Dear brothers and sisters at Reservoir Presbyterian Church,

The elders have met and come up with the following plan, based on the State government’s roadmap to re-opening. We note that the government’s plan is “subject to public health consideration of epidemiology at the time” and so it is possible that there may need to be changes to this plan. But broadly we note that the following principles shape the rules for churches:

• Where groups of people are fully vaccinated, and thus the risk of transmission is lower, then larger numbers are allowed.
• Where the vaccination status of groups of people is not known, the risk of transmission may be higher, and fewer people are allowed to gather.

Our aim is to give everyone an opportunity to participate in church gatherings. We are required to record the vaccination status of our volunteers. If at any time the church leadership asks you about your vaccination status, please understand that we are not judging you in any way. We simply want to be able to plan according to the realities of our situation.

Our current plans are as follows:

Until Victoria reaches 70% Fully-vaccinated

• We will run our live-stream at 10am and 5pm on our YouTube channel ( bit.ly/reservoirpc ), followed by a congregational catchup on Zoom.
• The only people permitted on the church property are the 5 people who are issued Work Permits. For your Work Permit to be valid, you must have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.
• Kids church will meet on Zoom – details will be sent to parents in the Kids’ Church WhatsApp group.
• Midweek events can run online only. Lawn mowing should be done solo (e.g. not in pairs).

Between 70-80% Fully-vaccinated

• We plan to run the following outdoor services (weather permitting; no vaccination required, except for those on the roster):
  • 9:30am up to 20 people (booking required – please contact Dean)
  • 11am Kids’ Church (parents drop off at the carport, and pick up at 11:45am)
  • 5:00pm up to 20 people (booking required – please contact Andrew)
• We will run our live-stream at the new time of 11am on our YouTube channel ( bit.ly/reservoirpc ), followed by a congregational catchup on Zoom. The only people permitted inside the church building are the 5 people who are issued Work Permits. For your Work Permit to be valid, you must have had at least one dose of the COVID vaccine.
• Midweek events on the church property can resume outdoors, with a maximum of 20 people, plus those running the event. We cannot hold church events in private homes.After 80% Fully-vaccinated
• We plan to run the following indoor services:
  • 9:30am up to 20 people (booking required – please contact Dean)
  • 11am (no booking required, but vaccination required for those aged 16+) with the following limitations:
    • Main church building (34 people)
    • Hall (25 people)
    • Pre-school (5 people) 
    • Kids’ Church(12 people).
  • 5:00pm up to 20 people (booking required)
• The 11am service will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel ( bit.ly/reservoirpc ).
• Midweek events on the church property can resume indoors, with a maximum of 20 people, plus those running the event. We may not hold church events in private homes.

Looking further ahead

• We recognise that even when Victoria reaches 80% vaccinated, the situation will be temporary, and further changes are expected.
• On Sunday 21 November, it is our intention that the 5pm service will gather for a “vision and reflection evening,” in which we will discuss possibilities for next year, including the possibility of rearranging our service times so that there are two ongoing morning services, rather than morning and evening. 

COVIDSafe Principles

Those who attend the church property will follow these COVIDSafe principles:

• If you have any COVID symptoms, or are in quarantine, you must stay home.
• You must sign-in using the QR code at the entrance, using the Service Victoria app.
• Where possible, please keep 1.5m distance from others (unless you’re from the same household).
• You must wear a mask, unless speaking up the front.
• After any use of the buildings, surfaces and doorhandles in that space must be wiped down.

We expect that the next month will be a period of change, and adaptation…

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Your servants,

The Reservoir PC Session.