27 Mar 2020

Dear Frankelites,

Further to our Pastoral Note on 25 Mar 2020, please note the following update following a dialogue session Elder Jim attended between Singapore church leaders and Minister Grace Fu, MCCY and MOH on 26 Mar 2020:

We have decided to also suspend all physical cell group gatherings .

Although cell groups within 10 are technically allowed, our sense is that it fulfils the ‘letter’ but not ‘spirit’ of the measure. Minister Grace Fu strongly urged church leaders to fully cooperate by encouraging our members not to gather physically in cells but to stay home, thereby significantly reducing the risks of further spread. These multiple “mini-lockdowns” (not just churches but in other centres) are to avoid a “full lockdown” which will have major ramifications/impact on the whole of Singapore.

Our decision:

1. No cell groups are to physically gather (even within limit of 10).

2. We will all participate in the worship service online on Sundays, as individuals or families.

3. We will all continue to gather as cells via teleconferencing platforms like ZOOM.

4. This applies to ALL cells and ministries – including those groups already smaller than 10 and all Youth Service groups. Also, no 1-on-1 face to face physical meetings and no informal cell group socials too.

These measures are necessary in the light of the critical time in the spread now and the facts about the nature of the virus. For example, the virus stays active 2-3 days outside the body on surfaces if not disinfected. Also the risk increases exponentially for those aged 60 and above.

In response:

● Let us fully cooperate and support the government & healthcare workers’ efforts.

● Let us worship & encourage each other from our homes through whatever way we can: phone calls (to seniors), text messages , meet via ZOOM , worship together online as a family (including your Christian domestic helper).

● Let us step up prayers to our great and faithful God to be merciful and heal our land as we come in humble repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Shalom!

Elder Alex
Chairman, BFEC

QUESTION 1: What if I or my family members are issued a Stay Home Notice (SHN), Quarantine Order (QO) or Leave of Absence (LOA)?

Being away from church but still connected

If you have directly received a QO or SHN from MOH ( MOH | News Highlights) OR if you fall under the LOA category of MOE pertaining to returning staff and students, (Press Releases), you must adhere to the relevant measures stipulated.

If you are a family member (not issued with any of these), you are not required to practice LOA. However, you may choose to do so as an additional precaution.

If you were not issued any SHN from the authorities but have recently returned from any country, we ask that you consider a 14-day self-imposed LOA.

When you are not attending church services, we encourage you to join us via live stream: bfec.org.sg/sermons

Who to inform first?

Fang Fang: fangfang.tan@bfec.org.sg / 6449 7047

Shirley: Shirleysoo@bfec.org.sg / 6449 7215

If you have received QO, LOA or SHN from MOH/MOE, please inform your church leaders via sister Tan Fang Fang or Shirley Soo.

Please do this FIRST before even informing any other church or cell member. We understand it can be a confusing experience for you or your family. We will help you navigate by extending guidance and prayer, so as to provide pastoral care and reduce undue alarm in others.

Visit this link for more info: Things to know if you’ve been issued a Stay-Home Notice https://www.moh.gov.sg/covid-19/faqs

QUESTION 2: Given the call to practice social distancing (as a means to lower risk of transmission within our community), should cell groups continue to meet?

As long as we are not in Dorscon Red, there is no need for non-seniors to avoid meeting in small groups physically. While we have been clearly instructed to practice social distancing, we as a church must not forget our privilege to cultivate spiritual proximity. We must draw near to our Lord and stay abiding in Him. We are also to obey the scriptural injunction not to forsake regular fellowship.

At the present time, we urge cell groups, as far as practicable, not to stop gathering physically so long as adequate measures are put in place (e.g. sit apart, don’t extend meeting time, practice personal hygiene, etc).

Seniors, those unwell, or those on SHN, LOA, QO are encouraged, wherever possible, to be connected virtually to the group or each other (via Zoom, Google meet, Skype).

Cell leaders – Please consult your shepherd if you or your group has any query or concern.

QUESTION 3: With the current and anticipated spike in COVID-19 infection, will our church be making any revisions to the way we gather for worship services?

Government advisory to churches

In a recent meeting with church leaders, the Coordinating Minister advised against the blanket suspension of worship services. Only churches with contact with those infected need to suspend for disinfection. He added that it would serve little purpose in stopping the spread when the rest of society was still open. The main means of transmission is close contact with an infected person (through droplets picked up or via touching of surfaces).

MOH emphasizes the maintaining of safe distances and the limit of 250 per gathering in any social gathering (be it in church, at cell, when speaking with another in person).

Except for families, there must be a space of at least 1m between worshippers. We are also encouraged to reduce singing time (to reduce spreading of droplets) in favour of more public reading of the word.

In view of the above, and despite how other denominations/congregations may presently decide, we will prayerfully continue to participate in worship services in church each week for our usual services.

Option to meet as a cell on Sunday

From Sunday 29 March, while church services will continue, we will offer cells the opportunity to plan to gather in homes and join the church via live stream on Sunday.

Cells on steward-duty will still need to serve at the church service. Other cells that choose this option may choose to do this on every Sunday, on alternate weeks or on certain weeks each month.

