Coronavirus ( COVID 19 ) information 2020-2022

For PCANZ Coronavirus information 2023 see here.

 

Govt COVID-19 Protection Framework – Guidelines for places of worship

Download the latest NZ Government COVID-19 Protection Framework – Guidelines for places of worship (4  April 2022).

See the latest Faith-based gatherings at Red for up to date information on the Govt website.

"The Covid-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights) outlines the settings being used in New Zealand to manage COVID-19. It has three settings Green, Orange and Red. This guidance is provided to support places of worship to operate safely. It is correct as at 9th February 2022. It outlines the minimum settings that need to be applied to places of worship under the three settings of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.  Places of worship are also encouraged to consider what additional measures they may want to put in place that suit their communities. This guidance will be updated over the coming weeks and months as the government response to Covid-19 continues to evolve."

Guidance for Places of Worship in the Greater Wellington Region (14 March 2022)

Regional Public Health - Hutt Valley DHB  has updated their guidance document for places of worship. Although it is described as 'Guidance for Places of Worship in the Greater Wellington Region', it contains good advice that could be helpful for places of worship in all regions. Read it in conjunction with the 'Govt COVID-19 Protection Framework – Guidelines for places of worship' above.

PCANZ Covid-19 information for churches

This page contains information for Presbyterian and Uniting Church staff, ministers, chaplains, parishes and presbyteries to provide guidance around the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19 virus). It provides guidance to help manage the life of our Church and our communities during this pandemic.

For the latest guidance and advice, please refer to the "PCANZ Guidance: Churches and Coronavirus" section.

Moderator’s pastoral messages

Right Rev Hamish Galloway offered the following pastoral message on Covid-19 vaccination to the Church in these challenging times. Download his message: 12 October 2021, COVID vaccination 

Moderator calls for Presbyterian Day of Prayer 5 Dec 2021

On 23 November 2021, Moderator Right Rev Hamish Galloway wrote to all parishes to invite Presbyterians around the country to pray for our nation on Sunday 5 December 2021. "For our nation as we move to the ‘traffic light’ Covid-19 Protection Framework. For those leading the national response to the pandemic.." See a worship video by Hamish and more info here.

Past Moderator's pastoral messages

Very Rev Fakaofo Kaio offered pastoral messages to the Church in these challenging times. Download his messages: 14 August 2020, There is Hope.  16 February 2021, Covid-19 in our Community. 18 March 2021, the Church and Covid-19 vaccines. 25 August 2021, Covid-19 Delta variant in our community.

The Moderator led weekly devotions each Sunday from the start of the March 2020 lockdown, continuing throughout lockdown and beyond until 28 November 2020 . Each week, the devotion was available on the Moderator's Facebook page by 9am each Sunday, and available on the Church's Facebook page and Church's video channel shortly afterward. The devotions last for approximately 20mins. You can continue to view on the Church video channel listed above.

PCANZ Guidance: Churches and Coronavirus

Latest advice: Please see the Acting Assembly Executive Secretary's AAES update PCANZ & COVID19 Protection Framework sent to all churches 7 April 2021.

In March 2020, a resource was issued by the Church's Council of Assembly, it should be read in conjunction with the latest updates. Download the CoA March 2020 resource. See more recent updates below:

Updates

2022

7 April 2022 - AAES update PCANZ & COVID19 Protection Framework
14 February 2022 - AES update PCANZ & COVID19 Protection Framework

2021

1 December 2021 - AES update PCANZ & COVID19 Protection Framework
24 November 2021 - AES update Guidance on the COVID19 Protection Framework
9 November 2021 - CoA update Preparing for the Covid-19 Protection Framework
26 October 2021 - CoA update new COVID-19 Protection Framework
22 September 2021 - AES update Delta Alert Level 3 & 2 guidance
14 September 2021 - AES update Delta Alert Level 2 guidance
7   September 2021 - AES update Delta Alert Level 2 guidance

2020

Update 14 February 2022 - AES update PCANZ & COVID19 Protection Framework

The AES has written to the Church offering guidance as the Government updated its COVID-19 Protection Framework – Guidelines for places of worship on 9 February 2022. It outlines the minimum settings that need to be applied to places of worship under the three settings of the COVID-19 Protection Framework.  Places of worship are also encouraged to consider what additional measures they may want to put in place that suit their communities. 

Update 1 December 2021 - AES update PCANZ & COVID19 Protection Framework

The AES has written to the Church offering guidance as the Government has announced what each region's traffic light colour will move to as at 11.59pm on Thursday 2 December 2021, as the whole country moves away from the Covid Alert Level System to the Covid-19 Protection Framework.

