Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Services Updates (16 October 2020)

All Church services will continue onsite and online. We are under a Covid Safe Plan and are following strict government guidelines. Everyone who attends the services onsite must answer a mandatory questionnaire before attending the services.

SUNDAY SERVICES:
9am Celebration Service 1
11.15am Celebration Service 2
(Headset translations into Mandarin and Spanish are available for the 9am & 11.15am services)

5pm HMS Service
(Healing, Miracles, Signs & Wonders)

All services will continue to be live streamed on iccbrisbane.org/live.
Link for the online Spanish & Chinese translation: iccbrisbane.org/live2.
(Spanish – 9am; Chinese – 11.15am)

We also have a 9am Southside Extension Service in Runcorn Tavern

As there is a limit to the number of people who can gather for each service, we encourage you to register for the services via iccbrisbane.org/register.

Mask Strongly Encouraged
• On advice from our Health Advisory Committee, we still strongly encourage people to wear mask if possible.
We encourage people to bring their own masks.

To prevent the spread:

Stay home if you are sick
If you have any COVID-10 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested
Stay 1.5 metres away from other people – think two big steps
Wash your hands with soap and water, or hand sanitiser
Leave a location if it is crowded.

Qld Health has also identified the following categories of people as being in the “at risk” category for COVID 19:

are 70 years of age or over
have had an organ transplant and are on immune suppressive therapy
have had a bone marrow transplant in the last 24 months
are on immune suppressive therapy for graft versus host disease
have blood cancer eg leukaemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome (diagnosed within the last 5 years)
are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy

You are advised to follow your medical doctor’s advice in terms of public gatherings.

Released 13 August 2020 1:15pm

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” Heb 6:19

We need to continue to put our hope in God whatever circumstance we may face. In view of the current development with the COVID 19 situation in Brisbane, ICC has formed a Health Advisory Committee consisting of Dr Keith Towsey, Dr Jennifer Han and Dr Kevin Tam. We are also taking advice from Dr Majoree Sehu who is an expert on infectious disease.

It is the opinion of our Health Advisory Committee that we can now meet onsite. Thus, the leadership has decided to make the following adjustments to this weekend’s services.

Abide Youth Service on Saturday

Abide Youth Service will be back onsite.

Sunday School on 9am

Sunday school will be conducted onsite as well as online.

Weekend Services on Sunday

Sunday school will be conducted onsite as well as online.

09:00am Newmarket (onsite) as per normal with Spanish translation

Southside Extension Service (onsite)

11:15am Newmarket (Onsite) as per normal with Chinese translation

05:00pm HMS service onsite as per normal

All services will continue to be streamed online. RSVP is required for joining us onsite

Mask Strongly Encouraged

On advice from our Health Advisory Committee, we still strongly encourage people to wear a mask if possible.

Mandatory Questionnaire

QUESTIONAIRE: 16 August 2020

Please read through the questions:

Have you just returned from overseas or interstate i.e. Victoria, NSW or ACT in the last 14 days?
Have you or any of your close contacts (e.g. child, carer, family, household members) experienced any COVID-19 symptoms in the last 14 days? (Symptoms include: Fever >37.5 degrees or history of fever (chills, aches, night sweats), cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, funny or stuffy nose and/or loss of taste and/or smell)
Have you, your child or attending support person been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
Are you or any of your household members waiting for the COVID-19 testing results?
Have you, your child, or attending support person currently required to self-quarantine or self-isolate for any reason?

If you answer “Yes” of any of the questions, please do not come to the church service/youth meeting/connect group meetings.

NB: People who are suspected of having any other infectious condition (e.g. other respiratory viruses) who test negative for COVID-19 should be advised to stay at home until their symptoms are resolved or as otherwise clinically indicated.

Qld Health has also identified the following categories of people as being in the “at risk” category for COVID 19:

are 70 years of age or over
have had an organ transplant and are on immune suppressive therapy
have had a bone marrow transplant in the last 24 months
are on immune suppressive therapy for graft versus host disease
have blood cancer eg leukaemia, lymphoma or myelodysplastic syndrome (diagnosed within the last 5 years)
are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy

You are advised to follow your medical doctor’s advice in terms of public gatherings.

5pm 13/03/2020

This is a rapidly changing environment and the spread of COVID-19 (which has just been declared a pandemic by the WHO) requires us to address the issue clearly and wisely. As you know, the Prime Minister just announced new restrictions that are coming into effect next week. As we are under 500 people, and new gathering restrictions take place after Monday 16th March, we will be having service this Sunday as usual.

ICC has to be proactive in joining the community responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID19. This will involve us doing what is required by the Australian government and going further. WHY? Other organisations are being proactive in this critical period of containment, including sporting events, schools etc… We want to be a responsible organisation that looks after the welfare of all who come in contact with us (2 Cor. 6:3). Also, as a multicultural church we have members travelling overseas or in contact with.