To illustrate: If your cell wishes to meet this way, they can join in at 8am or 10am on Sunday, followed by a time of Bible Study discussion. So during this time, if your cell currently meets on a weeknight, you can opt to meet once like this on Sundays instead. Please discuss this with your cell leader. This is a suggestion and not mandatory.

If your cell chooses to gather this way, you will need to arrange for Lord’s Supper implements on your own (bread, juice, cups). For Offering, we encourage those meeting this way to give to the Lord regularly via cheque or the digital means (digital banking or paynow). Details to be provided.

If you would like to take the opportunity to be a part of a cell group now, please contact Shirley Soo (shirleysoo@bfec.org.sg) who will link you up with one of the cells that choose to meet this way.

Note: The Chinese Ministry service and Youth service will continue to gather as they do presently, with various internal safeguards already in place.

QUESTION 4: How about my children in KSS/JSS?

KSS/JSS will continue to meet in classes as they have been doing so. If your cell opts to worship at one of your member’s homes, you need to arrange within your cell for a time of devotion for the children present. To assist you, KSS and JSS will arrange for resources to be made available for your use. Please understand that this will take some time to arrange.

QUESTION 5: What if the situation comes when our church is told not to meet as a big group?

We pray that day does not come as it means we have had encountered an infection. In the event that the need does arise, we will live stream services during those Sundays. Further announcements will be given at such a time.

Church, let us continue to trust our Lord, do our part to practice good hygiene and social distancing while bearing in mind the privilege and need for spiritual proximity.

From the BFEC Church Council

ALL services and ministries:

Be seated more spaced/spread out. Maximum 2 or 3 people in a pew/row.

Stick to attending either 8am or 10am service (to reduce spread and limit contact tracing in view of community spread and anticipated spike).

We will endeavour to end the 8am, 10am and Chinese Ministry Services 20-30mins earlier so as to ensure reduced possibility of the intermingling of members between services.

Breakfast (after 8 am Service) and CafeLEAF (after 10 am Service) will be suspended from 22 March.

KSS & JSS ministries to follow the reduced service timing in tandem.

Members are requested to provide your updated address/mobile/home telephone contacts.

Regular non-members to do so as well if you have yet to submit your particulars.

You can do so at the church office after Sun Service or email details to bfec@bfec.org.sg

Visitors: Please furnish your particulars before entering the Sanctuary. Fill up the hardcopy form outside the Annex or online form bfec.sg/trace

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

1. Mask-Up
   Should you start to cough or sneeze during service, please use a mask.
2. Lord’s Supper & Offering
   Use hand sanitizer before Lord’s Supper and after Offering

AT ALL TIMES

1. PRAY
   Let us continue to look to the Lord in daily prayer at 2020hr (8.20pm).
2. LOVE
   Let us also show love and care to others.

PASTORAL NOTE ON COVID-19 FROM THE ELDERS
长老给教会关于 COVID-19 冠状病毒疫情牧会笔记

14 Feb 2020

A. Prayerful Mandate — Daily F.I.R.E prayer at 2020hrs every night from Sun 16 Feb
祷告委托 – 每天在2020时（晚上8点20分）进行 *F.I.R.E，同心祷告

Let us make time to spend precious daily time with our Lord to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). He is truly our refuge and strength! It is He whom we ultimate trust (Prov 3:5,6). Let us also together pause to pray, wherever we might be, every night at 8.20pm – alone, in 2’s or 3’s, or with your family. Whatever the duration, what counts is we pray as ONE Body of Christ for the following:-
让我们每天拨出宝贵时间在主面前“安静，因为知道祂是主”（诗篇46：10）。祂确实是我们的避难所和力量！仅有祂才是我们最终要信靠的（箴言3：5-6）。让我们也停下脚步，无论在什么地方，每天晚上8点20分 – 独自或两、三人、或与你的家人，同心来祷告。无论时间长短，最主要的是，我们以一个基督的肢体为以下的事项，同心祷告：-

• Forgiveness for not always trusting Him as we should and any selfishness displayed.
  求主赦免 – 为我们没有时常信靠祂，也为我们所有的自私表现。
• Thanksgiving for responsive authorities, committed healthcare workers, healing of those ill.
  感谢神给我们办事效力高的领导、忠心尽责的医疗工作者、以及病患者们的医治。
• Many to know Jesus Christ through us. He offers what death cannot touch and ultimate deliverance.
  求：我们可以带领许多人认识耶稣基督。祂提供的是死亡不可触犯的以及最终的拯救。
• Swift turnaround of this situation.
  求：快速扭转这样的局势。
• Continued protection for all especially those at higher-risk e.g. healthcare, transportation.
  求：继续的保守那些特别曝露在高风险的医疗人员、交通员工。
• Healing for those still unwell and breakthrough in medical research.
  求：医治那些还没有痊愈的，医药研究有突破
• Peace for all affected: churches, commercial institutions, those under LOA or quarantined.
  求：凡被影响的：教会、商业机构、在缺席假中或在隔离中的人。
• Ourselves and one another to stay abiding in Christ and to seize opportunities to do good.
  为我们彼此常在基督里，和抓住机会为主行善。

