Now is before the 15th day of the lunar new year so not too late to wish you all a blessed Year of Tiger.
In the Covid era, what circumstances and factors do we base on to decide whether to have fellowship, bible study or to worship onsite or online? Would our considerations be contingent upon government restrictions, our health and the health of others living with us, Covid infection numbers or the commitments (eg medical tests or meeting up vulnerable people) which we have scheduled?
Whatever decision we make, may they be based on the principle of love - loving God and loving others. While the Omicron is very infectious, and we should be vigilant yet not overwhelmed by the possibility of being infected, “for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7.
Please pray for each other as we live out our faith when we make these decisions and we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Please also pray for believers in China as they likewise have to make choices during these uncertain times. From next month onwards, there will be new government measures for online communication within China. Religious groups with licenses are able to post religious content on the internet. In other words, a Christian organization with a license may post Christian songs, bible study and Sunday school materials, sermons and other sharing or host online meetings. Individuals or unlicensed organizations will not be allowed to do so or to forward the contents. House Churches are outside of the official system and are not eligible to apply for a license. It would mean a big change in habit for many believers since the use of internet as an efficient means of communication has been the norm. The impact of such measures is extensive.
As one body in Christ, let’s pray for believers here and afar as we seek to live out our faith when we make decisions taking into account our unique circumstances.
農曆新年的正月十五還未過，所以向大家恭祝虎年快樂，依然不算太遲。
在疫情的時代，我們是根據什麼情況和因素來決定是否進行實體或在線的團契、查經班或敬拜呢？我們的考慮是否會取決於政府的管制、我們的健康和與我們同住的其他人的健康、新冠感染人數或我們安排好的事項（例如身體檢測或探望弱勢群體）？
無論我們做什麼決定，願這些決定都是基於愛的原則——愛神和愛他人。雖然 Omicron 具有很強的傳染性，我們應該保持警惕，但不要被可能被感染的機會而嚇怕，“因為神賜給我們，不是膽怯的心，乃是剛強、仁愛、謹守的心”（提後1:7）。
請彼此代禱，當我們做出這些決定時，讓我們活出我們的信仰，以至我們會因彼此的信心而同得鼓勵。
也請為中國的信徒祈禱，因為他們在這個不確定的時期也必須做相似的選擇。從下個月起，中國政府將會對在線的聯繫有新的監管措施。擁有許可證的宗教團體可以在互聯網上發布宗教內容。換句話說，擁有許可證的基督教組織可以發布基督教詩歌、查經和主日學的資料、證道和其他分享或舉辦在線會議。個人或未經許可的機構並不准許如此做或轉發內容。而家庭教會是在官方的系統之外，所以沒有資格申請許可證。對於許多信徒來說，這將意味著一個習慣上的重大改變，因為使用互聯網作為一種有效的聯繫方式已成為常態。這些措施的影響是廣范的。
作為在基督裡的一個身體，讓我們為這地方和遠方的信徒祈禱，為我們在考慮到各自獨特的情況做出決定時，也可活出我們的生命。
