Hi everyone,
Yesterday I said I’d get you some more details on how we will continue to meet together as a church family and here it is! This is a new part of our journey together. We have never faced circumstances like this before so we are being forced into using new ways to be the community of God. It’s exciting and slightly nerve-wracking however I am convinced more than ever that God’s hand is in it.
This is a time to keep our eyes on Jesus and reach out to the world around us. Many in our community are facing difficult situations both at work and at home. We may not be able to go and visit them, but we can call, and we can pray.
We are excited to say that we have been working on a plan to ensure we are spiritually connected as a community during the coming weeks. Below are details about how you can engage with us online during this time, please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any further assistance or help.
All sites will come together for one online service every Sunday morning at 10am. During this service we will have worship and a message as well as ways for you to engage with our team and each other online.
This service can be viewed on our CFC Belfast Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CFCBelfast/ or our CFC Belfast Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/cfcbelfast we would encourage all those who call CFC home to watch with us!
At 9.30am on Sunday mornings we will be posting a CFC Kids video on our CFC Belfast Facebook and Youtube that will be created in house by our team. We encourage you to bookmark this video on a device and once our online service begins your children can join in with us during worship and when the preach commences make sure to press play on the Kids Video so your children can continue to learn and grow spiritually while you do the same!
If you would like to access our online services but are not sure how please call us on 02890 671 838, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Connect Group leaders are being equipped with resources to allow them to continue to facilitate their group meetings. This includes ways to engage through video chatting and text messaging. Your Connect Group leader will be in touch soon with more information.
Your Site Pastors will host a ‘Wednesday Night Live’ video session on Facebook, Instagram or Zoom (video conferencing website) each Wednesday night at 7.30pm. This will be an informal conversation where you will be able to engage through commenting and sharing. Make sure you’re following your CFC site on social media as well as the main CFC social media pages.
If you would like to access this but are not sure how please call us on 02890 671 838, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Throughout the next couple of weeks we will be creating a variety of video content which we will be posting across our social media throughout the week. This will range from teaching workshops to worship sessions and more. So make sure to keep an eye out on your emails for more information!
We want to make sure we continue to offer prayer, pastoral support and physical help where we can. If you are in need please complete this form https://thisiscfc.com/prayer-support-request/. If you are unable to access the website or you have trouble using a computer please call us on 02890 671 838, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Along with our CFC Kids Church video that will be posted on Sunday mornings as detailed above our Kids team has listed links to online resources below which you can use as a family to help you continue to ensure God is the central part of your home.
Bible Stories via Youtube
Saddleback Kids
Crossroad Kids
Kids on the Move
Superbook
Kids Worship
Rend Co. Kids on AppleMusic
Lifetree Kids on YouTube
All Star Records for Sign Language Kids Worship
Apps (IOS & Android Devices)
Bible App for Kids
Sun School
Guardians of Ancora
Our youth team is working to seek creative ways in which we can continue to keep your young person connected to the family of God, be supported pastorally, and know God’s love in this season.
If you are a young person and do not have our Youth Phone Number please email youth@thisiscfc.com or message us on instagram. The youth phone number is available to every young person to keep in contact with our youth team, to seek prayer, to chat and to seek encouragement as we move forward in this uncertain time.
We will be updating our social media outlets, such as Instagram and facebook (@cfcbelfastyouth), with content and ways for your young person to stay connected with regards to connect groups, Sunday mornings etc.. even though they will move online from this point on.
If your young person doesn’t have social media accounts, but you do, they could access the content via your account. If no-one in your household has social media we will be getting in touch via email, text and information can be sought through our thisiscfc.com website.
For as long as possible we hope to keep our church office open to ensure there is a contact point for those that struggle to use the internet or engage online. You can contact the office on 02890 671 838, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
Main CFC Accounts
Instagram: @thisiscfc
Facebook: @CFCBelfast
Youtube: @CFCBelfast
Website: thisiscfc.com
CFC South
Instagram: @CFCSouth
Facebook: @CFCSouthBelfast
Website: cfcsouth.co.uk
CFC Inner East
Instagram: @CFCInnerEast
Facebook: @CFCInnerEast
Website: cfcinnereast.co.uk
CFC Holywood
Instagram: @CFCHolywood
Facebook: @CFCHolywood
Website: cfcholywood.co.uk
CFC Antrim
Instagram: @cfcantrim
Facebook: @CFCAntrim
Website: cfcantrim.co.uk
CFC SLC
Instagram: @CFCSignLanguage
Facebook: @CFCSignLanguage
Website: cfcsignlanguage.co.uk
Please do not hesitate to contact us on 02890 671 838, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm or email info@thisiscfc.com if you need any further assistance whether that be accessing our online service, pastoral support or prayer.
