While churches are able to re-open thanks to eased COVID-19 pandemic, that doesn't mean all churches in Bathurst will do so.
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C3 Church Bathurst has opted to keep its doors closed to face-to-face services this coming Sunday, with Pastor Jeff Lloyd citing Sunday, October 31, as the preferred return date.
For now, the church community will be meeting together online using a program called Altar Live, accessible through C3's website.
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Altar Live is an online church platform designed for church communities to stream and host interactive and engaging events and services.
People can sing together in watch parties, socialise at virtual tables and find places to pray with each other.
Pastor Lloyd said it's a great way for people to stay in contact, whether people are at a service in-person or at home.
"We service a lot of people in the community and a lot of people find it hard to get there every week, whether they're sick or hesitant being in crowds," he said.
"We've built a lot of gear into our church with camera, sound gear. It's pretty fun but we've built in a system where people can attend a service online, chat to others, all live, whether in the building or at home."
C3 trialed the program throughout September, while also running a livestream YouTube service.
But this Sunday at 9.30am, the service will be completely through Altar Live, with no YouTube service.
And while C3 Church will only be meeting online for the next couple of weeks, it'll be varied across the Anglican Diocese of Bathurst.
Bishop Mark Calder said there's a mixed response from churches across the diocese.
"For the next two weeks we have to check people's vaccination status and turn back anyone that isn't double vaccinated," he said.
"There's a range of different approaches. Some will continue to meet and check people's vaccination status and some are happy to that, but some aren't and won't open. I've just left it up to each individual church to decide."
Bathurst Presbyterian Church will return to meeting in person but will be restricted to people who are fully vaccinated, masks will be required and no singing will be allowed outside of musicians.
"Community, and the ways we can love and encourage and help one another, is something we deeply value. So we're excited about being able to express that unity by gathering together," Pastor Tristan Merkel said.
Unvaccinated people will be allowed in churches once the state hits 80 per cent fully vaccinated, an exemption by the NSW Government.
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