HEALTH ADVISORY REGARDING THE 2019 NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (2019-nCoV)

Dear COS members,

In view that the DORSCON alert has been raised to Orange, with immediate effect our church is implementing the following precautionary measures to safeguard the health and safety of all our members, visitors as well as students of Tung Ling Kindergarten:

1. Temperature Screening of all members and visitors coming to the church premises

2. Hand sanitizers are provided at all common areas

3. Enhanced sanitization and cleaning of the church premises

4. In line with MOH’s advisory for large scale events, we ask that the following person(s) refrain from coming to the church or participating in any church activities (including LG meetings, bible study class, and prayer meetings)
a. Returned from China in the last 14 days
b. Been placed on Leave of Absence or Home Quarantine Order
c. Been in contact with an infected patient d. Been feeling unwell (fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath)

5. Church leadership has decided that as our church operates a kindergarten, it is best to suspend China Ministry services for the time being. China Ministry-related activities such as Life Groups are also suspended until further notice.

However, our church will continue to provide pastoral care to them via telephone calls, wechat and email.

As a church, let us do our part by adhering to the precautionary measures. For those of us who are well, we urge you to continue attending Services and participate in church activities. Rest assured that church is constantly monitoring the situation and reviewing the policy and precautionary measures and will keep members regularly updated. Feel free to approach any Elder or your Service SIC or any church staff should you have any question or need clarification.

Let us take up our responsibility as Christians to intercede for this situation by praying for China, our nation and leaders, and all affected families. By faith we proclaim God’s promise of protection in Psalm 91. “If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.” Psalm 91:9–10

COS Elder Board
09.02.2020

Dear COS members,

Following PM Lee’s speech on 12 Mar 2020 and the ministerial press releases over this week, the church leadership is reviewing the precautionary measures that have been put in place to safeguard the health and safety of all our members, visitors and students of Tung Ling Kindergarten.

The latest additional measures announced on 13 Mar 2020 included the reduction of religious services to below 250 participants where possible. According to Minister Lawrence Wong, this is to reduce density and crowdedness. The Government had used 250 as a guide to let event organisers know roughly where to benchmark the size of their events. He assured the Public that this is an advisory and they are allowing us to take some time to adjust to this.

Many of our members have asked about how the Church is going to meet this. The Elder Board would like to assure you that we are studying ways to meet this guideline and how we can take steps towards moving in this direction – reducing crowd sizes, having more separation when people sit together.

All of these are precautions that will be useful and necessary to ensure member’s safety is not compromised as we come to Church for Service and other activities. In the meantime, continue to practice social responsibility – monitor your own health condition and avoid attending gatherings and events if unwell. We will update you of the plans once they are ready.

Please feel free to approach any of our Elders, Deacons, Service-in-charge or Ministry Heads should you require any pastoral care or have any questions. In this situation, let us continue to fix our eyes on Jesus, who is our rock of Salvation. Let us take up our responsibility as Christians to intercede and pray without ceasing. Let us continue to press in and do all things according to His will and for His glory!

Together, we 加油！

COS Elder Board
14 Mar 2020

Dear COS family,

With effect from tomorrow 22 March 2020, to safeguard the health and safety of our members, visitors and TLK students, the church has set an internal guideline advising all who are above the age of 70 years and those who have travelled overseas or have household members who have travelled overseas in the last 14 days to stay home and have personal devotion with the Lord. The following precautionary measures have also been put in place:

1) Alternate row seating and maintaining safe distance between families

2) Overflow rooms for English, Bilingual and Hokkien services to limit the number of congregants in each hall to not more than 250

3) Shortened service times Please avoid congregating before and after the Service and leave the church premises as soon as possible. If you are staying home, rest assured that we are setting up alternate means for you to participate in Worship Service. Further announcements will be made in the coming days. In the meantime, let us continue to pray and rest in the knowledge that God is and will always be sovereign in all things.

Together, 我们一起加油！ (Fighting!)

COS Elder Board
21 Mar 2020

Dear members,

You may have already heard from news outlets that the church was visited by a COVID-19 patient on 16 Jan between 4.40pm and 6.40pm. We confirm that the COVID-19 patient is a member of our church who attended our Saturday Bilingual Service at the said date and time. At the time of the Worship Service, the member was asymptomatic and did not have any fever. This member only experienced flu-like symptoms on 18 Jan and tested positive upon a visit to the doctor.

The church has been contacted by MOH, and those who were in close contact with the affected member have been placed on Quarantine Order (QO) or Stay Home Notice (SHN). In line with MOH’s directives, we ask all members who attended Saturday Bilingual Service on 16 Jan to monitor your health over the next 14 days. Please be assured that we adhere to a strict hygiene standard and the church premises are thoroughly cleaned and wiped down after each use.

