Diff for "AnnualReport2009"

Group

Adult Group

Name

Alan & Sandra Barnard

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Fellowship

Office bearers

Graham and Dorothy Lockhart. Sandra And Alan Barnard

Membership numbers

69

Attendance

35

Meeting times & days

First Friday of the month

Locations used by Group

Church

Highlights of the year

Every meeting

February barbeque at Norton’s Park

March "Hope after Taliban" with Mark and Vicki Timlin

April "Entertainer" with Franciscos Henri

May "Y generation and Kombi Krew" with Alanee

June "Running on Empty" with Robyn Koumourou

July "Christmas in July" at Lilydale International

August "Memory Lane" with Irene Marriot

September Origami with Japanese students

October with Dr Ray Ferguson, veterinarian

November Dr Maree Fallon on Alzheimers disease

December Christmas breakup at Mulgrave Country Club

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Group

C.A.E. Bookgroup Uniting Church GW

Name

Don & Bev Reid

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Enjoy reading and social interaction

Office bearers

Don Reid, Secretary. Mary Ward, social carer.

Membership numbers

15

Attendance

15

Meeting times & days

First Wednesday of each month.

Locations used by Group

Members’ homes

Highlights of the year

Organizing the book stall at the Church Fete each year, raising approximately $3000 this year

Any needs that Church Council can assist

None

Group

Careful Kitchen Crew

Name

Margaret Fraser

Purpose, Aims or Mission

• To provide leadership, training, advice and supervision regarding the implementation of GWUC’s approved Food Safety Program.

• To be a point of contact for City of Monash regarding food safety at GWUC.

• Review and update Food Safety Program as required and maintain communication with City of Monash regarding any changes

• To assist internal GWUC groups with planning for food related events and to provide information regarding use of the church kitchen as required.

• To assist with food safety information and monitoring at the annual fete

• To plan and provide regular training opportunities for all church groups and individuals who use the church kitchen

• Weekly: To monitor the cleanliness and other measures in the church kitchen in accordance with requirements of the Food Safety Program, including refrigerator clean, removal of unsafe foods, fridge temperature monitoring, regular cleaning of bins, cupboards, bench-tops

• Bi-monthly or as required: Cleaning of the dishwasher, defrosting the freezer, pest control, calibration of digital thermometer

• Attendance at regular working bees in church kitchen to clean walls, oven, microwave, rangehood, removing stains from crockery, etc.

• This group also takes responsibility for Sunday morning tea provisions (tea, coffee, sugar) and for purchasing some of the cleaning products and utensils used in the kitchen. NB. This is the only item for which we require funding.

Office bearers

GWUC Food Safety Supervisor: Margaret Fraser (to step down in 2010)

Other members: Cynthia Chin, Dianne Sides, Kelli Benjamin, Lois Hosking, Susan Stringer plus Michael Foo (as Property Committee rep)

Membership numbers

6

Attendance

5

Meeting times & days

About 4 formal meetings per year, plus email and informal contact as needed

Locations used by Group

Church kitchen, meeting space

Highlights of the year

• Continuing approval by City of Monash of our standards and procedures

• Assistance by majority of kitchen users with following Kitchen Instructions

• Annual training morning planned and successfully conducted in June.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

• Reminders to all groups that as an approved food service business, all kitchen users at GWUC are obliged to follow the Kitchen Instructions (as on kitchen wall), including emptying of bins, washing floors, removal of leftovers from fridge, etc.

Group

Children & Families Ministry Team

Name

Carolyn Blakemore

Purpose, Aims or Mission

To support the CF Coordinator, brainstorm new initiatives, oversee all Children and Families programs and activities at GWUC.

Office bearers

Chairperson and minute secretary rotate each meeting.

Lynne Boyer Church Council Representative.

Membership numbers

7

Attendance

5

Meeting times & days

Usually Thursday evenings once or twice a term.

Locations used by Group

Usually meet in member’s homes.

Highlights of the year

With special thanks to Kimberly Easton the GWUC Playgroups have had another successful year supporting families in our local community. The Playgroups are seen as an important part of GWUC's outreach, and are now being support by Community Outreach with the hope of beginning a "Christian Playgroup" on Wednesday's in 2010.

The 4.30pm worship has had a very consistent group of new and old families this year. With it's current format it continues to provide a fun, safe, Christian community for families as they seek to explore Christ in their daily lives. Some highlights have been picnic and prayer walks at Jells Park, presentation of bibles to our Grade 3 children, having some of our upper primary children help to lead the singing in worship, our very yummy meals, watching the children as they enthusiastically learn more about God in interactive and creative ways and seeing a Christ centred community grow where adults and children deepen their friendships and care for each other.

Baptismal afternoon tea.

First Aid Course - with the attendance of a number playgroup parents and members of the congregation.

Attendance at "Overflow" (CF and youth training day held at the CTM) by Carolyn Blakemore, Diane Craig, Heather Hon and Kimberly Easton.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Employment of a 0.5 or 0.25 Children and Families Coordinator

With the resignation of Carolyn, the CFM team will need continuing support from the Church Council as to how might their role change and the appointment of a convenor.

Group

Choir

Name

Barbara Hurst

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Enhancement of the worship life of the church through music and song.