We would like to highlight the following:

1. We are taking a more proactive and conservative approach and doing MORE than is required by the government. Accordingly our more Conservative Guidelines for attendance at ICC Services and Events (including Connect Groups that are running tonight and over the weekend)

Government Guidelines require that you self quarantine for 14 days if you:
* Have travelled to high risk countries;
* Have been in close contact with a proven case of COVID-19;
* Have been tested positive for COVID-19

Our more conservative guidelines are now to avoid ICC events and stay at home if you:
* Are feeling unwell or present any cold/flu symptoms (cough, runny nose, fever, headaches etc);
* If anyone in your home is unwell or has shown any symptoms; or
* If you have been (anywhere) overseas in the last two weeks.
THESE GUIDELINES ARE EFFECTIVE as of 13/03/2020 Immediately.

We understand that this may cause some disruption, but ask for extra understanding during this time as we have events that involve people’s homes, and have an audience of people who are in the high risk category.
As mentioned below (3pm update) we are endeavouring to restrict numbers in our services to under 250 people – this is an extra -precautionary measure.

2. Churchwide Update at Sunday Service 15th March

This Sunday we will be running services at 9am, 11:30am and 5pm (as well as a special by invitation only 7:45am for certain connect groups). We have extra services in order to restrict the number of people in any given service to under 200.

We will be taking time in our service to detail the many changes that are taking place to our regular programming and events. In addition, I will be addressing our Christian FAITH & VISION in times of uncertainty and fear. If you are able, please do take the time to come along to the service so that we can journey together.

If you are a leader or involved in any of our teams – please contact your ministry leader re: online training and video conferencing through Microsoft teams.

3pm 13/03/2020

Dear ICC Family,

After prayer this morning, I received a clear word to ‘make preparations’ re: the COVID19 situation. I want to encourage everyone that we need to be full of faith and we also want to be wise and prudent.

3 P’s we can apply now –

1) Let’s be PRACTICAL –

Continue handwashing with soap & water, don’t touch your face.
We will SUSPEND (STOP) all handshakes & hugging (kisses etc) in any gatherings, including connect groups. A simple elbow or foot shake will do, or “hi!” will suffice with a smile.

We encourage everyone to use online giving facilities. https://iccbrisbane.org/giving/

Tea & coffee will be served by our serving team.

There will not be any contact with shared spoons or urns. Servers will pour hot water & milk, we have individually-wrapped biscuits available etc.

Anyone (children, men & women) with ANY symptoms, please remain at home and watch the service online – iccbrisbane.org/live . If you are rostered on to serve or have any concerns – please contact and inform your team leader.

2) Let’s be PRAYERFUL & full of faith. Trust in the Lord who is our protector and shield. Declare Psalm 91 over the church & family. Let’s be bold to pray for people. God hasn’t given us a spirit of fear or timidity but of power, love, & a sound mind.

3) Let’s PROCLAIM the Good news of Jesus – this is a wonderful opportunity to tell people about the love and power of Jesus Christ. Let’s pray for friends, neighbours, and family members. Share the good news of salvation & peace in Christ – the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Christ who is the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us!

IMPORTANT

Given the latest developments and advice from the Australian Government that all non-essential gatherings over 500 people will be banned across the nation starting Monday (NOTE: schools, colleges & universities will continuing with classes as normal), we are implementing the following this weekend:

Firstly, it is important to understand that our largest Sunday service – the 9am service – averages from 450 to 500 adults & children. So, to ensure a smaller 9am service (with under 200 adults), these measures will take place on Sunday:

A) 11:30am the Latino fellowship group will have their own service downstairs (LG) . They will not be attending the 9am service.

B) We have arranged for certain connect groups to attend the 5pm service.

C) We have also asked certain select connect groups to attend a 7:45am acoustic style service this Sunday. This is only open to the connect groups who have been invited as there is limited space.

D) The 9am service will continue as planned, however, we have cancelled the parents brunch after the 9am service (contact Ps Alf for further updates).

AGAIN, we will be live streaming the 9am & 5pm services. (We note that there are already a number of people who have been live streaming into the services and have been blessed. Approximately 50 people were online last weekend).

Given the above measures, there will be no more than 200 adults in any service.

E) We will reinforce NO hand shaking (or greeting hugs or kisses etc), we will encourage handwashing with soap and the use of our high alcohol content automatic hand sanitizers. We will also disinfect any potential points of contact. Again anyone (man woman or child) presenting with any symptoms MUST stay at home.

D) We have implemented hygienic tea & coffee procedures – eg individually wrapped biscuits, pre-prepared tea & coffee.

F) The Abide Youth ‘ SHOOK’ night will continue as planned tonight (Friday 13/3). We will be enforcing hand washing with soap as well as the non-contact measures above. (Note: The youth group attendance will be under 100 people).

We are also making plans for next weekend and the weeks to come. We are aware that this situation may continue for weeks or even months. Accordingly, we are looking into de-centralised services and a greater use of online meetings (i.e the Cherish Women’s prayer meeting next Tuesday night will be a split meeting in several locations & linked up via video).

