notify accordingly.

Though we are not governed by fear, we do want to act in wisdom and care for vulnerable demographics and as such, during this time, we will adhere to the following procedures as recommended by the INC Movement:

  • People involved with door greeting and hosting ministries will be discouraged from kissing and handshaking and will encourage with smiles and verbal greetings instead.
  • The practice of taking communion will be suspended until the coronavirus danger is well past. This is due to the difficulty of handling bread and juice (cups) and the increased likelihood of transmission through hand to mouth application.
  • Laying on of hands at prayer times will be at the request of the person being prayed for only. These procedures are not in any way to limit what God wants to do but are intended to use wisdom and discretion as much as possible to minimise any possibility of the transmission of this coronavirus.
  • All church food and coffee services will continue to exercise normal food-handling safety and hygiene standards to the highest level including food handlers washing their hands and using gloves to minimise transmission of viruses.
  • Church members who are sick or showing any symptoms of fever, coughs, colds or similar symptoms should not attend church meetings but isolate themselves voluntarily in their own homes until they are well or have been cleared if the test was done.
  • Any person who has come into contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19 should isolate themselves from work and church for 14 days.
  • Any church members who have recently travelled back to Australia from overseas or who have been in direct contact with someone who has travelled from overseas should disclose which country they travelled to, and if that country is on the list of closed counties–they should stay home and not attend church services.
  • Alcohol-based hand rubs will be available in kids’ rooms, the foyer and cafe, as a useful means of curbing the spread of the virus

We believe the church needs to see itself as overcoming and bringing God’s answer to our society as it has on many occasions in the past when disasters and crises impacted our nation.

As a church we will continue to gather to community, worship with passion, stand in faith and believe for miracles, and transform our world. As a follower of Jesus, you carry the light and peace of Jesus into your world.

If you have further questions, please contact your Lifegroup or Department leader, or the Church office.

See you in Church tomorrow!

Love Paul and Kate

Senior Pastors

CityEdge Church