Please pray for wisdom with the forthcoming adjustments to the Government's recommendations for managing COVID.

From 12 May, our Tuesday morning Prayer Group will be open again to meet in prayer on a weekly basis going forward.

Strict rules remain in place for all public gatherings and we are yet to completely understanding how this will work in practice.

Should the Government's Stage 2 adjustments materialise, it is likely that Connect Groups and Youth Group will have the opportunity to recommence.

However meeting as a Church for Sunday Services is unlikely to be feasible until July or Stage 3.

Elders are meeting on 18 May and part of our discussion will be how to comply with the rules in offering recommencement of our Sunday public service.  It many respects, it is easier to be either fully back to normal or not meet at all, so significant thinking and planning will be needed.

We are so blessed in Australia to have the opportunity to think about recommencement of public worship.  Please pray for our nation and leaders and community as we continue to manage during this period of COVID.

Blessings

Ben & Bec.

Please share this website link with friends and family which contains our Easter Services.  There is a wonderful video about Jesus, and the cross and resurrection.

http://burnsidefamilychurch.com/easter2020.

You can also click on the picture below.

Our April Newsletter is out too - please download and share it with others.

Blessings

Ben

The Marriage Course is a series of seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their marriage relationship. The Marriage Course includes teaching content, creative short films, global stories, sofa couples, and expert insights – all hosted by Nicky & Sila Lee.

Running for seven weeks, the 7 episodes of the Marriage Course comprise:

•     Strengthening Connection
•     The Art of Communication
•     Resolving Conflict
•     The Power of Forgiveness
•     The Impact of Family
•     Good Sex
•     Love in Action

Watch the introduction to the Marriage Course below:

• Click here to hear more about the content and what people say here
• Click here to register and join the group
• Order the participant booklet here

Course Rules:

• Make sure you complete the exercises and keep to suggested timings
• Engage in all issues with love and respect
• Be intentional in the material, and be serious in the matter
• Try to setup each session like a Date Night - maybe some chocolate, a candle and music....

More videos are listed below:

We are creating a support page that will hopefully help us all to connect and be intentional in connecting during this time of Corona.

The habit of meeting together is so important - be encouraged and read this post on active gathering.

We are listing the sort of tools we are utilising to stay connected in a proactive sense.  All of these are available for those with a computer, an iPad or a Smart Phone.  For smart phones, you can get the below apps through the App Store (Apple Devices) or Google Play (Android Devices). For computers, clicking on the below links will connect you to the site which will show you how to install.  If you click on the below apps on an iPad or Phone, it should direct you to install via the App Store or Google Play.

Online Services

Join us for an online service - visit our web based platform - https://burnsidefamily.online.church/

Communication First

The humble telephone

One of the best ways is one of the old ways - simply calling someone.  And with modern phone, ofcourse there is SMS.  Still one of the best ways to connect and especially with those who are not tech savvy.  The best thing about the phone is that it is a two-way conversation.

Snail Mail and E-Mail

Posting a letter is now a treat, and ofcourse email will not go away for a long time.  These old ways are still good ways to encourage and because it is one-way communication, you can send it at anytime, and it will be received at some time so it is convenient.

Facebook Page and Group

You can access communication, media, discussion and our Facebook Live stream through our groups.

We are working to implement a Live Stream for Burnside Family Church in order to create a 'time' where we can gather together.  Our main use of this function will be to offer a point of connection for our community on Sunday 10a.

We are also posting video recordings and testimonies of each other through Facebook, and media linking from our Vimeo video platform too!

Facebook Messenger

Using this addon as part of Facebook, you can call, text or video call another.

Elvanto

Elvanto will manage all our core communication and materials that can be downloaded and used for our upcoming Easter Series, Devotional activities, and Group and Teaching booklets.

Web

The website will continue to be our online 'FRONT DOOR' and contains links to lost of different areas to connect with our community.  The website also contains our Audio Recording, our Blog and other resources such as Proverbs and a link to Reading the New Testament

The web is a great way to share about our online community with others - feel free to pass on the link.

Zoom   (ZoomHelpPDF)

Zoom is a great tool for video connection with several people and is very interactive.  Our plan is to use it for 10:40 Group, Greenhill Connect have used it, and we will probably use it for Elders Meetings and other activities. 

There are many more apps and systems you can use including Skype, Whatsapp, Line, WeChat, Viber, FaceTime, Teamviewer - so explore and discover!

Resources Next

There are many resources online.  Our world is overrun with knowledge and information. What makes these below helpful is when we use these tools devotionally to honour the Lord, and when we encourage one another to grow in the Lord and share our testimony to build up others.

The Bible App

Probably the number 1 bible app for reading the bible, listening to the bible and is a platform that has many devotional plans, study guides and bible teachings.  This app is huge and a must have!

Bible Project

These guys have really lifted the bar on bible study and understanding the word through very creative video posts that offer brilliant insight in bite size chunks - highly recommended.

Christianity Today

One of many, this is the online web site of the magazine and has a number of helpful articles.

Eternity Newspaper

A great aussie online Christian Newspaper with encouraging and thoughtful articles