Month: August 2020

The trial gatherings were a success last weekend. It was different to what we are used to but we were so glad to have the opportunity to see each other again! If you didn’t get a chance to come along, the good news is that we have set up flexible practices so that everyone can attend their gathering of choice this weekend. There is no longer any need to hold off coming to let others come. Read this edition to find out more. We will also remain committed to our Soul Revival Digital Gathering so if you can’t get along this weekend you can still watch Soul Revival Digital through our website or on facebook.

Trial Physical Gatherings a Success but there is still room for more

Last weekend we went back to physical Soul Revival Gatherings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

We ran Fuse and Youth on Friday night. Our Kids programs at the other gatherings also started to go back too. About 67% of our members returned to gatherings last weekend but there is still room for everyone this weekend.

Why did we decide to return to gatherings last weekend?

As you may know, we have not rushed to public gatherings. We were ready to return a couple of weeks ago when we were allowed to fit 110 people in the factory at Kirrawee. But when the rules tightened around religious public gatherings and it changed back to only 100 people, we opted to wait to start all our campuses back at the same time. In the last couple of weeks we have adjusted our preparations to meet the new criteria that a maximum of 100 people can attend a religious public gathering.

The Leadership of Soul Revival took into account the current situation in NSW, the Government’s and Archbishop’s permission to meet, the fact that other churches in the Shire have started meeting and the need for people at Soul Revival who are feeling isolated to meet together. So we opted for a continuation of the Soul Revival Digital gathering format and also re-launched our public services. This gave all our members the choice to watch online or attend. This decision reflected the results of the survey of the community we put out earlier this year that showed that people wanted us to get back to physical gatherings but also continue our digital option.

So how many people came along?

Last weekend 67% of our members returned to our physical gatherings. If you also take into account those online last weekend, our attendances were 88% of our pre-covid numbers. That means that our attendances were down only 12% when you count the people who connected physically online or in person on the weekend.

What did the gatherings feel like?

As we knew, the physical gatherings felt a little different. Many people wore masks, we were learning to staying at a safe distance, we did not sing out loud and we did not have meals on Saturday and Sunday but did trial a meal at the Friday Gathering.

Masks

Masks were not mandatory but encouraged as per the Archbishops guidelines. Not everyone wore a mask, which was fine, and many did. Masks made the gathering feel very different. We made a go of it and most people were more excited to see each other and appreciated how good we were at smiling with our eyes.

Safe Distancing

We also found it different not standing around to talk. But the seating has been arranged in all our gatherings to allow us to sit down and have a chat which was fine. We still are not used to distancing but we got better and better at it as the gathering went on.

Singing

We did not sing out loud but sang with our hearts as our musicians did a great job at helping us to worship God.

Meals

We are trialing meals on Friday night with our young people but we are going to hold off on meals for the time being as we make sure we can be good citizens and seek to keep everyone safe.

Kids

It was so good having our kids with us on the weekend. Some of the kids stayed with their parents and some enjoyed the kids program.

The Formal Gathering

Even though the music was different, the prayers and teaching and Bible reading were great.

Love

One thing that did not change is that we met together to share the truth and love of Jesus person to person. And that was the sweetest thing about the whole weekend. We were reminded that is not up to us to build community but we are community because of what Jesus has done for us. We can express this great truth no matter how times may change.

We are really excited to announce that we will be running our first trial gatherings this weekend. It is going to be great to see each other face to face rather than screen to screen. We recognise that we will need to be flexible over the coming weeks and may need to modify our practices again if the advice from the Premier and the Archbishop changes.

So for now, in our current climate we have some different practices that will help to provide a safe environment. Please read more about these changes below.

We’re back baby!!!

Woohoo we are back this weekend, 7th-9th of August, for our first trial gatherings.

Here is a list of the times of our gatherings:

• Friday Night Kirrawee 6.30pm – 7.30pm @ the Factory (Take away Pizza from 6.00pm)
• Saturday Night Kirrawee 5.30pm – 6.30pm @ the Factory (Coffee available from 5.00pm)
• Sunday Morning Kirrawee 9.30am – 10.30am @ the Factory (Coffee available from 9.00am)
• Sunday Morning Yarrawarrah 9.00am – 10.00am @ Yarrawarrah Community Hall (Coffee available from 8.30am)
• Sunday Afternoon Woolooware 5.00pm – 6.00pm @ the Factory (Coffee available from 4.30pm)

What to expect during our trial gathering

It is great that we are getting back together, but you will notice that things will be a little bit different. We will still be able to gather together and chat face to face, we will read the Bible, pray, be encouraged by a sermon and be ministered to by our music teams, because sadly we still cant sing as a group. But of course in our current climate we have some different practices that will help to provide a safe environment.

Please read through the information below to help you prepare for attending a gathering.

Check-in on arrival

There is no need to preregister. As you arrive you will be greeted by the Welcoming team who will record your attendance as per Government requirements.

Management of Capacity

Our venue at Kirrawee is limited to 100 people, including kids. The venue at Yarrawarrah is limited to 26 people. We have plans in place to manage our capacity if we exceed these limits, so please feel free to come along to your usual gathering. For those people who usually attend more than one gathering each week, it would be helpful if you choose one gathering for this weekend.

Providing a Safe Environment

We have implemented a COVID Safe plan and have a range of cleaning and hygiene protocols in place, which includes cleaning the venue prior to each gathering. You can assist us in providing a safe environment for everyone. Please:

Stay home if you are unwell or have any flu like symptoms
Bring your own bible and blanket (if needed)
Bring your own drink bottle or buy a drink at the Factory
Consider wearing a mask to church as encouraged by the Premier and Archbishop. This is not compulsory, but encouraged. If you choose not to wear a mask you will still be warmly welcomed.

Moving around at the Gathering

One of the lovely things about gathering together is that we get to see each other and spend time in community. We want to encourage that, but also need to balance that with safe practices, so please be aware that while you are the gathering you will need to:

• Maintain 1.5 meters distance from others
• Leave the seats where they are
• Stay seated as much as possible during the gathering. To comply with government guidelines please don’t mingle and stand in groups, before, during or after the gathering
• Listen to the directions of the welcoming team as they guide us in moving around the space and arriving and leaving safely.

Food and Coffee

For our Friday Gathering we will be providing Pizza at 6pm for people attending the gathering.

As this is our first weekend of trial gatherings we wont be serving food at any other gathering, however coffee and tea will be available from the coffee machine. We will trial the inclusion of food in smaller gatherings over the coming weeks.

Digital Gatherings are Still Available

The good news for the digital streaming of our services is that we are now connected to the NBN which improves our capacity to live stream a service.

We will be live streaming our Kirrawee Saturday Night gathering and Kirrawee Sunday morning and afternoon gatherings on Facebook.

If you cant come to our physical gatherings you can still access one of the gatherings via Facebook or our website.