(F.I.R.E., started in 2010, means “Frankelites Intercessors Ready Everywhere & Everytime.”)
(*F.I.R.E 设于2010年，呼召全教会集体祷告的群组。来自“Frankelite Intercessors Ready Everywhere & Everytime“ –”福兰克主内家人 随时随地 预备代祷“ 的首字母缩略词）

Look out for our daily prayer post every evening (from 16 Feb) on our Bethesda Frankel Estate Church Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bfecsg/) and on Telegram (https://bfec.sg/fire)

B. PERSONAL (& CORPORATE) MEASURES
个人 (和集体)措施

As Christ followers, we must not succumb to fear, panic or prejudice, or take offence when others do. Let us continue to assemble at Sunday services and in our cells (Heb 10:24,25). May we extend grace and love to one another to exercise these measures diligently even as we trust God.
身为基督的跟随者，我们不要屈服于惧怕、恐慌、或偏见，或当别人以偏见对待我们时感到冒犯。让我们继续在星期天和我们的小组里集合。（希伯来书10:24-25）。当我们竭力实行卫生部所推荐的一些防疫措施时，让我们不忘以恩典和慈爱彼此侍奉。

1) Be socially responsible
负起社会责任 

a) While the absence of fever is no guarantee one is not infected, it is right that you stay
home and rest if you do have fever (>37.5C) or are showing infection symptoms such as cough or runny nose. If you have not checked your temperature at home, we ask that you do so as you arrive in church outside the Annexe to help you maintain this social responsibility. If you are running a fever, we ask that you go home to rest. (For your information, we had already started temperature screening at KSS and JSS last week.)
虽然无发烧但并不保证无感染，如果您有发烧（>37.5C）或出现感染症状比如，咳嗽或流鼻水，请留在家中休息。请在家量好体温才出门，或我们需要您到教堂的特别设立的柜台去（有指示标）协助您负起这项社会责任。如果您有发烧症状，我们要求您回家休息。(我们在幼儿和儿童主日学上主日已经开始给学生量体温了)

b) If you develop cough or a runny nose, please do not be offended if we ask that you put on a surgical mask.
如果您有咳嗽或流鼻水的症状，请不介意让我们给您提供口罩使用。

c) If you or your loved ones are sick, promptly seek medical treatment.
如果您或您的家人生病了，请即刻就医。

d) Anyone entering the premises on weekdays during the operating hours of Bethesda Katong Kindergarten are to undergo temperature screening at the church office, as per ECDA guidelines.
根据 ECDA(新加坡幼儿培育属)的严格方案，任何人在平日，幼稚园正在进行的 时间内进来，请到教会办公室测量体温。

e) Church members who have spare surgical masks or can lend us extra scanning thermometers, kindly contact the church office (Tel: 6448 1800) or leave us a message on the BFEC Response Form What’s App/Telegram Mobile: 9670 1800.
会员若有多余的医疗口罩或可以借给我们使用的扫描温度计，请联络教会 (Tel: 6448 1800)或留言在 What’s App/Telegram Mobile: 9670 1800.

2) Maintaining good personal & corporate hygiene
保持良好个人和集体的卫生

a) As you enter the church grounds, please wash your hands or use the sanitizers before entering the premises. The duty stewards will offer you a hand sanitizer to help you do that. These are also located at the entrances of the Sanctuary, Annexe and Chapel. All our washing sinks are fitted with soap dispensers.
当您进入教会场地，请务必洗手或使用消毒洗手液 才进入各个聚会堂。教会已预 备一些消毒洗手液在大礼堂、副堂和华语聚会堂。所有的洗手盆旁都装上肥皂器， 方便您使用。

b) As announced, we will refrain from shaking hands during this period. May we extend grace to one another.
在福兰克福音堂里，大家也在这期间避免握手。愿大家彼此恩待。

c) Our premises are cleaned each week. Premises used by Bethesda Katong Kindergarten are regularly disinfected as per guidelines by ECDA.
我们的场地每周都有做清洗工作。幼稚园的场地也根据 ECDA 的严格方案标准，固 定进行消毒的工作。

C. PASTORALMINISTRY
牧会关怀事工

Should any of you (or your family member) be diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, please let your cell leaders and our leadership know. You may contact CPM chairperson, Letchumanan at the church office, Tel: 6449 1418 OR via the BFEC Response Form What’s App/Telegram Mobile: 9670 1800. We will mobilize prayer and offer any other suitable pastoral support.
如果有任何人(或我们的家人)被证实感染了 COVID-19 病毒时，请通知你所属的小组 长和我们教会的领袖。也可以联络集体祷告会的主席 Letchumanan 弟兄(教会直线 6449 1418)或简讯给 BFEC 教会回应 whatsapp 9670 1800。我们会动员祷告以及施与其 它适当的帮助。

“…Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld…” – 2 Chronicles 20:20
“…信耶和华你们的神，就必立稳;信他的先知，就必亨通。” — 历代志下 20:20