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15 July 2021
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The NSW Premier has announced that the current restrictions have been extended to at least Friday night 30 July 2021.  
 
Greater Sydney (including Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour
  • All Places of Worship must remain closed 
  • Services may be live-streamed. 
  • People directly involved in the service itself and the operation of the recording equipment may be present for the service. 
  • Essential services to vulnerable people and for early education and care may continue 
  • A maximum of 10 people can attend a funeral or memorial service or gathering afterwards.
    In addition to the 10 people attending the service there may also be
     - a person conducting the service
     - other people who are necessary for the preparation and conduct of the service.
For livestreaming and pre-recording:  
  • Maximum of 2 singers with maximum of 2 others eg 1 musician and 1 camera person. Singers not required to wear masks but others are required to. 
  • Singers required to be 3m away from anyone else while singing 
  • Presenter may remove mask to give message 
  • To record other (non-singing) parts of the service we recommend maximum of 4 in the recording or livestreaming space at any one time. 
Covid-19 Safety Plans should be updated to reflect these arrangements. 
 
QR Codes (important information) 
From Monday 12 July 2021, the Government expanded the mandatory requirement for the use of QR Codes to include retail businesses. Service NSW has confirmed that this will include op shops that are being run by congregations. Due to the different nature of this activity to your normal church activities, a new QR code will need to be applied for. For full details and a link to obtain a QR code, please go to: 
https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/covid-check-mandate-expanded 
At this stage it is not mandatory for churches to use a QR code but it is still mandatory to maintain digital attendance records. Synod highly recommends the QR code system for all parts of the church as it expedites contact tracing. 
 
Please note that these restrictions for NSW are based on those currently in place and information provided is based on the Premier’s Press Conference.
 
Due to the fact that this newsletter is only published once per week, we recommend monitoring the following NSW Government website for the most up up-to-date information:
Are you ready to reach new people in new ways and in new places? Come and join us for the New Growth intensive, held over 7 weeks this September - October.
DATES 
Mon 6 September: Planning  
Mon 13 September: Growing  
Mon 20 September: Going  
Mon 27 September: Resourcing 
*One week break* 
Mon 11 October: Leading 
Mon 18 October: Establishing 
Mon 25 October: Presenting 
*9:30am-4pm each day.
Important note:
Participants for the New Growth intensive, are encouraged to have:  
 
1)Support from your church leadership, 2) A dedicated team, 3) Resources, such as finances and 4) A group of people or place of interest you want to focus on. 

Many who completed the UCAN survey nominated “improving government policy” as one of their main interests. Our friends at the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) are encouraging people of faith to write short letters to our Prime Minister urging more decisive action on climate change. ARRCC will receive all these letters and present them to the Prime Minister in one go.

We will be holding an on-line workshop and action evening on Thursday July 22nd, from 7pm- 8.15pm. The Letters, Learning and Leverage workshop is an opportunity to:
  • Hear about the letter writing action and what it involves
  • Affirm how creation care is part of Christian faith and discipleship
  • Reflect on how actions like this can be used to engage others in our church and community and contribute to policy change
  • Consider the content of your letter to the PM and start to draft it
You can register for the event here. The Zoom link will then be sent to you in a confirmation email.
Find out out more about the ARRCC initiative here. We look forward to joining with you 22nd July.
The National Safe Church Unit has developed a new curriculum to be delivered online for all Uniting Church people and there are just some elements relating to the registration process that are being worked out. As such, the method of training through workshops using the National Council of Churches material is being discontinued. In preparation for the new curriculum the NCCA resources has been depleted and we do not currently have resources required for these workshops.  
 
The setting up of workshops in the Greater Sydney area is on hold at this point in time based on the current uncertainty with Covid. The health restrictions that are put in place post the current stay at home health order will be taken into consideration prior to setting dates for any in person activities. 
 
Once the use of the new curriculum has commenced the NCCA curriculum will no longer be used by the Synod.  
 
Going forward, where training is not accessible online, facilitators will be equipped to deliver the new curriculum in person at suitable locations. 
 
If Safe Church Training is required urgently eg for SRE teaching, you are able to complete that online through additional approved and endorsed courses. The Uniting Church, along with a number of other churches are party to the Safe Church Training Agreement (SCTA). 

