Many of you will have already seen the restrictions placed on public gatherings of 100 people or more. This is an announcement we had been preparing for although we hadn’t quite expected it to be so early. We have been in close correspondence with C3 Church Nationally and with many Local Churches here in Rotorua over the past 24hrs. Many Churches had already made the decision to close their normal Sunday services for the time being.

 

After a meeting with our C3 Rotorua Key Leaders last night we have decided we will not be opening the doors for a corporate gathering this Sunday 22nd and this will be in place until further notice. Parksyde Community center where we meet has also decided to close there doors in the interim as well. Although it is still available to us for smaller meetings, Wild Ones is on hold for the time being also.

This Sunday 22nd we will have a Message from Ps Phil Pringle online which we will make available to you. Watch C3 Rotorua Facebook page and c3rotorua.org.nz for updates.

We don’t have any planned corporate gatherings planned for this Sunday.

 

So following on from this weekend what will C3 Rotorua look like during this period ?

C3 Home: We will be moving church into to an online format. We will be meeting in smaller C3 Home groups of at this stage no more than 15 people. We are well underway in communications with C3 Home Hosts and will have these progressively starting by next Sunday 29th March. We will be in touch with you regarding this.

 

The format will be all Pre Recorded Plug and Play C3 Rotorua produced.

We plan to gather Sundays 9:45 am:

– Meet at your allocated C3 Home 

 

– 10am Worship Connection… 10min Interactive / Reflective on screen worship

– My Jesus Testimony (Our own people, Their own personal journey with Jesus)

– Any Notices / Announcements

– Message 15-20min

– Group Chat, discussion questions. 

–  Prayer and close

The formalities of this should only take one hour. 

 

So regarding the current public health emergency regarding the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. We want to reassure you, as people who call C3 Rotorua home, that your health and safety across all aspects of church life is a priority for us.

 

However, even in the context of C3 Home the current advice is that these people should not attend events:

  • anyone who is unwell
  • anyone arriving into New Zealand who has returned from at risk countries, or been in close contact with someone confirmed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days is being asked to self-isolate.           Please also register your details with Healthline 0800 358 5453 (or +64 9 358 5453 if using an international SIM) if you have not already.

 

To assist with good hygiene, we will be providing hand sanitiser, soap, paper towels and tissues. We will also be regularly cleaning surfaces.

 

Additionally, we would remind everyone of best hygiene practicse to keep each other well in our environments:

  • Covering coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or coughing/sneezing into your elbow
  • Disposing of used tissues appropriately in a bin
  • Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water and drying them thoroughly, or using hand sanitiser.

 

If you have health-related concerns about COVID-19, phone the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline (for free) on 0800 358 5453.

 

We encourage everyone to be praying for communities around the world affected by the virus and for continued protection across our city and nation.

This is an opportunity for us to bring hope to people who are anxious and fearful, not only of a sickness but also of the economic ramifications it may have in day to day living.

 And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”  Exodus 33:15-16

 

The difference maker in the lives of the people of God is His Presence. This is what makes us distinct, this is what empowers us for every challenge. This is what brings victory over circumstance.

 

This is our time to shine

Bless you Church

Ps JP & Karen