The Methodist Connexional Office is located at:

Weteriana House
50 Langdons Road
Papanui
Christchurch 8053

Postal address:
PO Box 931, Christchurch 8140

T. (03) 366 6049 I. 0800 266 639

Please phone our main line (as above) and at the prompt either dial '0' to speak to Reception or enter an extension number. FOR A LIST OF EXTENSIONS CLICK HERE

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Email the Connexional Office

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About this plan	Current Situation Updates	Overview of Alert Levels	CHURCH ACTIVITIES	Support Information	COVID-19 plan Downloads	Version 4.2 23 Sep 2020	Register for Updates
Articles

CHURCH ACTIVITIES

Church Services
At All Times
Births Deaths and Marriages
Liturgical Services
Pastoral Services
Groups
Outreach
Buildings
Connexional

Changes from previous Response version are highlighted in yellow

Church Services

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Indoors (limited people) Alert Level 2.0 up to 100 people		Face mask use recommended in Auckland Otherwise no restrictions		Number restrictions Physical distancing		No gatherings		No gatherings
Indoors (unlimited people)		Face mask use recommended in Auckland Otherwise no restrictions		No large gatherings		No gatherings		No gatherings
Outdoors (limited people) Alert Level 2.0 up to 100 people		No restrictions		Number restrictions Physical distancing		No gatherings		No gatherings
Outdoors (unlimited people)		No restrictions		No large gatherings		No gatherings		No gatherings
Offerings		No restrictions		Take hygienic care Do not pass the plate		Online offerings only		Online offerings only
Food service at church		No restrictions Take hygienic care		Do not serve food. Allow people to bring their own. No sharing!		No gatherings - no food service		No gatherings - no food service
Online/email/telephone		No restrictions Include those unable to be present. Keep sharing		No restrictions Include those unable to be present. Keep sharing		No restrictions Include those without internet. Keep sharing		No restrictions Include those without internet. Keep sharing
Singing		Face mask use recommended in Auckland Otherwise sing the roof off!		Everyone wears a facemask Physically distance Maintain gathering numbers Keep contact tracing! Practice good hygiene		Sing only in your bubble		Only sing in your bubble

Resources for Church Services
Online Service Resources	Click Here
Faith and Order - Lectionary	2019-2020 Lectionary (Year A) commenced in December 2019 2020-2021 Lectionary (Year B) Commences in November 2020
Facebook page	Search: Methodist Church of New Zealand Te Hahi Weteriana o Aotearoa
Support Information	Click separately for Uniting parishes, Holy Communion, Good hygiene - helping others and more Support Information
Face Masks	Click Here 19 November 2020. With the Govt requirements for Face Masks in Auckland at Alert Level 1 the Methodist Church also recommends wearing face masks for church services and events. Please consider how you will manage Church services and events to support wearing face masks throughout. Click here to read more about 'Why wear face masks at Alert Level 1?'.

CV partner advice may differ

At All Times

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
At-risk people able to mingle		2m physical distancing. No touching stuff! Don't share!		Keep yourself safe. 2m physical distancing. No sharing!		Protect your bubble. Let others run around for you.		Protect your bubble. Let others run around for you.
Unwell people able to mingle		Please stay home. Seek medical advice.		Please stay home. Seek medical advice.		Please stay home. Seek medical advice.		Please stay home. Seek medical advice.
Contact Tracing		Know where you have been. Keep track of who, where, when.		Know where you have been. Keep track of who, where, when visited our buildings		Stay home, save lives. Only essential workers may go to work		Stay home, save lives. Only essential workers may go to work.
QR Code Poster for Contract Tracer App		Every non residential church building must display a QR Code		Every non residential church building must display a QR Code		Every non residential church building must display a QR Code		Every non residential church building must display a QR Code
Public Hygiene Standards		Protect yourself & others in 6 steps		Protect yourself & others in 6 steps		Protect yourself & others in 6 steps		Protect yourself & others in 6 steps
Practice physical distancing		People may not wish to touch.		2m for strangers 1m for friends		Stay home, save lives		Stay home, save lives
Online/email/telephone		No restrictions however remember at-risk people who aren't mingling yet		No restrictions however remember not everyone is wanting to be near others yet		No limitations except your imagination!		Crank up the telephone tree! Online, email and phones are the way to go!
Face masks		Use when physical distancing is not possible Wear on all domestic flights Mandatory in Auckland on public or paid transport such as buses, trains and ferries Recommended in Auckland when sharing transport for Church events or Church business Recommended in Auckland for church services and events		Masks required in public places where physical distancing is not possible, Mandatory on public or paid transport such as buses, trains, ferries, planes, taxes and Ubers Expected in a vehicle transporting people from multiple bubbles for a church event of church business		Stay home, save lives. Masks required when you are out and about.		Stay home, save lives. Masks required when you are out and about.