30 November 2021 - PYM & PCFM working in children & youth ministry in the Traffic Light System Recommendations prepared by the Presbyterian Youth Ministry and Presbyterian Children and Families Ministry for youth and children ministry leaders.

Update 24 November 2021 - Change to Covid19 Protection Framework

The Assembly Executive Assembly has written to the Church today offering guidance regarding churches operating under the new Covid19 Protection Framework: vaccination passes, new traffic light system and more.

Update 22 September 2021 - Change in Alert Level 2 guidance

The Assembly Executive Assembly has written to the Church today regarding new Alert Level 2 guidance in this time of highly transmissible Delta Covid-19 variant in the community. Currently Auckland & Upper Hauraki is at Alert Level 3 and the rest of NZ is at Alert Level 2.

Update 14 September 2021 - Change in Alert Level 2 guidance

The Assembly Executive Assembly has written to the Church today regarding new Alert Level 2 guidance in this time of highly transmissible Delta Covid-19 variant in the community. Currently Auckland is at Alert Level 4 and the rest of NZ is at Alert Level 2.

Update 7 September 2021 - Change in Alert Level 2 guidance

The Assembly Executive Assembly has written to the Church today regarding new Alert Level 2 guidance in this time of highly transmissible Delta Covid-19 variant in the community. Currently Auckland is at Alert Level 4 and the rest of NZ is at Alert Level 2.

Update 19 August 2020 - Alert level rules guidance

This letter provides further guidance about some alert level rules, as well as requesting that church Health and Safety representatives provide their contact information so that the Church is better able to provide targeted support in a timely manner.

Update 12 August 2020 - Change in Alert Level guidance

PCANZ Compliance Director, Matthew Hague, has written to all churches and presbyteries offering guidance in light of the recent government announcement about the change in alert levels which come into effect at midday on 12 August. Read the guidance

Update 9 June 2020 - Gathering at Alert Level 1

The Convenor of the Council of Assembly, Rev Richard McLean, wrote to all churches and presbyteries concerning our Church and government changes to Alert Level 1. Read the Alert Level 1 guidance for churches.

Update 26 May 2020 - Gathering at Alert Level 2

The Convenor of the Council of Assembly, Rev Richard McLean, wrote to all churches and presbyteries concerning our Church and government changes to Alert Level 2. Read the message in full.

23 March 2020 - Suspension of physical gatherings for public worship

On 23 March 2020, the AES Rev Wayne Matheson wrote to all churches to inform them of the suspension of physical gatherings for public worship effective immediately. Read the full message here

Covid Vaccines Information

Interchurch Bioethics Council Covid Vaccination and the Christian Response - Update Oct 2021

The ICBC has produced an update on their paper: Frequently Asked Questions - Covid Vaccination and the Christian Response to assist in our understanding of the vaccines (October 2021). Please download.

Read the Moderator's pastoral message that was sent to the Church 12 October 2021 with the ICBC update paper above.. Download his message .

Interchurch Bioethics Council paper: Frequently Asked Questions - Covid Vaccination and the Christian Response (English & Te Reo Maori)

The ICBC has produced a paper on COVID vaccines to assist our understanding of the vaccines as they become available to all New Zealanders (March 2021). Download. Also available in Te Reo Maori, please download.

Read the Moderator's pastoral message on the Church and Covid-19 vaccines that was sent to the Church 18 March 2021 with the ICBC paper above.

Covid-19 vaccine information videos in nine Pasifika languages

The Ministry of Pacific Peoples has an educational video on the Covid-19 vaccine in nine Pasifika languages. Click here to watch, languages are listed on side of the page. 

PCANZ Assembly Office & PRC staff working from home

Update 23 January 2022: Staff in the Assembly Office in Wellington will be working from home under traffic light red setting.
Staff are contactable via email and/or mobile -   see the Church website for staff contact details.

Update 7 September 2021: Auckland is at Alert Level 4 and the rest of NZ will move to Alert Level 2 at 11:59pm on 7 September. Auckland staff are working from home, and other Assembly Office staff are either working usual hours from home or office. Please contact them via email or mobile-  see the Church website for staff contact details.

Update 17 August 2021: New Zealand is at Alert Level 4 from 11.59pm 17 August and Assembly Office staff are working usual hours from home. Please contact them via email or mobile-  see the Church website for staff contact details.

Update 23 June 2021: The Wellington region is at Covid-19 Alert Level 2 from 6pm on Wednesday 23 June and Assembly Office staff are working from home until further notice. Please contact them via email - see the Church website for staff contact details.

