It has been a long haul through levels 4 and 3. I have enjoyed speaking by phone with people in many cooperative ventures and hearing how creative worship leaders and pastoral carers have been. There have been too many Zooms, but we are just grateful for what is possible. Special sympathy for those who have been involved with bereavements at this time.
As we move to level 2 with an initial restriction to gatherings 10 people, public worship is still not permitted. However, as David Bush has pointed out today, we are now free to:
1. Use the church office.
2. Run small groups (of 10 people or less).
3. Hire out premises to similarly small groups.
4. Visit people in their homes – with their agreement.
Presbyterian-convened CVs are able to claim relief from the national (Assembly Assessment) portion of the monthly levy in May and June. We await news of any equivalent assistance from the Methodist Church and the Dioceses.
For those with governance responsibilities there is a Covid-19-Legal-Handbook to download, made available through InterChurch Bureau channels.
We will soon be sending out our statistical requests. The financila form is now much simpler. One added detail is that the Government Wage Subsidy will be included in the eight allowance, so you you will not be taxed on these payments.
I have been working from home in sunny Napier but will welcome a return to Wellington soon. That will depend on a few factors, including a shift of office from the top floor of the Anglican Centre. Being optimistic, I expect from June our postal address to be:
UCANZ, 8 Moncrieff Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6011
The new office is part of the Wellington Quaker Centre who have kindly made a venue called ‘The Studio’ available to us. We can be suitably distanced for the time being – but we’d love to see you! Bus routes 1 or 2. Phones are now 027 559 9042 (Adrian) and 0210 272 4771 (Margaret).