Resources for At all Times
Government Covid-19 website	https://covid19.govt.nz/
Health and Wellbeing	https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/
Hygiene and other Posters	https://covid19.govt.nz/updates-and-resources/posters/
Ministry of Health	https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/novel-coronavirus-COVID-19 Tel: 0800 358 5453
NZ Govt COVID Tracer App	https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-resources-and-tools/nz-covid-tracer-app
Must have: QR code poster for the Tracer App	https://qrform.tracing.covid19.govt.nz/ Important notes Have your driver licence ready Location Name is limited to 35 characters, avoid all punctuation marks including dashes and apostrophes Avoid the business number and use this BIC reference S954010
Face Masks	Click here to read more about 'Why wear face masks at Alert Level 1?'. NZ Govt guidance on Face Masks https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/masks/ Suggested pattern for people to make their own masks https://seekatesew.com/3d-mask-template/ Great advice! https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/02-09-2020/fit-fabric-layers-nose-wires-what-makes-a-good-mask/ Pre-service Powerpoint presentation Why Face Masks - zip file containing editable power point and MP4 video file (1m 40sec) Save the file, and then open the saved folder to access the two files.
Support Information	Click separately for Contact Tracing, Face Masks and templates, Good hygiene - helping others and more Support Information

CV partner advice may differ

Births, Deaths and Marriages

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Baptism		No restrictions Maintain hygiene		Delay until Level 1 if appropriate		Delay until a lower alert level		Delay until a lower alert level
Funeral and tangihanga		No restrictions Maintain Hygiene		Consult with funeral director. Numbers restrictions apply Alert Level 2.5: 50 people Alert Level 2.0: 100 people		Consult with funeral director. Numbers restrictions apply		Consult with funeral director. No gatherings permitted
Weddings		No restrictions Maintain hygiene		Delay until Level 1 if appropriate. Do not use Church buildings		No gatherings		No gatherings
Food service at church		No restrictions Maintain hygiene		Do not serve food. Allow people to bring their own. No sharing! Or use controlled cafe etc		No gatherings - no food service		No gatherings - no food service
Online		As is appropriate and agreed for the event		As is appropriate and agreed for the event		As is appropriate and agreed for the event		As is appropriate and agreed for the event
Singing		Face masks use recommended in Auckland Otherwise raise the roof!		Everyone wears a facemask Physically distance Maintain gathering numbers Keep contact tracing Practice good hygiene		Sing only in your bubble		Sing only in your bubble

Resources for Births, Deaths and Marriages
Orders of Service Liturgical Letters	http://www.methodist.org.nz/faith_and_order
Face Masks	Click here to read more about 'Why wear face masks at Alert Level 1?'. Click Here 19 November 2020. With the Govt requirements for Face Masks in Auckland at Alert Level 1 the Methodist Church also recommends wearing face masks for church services and events. Please consider how you will manage Church services and events to support wearing face masks throughout.

CV partner advice may differ

Liturgical Services

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Holy Communion		Proceed with great hygiene practices		No shared communion until alert Level 1. Share communion online		No shared communion until alert Level 1 Share communion online		No shared communion until alert Level 1 Share communion online
Sharing the peace or the grace		No restrictions but some people may prefer alternatives		Physical distancing Use alternatives to hugging		No gatherings Practice visual alternatives online!		No gatherings Practice visual alternatives online! (Zoom groups)
Online		Remember the people who are unable to attend in person		Keep sharing online		Suggestions for how you can lead these activites?		Suggestions for how you can lead these activities?

Resources for Liturgical Services
Faith and Order	http://www.methodist.org.nz/faith_and_order Holy Communion
Alternatives to Touching	- Place your palms together and take a short bow to your neighbour. - Place your hand on your heart. - Place your hand on your heart and take a short box. - Project your sincerity... and smile! The world may be undergoing strife, but in this moment there is the peace we create ourselves.
Support Information	Click for Holy Communion

CV partner advice may differ

Pastoral Services

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Meetings - face to face		No restrictions but still ring first. Be considerate of people not wanting to touch		Always ring first to confirm a visit is welcome. Maintain physical distance		No gatherings. Stay in your own bubble		No gatherings. Stay in your own bubble
Visiting - Home, Hospital, Rest Home		No restrictions but still ring first. Be considerate of people not wanting to touch. Hospital / rest home rules come first		Always ring first to confirm a visit is welcome. Maintain physical distance. Hospital / rest home rules come first		No gatherings. Stay in your own bubble		No gatherings. Stay in your own bubble
Online / telephone		No restrictions but people will want to see your beautiful face in person!		No restrictions but start thinking about small group meetings too!		No restrictions. Go for it!		No restrictions.

