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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."
Continuing Advice for managing Covid Risks in Places of Worship
The following advice is based on the current eased restrictions provided by the Qld State Government, along with a desire to keep people safe.
Physical Distancing
It is still recommended that, while mask wearing is no longer mandated in most settings, physical distancing continues to be encouraged to the extent possible. Mask wearing is also encouraged where physical distancing is not possible.
Holy Communion
While some denominations have reintroduced the common cup, it is still recommended that congregations refrain from using the common cup. This is solely to help protect those who are vulnerable. Bread can be distributed directly from the hand (ie., gloves not required), as long as the distributors hands are sanitised prior to distribution. Masks should be worn while distributing the elements. Physical distancing should be maintained where possible. Families can commune in family groups.
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.
Serving food and drink
Churches are permitted to continue serving food and drink at church services/activities. There is no requirement to be seated. There is no requirement to complete the TAFE course. As a matter of caution, use of shared handling items should be minimised, and hand sanitizer should be made available.
Close Contacts
As per the current advice, close contacts (household contacts) are no longer required to isolate – as long as they display no symptoms. Face masks should be warn at all times when outside of the home, and close contacts should not visit vulnerable settings except for exceptional or compassionate circumstances. Close Contacts should also undertake regular testing.
Cleaning
The COVIDSafe Checklist has been removed.
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
Links to Government Directives
Public Health Direction
Public Health and Social Measures
COVID-19 affected case
Managing COVID-19 in workplaces
Close contacts - quarantine and testing requirements
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
