We have been so fortunate to have remained in Alert Level 1 for the past few months, but as NZ opens up its bubble with Australia and other Pacific neighbours, and winter arriving, we need to make sure that we don't grow complacent. This is especially so as Wellington as moved into Alert Level 2 from 23 June 2020.

Can I remind you and all leaders in our communities to make sure we continue to keep ourselves and others as safe as possible, particularly by displaying the COVID Tracing posters in your premises (renewing these if they have any wear and tear), and providing and encouraging the use of hand sanitiser. This is especially important as with the easing of border restrictions there is the chance of the virus entering Aotearoa-NZ by a traveller who is not required to go through the quarantine process.

Don't forget to display signage as summed up in our Alert Level 1 Welcome to Worship poster which you can personalize for your setting and display. You must continue to display your COVID-Tracing Poster - even if you are a small group and don't have smart phones, this is important in case you have a visitor who may attend your service or event. Contact Nicola Wong if you need any help with this. 

Remember that the vaccine is starting to roll out - find out more here. 

We are still able to order the Government produced booklets for people who do not have access to a smart phone and want to keep their own movement diary. If you want us to get some to you, please contact Nicola Wong (03 488 0826), tell us how many you would like and we will put in an order for you. You can also download and print these yourself here.

Alert Level 1 Frequently Asked Questions are a useful reminder as well, especially around the practice of intinction. I'd encourage you to have a look at this again. As I've indicated on a few occasions, intinction is a practice that I am not recommending as there is a continued risk of transmitting whatever is on people's hands to the chalice or even the wine itself. If for any reason any person is not comfortable with drinking from a common cup, receiving the bread alone is seen as the same as receiving bread and wine. There are ways we can acknowledge the cup, or even ask for a blessing if for some reason anyone does not feel comfortable receiving the sacrament. For those who offer individual cups during communion, we have updated our advice around these as well.

You will notice in the revised Alert Level 1 Frequently Asked Questions we have included a document that you can copy and paste into your pew sheets that gives a precis of Alert Level 1. You can also draw this to people's attention in other ways before and during the service.

Remember that the Pandemic Response Framework remains in place and is essential if we are required to go back into Alert Level 2 in the future - have a look at this especially clarification around singing and use of facemasks.

Please make sure that your Faith Communities are reminded of these matters as we continue to operate within Alert Level 1.

+Steve