e-Letter
April 30, 2020
Dear West View family
President Ramaphosa’s announcement last Thursday gave us a clearer picture of what the remainder of 2020 will look like for us as a congregation. The document accompanying the President’s speech specified that restrictions on religious gatherings will remain in place across all five levels of alert. On the premise that it is wise for us to ‘hope for the best, but plan for the worst’, we are therefore planning to gather online for worship for the remainder of 2020. Plans are in place for our pastoral and office staff to work from home for the remainder of the year, and opportunities for online fellowship, discipleship, pastoral care and mission outreach continue to be developed for adults, youth and children.
There is a danger that with physical distancing and online church, I and the rest of the staff and leadership team can lose touch with the needs and experiences of you, the congregation. So please increase your level of communication with us during this lockdown. Let us know if you are encountering any problems, and whether our new expressions of church life are or aren’t enabling the life change that God has raised up West View to facilitate.
FOOD PACKS
Food insecurity is a crisis for many people. Our packed meals feed a family of four at a cost of less than R15. We have received government permission for these packs, and the highest standards of infection control will be practiced. Children welcome to participate. If you can help, please email lael@westview.org.za to book your place and for authorisation paperwork. We regret nobody over 65 or with medical conditions which make you high risk for COVID-19 can participate in the packs.
GROCERY ASSISTANCE FOR WEST VIEW MEMBERS
If you are aware of a congregation member needing assistance, or if you need assistance with groceries, please contact lael@westview.org.za / 082 560 5203.
GOING INTO HOSPITAL?
Whilst we can’t visit you in hospital, we’d love to pray for and support you. Please tell us if you or another member is going into hospital. Contact lael@westview.org.za / 082 560 5203.
ZOOM BIBLE STUDIES AND PRAYER MEETINGS
I so enjoyed connecting with you through last week’s meetings. The Zoom Bible Studies (Tuesday @ 19h30, repeated Wednesday @ 10h00) and Prayer Meeting (Thursday @ 10h00) will continue until the end of our Be Free preaching series. It would be great to have some from our community who live overseas or in other parts of South Africa join us. The Zoom invitation will be posted on the WhatsApp channel.
LIMITED DATA?
For those with limited data, our worship services are available on our website as audio files of less than 20MB. https://www.westview.org.za/latest-sermons/
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY 3rd MAY
We’re thrilled to have Rev Wendy Walker as our guest preacher this Sunday. We will be using a finger labyrinth as we respond to God’s word. Labyrinths have been used for prayer and meditation for thousands of years. With a finger labyrinth we use our non-dominant hand and trace the path to the centre. Then remain there in prayer as long as you like before tracing the path out again. Please print off a copy of this labyrinth for each member of your family who will be joining in worship https://www.westview.org.za/news/worship-response-sunday-3-may-20/
PREPARATION FOR MOTHER’S DAY WORSHIP ON 10th MAY
For Mother’s Day worship, please send a photo of yourself with your mum to the Whatsapp Channel. We’ll prepare a collage of all photos received for inclusion in our Mother’s Day service. Please note that you don’t need to be a member of West View to participate. We have people worshipping with us from all around the world, and we consider you to be part of our family.
WEST VIEW WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Our WhatsApp channel is now the most effective way of sharing information and devotions with you. For instructions on how to sign up for news and/or devotions, click here https://www.westview.org.za/news/whatsapp-news-and-daily-devotions/
Grace and Peace
Ian