The Nelson Anglican Diocese has provided information to help clarify what can and cannot be done at each Alert Level. Attached are two documents:

• The Anglican Diocese of Nelson Alert Level Plan; and
• Pastoral Care Bubbles - Alert Level 3 Policy

If you have any questions about these policies, please contact either Nativity's Health & Safety Officer - Rachel Powell - or the Nelson Dioceses Health and Safety Coordinator on 021 722 013.

Dear Church Family

It has been an exciting week and, while changing to Alert Level 3 hasn't made a significant difference for many of us, it provides us with a glimmer of hope of being able to meet together in the not too distant future.

ALERT LEVELS
The Diocese has provided us with some clarity regarding what we can and can't do at each alert level through the diocesan 'Alert Level Plan' (see Diocesan Alert Level Update). There are some items that are yet to be confirmed and we will advise you once these have been clarified.

Associated with this plan is the 'Pastoral Care Bubbles' policy for Alert Level 3. Please note that if you wish to expand your 'bubble' with the church context, you must speak with Nativity's Pastoral Care Coordinator (Jane Sheat) or Parish Nurse (Raewyn Parkes) first as they are responsible for keeping a register of 'bubbles' and for ensuring that people within these bubbles are doing so safely.

FAMILY SERVICE THIS SUNDAY
This week, our Family Service team are looking at the story of Joshua from a uniquely Covid-19 angle. What to know more? Join us this Sunday from 8am to find out!
Visit www.nativity.org.nz/online-services

NATIVITY FOODBANK
The Nativity Foodbank supplies have been transferred to the Marlborough Foodbank at this time so that they can be utilised by those in need.

Our Nativity Foodbank will not be operating as it has in the past, therefore we would encourage you to donate directly to the Marlborough Foodbank at your local supermarket so that we can help make a difference for our community.

MISSIONS NEWS
We have an update on our mission partners now available on our website: https://www.nativity.org.nz/news-and-events/missions-update-april-2020

PRAYER CHAIN
Our prayer chain is still active. Please contact Raewyn Parkes or Jane Sheat if you have prayer needs, or leave a message on the church phone or via email and it will be passed on.

STAYING CONNECTED
Notices and pew sheets can all be accessed via our News and Events tab on our website www.nativity.org.nz. 
There are also many other resources for study or worship at home and some wonderful reflections from our parishioners under the COVID-19.

BUFFERING ISSUES
If you have been watching our sermons online and experience buffering issues, please advise me at [email protected]. We are experimenting with which file type provides the most seamless presentation online and your feedback is valuable in making our decision.

And don't forget that the Nativity Staff are available to answer your queries. You can contact us either via email or phone.
https://www.nativity.org.nz/contact-us.html

Blessings,

The Nativity Team

Note:  Surnames and exact countries are not named for security reasons.
 
Zane and Karen (South East Asia)
They are in partial lockdown, though can go bike riding.  The children are being schooled at home.  They ask prayer to be godly parents in this situation and for wisdom for Zane as he is now acting vicar of their church.  Updates from them are available through the Diocesan website, www.nelsonanglican.nz Bishop Steve's interview with Zane on around 25 April and through the NZ CMS website www.nzcms.org.nz
 
Nathan and Rosey (South Asia)
They came home on leave to Nelson before the lockdown.   The girls have settled back into their previous school.  You can watch a "garage conversation" interview with Nathan and the work of Loyal workshop.  Nathan is doing a marathon to raise money for this work via a Give a Little page.  The interview is on www.facebook.com/nelsonanglicans.
 
Chris and Catherine (Central Asia)
No fresh news from them, but remember the whole family also Sasha in NZ for varsity study. 
 
Wayne and Bronwyn:   Their city is still on high alert, but life has begun to go back to normal and they are allowed to go to the parks and sports grounds if they have a health certificate.  Wayne has been teaching on line for some time and Bronwyn will begin soon.  They have had some distance contact with international students.
 
Remember also other NZ CMS mission partners and their governments - most of whom are in lockdown in their countries. They are situated in Cambodia, Asia and South Asia, PNG, Central America and Jonathan and Tess and their large family in the Solomons.  Thankfully Covid 19 has not reached the Solomons.  Further information can be found on the NZ CMS website and the Anglican Missions website - www.angmissions.org.nz
 
Celtic circle of prayer
Circle .... Lord keep protection near.  And danger afar
Circle .... Lord keep joy within, Keep fear out
 
Finally NZ CMS have a wonderful initiative - a Thursday afternoon "Happy Hour". Their website explains: "In April 1799 a group gathered at their local - the Castle and Falcon Pub - to get into the gritty issues of mission in their current context... This was the forming of the Church Missionary Society."

In April 2020, we are gathering in our local “The NZCMS House of Zoom” to do the same: to tackle the mission issues in this current season. We'll be hearing from a panel of our current Mission Partners scattered around the globe on a different theme each week."

Dear Church Family

It has been an interesting week for us as we both farewell Richard Dyer as Priest-in-Charge and welcome our Regional Deans, Susan Howarth and Joe Keighley, as our new Priests-in-Charge.

We are also preparing for the different ways that church will 'look' at each of the different levels as we have increasing options available to us.

Therefore Sue Howarth's sermon this Sunday - 'Changing Lives in the Midst of Changing Life' - is even more poignant. Join us online from 8am to hear from both Sue and Joe, as well as seeing other familiar faces.
www.nativity.org.nz/online-worship

NELSON ANGLICAN NEWSLETTER
Issue 4 of the Nelson Anglican Newsletter can be found HERE. It has some very helpful information about what moving to Level 3 will mean for church, as well as thoughtful reflections from Bishop Steve and others.

AT HOME WITH BISHOP STEVE
Many of you will know Zane and Karen Elliott, who used to be members of our parish and are now serving in Indonesia. This week, Bishop Steve interviews Zane about what they have been up to. Check out the interview here:
https://nelsonanglicans.com/updatesblog/zaneinterview

ANZAC DAY
As we prepare to celebrate ANZAC day tomorrow, you might like to consider reading some of the reflections from our parishioners on this very topic. Special thanks again to our own Rose Francis for her beautiful tributes:
https://www.nativity.org.nz/daily-reflections

GOOD MENTAL HEALTH
Once more may we remind you that there are some wonderful resources available to you if you, or someone you know, is struggling during our time of lockdown. Being isolated is difficult for many of us. The Health Flyer located on our website is an excellent resource that provides simple and clear advice for all aspects of wellbeing.
https://www.nativity.org.nz/covid-19-resources/nelson-marlborough-health-flyer

NATIVITY PRAYER CHAIN
Our prayer chain is very much active during this time. If you have anything you would like prayer for, or if you would like to join with others in prayer, please contact either Jane or Raewyn.

And don't forget that the Nativity Staff are available to answer your queries. You can contact us either via email or phone.
https://www.nativity.org.nz/contact-us.html

Have a blessed weekend!

The Nativity Team