Coronavirus response and guidance from LCAQD

The following was distributed on behalf of the LCAQD by Bishop Paul Smith to all LCAQD Departments on March 12, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Response

March 12th, 2020

Jesus said, “Then the righteous will answer him. “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25)

As we continue in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to serve the people in our care, the communities and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District will undertake the following responses to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) declared by the World Health Organisation to be a Pandemic on March 11th 2020:

1. TO REMAIN VIGILANT TO GOVERNMENT DIRECTIONS REGARDING THIS CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC AND TO HEED ADVICE FROM THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL OFFICE.

The communities and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District are called to continue to watch and act as guided by Government agencies.
(https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert)
The communities and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District will engage with the Commonwealth Department of Health’s Emergency Health Plan: (https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/australian-health-sector-emergency-response-plan-for-novel-coronavirus-covid-19)

2. TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT CONTAINMENT STRATEGIES.

The communities and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District will implement containment strategies given by Australian Government authorities.

3. TO ESTABLISH RELEVANT MECHANISMS TO ADDRESS THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC.

The communities and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District will establish mechanisms in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and will continue to communicate these mechanisms to the people in their respective areas.
Congregations of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District will appropriately address practices such as the reception of communion and other corporate worship practices, and also congregational life activities, in response to advice provided by the
Lutheran Church of Australia Churchwide Office.

4. TO CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY CARE FOR THE NEEDY, THE SICK AND THE VULNERABLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC.

The communities and agencies of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District in Queensland will continue to implement strategies to faithfully respond to the Lord’s command that his people would care for their neighbours (Matthew 25) The pastors and “ministry of care” workers of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District will continue to provide appropriate care to the needy, sick and vulnerable in their communities.

Persons with questions about the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in their community or agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District are asked to contact the relevant Departmental support centre or the District Office of the Lutheran
Church of Australia, Queensland District. (www.qld.lca.org.au)

CONCLUSION:

In all our undertakings as people of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Queensland District, we hold fast to the promise that our Lord Christ Jesus dwells amongst us, providing for us and leading us. He is “Immanuel: God with us” therefore, we call upon him as people of hope, in prayer, praise and thanksgiving, trusting in his mercy and in his steadfast love.

We pray,
“Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy.”