Community Response and Resources
There are no formal mandates in place around COVID-19, but we are being asked to isolate for 5 days if we test positive for the virus. We are encouraging people to wear masks in confined spaces whenever case numbers rise again. This page continues to have useful resources for you and others if you are impacted by the virus.
Latest COVID-19 Advice
In short:
- If you test positive for COVID-19 it’s recommended you isolate for 5 days.
- Facemask reminder:
While in many areas it’s no longer mandatory to wear a face mask, their use is recommended in closed, crowded and confined spaces, especially on public transport. A face mask protects the person wearing it and any people around them who may be at higher risk, for example older people, people who are immunocompromised or people with disabilities.
- Be kind. Make a difference by checking-in on others, especially the elderly and vulnerable
- Look after anyone that needs help. .. and remember to look after yourself.
Prayer and Solitude Resources
A prayer on page 465 of A New Zealand Prayer books starts by saying: “God of peace let us your people know that at the heart of turbulence there is an inner calm which comes from you…”
Regular Patterns of Worship
Why not create a worship shape to your week – have a particular place and time and light a candle when you start. For example:
- Every day – a short time with a Bible reading and prayer for family and a reflection on the day. (Family Prayer from p 187 ANZPB is an option.)
- Join a Zoom hosted morning or evening prayer (see options for this on our On-line and Live Worship page)
- On Sunday – join online with some form of worship if you are unable to attend in person
- Once a week – a study style time when you “dig-in” and learn about something biblical or theological. Share your reflections with a couple of people by email or set up a Zoom meeting for this with others that you know (talk to the Diocesan Office if you need a hand)
- Don’t forget our Gospel Conversations and other video resources – great food for the mind and soul.
Some resources to feed your mind and Soul
- The Bible Project – a series on YouTube that will help you understand more about how the Bible has come together
- Pilgrim Course – a series of studies with supporting videos exploring faith from (Church of England)
- C.S. Lewis Doodles – a BBC series on YouTube that reads through works such as Mere Christianity, with accompanying graphics.
Shut in or need something to do?
- The San Diego Zoo has live webcams of many of their animals. A list along with links is here.
- 9 Virtual garden tours from the UK
- Best virtual tours in Ireland
- Paris museums have put over 100K images to view on line for unrestricted viewing
- National Geographic NZ give an oppourtunity to visit NZ from your own home….
- Another list of free online boredom busting resources from Chatterpack
- Virtual Tour of the Miracle Gardens in Dubai
- Don’t forget about our own local museums who have some fantastic on-line resources: Toitū Otago Settlers Museum; Otago Museum; Dunedin Public Art Gallery; Southland Museum and Art Gallery – He waka Tuia
Virtual Tours
-
Top 100 Virtual Tours Around The World
- 3d Tours: The Complete Guide for Your Virtual Travel Experiences
- Best 20 AR tours around the world
- 50 Best 360 Virtual Tours
For Younger Ones…
- Anglican Schools Office – A resource page filled with what our school chaplains are doing around the country
- Illustrated Ministry – link to receive free weekly resources (especially for those who need activities for children, devotions, meditative colouring pages and so on)
- See the STRANDZ website – (Strandz is the hub of Children + Families ministry in the Anglican Dioceses of New Zealand)
- family lectionary based resources: Year A ** – STRANDZ
- a general range of family resources: Families – STRANDZ
- Lent and Easter resources: Lent + Easter – STRANDZ
- Bible Explore – a fantastic new resource based on the lectionary.
- The Times Magazine for Kids has made their Digital Libary free
- The Scouts in NZ have a great on-line resource for activities children can do at home
Having to Self Isolate or feeling stressed?
- Resources for isolating at home: Kete Whanau – a great check list of things you need to prepare for and have at hand.
- Government advice for people who are needing to isolate at home, plus some advice on how to self isolate.
- Government have resources for supporting your mental health.
- Have a look at some tips from a Nun who has been doing this for the past 29 years…
- Real Time Resilience for dealing with COVID-19
- The Mental Health Foundation has some Top Tips for looking after your mental health and well-being.Another useful guide about improving mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic from the UK.
- The Recovery Village have resources for people struggling with mental health and addiction issues and The Palm Beach institute has some advice for anyone who may be struggling with addiction.
- Just A Thought provides some other great resources for mental health and well-being.
- Supporting Your Mental Health – a series of articles posted by the Diocese of Wellington
- Getting Through Together is another website with similar resources.
- We also have Dietary Advice for anyone who has to self isolate.
- Here are two affordable cookbooks that you might find helpful. Both of these have been released by the Heart Foundation
Are you supporting others?
Tear Fund have a useful resource that describes what can be going on during a pandemic or other natural disaster and is worth reading. It also had practical tips for taking care of your own well-being.
Check out these links:
Our Resources
- Dioecesan Prayer Diary – a guide for your prayer for others in our Diocese
- Bishop Kelvin Wright’s Available Light Blog for regular inspiration.
- Gospel Conversations – unpacking the Gospel reading for the following Sunday
- Diocesan Educator Michael Godfrey’s Sermon blog and broken moments blog for further inspiration.
- Prayer and Worship Resources from the Cathedral Church of St Paul the Apostle, Dunedin
- Revisit our 150 year videos – some great music and a virtual tour of our churches and organisations
- Child Youth and Family Resources for younger ones
- A New Zealand Prayer Book – He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa online and here is a link to a daily prayer resource to help with using this.
- Te Reo Resources – brush up your Karakia and your participation in the Eucahrist in Te Reo Maori.
Other Devotional Resources
- GIA Spotify Playlists – GIA Publications (a Christian music publisher in USA) have started some playlists of music for those who are unable to attend services during this time and also have resources via their Facebook page.
- Pray as you go – daily prayer that can be downloaded onto your portable device
- Sacred Space – a resource for on-line daily prayer with apps available for your portable device
- Reimagining the Examin – a resource for prayer at the end of the day.
- There are some religious channels on TV (we make no recommendations about these, but see if there is one you appreciate): Try Freeview channels 25, 26, 27 or Sky 201, 202, 203
- Bible Gateway – searchable on-line versions of the scriptures in 150 versions and 50 languages.