Good afternoon everyone,
I have two pieces of good news to share!
Our application to Anglicare for a community grant was accepted; this means we will be given $1,000 for the Balga Breakfast Club. This will enable us to buy supplies and meet any shortfalls from the donations many of you kindly give, so our support of the breakfast club can be maintained through the year.
And second: this Sunday the 9:30 service will (God willing and all the tech works) be live-streamed- sound AND vision!
Here are the instructions:
- Click on link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC07_Yk9-h5ppfXAnltGEVGg
- Click ‘Videos’ (What the drop-down menu says after that depends on whether there is a live stream happening or there’s a recorded video, and whether it’s a computer or tablet etc that is being used.)
- Click on the live stream of the day.
This has been a more complex and time-consuming process than we imagined last year, not helped by supply-chain difficulties. But we are just about there: there are still some things to be finished, and one piece of equipment that is currently proving impossible to source. Still, with what we have we are able to make a start. Please be patient, because everyone is learning and it won’t be perfect straight away.
As more people need to isolate or test positive for covid-19 it has been important for us to do what we can to provide services that can be accessed at home, on smart TVs, computers, tablets and even phones. The technology will also be useful for live-streaming events such as weddings and funerals, for people who can’t attend in person or may be overseas or interstate. I am delighted that we are able to do this and am deeply grateful to those who have worked so hard to make it happen.
Yesterday’s relaxation of some government restrictions only changed one thing for us at St Nic’s: there is now no requirement to check-in. Mask wearing is still mandatory indoors, and hand sanitising remains important as does social distancing where possible. Having morning tea outside means masks can be removed but it is still important to maintain distancing, and replacing your mask when you finish eating and drinking is recommended.
I conducted a funeral yesterday, at another church; a large number of people attended, and as I was at the front it was interesting to see how many people were not wearing their masks correctly. If a mask does not fully cover your nose and mouth it offers no protection to you or others. Cloth masks do not work unless they have a proper filter inserted; masks with a breather (usually a round plastic insert) do not work with this virus; surgical masks protect others from you, but not you from them- and they rarely fit properly and MUST be disposed of after each wearing. The masks recommended by health authorities are respirator masks, known as P2, N95 or KN95 masks; these, if they fit well, protect you from others and others from you. If you are constantly needing to adjust or pull up your mask- it doesn’t fit well enough.
Hopefully most people can now access free Rapid Antigen Tests, and if you run out and need some I have a supply given to me by Paul Lilburne, our local MP.
Tomorrow morning the Men’s Breakfast begins at 7:30am and all are invited.
I look forward to seeing those who can attend in person on Sunday, and to being ‘virtually’ present with people at home.
God bless,
Lorna
The Reverend Lorna A M Green
St Nicolas Anglican Church 