Blessings,
Owen
Hi everyone,
Given the most recent government advice we have made the decision, as of today, to stop all gatherings across all CFC sites (including Sunday services, connect groups and other ministry events). However, we are absolutely NOT stopping church. We have been told to remain socially isolated but that does not mean we will be spiritually isolated. For the foreseeable future we will be moving church online and utilising technology to stay connected. I've said this many times since I've been leading CFC and it's particularly relevant today, Jesus is not surprised. He is still on the throne and He is still building His church. We are using this time to explore new and creative ways of increasing our connection, loving our neighbours and being the light of the world. As the fear continues to attempt to take a hold on our land we are going to operate in love and hope knowing whatever the enemy means for harm, God will ALWAYS turn to good.
We will be in touch again over the next couple of days with our plans for moving forward as well as a guide for how to connect online. Until then, continue to reach out to people you know, care for the vulnerable and keep your eyes on Jesus.
Much love and blessing
Owen
In response to the growing public concern surrounding the outbreak of Covid-19 (coronavirus), CFC staff have spent the last week in prayerful consideration of the best practices to keep our congregation and ministry users healthy, safe and spiritually cared for, in accordance with guidelines provided by the UK government.
The uncertainty of this outbreak is creating anxiety in our workplaces, schools, and day-to-day activities. Yet we remain certain of God’s steadfast presence and careful attention to all that is happening. Please join us in praying for those who are affected by this illness, as well as their caregivers and those who are working around the clock to minimize the impact of this virus.
In Psalm 46, we are reminded that it is God who is our refuge and strength, and our ever-present help in trouble. We must also remember that God has not called us to live in fear but in faith. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind”
Therefore, let’s not give in to fear, but with confidence use this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus through our prayers and our care for others. We have a prayer which you can use as a starting point to pray for the situation.
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses of which ‘COVID-19’ is a new, previously unidentified, strain. The initial symptoms are like those of flu (coughing, high temperatures and shortness of breath). Those with weak immune systems, the elderly and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes are more susceptible. The virus is very contagious and is likely spread through droplets caused by coughing or sneezing. The current outbreak has spread internationally, and it is likely that person- to-person spread will continue and that, at some point, widespread transmission in the UK will occur.
This includes:
We will be exercising the following precautionary measures during this time of constantly evolving information:
We are a relational church and love community, however, we are discouraging physical contact within our services, both between members and from our teams. e.g. with Welcome teams and Prayer Ministry Team. Therefore, please do not be offended that we won’t have any handshakes, hugs or hands-on ministry but we will continue to love and welcome all those who come through our doors.
In the Main Auditorium in East - offerings will continue to be placed in the boxes at the back and offering counters will wash their hands before and immediately after counting the money.
In Café Church and in our Sites – offering baskets will not be passed around, instead will be set in a fixed location that is accessible to the congregation.
Due to the risk of a spread of infection, communion is temporarily suspended.
Tea and coffee will be available, but food will not be provided during Sunday services (this includes Kids and Youth Ministries). Café church will have pre-packaged food only.
Keep cups are not to be used, disposable cups will be available instead.
Toddler and Baby Creches – Across all sites, there will be space available for baby and toddler creches, but in order to comply with the recommended guidelines on physical contact, there will be no manned provision for these age groups. Parents are welcome to bring their children to these areas and remain with them there.
For the rest of the Kids and Youth Age Groups, provision will continue as normal. Parents, please reiterate the importance of good hygiene and hand washing to your children.
Whilst we cannot guarantee a sterile environment, we are committed to doing what we can to sanitise highly touched surfaces such as doors, handles, light switches, iPads, keyboards etc. As soon as possible, alcohol hand sanitisers will be put out in and around our buildings.
No CFC events are being cancelled at this time; however, we will be following government guidelines going forward and will communicate any changes to this as soon as possible.
In the event that you or a family member are unwell and cannot attend worship we remind you that you can watch a livestream of our sermon from East and also listen to our podcasts on our website.
CFC Staff will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow government guidelines. In the event that the government recommend closure, or we determine that it is in the best interests of our CFC family that we close, we will inform everyone to the best of our abilities through our website, emails and Social Media.
Whilst we cannot control the virus, the spread, or the impact it has on our church, we are doing everything we can to make CFC as safe as possible. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to help us do just that.
If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns, questions, and ideas with us as we navigate our response to this situation, we’d love to hear from you. Your input and feedback are truly important to us. Please email info@thisiscfc.com with any questions or comments.
Christian Fellowship Church is a Christ centred community dedicated to impacting Belfast, Ireland and the nations with the love of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland: NIC101476
Christian Fellowship Church
10 Belmont Road
Belfast
BT4 2AN
