You may have been unable to keep in contact with our church family since we entered lockdown over 90 days ago. This will hopefully give you a snapshot of what some people have been up to.

We hope you are encouraged by how God is still working and how our members are persevering.

If you would like to share how you are going, we would love to hear from you at here.

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

We got our first taste of homeschooling, more screen time with meetings; we now go on daily walks; I started playing Pokemon GO with Zac, and we’ve been cooking more homemade dumplings & noodles. The kids have also been learning to resolve their fights better (seeing as they spend so much more time together now) which we thank God for.

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

Initially a bit of heightened anxiety especially when buying groceries at COVID-hotspots and cases kept rising. More relieved now that we have received our vaccinations. I’m less worried about myself now, but more worried about passing on COVID to the kids. It’s sobering and scary hearing from different people regarding how they (or someone they know) has been affected by COVID. In the lockdowns last year, we didn’t really know anyone who had been affected by COVID. However, this time around, we know people who either know someone who has COVID, or has died from COVID.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

Playdates for the kids. Seeing church family. Seeing parents (both are outside our LGA). Having people over.

How has God been encouraging you?

I’ve been encouraged to hear how God is using people in our church to read the Bible with non-Christians even throughout lockdown. Praise Him! Here I am trying my best to connect with my neighbours and I hear of people who’re actually reading the Bible with their (non-Christian) family members and friends. How awesome and wonderful 🙂

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

Going on walks to share and pray. Exercising with each other (tennis?)

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

I now attend church in my pajamas 🙂

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

We are feeling okay in a way since it happened last year! Worried about how the new normal will be and whether things will ever be the same (which it probably wont!)

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

Meeting with people again in person at church/in public. Definitely sharing a meal with people again!

How has God been encouraging you?

God has been encouraging us through his goodness, providence and allowing us to persevere during these tough times despite all the lockdowns and not being able to head out like we used to. We’re almost through it!. Also the fact we can still fundamentally meet each week and hear his word virtually at online church is also very encouraging for us also.

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

Probably just continue what we’re currently doing would be superb. Maybe some random online hobby groups for people to optionally hang out every once in a while, eg: games night or prayer night (second which we already are doing anyway :)). Groceries might be good perhaps for the older people in the congregation.

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

I’ve started to do more jogging since lockdown due to more free time

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

I’m most uncertain about my internship applications and hoping that it would go well and COVID would not prevent me from having opportunities to work over the summer break

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

Looking forward to going out and eating good food!

How has God been encouraging you?

God has encouraged me through meeting my Christian brothers and sisters online and having fruitful discussion and prayer each week

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

I’ve been getting more sleep and doing all of my uni classes online. It’s great being able to wake up 30 seconds before class starts 🙂

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

I’m worried about what life is going to look like after lockdown. A lot of change in a short amount of time is definitely scary for me and I’m sure there’s plenty of people that want to go outside once restrictions ease. I hope that the cases won’t jump ridiculously high when everything starts going back to normal.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

I’m looking forward to teaching in an actual classroom, playing volleyball, meeting up with uni mates and friends and of course going to church physically and then eating food 🙂

How has God been encouraging you?

God has been encouraging to really focus on myself and how I can improve as a Christian. That involves being content with what God has given or chosen for me, focussing on consistency in Quiet Time and continuing with fellowship and meetups online.

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

I think I am well cared for if I’m honest. I believe the best thing would be prayer since I’m going through a lot of uncertainty with medical treatments and the potential for surgery.

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

Strangely, I’ve been reading a lot more books and have gotten into different types of arts and crafts!

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

I feel frustrated and helpless with all the uncertainty around these days. I mostly feel anxious about all the opportunities I’m missing out on, like placement, campus life, and going travelling with my friends.

How has God been encouraging you?

God has really shown me His complete sovereignty and control through these lockdowns. He has encouraged me to not hold on so tight to worldly commitments, but to look forward to the heavenly promise of a new creation.

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

Pray for my frustration and anger with this whole situation. While I still hold tight to the truth of God’s control, I occasionally lose sight of the things God has given me and only see what He has taken away.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

I’m very excited to see my family and friends! I miss playing with my nieces and seeing my grandma. I’m also looking forward to my Melbourne trip which had to get pushed back due to lockdown.

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

I guess during lockdown, it’s made me think of more creative ways to supplement my growth as a Christian. I’ve been listening to more podcasts online such as For The Gospel, Gospel in Life, and The Gospel Coalition podcasts. It has also really encouraged me to value how much impact a face to face interaction can be, in comparison to a zoom call, or phone call. Having someone interacting with you in person can really light up your day, compared to talking to them over a phone call.

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

Yeah I did feel very anxious and quite upset because days were long during work, not having the freedom to unwind by going out to see my friends, being able to go the gym or even just to the shops did hit me quite hard. I feel very uneasy for businesses who are doing it tough at the moment, and school students who are not receiving an education and maybe anxiety or depression from being trapped at home under public health orders.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

Going back to church, and going out to go shopping, bouldering and dining out at a nice restaurant.

How has God been encouraging you?

Through my growth group still trying their best to engage with God’s word and attending despite probably experiencing the effects of zoom fatigue, and also the numerous phone calls and zoom calls I’ve been a part of during lockdown. Also my accountability partners Patrick and Brandon still being eager to meet and read the bible together and being committed to grow as brothers in Christ.

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

More antisocial

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

Lost relationships at churchI know that God is still in control despite the numbers constantly growing.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

Lunch together

How has God been encouraging you?

He gives us each other in our times of need

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

Sharing more stories/posts from other members

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

We had to be transformed into very amateur preschool teachers; thankfully with the help of some online guidance from the school. We have a whole new respect for early childhood educators!!!

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

A little worried about the kids catching Covid as they can’t be vaccinated. But thankfully the data shows that they won’t get terribly sick. Trying to trust in God as we navigate through the new normal in the weeks to come.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

SEEING FRIENDS! Sharing meals with friends! Going on a getaway!

How has God been encouraging you?

Lockdown has been a blessing for us in that we have had more time to spend in His word with our friends online, together as a family and on our own as well. Even through the tough times, His Word provides comfort and strength.

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

Ways to feel connected to other members of the church – (we feel very cared for, especially by other young families) especially single and younger members. Might need some assistance to connect to people we don’t know well or don’t see often

Any other comments?

Can’t wait to be back at church soon!!! ❤️

How have things changed for you since lockdown started in July (and church went back to online)?

Started living back at home again.

How are you feeling about all the uncertainty? What are you most worried about?

I’m worried that people will let fear of worldly events control their lives, losing sight of God who is sovereign over all.

What are you looking forward to once restrictions ease?

Maccas runs with the boys, church, chemistry labs.

How has God been encouraging you?

Growth groups has been really encouraging going deep into Scripture. Shout out to Ruby who has been sharing her candid thoughts and reflections on the passage each week!

How could our church be caring for you? Eg. Prayer, someone to chat with, financial help, groceries, a zoom dinner date, someone to play games with…

Come back on Sundays 11:30pm to the church zoom where a group of us will be praying for outreach to Cabra.