Latest Updates

  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - The Synod Roadmap out of Covid [GN39] Download here
  • Pastoral Letter from the Moderator -  Download here
  • COVID-19 - Information Update - Children and Youth Activities - Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - ACT Pathway Forward - Download here
  • COVID-19 - Information Update - Easing of Restrictions in NSW - Download here
  • COVID-19 - Information Update - 80% Milestone in NSW - Download here

COVIDSAFE Response Plan

To enable Congregations to respond quickly if a Covid-19 case is associated with your premises, please complete the Response Plan and hold on site for quick reference.

NSW Government Covid-19 Financial Assistance

The NSW Government has offered 4 different streams of financial assistance to assist businesses and not for profits who have been affected by the recent Covid-19 lockdown that commenced 26th June 2021 in the Greater Sydney Area. The four streams are:

  1. Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate
  2. COVID-19 Micro Business Grant
  3. COVID-19 Business Grant
  4. JobSaver Payment

To help guide Congregations and Presbyteries, there are three documents available:

  1. 2021 COVID-19 NSW Government Support UCA Summary.docx  A Word document that provides an overview of the different grants and payments and provides information on how to apply for each one.
  2. 2021 COVID-19 NSW Government Support Ready Reckoner.xlsx An Excel spreadsheet that helps you to see if you qualify for any of the grants and payments.
  3. 2021 COVID-19 NSW Government Support Summary.pptx A Powerpoint presentation summary of the NSW Government Support.
Webinar on applying for NSW Government Covid-19 Financial Assistance

Daniel Saaghy from Synod Finance recently ran a webinar about how to apply for these grants. You can watch the webinar here, using the password UCA.

NSW Government Financial Assistance Q&A

Download the Q&A from online seminar meeting held 20th August 2021 here.

Latest News and Updates

  • Visit the NSW Government website for the latest updates, guidance and hotspots here.

For more information

  • Click here to visit the FAQs page.
  • Keep referring to the Government information in relation to gathering for worship here. Bookmark this page and refer back to it often as restrictions ease.
  • Visit the Government webpage that explains the square metre rules in detail if you are unsure how many people can worship in person at your Church.
  • For useful posters and signage (various languages available), please visit the NSW Governments Covid Safe Toolkit site.
  • The Covid-19 Who to call A3 poster is also available in many languages but needs to be ordered through covid19@nswact.uca.org.au. Download the English version here.
  • For a list of Churches offering livestream or hybrid worship visit this page
  • For all your Church needs to know about copyright for livestreaming visit this page.

Guidance Notes and Information Updates

 

  • COVID19 - Information update for Safety Plans. Download here
  • COVID 19 - Guidance Note - Restrictions in place [GN29] Download here.
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Tightening of Covid-19 Restrictions [GN30] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Further Covid-19 Restrictions: ACT [GN31] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Covid-19 Restrictions: Greater Sydney Area and Regional and Rural NSW [GN32] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Clarification - Covid-19 Restrictions: Greater Sydney Area and Regional and Rural NSW [GN32B] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Covid-19 Restrictions: ACT [GN33] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Ongoing Covid-19 Restrictions [GN34] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Extension of Covid-19 Restrictions [GN35] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - ACT Covid-19 Restrictions [GN36] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Clarification of Ongoing Restrictions [GN37] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - Easing of restrictions for certain Regional and Rural Areas of NSW [GN38] Download here
  • COVID-19 - Guidance Note - The Synod Roadmap out of Covid [GN39] Download here

For archived COVID-19 Guidance Notes visit the archive page.

COVID-19 Safe Plans for Activities

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for Places of Worship are available here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

Consult FAQs for more information about singing, contactless communion, greeting and pre and post cleaning.

Please Note that for contact management in the ACT, it is mandatory for congregations to use Check in CBR to enable the congregants and visitors to check in.

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

1. Read This

These pages have your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

For NSW Congregations fill in the:

For ACT Congregations fill in the COVID-19 Safety Plan Template (Word Doc)

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

Consult FAQs for more information about singing, greeting and pre and post cleaning.

