Uniting Church Yass Parish: Reflection on 2021

COVID-19 and the efforts to control the disease have had a big impact on individuals, families, businesses and churches. This week, the Uniting Church Yass Parish (which includes St Andrew’s Yass and Rye Park) is providing us with a reflection on 2021 and the Church’s hopes for the new year.

“We have changed in ways we never thought we would. Our minister at the beginning of COVID, David Stuart, was wonderful. We didn’t know how we would survive a long time without face-to-face church. Our congregation was mostly older and not very computer literate. However, after looking at a number of options, we decided to try filming on Facebook live. Originally David did this each week from his lounge room. Luckily, he had good kids and a lovely wife, Gillian, who has a beautiful voice, helped out lots. Initially all filming was done on David’s iPhone. Gradually David added bits of equipment and by the time David finished his placement with us, he was able to hand it over to Sue Demoor and Suzie Graham so services could continue online.

“And how did the congregation cope with technology? Really well. There was certainly lots of training and a few negative people but the majority of our congregation appreciated these online services. In fact, we had many more people online than we had in church before COVID. God uses the bad things that happen for his good purposes. What a blessing it was that COVID occurred at a time when we could continue to meet online. We also had training in Zoom as we used that for morning coffee and for Parish meetings (Council, Elders, Prayer, Bible study and more). I think many were surprised at how well they handled these changes and new learning.

“We had other problems over this time as well. Lesley Cox, our treasurer, had to deal with the hassles of Job Keeper and trying to introduce people to online giving, as we were getting little income to pay our bills. Previously, only a couple of people donated this way, but now many have moved to this new way of giving. We also had to write and continually update COVID plans and then get people to follow them. With Rev Christine Moimoi as supply minister, we updated our procedures for dealing with copyright, especially for music which was being streamed online. We missed our visits to the aged care facilities, our playgroup, our morning tea get-togethers and social functions.

“Since returning to face-to-face services we continue to stream our services on our Facebook site. We still have lots more people online than in our services and we thank God for this mission. We also are continuing our prayer meetings online.

“We are looking forward to a more normal but new and refreshed way of serving God and our community in the coming year under the leadership of Barry Banks, Council Chair, and Dr Owen Graham, Elders Chair.

“We are hoping to be able to sing Christmas Carols with enthusiasm over the December services. Richard, our wonderful Santa, is returning with his photographer, Bec, for Santa Paws on the 4th December for photos of dogs, children and adults. Bookings are essential: Yasssantapaws@outlook.com. All proceeds will go to our Christmas appeal of the Christmas Bowl and Uniting World.

“We would love to have you join us in church or online for our Christmas services. Rye Park is meeting face to face at 5:30pm on Christmas Eve and St Andrew’s Yass will be online and face to face at 9:30am on Christmas morning.”

Written by Sue Demoor,
Church Council Communication Liaison

• Topics:

• Christmas
• Religion
• Science & Technology