Resources for Pastoral Services
Faith and Order	Click here
Support Information	Reminders available for Supervision, Pastoral Visits, Mental Wellness Support and, Contact Tracing and templates

Groups

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Choir		Face masks use recommended in Auckland Otherwise sing and dance then do it again!		Number restrictions Everyone must wear a facemask		No gatherings		No gatherings
Committee meetings in person		No restrictions		Number restrictions		No gatherings		No gatherings
Conferences		No restrictions however plans will need to include for future regional Alert Level changes		Number and food service restrictions apply		No gatherings		No gatherings
Groups at church		No restrictions Main good hygiene standards		Number restrictions apply Defer groups until Alert Level 1		No gatherings		No gatherings
Home groups		No restrictions		Number restrictions apply Encourage people to bring their own food – no sharing!		No gatherings		No gatherings
Other building users		No restrictions Main good hygiene standards		Keep groups separate 2m physical distancing Maintain good hygiene standards		No gatherings Essential services only		No gatherings Essential services only
Food service		No restrictions Main good hygiene standards		Do not serve food Allow people to bring their own No sharing!		No gatherings - no food		No gatherings - no food
Online/email/telephone		Always available!		Do it, do it, do it.		Great way to meet		You can sing online too!

Resources for Groups
Support Information. Note: registration processes are required at Alert Level 2	Click for Sharing buildings with others, Food and Drink, Cleaning and Contact Tracing (with templates)

CV partner advice may differ

Outreach

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Food banks		No restrictions. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Essential workers only. Keep at-risk volunteers safe. Maintain good hygiene standards.		Physical distancing applies. Essential workers only. Maintain good hygiene standards.
Hand deliveries (food)		No restrictions. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Essential workers only. Keep at-risk volunteers safe. Maintain good hygiene standards.		Physical distancing applies. Essential workers only. Keep at-risk volunteers safe. Maintain good hygiene standards.
Hand deliveries (non food)		No restrictions. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Essential workers only. Keep at-risk volunteers safe. Maintain good hygiene standards.		Essential workers only. Physical distancing applies. Maintain good hygiene standards.
Op shops - open for business		No restrictions. Maintain good hygiene standards		Essential services only. Keep our volunteers safe		Essential services only. Keep our volunteers safe.		Essential services only. Keep our volunteers safe
Volunteers (essential services)		No restrictions. Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing applies. Maintain good hygiene standards Keep our volunteers safe		Physical distancing applies. Essential workers only. Keep at-risk volunteers safe. Maintain good hygiene standards.		Physical distancing applies. Keep at-risk volunteers safe. Maintain good hygiene standards.

Resources for Outreach
Support Information	Click for Sharing the Load, OpShops, Volunteers and Contact Tracing

Buildings

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Admin and ministry teams on site		No restrictions Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing Work from home if possible Maintain great hygiene		No gatherings Work from home		No gatherings Work from home
Building access - clean, maintain, inspect		No restrictions Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing Is the work really needed yet? Maintain great hygiene		No gatherings Work from home		No gatherings Stay home
Building projects		No restrictions Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing Is the work really needed yet? Maintain great hygiene		No gatherings Work from home		No gatherings Stay home
Church buildings available		No restrictions Maintain good hygiene standards Keep our QR Code Poster		Physical distancing Is the work really needed yet? Maintain great hygiene Create QR Poster		Not available Except to essential services		Not available Except to essential services
Emergency maintenance		No restrictions Maintain good hygiene standards		Physical distancing Maintain great hygiene		Physical distancing Maintain great hygiene		Physical distancing Maintain great hygiene
Venue hygiene		No restrictions! Maintain good hygiene standards		Cleaning needed if building used Make hand wash/ sanitisation facilities available		No gatherings Maintain cleaning / wash facilities for essential services only		No gatherings Maintain cleaning / wash facilities for essential services only

Resources for Buildings
Bricks and Mortar	Click here
Support Information	Click for Admin and Ministry teams on Site, Landlord and tenant responsibilities, In Our Buildings, Sharing buildings with others, Cleaning, Contact Tracing

Connexional

Activity	Level 1 - Prepare		Level 2 - Reduce		Level 3 - Restrict		Level 4 - Lockdown
Connexional Travel		Ensure flexible future travel in case of regional lockdowns Maintain your contact tracing diary Face masks are mandatory on domestic flights Facemasks recommended in Auckland when sharing transport for Church events or Church business		Travel locally only Physical distancing Maintain great hygiene		No travel No gatherings		No travel No gatherings
Volunteers (non essential)		No restrictions, however... No pressure. Many of our volunteers are in the at-risk bracket		Travel locally only Physical distancing Maintain great hygiene Look after at-risk people		Stay home		Stay home
Online / email / telephone		Always encouraged!		No restrictions!		Keep at it!		Go for gold!

Resources for Connexional
Support Information	Click for Contact Tracing, Volunteers

CV partner advice may differ