31st May 2020

BUV COVID-19 Advice (May)

Update 29 May 2020

Click on link below for this week’s updates:

Weekly message from DOMM, Rev Daniel Bullock – Reconciliation – In this together
Reconciliation Resources
Last Friday email – Fortnightly BUV Bulletins re-commencing next Wednesday
JobKeeper Update
Safe Church training & resources
May Members Update Video and Annual Report
Did you receive your Annual Statistics form?
Updated Government Restrictions
Long weekend sermon from Rev Daniel Bullock
June Prayer Calendar
Updated Resources

Weekly BUV Updates (29 May 2020)

Update 25 May 2020

The ABCs to STEP 2 of COVIDSafe Australia

As the Government’s restrictions are slowly easing and as we begin to settle into a new normal, we want to provide you with the ABC’s of what you should be doing to ensure a COVIDSAFE church, community and Australia.

The ABCs to Step 2 of COVIDSafe Australia

Update 24 May 2020

The Premier of Victoria has today announced the Step 2 easing of restrictions that will apply from 31 May. Until this time the 10 person rule applies.

(Source DHHS)

Along with easing of groups to 20 people at home or outdoors, from 11:59pm on 31 May, restrictions on gatherings at places of worship and ceremonies will be eased:

Places of worship can open for private worship or small religious ceremonies for up to 20 people in a single undivided indoor space, subject to the four square metre rule plus the minimum number of people reasonably required to perform the service or ceremony.
20 people in addition to the celebrant and couple being married can attend a wedding. If a wedding is held in a home, a maximum of 20 people is allowed, including the celebrant and the couple.
50 people can attend a funeral in addition to the officiant and funeral staff, subject to the four square metre rule. If a funeral is held in a home, a maximum of 20 people can be present (including the officiant and funeral staff).

Please note:

Limits will be placed on entry to ensure compliance with total gathering numbers and separate space density requirements – one person per four square metres.
Venue operators or the celebrant are required to keep records of each person attending the wedding, funeral, or ceremony, for contact tracing purposes.
Attendees should keep 1.5 metres between themselves and others not from their household, practice good hand hygiene, and stay home if they feel unwell.
Multiple services or ceremonies can be held on the same day, but cleaning should occur between services or ceremonies. At least one hour should be allowed between services or ceremonies to reduce the risk of crowds at entrances and exits. The four-square metre rule applies, which limits the number of people who can be in each separate space.
Places of worship can continue to be opened for the purposes of hosting essential public support services such as food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities, ensuring appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between those from other households at all times.
Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online. You are allowed to have people on site to record and live stream services, however, you must ensure those people maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between those from other households at all times.

Update 22 May 2020

Click on link below for this week’s updates:

Weekly message from DOMM, Rev Daniel Bullock – Thriving through knowing your identity
May Members Update Video and Annual Report – by email today
Did you receive your Annual Statistics form?
Updated Government Restrictions
State Government Business Grants
Free Church Health Resources – New PSW & Building Resilient Teams videos
Reimagine Mission Episode 2
Beware of scam emails impersonating BUV
Updated Resources

Weekly BUV Updates (22 May 2020)

Update 15 May 2020

Click on link below for this week’s updates:

Weekly message from DOMM, Rev Daniel Bullock – Patience and Prayer guide
The ABC’s of Step 1 to COVIDSAFE Australia
Standing by our Multicultural Communities
Baptist World Alliance – Standing Together in Pentecost Prayer
May Members Update
Considering Church Merger Guide
Reverting to Fortnightly BUV Bulletins – Wed 3rd June
Long Weekend Sermon from Rev Daniel Bullock – Wed 3rd June
5 clues to Connecting with Australians
Updated Resources

Weekly BUV Updates (15 May 2020)

Updated 12 May 2020 2.30pm

Further clarification is provided here in the Restricted Activity Directions from the Deputy Chief Health Officer

Gradual easing of restrictions

Under new arrangements to come into effect at 11.59pm on Tuesday 12 May, all places of worship, of all denominations can now open for re-arranged worship or small religious ceremonies of up to 10 people as well as the minimum number of people reasonably required for the service. This includes baptisms, wedding and funerals.

