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LCAQD Coronavirus Response
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 share these resources to help guide our response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In all our undertakings as people of God 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."
Advice for managing Covid-19 Risks in Places of Worship
On 17 January, 2023, the Queensland Government and Chief Health Officer, announced that rates of COVID-19 transmission had reduced to the extent that Queensland was returning to the Green (baseline) Light. This means that there are low risks of community transmission and Queensland is no longer in a COVID-19 wave.
According to the Queensland Government website, when the traffic light is green it is recommended that people
- stay home if you're sick
- keep up to date with your vaccinations
- maintain good hygiene
- take a rapid antigen test (RAT) if you get COVID-19 symptoms
- wear a mask if required by a healthcare provider, venue, or household.
Mask Wearing
This final point is significant. According to the Queensland Government website, business can still require masks to be worn in certain circumstances. For example
- your GP may ask you to wear a mask when in their waiting and consulting rooms
- a hospital may require you to wear a mask when visiting patients or in certain areas
- a carer may be asked to wear a mask when providing care to a vulnerable person.
Many higher risk (vulnerable) people attend our churches.
Holy Communion
Each congregation/parish should determine their own risk mitigation strategies when serving Holy Communion. Remember: Current evidence suggests that Covid-19 mainly spreads through droplets and small aerosol particles transmitted at close contact (eg conversational distance). SOURCE: World Health Organisation
Be sensitive to those who feel vulnerable.
It is suggested that
- those serving Holy Communion use sanitiser before distribution (gloves are not necessary)
- individual cups continue to be used
- physical distancing continues to be practiced, where possible, for those participating in Holy Communion
- those serving Holy Communion (especially if they speak in close proximity to the person receiving the bread or wine) wear a good quality mask to reduce the risk of infection
Passing of the Peace
It is further recommended that the Passing of the Peace, or Sign of Peace, still be limited to saying “Peace be with you” with a nod or bow.
Cleaning
Routine cleaning includes
- Frequently touched surfaces, eg door handles, tea/coffee stations/ bathrooms should be cleaned with a minimum of detergent and water
- Consideration should be given to cleaning of hard-surface chairs and floors - if they have been frequently touched.
Further information, it is recommended to use the COVID-19 cleaning guidelines provided be Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
If Positive
If you get COVID-19:
- register your RAT result
- stay home until you’re well again
- use the healthdirect Australia COVID-19 Symptom and Antiviral Eligibility Checker
- wear a mask for 7 days after you test positive
- avoid visiting hospitals, aged care, or disability care for 7 days after you test unless you are receiving care
- ask household members to closely monitor symptoms.
Links
Pastor/Staff diagnosed with COVID-19
- Isolate and quarantine
- Inform close contacts
- Defined as household and household-like (spent more than 4 hours in a house or other place of accommodation or similar) contacts. Close contacts must get tested and isolate for 7 days since last contact with diagnosed case.
- Notify the Bishop’s PA
- Bronagh Quinn: Bronagh.Quinn@qld.lca.org.au
- This enables the bishop or similar to assist the community if possible
- Notify the parish/congregation community
- Inform the congregation that the pastor has received a positive result. This would take the form of communication that those who have been at services or events where the pastor/church worker has been in attendance should deem themselves as casual or low-risk contacts, and monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms occur.
- Minimise risk
- All shared surfaces should be cleaned according to COVID Safe Checklist
Pastor/Staff deemed Close Contact
- Apply definition of close contact
- Defined as household and household-like (spent more than 4 hours in a house or other place of accommodation or similar) contacts.
- Quarantine
- Close contacts must isolate for 7 days from the date the diagnosed person took their initial test.
- A test is only required on day 6 - unless you develop symptoms prior to that
- Notify the Bishop’s PA
- Bronagh Quinn: Bronagh.Quinn@qld.lca.org.au,
- This enables the bishop or similar to assist the community if possible
- Notify the parish/congregation community
- Inform the congregation that the pastor has been deemed a close contact and is in quarantine. Provide calm communication as to alternate arrangements for services and/or events.
- Monitor
- Remind congregation members to monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms occur.
Attender diagnosed with COVID-19
Inform the congregation that a person with COVID has been in attendance of a church activity, and as such, members should consider themselves casual or low-risk contacts, monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms occur.
NOTE: Identifying the person with COVID-19 is not permitted without their expressed and informed permission
Attender deemed close contact
No action required. However, congregational members should continue to be encouraged to monitor for symptoms and, if symptoms occur, get tested.
NOTE: Identifying the person with COVID-19 is not permitted without their expressed and informed permission
Bishop Mark Vainikka has prepared a pastoral message - titled ‘Life in the time of COVID-19’ - for all members and friends of the Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District. Please read this and share it:
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Mark Vainikka
We join Bishop Mark in praying for God’s peace and clarity for all who face uncertainty and difficult decisions related to changes to Queensland’s border restrictions and public health and social measures. May God’s grace flow through our communities so that our current challenges may, to use Bishop Mark’s words: “draw us together and be a source of healing.”
The Lutheran Church of Australia Queensland District strongly supports the Australian Government’s program of immunisation against COVID-19 and encourages vaccination among individuals as our best defence to keeping our communities COVID-19 safe. We are motivated by Christ’s love for us, and our call from Christ to care for all people in society.
- Church at Home Resources
- Small Group Resources
- Online Sermons/Worship Links
- Models of Faith and Connection Examples
