Vicar's News - 19 December 2021

Fr Ian
Dec 17, 2021
3 min read

The shepherds' fields at Bethlehem in Palestine,

slowly disappearing under Israel's invasive settlements.

Christmas services

Incense - there will be incense used at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and at the 10am Choral Eucharist on Christmas Day.

Vaccinations

There are now no vaccination requirements for our church services, including our Christmas services (above). Proof of vaccination need not be shown on entry.

QR Codes

All attendees must still use the QR code on entry to allow contract tracing in the event that an infectious person attends. This is become a common occurrence in Brighton, so if an infected person attends a service you may receive an sms or a phone call asking you to have a COVID test and isolate until the result is available.

Masks

The Diocese recommends that masks be worn inside due to the limitations with physical distancing at Christmas services. This is especially relevant for those attending the Children's Service at 5pm on Christmas Eve as COVID is rife in all Brighton primary schools at the moment.

Masks must be worn by all voluntary and paid staff, including in the Opportunity Shop.

Offertory bowl giving

Our side people will be passing around the offertory bowls at our services beginning on Christmas Eve.

Communion

An intincted wafer will remain the form of host distributed at our Eucharist services so there will be no chalice assistants required until at least February. The Diocesan advise remains against the use of a common cup for health reasons at this time.

No refreshments

As services now permit unvaccinated people to attend, we are unable to offer refreshments after services because this is governed by the hospitality regulations which do not permit mixed refreshment areas. You still have to be vaccinated to go to a cafe.

Sanitiser

As the church is no longer being cleaned twice on a Sunday morning, we recommend that you use the sanitiser provided in the narthex.

OPEN CHRISTMAS WEEK:

MONDAY 20 DECEMBER

TUESDAY 21

WEDNESDAY 22

THEN CLOSED UNTIL WEDNESDAY 19th JANUARY 2022

Baptism

We welcome Harry Conkie into the Church of God through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday at 11.30am in the Cloister courtyard (weather permitting).

Grounds people

Many thanks to all those who have volunteered to assist in the daily task of clearing up the rubbish left on the church grounds by visitors. With the opening of 'Betty's Burgers' the amount of packaging has grown. Additional rubbish removal has been arranged to cope with the litter from the bins and the ground. Additional bins will be installed adjacent to the marquee and maintained by Bayside Council.

Farmers' Market

The market will be on Saturday will be the last one this year. We look forward to our sausage sizzle helpers having fun serving up lots of 'St Andrew's Bangers'.

I will be wearing a A-Board advertising our Christmas Cakes so come get your friends to come along a get the cakes while stock lasts. And there are plenty of other fresh and prepared foods available too.

St Andrew's Exchange Building

The floor plans of the Parish's spaces in the new building to be erected by Brighton grammar on our tennis courts remain on display in the narthex but will be removed at Christmas to permit the flow of people.

Jazz on Church

The bass trio provided by bayside Council last saturday were well received by those using the marquee and hopefully we will have them revisit in the New Year.

Merry melodies @ St Agnes'

St Agnes Church in Arkaringa Crescent Black Rock will be having a Christmas “Merry Melodies” on Tuesday next week (22nd Dec) at 1.30pm. Afternoon tea will be served and there will be door prizes!

Please come along and bring a friend! Fully vaccinated only and $10 entry! “