 The following online courses are endorsed by the SCTA and are therefore endorsed as alternatives to Safe Church Training provided by the Uniting Church. The course content will be consistent with ours.
Anglican Church - Training Link
Baptist Church - Training Link
Lutheran Church - Training Link

We will keep you informed of training availability going forward. 
 
2021 Presbytery Elections
 
The following positions are up for election at the next SCC Presbytery meeting, on 18 August 2021:
(for a two-year term each)

 
Presbytery Chairperson – 1
Presbytery Deputy Chairperson – 1
Presbytery Secretary – 1
Standing Committee – 1 position available
Business Committee – 4 positions available
Pastoral Relations Committee – 4 positions available

 
Read more about the different positions and committees here.
 
Anyone interested in joining one of these committees or the Presbytery Executive, please complete the nomination form here and return it to robyn.49@bigpond.net.au or Michelle.Lombard@sccpresbytery.org.au by Tuesday 27th July 2021.
 

Global Leadership Summit
 team and leadership training 

This is a two-day event which may be just what your leadership team wants.  The Presbytery is considering organising an event for next year, but in the meantime, have a look at whether you may like to attend later this year with your team.  There is a one-day online version available too.  
 
https://globalleadership.org.au/events/  
 
The goal of the summit is leadership development, not theological education.  Richard Harris, Minister at Terrigal, explained: 
"As Ministers, we have great theological training, but in practice we are often called upon to be a team leader, with staff.  This course can fill that gap.  You may think at first glance it is a bit “American”, but it actually translates very well to our situation."  
 
The following are examples of what the Terrigal staff group found useful: 
  • How to create long-term plans; 
  • How each person can contribute to the whole; 
  • Entrepreneurial skills eg unconventional ways to do things; 
  • Exponential value in doing this as part of a bigger group instead of individually. 
 
Richard further explained: "Each speaker presents for around 45 minutes on a specific topic, followed by 10 minutes with your team to discuss how to apply this to your local situation.  This gives a chance for the topic to become relevant and really sink in. "  

If you think that your team could benefit from honing their skills, then click on the link above to find out more information.

 
Are you in Year 12 and preparing for your HSC/IB? Join us for four days of studying, connection and more!
WHAT YOU GET • 7 hours study time each day • Dedicated tutorial sessions in core subjects, practice exams and personal study time • Exercise, spiritual input and downtime as a community PLUS • Come and go as you need for outside tutorial help or other commitments • Accomodation included in the cost (Namaroo)1 • Great food & lots of support in a fabulous setting • Free and reliable WiFi access for the whole week • Transfers from Chatswood and Roseville train station if required
Click here for full cost and registration details
UNITING YOUTH CAMP
September 20-23


Elanora Conference Centre

Click here to download flyer
The Stamp Committee is requesting applications for grants from congregations in NSW and the ACT for 2021. Grants are for specific outreach/community projects (maximum $1,000).
CRITERIA: All projects are to involve volunteers from the congregation. Preference is given to projects already up and running and to “seed projects” where there is a strong certainty that the project will proceed. Funds may be used for the purchase of equipment, consumables etc. Funds are not provided for building works, day to day operational costs eg electricity, staff costs. At the Annual meeting of the Stamp Committee in August, we plan to distribute over $32,000. Once approved by the Synod Standing Committee, funds should be available late September.
APPLICATIONS: Name of Presbytery ; Congregation plus the postal address ; Project name, ; Background to the project; Outreach/community benefits. Involvement of volunteers, Resources requested and costs, Bank details. Name of Project coordinator plus email address and phone contact. Please email all applications to uniting.stamps@gmail.com in a pdf file or by hard copy to PO Box 5078. South Turramurra. 2074 by July 31, 2021. Enquiries: 0412109981 The support of congregations and volunteers in collecting/trimming/sorting of stamps for us to sell is greatly appreciated.
Due to the current Public Health Orders that are in place in NSW,  this section has been temporarily removed to ensure that there is no confusion in regards to worship services.

It is important that you contact your local congregation for details of Zoom or Live streamed services that may be available.

 
Click here for PRINT VERSION
Copyright © 2017 Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, All rights reserved. 
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Our new mailing address is: 
Sydney Central Coast Presbytery
PO Box 3238
Putney, NSW 2112
Australia

 






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Sydney Central Coast Presbytery · PO Box 3238 · Putney, NSW 2112 · Australia

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