We will update the church more this Sunday. We thank you for your understanding given this unprecendented situation.

We will also be issuing the SOUTHSIDE SURVEY FOR EVERYONE IN ICC TO FILL OUT. Please fill this out ASAP.

Let’s not be alarmed but remain alert and full of FAITH.

Please forward the message to All your connect members.

Health Update 7/03/20

Health reminder –

If anyone (child or adult) are at all sick with a cough, cold, runny nose, fever (even mild symptoms) and just returned from overseas they, should not be coming to youth / church services. They should stay home if unwell. Also, home quarantine for people returning from China, Iran, South Korea, Italy.
Remember to practise washing your hands regularly with soap & water. We have installed automatic hand sanitisers.
Also do not feel you have to shake hands. We suggest an alternative elbow bump, the wuhan shake, or fist bump will do.
We will not be passing around the offering bag during the thanksgiving time. Instead, we encourage online giving and the use of new offering boxes situated at the door of the auditorium (should people want to give by cash or envelope for credit). Please feel free to get up during the song or after the service to place your offering in the box.
The services will all be streamed tomorrow – our special guest Ps Christopher Alam will be speaking in all services.

Helpful tip – you should wash your hands for as long as it takes to sing ‘happy birthday’ (song) twice.

02/03/2020

If you have recently returned from China or Iran you must quarantine yourself at home for at least 14 days even if you have no signs of sickness. It may be appropriate to consider self-isolation or practise social distancing upon return from higher risk regions.

Frequently Asked Questions Re: Corona Virus Click Here

How to self quarantine: Click Here

Other countries of concern – Surveillance should be maintained to facilitate COVID-19 testing in symptomatic returned travellers from South Korea, Iran, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

For more information from the Australian Health Protection Committee – Click Here

4. We encourage anyone at home to watch our live streaming services (Sundays 9am & 5pm) online at –Click Here .

5. We have now placed automatic instant hand sanitisers at the entrances to the building, auditorium, toilets & coffee pot areas.

6. REMINDER:

1. Any children or persons who are sick with flu-like symptoms (eg. cough, cold, runny nose etc.) or other conditions that may be contagious, we advise that you seek medical attention, avoid crowded places (including church), and rest at home.

2. Any child running a temperature or exhibiting flu-like symptoms (eg. cough, cold, runny nose etc.) at check-in will not be allowed into classes.

14/02/2020

At ICC, the safety and health of our members is a primary concern. We always pray that you will prosper in your spirit, soul and body, and encourage our members to maintain an attitude of faith and not of fear (2 Timothy 1:7 ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline’).

At the same time, we are putting in place measures and procedures that will help prevent spread of infection in accordance with guidelines from Queensland Health. (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/doh-media-releases/releases/queensland-coronavirus-update-290120)

In light of the latest developments, we are taking the following precautions.

If you were in, or transited through mainland China on or after the 1st of February, please follow these self-quarantine guidelines by Queensland Health – which means you should quarantine at home for 14 days before joining any public gatherings.
Hand sanitisers are available at building entrances. Regularly washing your hands with soap and water is good practice. Please teach your children to do the same. Queensland Health’s recommended hygiene practices can be found here, and more advice from the World Health Organization can be accessed here. Some basics include:
1. washing your hands often with soap and water;
2. using a tissue and cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze;
3. avoiding close contact with others, such as touching, handshakes, hugging etc.

Even as we exercise wisdom in keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe, we know that divine health and protection is from our Lord Jesus. Let’s continue to partake of the Holy Communion and proclaim His promise of protection in Psalm 91 over ourselves, our families and those affected by this. Let us also pray that the virus will be contained and conquered.

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling (Psalm 91:9–10)

If you know someone who is in quarantine, encourage them to watch our live streaming services (9am & 5pm) online at

(2 February)
We implemented sanitising and hygiene measures in our building, including the use of hand sanitizers on every floor (wash your hands often with soap and water). If you are displaying any symptoms (i.e. cough, cold, fever, breathing difficulties), please seek immediate medical attention and refrain from attending public gatherings (for further safety measures please read:

For those who choose to quarantine themselves, please join our live streaming services (9am & 5pm) online at

We have been praying earnestly for the protection and blessing of everyone in ICC and our city. We encourage you to pray for the recovery of those affected by this virus and also declare Psalm 91 over yourselves and family. Jesus declared that in the last days before His return there will be wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues in many lands and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven (Luke 21:10-11). So, we should not be alarmed or surprised, but we should be earnest and disciplined in our prayers (1 Peter 4:7-9). It is certainly an opportunity to show deep love for one another and share the good news of eternal life in Christ.

We realise that this is an evolving situation and we are constantly monitoring the updates from the government outlets and we will endeavour to update you if there are any recommendations that affect us as a church.

If you have concerns or would like to request for prayer, you can contact Ps Olivia or Ps Faith.