Update 18 May 2020: Some Assembly Office and Presbyterian Research Centre staff continue working from home normal work hours and can be contacted via email and mobile phone. Please see contact details here. This action is in the interests of staff and visitor safety, and is in response to the NZ Government Covid-19 alerts. Physical offices will be open on some work days with health and safety and hygiene and social distancing precautions in place. Please check with staff first if you need to visit offices.

As from today 23 March 2020, all Assembly Office and Presbyterian Research Centre staff are working from home and can be contacted via email and mobile phone, not via landline. Please see contact details for staff on the Church website here. For more information on how Presbyterian Research Centre, including Archives and Hewitson, will keep in touch with you online read this update.

Charities Services Covid-19 information for registered charities

We direct your attention to this excellent resource from Charities Services, which answers many questions like how the government's economic support package applies to charities, what to do if you have to postpone important meetings like your AGM and more. Read the Information on Covid-19 for registered charities resource.

Applying for financial relief

Update 7 April 2020: Applying for the Government Wage Subsidy - COVID-19: What you need to know

The Government will support employers who face laying off staff or reducing staff hours because of COVID-19. However, the employer must meet certain criteria. Download this worksheet and information to help you determine if you will be eligible.

We also recommend that if you apply for the subsidy, that you take a screenshot or photo of your online submission before you submit it so that you have a record of your application, because once submitted, you will not be able to access the information again. Take photographs or screenshots of key details, such as which employees you are applying for, and the nature of their employment - part-time or full-time.  Having a record allows you to refer to your submission if there is a difference between the amount you receive and your submission.

Sandra Kennerley
Finance Manager

Update 26 March 2020: NZ Business Number no longer required on application form

Even though the application form asks applicants to enter a NZ Business Number, this requirement was modified on 25 March (approx) and we are advised that the field can now be left blank.  Please note that this is an update to our earlier advice which said that “NZBN” could be inserted in the relevant box. So if you tried to apply using "NZBN" in the field and it didn't work, please try again, leaving the relevant field blank. More information about how to apply can be found in the March 2020 Treasurers' News

Update 23 March 2020: Charities Services have confirmed that Charities will be covered by the Government subsidy.

The impact of Covid-19 will have financial implications for many parishes and we have started to receive some questions about this. We want to remind treasurers that terms of call are set by presbytery and that if congregations need to raise concerns about their financial viability, and in particular their ability to fund their minister’s stipend or staff salaries and wages, the first step is to engage with presbytery.

We note the Government has announced a set of financial packages relating to the impact of Covid-19. We are taking advice on whether parishes can access this financial support for employees who are ill, caring for others or in self-isolation once sick leave is exhausted. We have now received (23 March 2020) confirmation that parishes and other charities are able to apply for the subsidy.

We also sought advice from the Book of Order Advisory Committee about whether ministers are eligible, and our advice is that ministers may be eligible (as ministers are called and are not employees, it isn’t clear whether they qualify). Again, we are seeking further advice on this point and will provide a further update as soon as we have more information.

To ensure your request is considered, we recommend that any parishes wishing to make an application to the Ministry of Social Development for financial relief do so, while the Church awaits further clarification on the points above. Learn more about the wage subsidy how to apply

We understand that these are challenging times, and are doing our best to obtain some clarity as quickly as possible on these important points.

If you have Covid-19 employer and employee questions, see this Covid-19-Legal-Handbook by Parry Field Lawyers, it may be of help.

Copyright and streaming worship online

More churches are streaming worship online during this time and it is important that churches do not breach copyright. Depending on the content of your worship, many churches may need an additional streaming licence for their church. See more about streaming online on the Church website and read more about the CCLI streaming licence here and the One License streaming licence here.

Resources

New Zealand entered a four-week lockdown period on 11:59 on 25 March. Only essential services remain open. The Church has produced some resources to provide guidance and ideas about how to connect for the period that physical gatherings are no longer possible.

External Resources

Technology

Formation

Community

Faith

The Vine newsletter

Each week during the period where public worship gatherings are prohibited, The Vine - a newsletter to resource and equip leaders to do church differently - will be published and includes ideas and resources.

Click here to sign up for the The Vine in your email inbox each week.

Download below copies of The Vine

The Vine #8 (published 21 May 2020)
The Vine #7 (published 14 May 2020)
The Vine #6 (published 7 May 2020)
The Vine #5 (published 30 April 2020)
The Vine #4 (published 23 April 2020)
The Vine #3 (published 16 April 2020)
The Vine #2 (published 9 April 2020)
The Vine # 1 (published 2 April 2020)