Questions to ponder with COVID Plans for our younger generations

Yeah! We can meet together! Or can we?

Many groups and congregations are trying to sort through what they are going to do moving forward. Emerging Generational groups are a key part in this. Youth Groups, Kids Clubs, playgroups all need to know what to do and where to go to get help.

Step 1: This conversation needs to happen with your Church Council because they have to sign off the COVID plans for any groups meeting back together.

Step 2: Every group that meets needs to have a COVID Safe plan. You can find out details on the website.

Things you will need to consider:

How are you going to track who has been there?
How you will maintain social distancing when you are together (no hugging, no touching, no singing, 1.5m apart)?
How many people you can have in your space (what are you going to do if more people turn up)?
How do you minimise exposure?
How you will make sure that everything is cleaned both before and after?
What cleaning options you will provide for keeping people safe (hand sanitizers)?
What will be your food prep and planning or will you have food at all?
How will you protect your volunteers? Remembering your volunteers cannot be over 70 or people over 60 who are high risk.
How you will communicate clearly what the plan is and how it is going to work?
What is the plan if someone from your group is infected and has exposed others and the site?

Step 3: Communicate the plan to everyone attending.

Step 4: Implement the plan.

Step 5: Share the love of God to our Emerging Gen in a Covid safe way!

It is a lot of work, and the advice from the Synod is don’t be in too much of a hurry to jump in. I know with limited cases in NSW ACT we can think this is all a bit much, but stop and think for a moment of the older members of your congregations, or the grandparents, or parents who might be high risk. This is serious stuff. Not to mention the huge fines for both congregations and individuals who do not follow the Governments expectations.

The PULSE team, gives thanks for your prayerful ministry, we are here to support you so don’t be afraid to reach out. I have also written an article with ideas about how you can explore your options for worship and your groups. Stay safe, God remains with us through all things.

Karen Mitchell-Lambert is ordained in the ministry of Deacon and is the team leader of PULSE.