COVID-19 ministry updates
From drought to bush fires, to COVID-19 and a potential merger into SU Australia, this year has highlighted the prayerful dependence, adaptive strength and persevering spirit of our Movement as we have adapted what we do and how we do it to meet the new ministry reality we find ourselves in amidst COVID-19. God continues to move powerfully through SU volunteers to keep (safely) reaching out to children, young people and families in NSW with Gospel hope.
Camps
To ensure the safety of leaders, Campers and communities, our Autumn and some Winter Camps were cancelled earlier this year due to COVID-19. Thanks to new COVID-19 safety guidelines, a number of face-to-face Spring Camps were modified to be COVID-safe and have gone ahead, along with a selection of virtual experiences as well.
Read the full update in SU News Spring (page 6).
The situation is being monitored constantly, and updates will be provided as necessary. Each SU Camp will have a COVID-19 Warden overseeing cleaning and hygiene. Camper health will be monitored as they arrive on-site and strict plans are in place to monitor the health of Campers throughout each event.
Another response to COVID-safe ministry at this time has been the creation of SU PopUp Events. These events are designed to run locally for 2-3 hours to provide a safe space for children and young people to hear a Gospel message, enjoy fellowship, grow in their faith and have some fun as well. SU staff are here to support anyone interested in hosting these small, local events. Find out more here and do get in touch!
SU Camps are operating in a very different world because of the pandemic, and yet, there is genuine excitement and momentum for the future and further opportunities to safely reach out to young people who desperately need to hear about Jesus across our State.
Summer Missions
SUFM, SUmmerlife, SUmmerkids and Holiday Bible Club teams will not be travelling to location this Summer.
This was a hard decision made early on in order to ensure everyone’s safety during COVID-19, given the scale and structure of these programs and the risks they posed to COVID-19 exposure &/or its spread.
However, the mission is still on!
With teams not travelling this Summer, they are instead ‘Staying Keen’ for mission and ‘Staying Connected’ to the communities they know and love through a variety of creative initiatives, in order to make God’s Good News known anywhere, anytime, anyhow so that young people and families might find hope, joy, peace and salvation in Jesus’ name.
Read the full update in SU News Spring (page 11).
Keep up to date with what’s happening. Read ministry news from your region and sign-up to receive SU NEWS quarterly.
Schools Ministries
Many ISCF and SUPA Clubs have been on hold while DoE restrictions remain in place.
However, we have been absolutely delighted to hear of many students and teachers who have decided to step up and find appropriate ways to continue ISCF and SUPA Club lunchtime groups (with permission from the Principal), keeping a space open for students to explore and express their faith at this time.
In recognition of the profound impact Christian teachers in NSW state schools can have on the next generation of young Australians, we recently hosted two online events called Christian Teachers Connect for Christian teachers to meet each other and be encouraged.
Read the full update in SU News Spring (page 4).
A range of high-quality Bible resources have also been developed to assist children, young people and families to meet God daily in Bible reading and prayer. SUPA TV is back for Season 2 and an upcoming 10-session video resource— ‘Luke: Exploring the Life of Jesus’ —for high-schoolers is coming soon. Stay tuned!
Encouraged by these great initiatives within Schools Ministries, we grow in excitement for the new ministry season ahead under God!
We are so thankful for your support and prayers. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Western Sydney & Blue Mountains
Illawarra & South East NSW
Western NSW
Hunter & Central Coast
New England
Southern & South Western Sydney
North Coast & Mid North Coast
Central & Northern Sydney