As elders of Redeemer, we are aware that the world has entered into a very volatile situation as a result of the rapid increase of cases of Covid-19. We also acknowledge that those within the church will be experiencing a range of emotions about the current situation. Consequently, we wanted to put out a short statement about how we should respond to this outbreak.

Very practically, we want to follow the advice of the experts, both as individuals and as a church. Currently, as individuals that means self-isolating for 7 days if you have either a high temperature or a new continuous cough. The importance of washing your hands with soap and hot water several times a day must be stressed, as well as avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

If you have any particular concerns or anxieties, please do contact the church elders. Please also do this if you are having to self-isolate so that we can seek to offer appropriate pastoral care (even if from a distance). Please email info@redeemercls.com or call Ali on 07426168392.

As a church, we will continue to meet as usual, unless there is official advice not to. However, we will also be taking measures to help delay the spread of the virus as follows:

• In greeting people on a Sunday morning, we are discouraging hugs and handshakes
• When sharing communion, the juice will continue to be drunk from individual cups and the bread will now be pre-cut to minimise handling by multiple people
• We will seek to have hand gel available at the tea and coffee table (supplies permitting)

More generally, we must ask the question: What should our response as Christians be?

The two key things to emphasise are the sovereignty of God and the compassion of God.

We believe as Christians God is sovereign. That means He is in control even when we feel like no one on earth is. It means we can trust Him. It means we do not need to panic. Our responsibility as His people, rather than to panic is to pray. Pray for our nation. Pray for the government and key-decision makers. Pray for those suffering now and in the days to come. Most of all, pray that the light of God’s kingdom would shine ever brighter in this present darkness. Take a moment to read and meditate on Philippians 4:6-7.

We also believe that God is compassionate. He cares about what is going on right now and He loves us sacrificially. As his people, we are called to reflect His compassion to the world around us. Rather than panic buying and looking out for ourselves, let’s do the Christlike thing of loving our neighbour. Let’s use this opportunity to display the truth of the gospel.