Opinions expressed in these blogs are the views of the author, not necessarily those of the Presbyterian Church in NSW or of the Gospel, Society, and Culture Committee.
COVID vaccines for children – Q&A to help parents
COVID-19 vaccinations for children can cause parents concerns. NALINI PATHER answers questions to help you navigate the issue.
Masks not required – but should I wear one anyway?
You will know by now that masks are no longer required in most situations, including in church. But people are still intending to wear a mask in church. Why would anyone want to do that? Benjamin Shuhyta* has prepared this Q&A to help you work through the issues and come to your own decision:
COVID update – 5 videos to help you navigate key issues
Here are 5 G,S&C-produced videos and documents from the 2021 COVID update seminar, covering Health, Govt Engagement and more
COVID Pandemic survey – Part 4 of a special G,S&C report – church strategies are helpful and still needed
Here’s the fourth, final report on the survey conducted last month on how our church communities are coping during this pandemic.
COVID pandemic survey – Part 3 of a special G,S&C report – Children
It’s no surprise that we are concerned about our children during COVID. In this the third report from our survey, we dig deeper about what you think..
COVID pandemic survey – Part 2 of a special G,S&C report – Mental resilience
There are many reasons to feel anxious during COVID. The G,S&C survey reveals which issues have caused you the most – and least – concern
Covid pandemic survey – Part 1 of a special G,S&C report
Three quarters of respondents to the G,S&C survey did not think COVID was having a negative effect on their personal Christian life. That was the good news …
COVID index to help you find G,S&C resources
The G,S&C has produced a significant body of work since the beginning of 2020 to help Christians navigate the pandemic. Use this index to find relevant blogs ranging from theology to health and pastoral concerns.
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A response to The Ezekiel Declaration
This statement is presented by the Gospel, Society and Culture Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Australia in NSW and the ACT. It is the view of the Committee, not an official position of the Church. Click here for a PDF version of this response. In the last...
A time to discern what is beautiful
A quick end to Covid is wishful thinking. But pandemics can also be catalysts to rebuild societies in new and creative ways, writes NALINI PATHER*. With the increased uptake of vaccines, as well as discussions about the road out of lockdowns and even vaccine...
A lockdown birthday party
What’s a birthday without a party? Ben Shuhyta* reflects and rejoices. I hoped I could avoid it, but this year, I’m spending my birthday in lockdown. For more than a year, we citizens of regional NSW have been going about our lives with less restrictions than our...
My groans are many and my heart is faint
SANDY MCMILLAN* laments our loss of the ability to lament.In the very early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sydney, when the main talking point was panic buying, I was in the empty toilet roll aisle of the local supermarket, when I heard a woman asking a shelf...
Nation’s culture the key to why we are Covid-anxious
LEWIS JONES* considers whether aspects of our socio-cultural formation play a part in the psychological impact of this ongoing Covid crisis. About two weeks into our COVID-19 timeline in Australia, typically taken as time since the 100th confirmed case,...
Twists, turns and a long road to Covid recovery – new G,S&C series
In the first part of a new series on the impact of Covid-19 and variants, NALINI PATHER* says we must prepare for a long journey - and we should lean on our Gospel hope The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the Delta variant of the virus is sweeping across...
The Covid information inundation
In the first of two blogs, LEWIS JONES* looks at how Covid has distorted our sense of time and space - but he offers a path to recovery. At 7:07pm on the 26th of June 2021, it seemed like a good thing that you had booked a rental cabin where you were going to stay...
Needle-phobia and loving your neighbour
BEN GREIG* lives in regional NSW and has a fear of needles. He explains why overcoming his fear was important. I have a not-so-well-kept secret. I have a bit of a phobia of needles (trypanophobia). Even the mention of the things gives me an uncomfortable shiver down...
Covid, fate, fatalism, and confidence in Christ
Lewis Jones’s blogs about Covid’s impact on the way we think about the future, prompted KARINE WOLDHUIS* to reflect on her time in Ecuador, where discussions about plans often ended with “God willing”. Fatalistic or realistic? Read on One of the strange things I had...
The common good: How should we then live?
Our world is working out how to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. As we restrict our contact with one another, in order to stop the spread of the virus, what does it mean for Christians to seek the “common good” in our world? Our Committee Convener, John McClean,...
Wanted: Christian tree changers. Apply now
For some, there has been no impetus quite like a pandemic and sky-rocketing urban housing prices, to consider a tree change. In this blog AMY BUTLER* praises the merits, and ministry opportunities, of rural living. This Covid pandemic has made people consider a...