BUNDOORA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
COVID 19 FAQs
Updated 29 July 2022
Sunday Services
Before you come
What time are Sunday services?
Our Sunday Services are 9am, 11am and 5pm. Our services are also Livestreamed.
When should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before the service begins, to allow for a smooth flow of entry into the building.
When attending our Sunday Services, we ask that you visit our Welcome Desk located in the foyer to print off a nametag. Videos of what arriving at our building might look like are available on our Sunday Services page.
Do I need to bring anything?
You are welcome to bring a bible, pen, notebook for during the service.
What if I feel unwell on the day?
For further details see our FAQ Health Guidelines
During the service
How will we be seated?
Our services are held in our auditorium and for larger services we will have seating in our hall to allow people to spread out.
There will be a reserved area (left of the auditorium doors at the back) for those who are medically vulnerable [eg. the immunocompromised, heart/lung conditions, elderly]. We think this reserved area is the safest part of the auditorium, given the configuration of our air flow. This reserved section of the auditorium will also be an area for mask wearers only.
Do I need to wear a face mask?
As of 22nd July 2022, in line with the advice of the Federal and State Chief Health Officers we strongly encourage you to wear a mask when attending any indoor gathering at Bundoora Presbyterian, and especially when attending one of our Sunday Services.
Note: We have reserved seating along the left wall of the auditorium, for the medically vulnerable. Out of love and consideration for those seated here, we ask that face masks be worn when seated in this area.
Will there be Sunday School?
A Sunday School program (Kinder - Grade 6) runs during school term, and is available during our 9am & 11am Sunday Services.
Sunday School is held in our upstairs learning level and begins after the children's song.
What if my child doesn't feel comfortable attending Sunday School?
Children are welcome to stay in the service.
Will there be Sunday Youth?
Sunday Youth (Year 7 & 8) runs during school term. Please contact our youth pastor for further details youth@bpc.org.au
Will Creche be available?
Creche is available at the 9am & 11am service for 6 months of age to 2 year olds, and begins after the children's song.
Due to the changing availability of creche leaders, creche may not formally run on some weeks. During these weeks, parents are welcome to make use of the creche room area and a livestream feed of the service will be aired during the service time.
Where can I change or feed my baby?
A cry room is located left of the auditorium and has one-way glass windows, a change table and microwave/sink facilities. The disabled toilet also has changing facilities for babies.
After the service
Will refreshments be served?
Simple refreshments (eg. a biscuit and a cup of coffee/tea/water) will be available after the service.
As there will be limited morning tea during the morning services, we encourage parents to pack nut-free snacks for children to eat before or after Sunday School, if they require it.
Can my kids play in the indoor playground?
Where parents are available to supervise, the indoor playground slide and gym is available for use after the service finishes.
A Covid normal Bundy
What should I do if I test positive after attending a Sunday Service or Bundy gathering?
If you test positive to Coronavirus after attending a Sunday Service or gathering held at our church premises please contact 9017 9037 or email office@bpc.org.au. Please also follow the advice as listed on the Department of Health's website: What to do if you have COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria
Is there a COVIDSafe plan for Bundy?
Yes, our meetings at Bundoora Presbyterian Church are guided by our COVIDSafe Plan.
Do I need to show proof of vaccination?
From 16th December 2021 churches are no longer required to check vaccination status of attendees. All are welcome to attend.
How often does cleaning occur?
Cleaning occurs after each service, and any activity within the building.
How is the building ventilated?
Our main areas, the Auditorium, Foyer and Playground, have Air Change heat recovery units that brings in 100% fresh air. This is the best possible solutions as there is no recirculation of at all.
The remaining areas (generally ceiling mounted fully recirculating cassette units) have the mandatory outside (fresh) air requirements supplied by a fan and this additional air then leaks back to the common areas where it is either exhausted by the base building toilet exhaust system/s or leaks out through the building fabric.
The Board of Management intend to watch and follow the government’s current advice to school class rooms, and not use the recirculating units while they are occupied. We will turn them on to pre-heat or pre-cool the rooms before kids arrive and turn them off while the rooms are occupied. We will also regularly measure the CO2 levels in the rooms to ensure they are at acceptable levels during this time.
Can I go to church to drop off/pick up an item?
Our office hours are Wednesday and Friday, 9.30am-12pm, during school term. If you would like to access the building outside of these hours please contact the BPC office beforehand - email office@bpc.org.au or phone (03)9017 9037.
What about Playgroup, mainly music?
The leaders have been doing a great job in maintaining their ministries this year given constantly changing circumstances. Please contact these ministries for the most up-to-date information regarding their activities.
What about Kids Club?
Kids Club are back to meeting in person on Friday nights during school term, as regulations allow. These meetings follow our COVIDSafe requirements. For more details, contact our children’s ministry co-ordinator directly at kidsclub@bpc.org.au
What about Youth Group?
Youth Group is back to meeting in person on Friday nights during school term, as per regulations allow. These meetings follow our COVIDSafe requirements. For more details, contact our youth pastor directly at youth@bpc.org.au
Can I borrow from the church library?
When the easing of Covid-19 restrictions allows, the BPC library will be open for those who wish to borrow books or DVDs. Visit the Library page for further details.
Who can I contact if I have other questions?
Should you have any other questions please contact us by emailing office@bpc.org.au or phone 9017 9037. A pastor or one of our staff team will reply to you as soon as possible.
Health Guidelines
What to do if you are sick?
The government no longer requires a Conditions of Entry policy so we no longer require people to stay away from church (and ministry groups) if they display any covid, cold or flu-like symptoms. If you or your child are sick, we ask and hope that people will love their neighbour and stay home. However, if one has passed the infectious period of an illness, and for example has, a post-viral (or occasional) cough, or a child has a slight runny nose, we don't want you (or families) to stay away unnecessarily.
We ask that people make thoughtful and loving choices, as we seek to gather in person for the good of all.
What about other illnesses?
It is good to remember there are other infectious diseases and we do not want these to spread through church. We should follow the exclusion guidelines used by schools. For example, if your child has symptoms of gastro, you should exclude them from church until there has not been vomiting or a loose motion for 24 hours.
See the “Minimum period of exclusion from primary schools and children’s services for infectious diseases cases and contacts” at https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion/school-exclusion-table