e-Letter
June 1, 2020
Dear West View Family
THE BUILDING IS CLOSED, BUT THE CHURCH IS OPEN
On Saturday morning the West View Exec met to discern the way forward for Sunday worship following President Ramaphosa’s announcement that churches may meet for worship with a maximum congregation of 50 people from 1st June. Whilst acknowledging the hunger that we all feel to be together as a community, we have agreed that now is not the time to re-convene for on-site worship. Infections are predicted to peak in late Winter, and the most faithful thing that we can do as a community right now is to play our part in slowing the spread and flattening the curve. We also wish to act in solidarity with the thousands of people who have, at great personal cost, played their part in flattening the curve through this time of lockdown. Opening up church services before the peak could undo the benefits that have resulted from their sacrifice, and would not be the loving and therefore the Christlike thing to do. We also considered the reality that meeting for worship with no physical contact, no singing, and having to exclude people on the basis of numbers or comorbidities would be a poor second best to the online worship services that we currently share in. The Exec will review this decision monthly, and we’ll keep you informed as things develop. I wish to emphasise that this decision is not about whether to re-open West View, because West View never closed! The church is not a building – the church is people. We have continued to be church through the lockdown as we have fed the hungry, cared for the sick, worshipped, prayed and studied scripture online, and cared for each other through many creative ways of contacting each other. Let us all continue to play our part in being the Body of Christ in ways that bring life change and hope to others.
PASTORAL COUNSELLING WITH SIPHIWE OR IAN
The shift to Level 3 lockdown means that pastoral counselling appointments with Siphiwe or myself are now possible. To book an appointment, please contact Lael (082 560 5203) or Lael@westview.org.za
WEST VIEW WEBINARS
We’re thrilled to announce the start of our West View Webinars every Monday of June, 18h30 – 20h00. We kick off this Monday 1st June with a webinar on Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing during COVID-19. Guest speakers are Clinical Psychologist Johan Greeff and Khuluma Family Counselling Director Heidi Coetzee. The link to the webinar is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2301494544 (Meeting ID: 230 149 4544). Please circulate the link to whoever you think would benefit from participating.
DITSHEGO APPEAL
The community of Mooiplaas (Spruit) continues to bear the brunt both of Winter and of the loss of income resulting from the pandemic. There are several ways in which you can show God’s love to this community: Donation of Winter blankets and clothes (beanies, jerseys etc) Sewing of masks. These can be delivered to our box at Sutherland Spar, or to the home of Jeanette Burger. Food Pack: Our packed meals remain the most cost-effective way of providing nutritious meals to the destitute. We need 6 volunteers for a Food Pack at Ditshego this Thursday 4th June 9h00 – 12h00. Children welcome. For details and to book your place, contact lael@westview.org.za If you would like to donate towards the cost of the ingredients (soya, rice, dried veg and vitamin powder), you can do so using Ditshego’s own Zapper Code.
Thank you to those who helped pack last Tuesday and Thursday. The packs were completed in record time, and a fun time was had by all.
SOCIETY STEWARDS CONTACT DETAILS
Your Society Stewards are here to serve and assist you. Please feel free to contact them with any assistance or feedback:
Bryan Frank -082 552 2237
Mphiks Simelane – 082 856 9515
Shaun Smith – 084 250 1307
Greta Mouton – 083 279 8268
Sue De Jager – 083 501 4624
Lindsey Burns – 062 259 9186
Aliza Graham – 082 779 8908
Dan Motau – 082 777 4186
Melissa Ramsay – 079 491 7810
Nico Janse van Rensburg – 076 557 7362
CONDOLENCES
We offer our condolences to Moira Rolfe on the death of her father James (Roy) Rock-Perring.
| Grace and Peace Ian Senior Minister |