Multiple ceremonies can be held on the same day, but cleaning should occur between services or ceremonies. At least an hour should be allowed between services or ceremonies to reduce the risk of crowds at entrances and exits. The four square metre rule, which limits the number of people who can be in a building, applies.

Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online. You are allowed to have people on site to record and live stream services, however, you must ensure those people maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between each other at all times.

Places of worship may be opened for the purposes of conducting weddings and funerals, but there are strict limits on the number of people who can attend.

For weddings, and under new arrangements to come into effect at 11.59pm on Tuesday 12 May, 10 people can attend in addition to the couple, and the celebrant.

For indoor funerals, no more than 20 mourners may attend in person as well as the people required for the funeral, such as the officiant or funeral company. Funerals held outdoors can be attended by a maximum of 30 mourners in attendance. If a funeral is held at a private house then only 5 people, in addition to people who live at the household, can attend.

Places of worship can continue to be opened for the purposes of hosting essential public support services such as food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities, ensuring appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times.

Source: DHHS https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sport-cultural-and-recreational-activities-restrictions-coronavirus-covid19

Updated 11 May 2020 1:00pm

Premier Daniel Andrews, has announced the first stage of restrictions easing. At this stage, as of 11.59pm Tuesday 12th May:

1. Indoor Gatherings – Allow up to 5 visitors at home in addition to the normal residents of a household. This includes the outside and inside of a premises – so the total number at a residence is 5 additional people. This will be an additional reason that people can leave their home – this will be to visit family and friends in group no more than 5 people.

2. Outdoor Gatherings – Allow public gatherings of 10. Groups of no more than 10 people can gather for exercise and outdoor activities – Includes household members and other people but a max of 10. A person cannot organise or knowingly attend an outdoor gathering of more than 10 people.

3. Private worship or small religious ceremonies will be permitted with up to 10 people, plus those required to perform the ceremony. Please note – an additional requirement of religious ceremonies is to keep records of contact details of each guest, to assist in contact tracing if required.

4. Funerals – Allow 20 mourners indoors (people required to conduct the funeral are allowed in addition). If held at a priavte residence, only 5 people max allowed. Please note – an additional requirement of religious ceremonies is to keep records of contact details of each guest, to assist in contact tracing if required.

5. Weddings – Allow 10 guests in addition to the couple and the celebrant. Please note – an additional requirement of religious ceremonies is to keep records of contact details of each guest, to assist in contact tracing if required.

6. Community facilities (eg – Youth Groups., community centres, foodbanks etc) Allow 10 people for a support group plus the minimum number of people reasonably required to operate the facility or groups – Density quotient applies – does not include the use for Sport. Please note – operators must keep of contact details of each person attending the group to assist in contact tracing if required.

7. Schools – Information to be announced later in the week but a probable gradual return before the end of Term 2 – at least 2 week notice to be given for parents.

Presumably social distancing (outside of family groups) and hygiene requirements still apply for all of the above.

Further information can be found here and as more information comes to hand, it will be updated here. https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria

Update 8 May 2020 8 May 2020

Click on link below for this week’s updates:

Weekly message from DOMM, Rev Daniel Bullock – The Church is Resilient
A Call to Persevere – Building Pastoral Resilience in a Crisis by Rev Jonathan Stark
Leadership Questions for Now and Then by Rev David Devine
Reimagine Mission Podcast by BUV’s Mission Catalyst Team
Together Good News stories – Stories of being Together on Mission Despite Restrictions
2020 Ministry Contributions and 2019 Annual Statistical survey
Conducting church meetings during COVID-19 – advice from Lewis Holdway Lawyers
Global Interaction’s May Mission Month and Activate conference
New Resources

Weekly BUV Updates (8 May 2020)