Services, Sunday 7 November
Yay! Lockdown 6.0 has lifted (I think that’s the number we’re up to!?!) and we are resuming our in-person services.
From this week we have four services available:
- 8:00am – traditional Anglican Prayer Book service, celebrating communion.
- 10:00am – a blend of traditional and contemporary worship, includes a kids’ program.
- 5:00pm – relaxed service with a focus on youth and young adults.
- Online Service – Premiering at 10am & 5pm, but then available to watch at any time.
In line with current restrictions, the in-person services are limited to fully vaccinated attendees. (Children under 16yrs are exempt from vaccination requirements.) Check-in via the ServiceVictoria app or our laptop-kiosk will again be required, and vaccination status needs to be proved.
Masks are now required indoors for children from Grade 3 – Adults, and strongly recommended for children in Grades 1-2. Younger children are still exempt from mask-wearing mandates.
St John’s Kids & Family Discipleship
Our weekly Zoom sessions have now ceased, and our in-person program will resume at our 10:00am service only at this stage.
If you are a family with Kinder/Primary children who are not returning to in-person services yet, or who were expecting a kids’ program at the 5:00pm service, I would love to hear from you so that (a) we can work out the best ways to support you, and (b) make decisions about kids’ programs for 2022.
Our kids’ program is focussing on Genesis 12-50 this term, to learn more about some of the people we often find referenced in the New Testament, e.g. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, and how their stories point towards Jesus and help us learn more about God’s plans, promises and blessings.
How are you going with your task to read Genesis 12-50 (or age-appropriate story adaptations) as a family?
This week, we are concentrating on Genesis 25-27. God promised that he would bless the whole world through Abraham’s descendants. Esau failed to see how valuable God’s blessing was, so his birthright passed to his brother, Jacob. God’s blessings are available to us today, through Abraham’s greatest descendant, Jesus. But in order to inherit, we need to make a choice to accept and follow Jesus.
During the week, discuss choices and actions, good and bad, that have immediate consequences and those that have delayed consequences (e.g. What would happen if you chose to stick a pin in a balloon? What would happen if you stopped watering a pot plant? What could happen if you invited a new kid at school to play? What happens when you put a little bit of your pocket money into savings each week instead of spending it all?) and encourage your children to watch for consequences that come because of choices they make this week. Share your own experiences with them too.
Toilets & Kids
As you may have heard, we are currently undergoing a refurbishment project of our toilet facilities. For long-term gain, this will cause a small short-term inconvenience as the facilities in the church building are not available. This week, the toilets in the office will be available. The most direct access will be from the Worship Centre exit door to the right of the stage and across the gravel area to the office. So that the office is not left unlocked and unattended, someone will be stationed at the exit door with the key to the office. From next week, a portable toilet block should be in place.
During the St John’s Kids program, our policy has been to send kids in pairs to the toilet when needed. For Child-Safe reasons, we’ve made the decision that it would be best during this time to send kids back to their parents, to be escorted to the toilets.
Creche
The toilet refurbishment project also has implications for our Creche. This room will not be available for use. Restless children (and sometimes adults!) are part of life, and they are always welcome to stay in services. However, if parents need/want a bit more room to move, you are encouraged to utilise space in the foyer, where a selection of toys will be available.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in person again … or even for the first time if you have only connected with us digitally so far.
Kylie – Children & Families’ Minister
St John’s is committed to Child Safety and welcomes your feedback on how we can keep improving.
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