Please note the Government Health Order states that Places of Worship may only be open to the public for weddings, funerals or for private worship.

Third Party Hall Hire falls under the government restrictions for Community Centres. Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe. 

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for Community Centres available here. 

2. Complete

The Hall Hirer (third party) will need to complete their own COVID-19 Safe Plan (choose the most appropriate form below) and a copy should be sent to Church Council for approval. Hall Hirers are required to keep this plan.

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

Consult FAQs for more information about greeting and pre and post cleaning.

 

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for How to Make Your Retail Space Safe here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping. 

2. Complete

Fill in the COVID-19 Safety Plan for Clothing & OpShop Ministries Updated 29/03/2021

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

FAQs

Please Note that high risk and the vulnerable should be actively discouraged from volunteering at this time. Refer to information in the FAQ section.

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for Restaurants and Cafes are available here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

Fill in the COVID-19 Safety Plan: Restaurants and cafes Updated 29/03/21

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

FAQs

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

For risk management and insurance support, please contact the Head of Risk and Compliance directly to risk@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

FAQs

 

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

FAQs

 

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

1. Read This

The latest Government Guidelines for Places of Worship now includes the provision for Children, Young Adult and Youth ministries available here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

Consult FAQs for more information about singing, greeting and pre and post cleaning.

Please Note that for contact management in the ACT, it is mandatory for congregations to use Check in CBR to enable the congregants and visitors to check in.

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for Places of Worship are available here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

Consult FAQs for more information about greeting and pre and post cleaning.

Small groups and essential meetings conducted in a private home are subject to the General Health Orders. In addition to completing a Covid Safety Plan, a record of attendance is to be maintained.

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

Please note the Government Health Order states that Places of Worship may only be open to the public for weddings, funerals or for private worship. For this reason, counselling should continue online at this time.

FAQs

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe.

Ministers shouldn't visit congregation members if they are unwell and the Public Health Order applies to number of people allowed in a home. Ministers have requirements in regard to hygiene and physical distancing.

FAQs

Under Public Health Orders you must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how you will keep staff, volunteers and visitors safe. 

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for Non Food Markets are available here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

Fill in the COVID-19 Safety Plan: Non Food Markets Updated 29/03/21

3. Send

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members,  please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

FAQs

SRE teachers should follow protocols from the schools. Playgroups should use the general activities plan. 

1. Read This

The Government Guidelines for COVID-19 Safe Planning are available here. This page has your downloadable checklists for hygiene, physical distancing, wellbeing and record keeping.

2. Complete

Fill in the COVID-19 Safety Plan General Activities Updated 29/03/21 

3. Send 

For members of Sydney Presbytery, Sydney Central Coast Presbytery, Parramatta Nepean Presbytery and Georges River Presbytery please send to your Presbytery representative.

For all other Presbytery members, please send your COVID-19 Safety Plan to covid19@nswact.uca.org.au

Helpful Resources

Further Information

Department of Education have listed responsibilities of Approved Providers in its Return of SRE Guidelines. Two of these relating to vulnerable people are:

  • Providers have arrangements in place within their own organisation to determine if a person can continue to work if they are at risk of developing severe illness in accordance with Health advice.

People with concerns about their risk can ask their health care provider to help them make a risk assessment. It would also be appropriate to develop an individual COVID-19 action plan. The best time to do this is now while there are low rates of COVID-19 in the community.

 

General Planning Template

Church Councils may wish to make use of the COVID-19 Master Re-Gathering Control Plan to help create and maintain a big picture view of the breadth of worship, witness and service activities and respective COVID-safe preparations.

Download the COVID-19 Safety Plan General Activities Updated 29/03/21

Mandated Practice for Physical Gatherings

General Community Gathering Restrictions

For current NSW Government restrictions on groups and gatherings click here.

For current ACT Government restrictions on groups and gatherings click here.

For current NSW Government information on vulnerable people click here.

  • People aged 70 years and over
  • People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions
  • People with a compromised immune system
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 50 years and older with one or more chronic medical conditions