Important Notice - 20 March 2020

St Peter’s Worship services.

From John Freebairn, Bishop’s Warden - Friday 20 March 2020.

We have decided that our services this Sunday and our AGM will not take place, as a result of the necessary community response to the Covid-19 virus pandemic. This is in line with the Bishop’s recommendation and I understand that most other churches in our diocese have made a similar decision. No services will be held until further notice. This is a temporary measure but we don’t know how long it will last.

However, it is our intention that all other parish activities should continue wherever possible, but modified to ensure personal safety. Over the weekend we will be reviewing our processes and events and will contact you again.

It is important for everyone to understand that our parish life will continue, alive and enthusiastically. There is no sense in which St Peters is “closing down”. It’s just that the best advice we have seen is that communal meetings should be avoided to help in the prevention of virus transmission. Please follow the government recommendations, which are widely available. Our plans will include a programme for maintaining and increasing personal contact among us. The diocese is also working hard to assist the responses of parishes.

At this time it is important that we:

• Understand that this is serious and that we approach our responsibilities to each other with great care and concern.
• Keep in touch and support each other, and other members of our parish family, and your family, other friends and neighbours.
• Be bold and reach out to show you care about those who may be worried or lonely. Be a light.
• Be confident that we will get through this and share optimism with each other, but with great caution about safety. These measures are temporary- although we don’t know how long they will last.
• Look after our own hygiene and health (diet, exercise, sleep etc).
• Be grateful that we live in this island country at the bottom of the world and give thanks.

Pray for others and have trust that others are praying for you. Follow a Daily Office routine if you can. (there are some good ideas in our NZ Prayer book. If you don’t have copy, you can find it online at http://anglicanprayerbook.nz/

Trust our loving God, and each other.

Blessings to you all.

See also:

Bishop Justin’s pastoral letter

A video message from Bishop Ellie