Following MOH’s advise, the church will also be temporarily suspending all on-site Worship Services and church activities until 14 Feb. Please continue to participate in our Worship Services and church activities online. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and give further notice closer to 14 Feb.

We are in touch with the affected member who is recovering well and all immediate family members have tested negative for COVID-19 thus far. Do join us in praying for this member’s recovery and be reminded that in all things, God is sovereign.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the elders of the church. God Bless!

Church Management Board
20 Jan 2021

Dear members,

Further to the advisory sent on 20 Jan, it has been confirmed that the spouse of the affected member tested positive for COVID-19. The spouse was also present during the 16 Jan Saturday Bilingual Service.

This couple has a teen who has tested negative for COVID-19 and is currently under Quarantine Order (QO). This teen attended our 11:15am Teens for Christ Service on 17 Jan. (The affected couple did not attend any Worship Service in church on 17 Jan.) Our pastoral teams are currently getting in touch with the other attendees of the TC service to provide care and assistance in this matter.

We are happy to report that the affected member is recovering well and has been moved to a community hospital for recuperation. The spouse is currently warded at NCID but continues to be asymptomatic. Please uphold this family in prayer as they go through this difficult time.

By today, all fulltime staff and attendees of 2, 9 and 16 Jan Sat Bilingual Service will have taken their swab and serological tests. So far, the first batch of results for our fulltime staff, attendees of the 16 Jan Sat Bilingual Service and those on Quarantine Order have emerged negative. Professional disinfection and sanitisation have also been carried out at our church premises yesterday.

Please join us in praying for the situation as our leaders and staff continue to manage this incident and provide pastoral care to affected members. Do also continue to participate in our weekly Worship Services online this Sunday, as well as our Combined Church Prayer Meeting this Saturday. More information on how to access our online Worship Services and Combined Church Prayer Meeting will be sent shortly.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and give further updates when the situation warrants it. Please contact any Elder of our church should you have any queries.

May the peace of God be upon us all. God Bless!

Church Management Board
22.01.2021

Dear members,

In response to the government measures introduced on 4 May 2021, COS will adopt the following:

1. Worship Services
All Worship Services will be fully livestreamed (no physical congregation) wef 7 May 2021. Links to our online Worship Services will continue to be sent via e-bulletin/whatsapp and uploaded on our website every Sat.
This includes Sunday School which will be held online only.

2. LG meetings
All physical LG meetings held in church or in homes will be suspended wef 8 May 2021. Physical LG meetings before 8 May 2021 are strongly encouraged to meet online if possible.

3. Pastoral Visitations
All physical pastoral and hospital visitations will be suspended unless necessary. However, our pastoral teams will still be able to take your call and pray with you or respond to your needs. Please continue to reach out to them if pastoral assistance is needed.

4. Meetings in church
All physical meetings in church will be suspended wef 8 May 2021. This includes training, retreats, prayer meetings and discussion meetings.

The above measures will remain in place until 30 May 2021 or until further announcement is made as the church leadership continues to monitor the situation.

Let us do our part by limiting our social interactions and practicing good personal hygiene. Please continue to pray for the evolving situation and for our leaders as we navigate this period together. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Amen!

Church Management Board

(Updated as of 14 May 2021)

Dear members,
In response to the government measures introduced on 4 May 2021, COS will adopt the following:

1. Worship Services
All Worship Services will be fully livestreamed (no physical congregation) wef 7 May 2021. Links to our online Worship Services will continue to be sent via e-bulletin/whatsapp and uploaded on our website every Sat. This includes Sunday School which will be held online only.

2. LG meetingsAll physical LG meetings held in church or in homes will be suspended wef 8 May 2021.

3. Pastoral Visitations
All physical pastoral and hospital visitations will be suspended unless necessary. However, our pastoral teams will still be able to take your call and pray with you or respond to your needs. Please continue to reach out to them if pastoral assistance is needed.

4. Meetings in church
All physical meetings in church will be suspended wef 8 May 2021. This includes training, retreats, prayer meetings and discussion meetings.

The above measures will remain in place until 13 June 2021 or until further announcement is made as the church leadership continues to monitor the situation.

Let us do our part by limiting our social interactions and practicing good personal hygiene.

Please continue to pray for the evolving situation and for our leaders as we navigate this period together. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Amen!
Church Management Board

Dear Church Family,
We are thankful that we are able to enter Phase 3 (Heightened Alert). Please continue proper mask wearing, adhere to safe management measures and get vaccinated once it is available to you. Let us also continue to pray and support one another.

The church is responding to these new measures with the following:

1. Worship Services
Saturday Bilingual Service, Filipino Service and Myanmar Service will resume Worship Services in church (and online) for up to 50pax. All other Worship Services will continue to be held online until more church members have completed their vaccination.

