Dear OCC family
Each of you will be aware of the rapidly changing situation relating to Coronavirus (Covid-19). We are following the updates and advice closely and are keen to respond fully to the challenge that we face as a nation. It’s clear that our community life will be severely affected by yesterday’s guidance to minimise social contact and avoid unnecessary social gatherings (link).
The church staff have spent today working out our next steps, and found that we had a rising expectation that we would not only find wisdom and grace for the current season, but that God is going to meet us all in fresh ways during this challenging season, as we seek him amidst new circumstances.
Sundays
We have decided to suspend our Sunday meetings for the foreseeable future, but we are excited to be able to provide a live streamed service at 10.30am this Sunday. We have decided to postpone the end of our series from 1 Corinthians, and this will be the first of a short series entitled, ‘Love in a Pandemic,’ which will cover:
- Loving one another: sustaining community in a pandemic (22 March)
- Loving our neighbours: our mission in a pandemic (29 March)
- Loving God: meeting God in new ways (5 April)
It will then be Easter Day, after which we plan to start a new series from the book of Philippians, which will look at how Christians can thrive under pressure.
This Sunday, we will worship together and hear from God’s Word, through the wonder of the internet. We will also explain more about our plans for the coming weeks, which will include plans to help all ages meet with God.
We encourage you to join the livestream at 10.30am on Sunday from your home, or together with 1-2 others. Further details will be shared later in the week. Do join us! (We recommend you join us live, but if you’re unable to do so, the video will be available afterwards.) If internet is a challenge, please talk to your community leader.
Communities
Community is really important, not just socially but spiritually too! Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 that “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them”. Being in a pandemic doesn’t change that - if anything, it makes investing in community more important.
Over the coming months, the primary place of connection and support in our church will continue to be Communities. If you are not part of a Community already, or aren’t sure where to turn for support, please email @email to get in touch with the Pastoral Team.
Individual care
We expect that one-to-one pastoral care will continue, and that it will be possible to meet together in 2s and 3s for prayer, care, fellowship – given that we all take appropriate steps to
Your responsibility to help stop the pandemic
In keeping with current government advice, we expect you to self-isolate if:
- you have any symptoms of covid-19: new persistent cough, fever (link)
- you are vulnerable (link)
- you have come into contact with someone who is now self-isolating
In addition, as regards church life, we would ask you please not to have more than 5 people, nor people from more than two households, gathering together in a single home at one time.
We will be in touch regularly as the situation changes. Please keep an eye on our website at https://oxford.occ.org.uk/coronavirus. We look forward to connecting with you online on Sunday.
Finally, please be assured of both our prayers, and a commitment to help in all ways that we can with practical and spiritual needs, as they arise. These are unusual times and uncharted waters, which will contain some real challenges, but they will also be a season of new blessings.
With much love,
Steve