2. Resumption of physical LG meetings at home
WEF 21 June 2021, physical LG meetings at home can resume with a maximum of 5 guests per household. Physical LG meetings held in church will continue to be suspended and members are strongly encouraged to continue meeting online.

3. Resumption of pastoral visitations
WEF 21 June 2021, our full-time staff and co-workers will resume pastoral visitations. Hospital visits will continue to be suspended except in emergency situations.

4. Monthly Fellowship Gatherings
Monthly fellowship gatherings of up to 50 members are encouraged to be organised in church for area LGs so that we can meet for fellowship and prayer.

As an added precaution, everyone is strongly encouraged to use the DIY test kits often, especially before coming to church, so that we can keep everyone safe.

Please continue to pray for the COVID-19 situation so that all sectors of the economy can resume, and we can reopen physical activities in the church in a safe and gradual manner. May the Lord bless you and keep you during this time.

Church Management Board
18 June 2021

Dear members,

In response to the government measures introduced on 20 July 2021, COS will adopt the
following:

1. Worship Services (from 22 Jul to 6 Aug)
All Worship Services will be live-streamed only, including Saturday Bilingual Service, Filipino Service and Myanmar Service. Links to our online Worship Services will continue to be sent via e-bulletin/WhatsApp and uploaded on our website every Saturday.

2. LG meetings (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All physical LG meetings held in church or in homes will be suspended. Please continue to meet digitally over Zoom.

3. Pastoral Visitations (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All physical pastoral and hospital visitations will be suspended unless necessary. However, our pastoral teams will still be able to take your call and pray with you or respond to your needs. Please reach out to them if pastoral assistance is needed.

4. Meetings in church (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All physical meetings in church will be suspended. This includes area LG meetings, training, retreats, prayer meetings and discussion meetings. Only rehearsals and Worship Service broadcasts may continue to be held in church.

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has set us back and caused much disappointment in the community, including ourselves. However, let us not despair for it is in God that we place our hope. Let us continue to band together in fellowship and prayer as we support each other.

If any of you are in need of prayer, pastoral or financial assistance, please let your LG leader or pastoral staff know so that we may reach out to you to render help. Last but not least, let’s do our part by getting vaccinated as soon as possible to protect our loved ones and ourselves, as well as reduce the spread of the virus.

God Bless!
Church Management Board

Dear members,
In response to the government measures introduced on 20 July 2021, COS will adopt the following:

1. Worship Services (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All Worship Services will be live-streamed only, including Saturday Bilingual Service, Filipino Service and Myanmar Service. Links to our online Worship Services will continue to be sent via e-bulletin/WhatsApp and uploaded on our website every Saturday.

2. LG meetings (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All physical LG meetings held in church or in homes will be suspended. Please continue to meet digitally over Zoom.

3. Pastoral Visitations (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All physical pastoral and hospital visitations will be suspended unless necessary. However, our pastoral teams will still be able to take your call and pray with you or respond to your needs. Please reach out to them if pastoral assistance is needed.

4. Meetings in church (from 22 Jul to 18 Aug)
All physical meetings in church will be suspended. This includes area LG meetings, training, retreats, prayer meetings and discussion meetings. Only rehearsals and Worship Service broadcasts may continue to be held in church.

The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has set us back and caused much disappointment in the community, including ourselves. However, let us not despair for it is in God that we place our hope. Let us continue to band together in fellowship and prayer as we support each other.

If any of you are in need of prayer, pastoral or financial assistance, please let your LG leader or pastoral staff know so that we may reach out to you to render help. Last but not least, let’s do our part by getting vaccinated as soon as possible to protect our loved ones and ourselves, as well as reduce the spread of the virus.

God Bless!
Church Management Board

Dear members,

Even as the recent surge in COVID-19 cases has once again set us back and caused much disappointment in the community, we continue to place our hope in God. If any of you are in need of prayer, pastoral or financial assistance, please let your LG leader or pastoral staff know.

In line with the latest announcements on 6 Sep 2021, the following will be implemented:

1. Worship Services will continue to be held in church and live-streamed
Please pre-register as seats are limited and refer to your respective Worship Service announcement for more information. Please also be assured that the church ensures that all safe management measures are in place for our worship services held in church.

From 8 September to 22 September

2. All physical LG meetings and meetings in church are suspended
Please continue to meet digitally over Zoom.

3. All physical pastoral and hospital visitations will be suspended unless necessary
However, our pastoral teams will still be able to take your call and pray with you or respond to your needs. Please reach out to them if pastoral assistance is needed.

Let us continue to band together in fellowship and prayer as we support each other, and do our part by getting vaccinated so as to protect our loved ones and ourselves, as well as reduce the spread of the virus.

God Bless!
Church Management Board

Dear members,