Office bearers

Membership numbers

24

Attendance

12

Meeting times & days

Rehearsals, weekly on Thursdays at 8pm. Performances, 1st and 3rd Sundays at 9am worship

Locations used by Group

The church. Room 1 for Thursday evening rehearsals. Room 3 for Sunday morning rehearsals

Highlights of the year

1. Start/Middle/End of Year social gatherings at members' homes.

2. Anniversary service (combined with other choir groups)

3. Ecumenical Choral Festival (all Monash area church choir groups) (did not attend in 2009, due to choir absences)

4. Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols (Sassafras Uniting Church 30 Nov 2008, 29 Nov 2009, GWUC 17 Dec 2008, 13 Dec 2009

5. Occasional after-rehearsal coffee evenings.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Adequate (heated!) space for rehearsals, and storage of music (preferably accessible during rehearsals). The choir freezes in winter because Room 1 has been made unavailable, and often has difficulty in accessing music kept in the cupboards in Room 1 because of other competing uses.

Group

Cleaning & Mowing

Name

Ross Lennon

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Reports through Property.

Office bearers

Membership numbers

Attendance

Meeting times & days

Locations used by Group

Highlights of the year

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Group

Encounter Group (SG)

Name

Lois Hosking

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Fellowship & Personal enrichment

Office bearers

n/a

Membership numbers

6

Attendance

4-6

Meeting times & days

Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the month at 8pm

Locations used by Group

Private home

Highlights of the year

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Group

Fete Committee

Name

Yan Emms

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Raise money to fund Outreach Projects

Office bearers

Cliff Baker, Yan Emms, Judy Fry,

Murray Lowe, Faye Wagon

Membership numbers

5

Attendance

5

Meeting times & days

Monthly from June to October

Locations used by Group

Homes

Highlights of the year

A time when the whole church is involved with a singular purpose. Great attititude, generosity and enthusiasm from setting up to cleaning up. The community supports our fete through donations and participation in it.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

The COP committee needs to be formed and seeking proposals from church members by April so that the Congregational meeting can endorse the selection by June. This will help greatly when we promote our fete to the community and when seeking corporate donations.

Group

FISH Gold

Name

Sue & David Morgan

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Sharing feloowship in each others' homes

Office bearers

Convenors: Sue Morgan & Yan Emms

Membership numbers

16

Attendance

12

Meeting times & days

Sunday lunch about 6 times per year

Locations used by Group

Members' homes

Highlights of the year

Yum Cha.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

None

Group

FISH Orange

Name

Annette & Martin Wojak

Purpose, Aims or Mission

An environment in which to foster fellowship and support between group members, and to promote belonging and involvement in the wider community of the church.

Office bearers

Group Contact: Annette Wojak

Membership numbers

27

Attendance

14

Meeting times & days

Sunday lunch or afternoon tea 4 or 5 times per year on dates determined by group members

Locations used by Group

Members homes and local parks

Highlights of the year

Sharing in the joys and issues of family life.

Relaxing together with our families.

Extending friendships beyond group meeting times.

Welcoming new families and new babes to our group.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

None at this stage.

Group

GWUC Playgroups

Name

Kaye Mackinnon

Purpose, Aims or Mission

To provide an opportunity for our Church community to outreach and serve the local community.

To create a caring Christian environment where local families play, connect with others, and develop supportive relationships.

Office bearers

Playgroup Coordinator – Kimberly Easton

Support Team Members – Kaye Mackinnon, Geraldine Fleming, Pam Graham, Helen Boucher, Belinda Chung, Diane Craig

Membership numbers

25 families, 40 children

Attendance

Virtually all.

Meeting times & days

10-12pm each Monday and Tuesday during School Terms

A new group will be formed in 2010 running from 10-12pm each Wednesday during School Terms

Locations used by Group

Rooms 2 & 3 and the Playground

Highlights of the year

* 2009 was a very successful and enjoyable year at Playgroups. This important community outreach reached over 30 local families including over 40 children throughout the year. Families came from a diverse range of cultures and backgrounds with only three of the families attending Glen Waverley Uniting Church regularly.

* An event was held each Term with Morning Tea and a special activity or craft provided, for example our Easter Morning Tea was very successful with the mum’s and kids enjoying warm Hot Cross Buns, fruit and an Easter Egg Hunt. The children also enjoyed making Easter craft provided by Belinda Chung, many thanks to Belinda, Carolyn and Kaye for assisting to make these events successful. Plans are currently underway for our Christmas Parties which Santa will visit and distribute gifts for the children and mum’s.

* In August the Playgroup Support Team was formed with the assistance of the Outreach Team. We are now looking forward to being able to develop our Playgroups into Missional Playgroups and provide an even better outreach service to our local community.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

With the closing of Occasional Childcare at the end of Term 3 a number of tasks and their associated costs that previously were the responsibility of OCC became the responsibility of Playgroups. The management of these tasks (e.g. refilling the sandpit, tanbark, maintenance of equipment and toys) are still being discussed and assistance may be necessary from the Church community in the future.

Group

Keep Fit Group

Name

Nancy Burns

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Women only group, exercising, dancing and marching.

Office bearers

Val Bannister runs the group and hires Church facilities

Membership numbers

50

Attendance

40

Meeting times & days

9:45am Thursday during school terms

Locations used by Group

Hall

Highlights of the year

Recoveries from illness and injury being helped by the group.

New grandchildren and great grand children.

About one third of the group come from the GWUC congregation.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Normal services to building renters.

Group

Kids Church (Sunday School)

Name

Marnie Troiani

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Kids Church is children and young people discovering who God is. What is He like? What does He do, and how that relates to our own lives?

Office bearers

Carolyn Blakemore -Coordinator /Staffing

Deb Graham-Administration

Marnie Troiani- Teacher Support

Membership numbers

42 children

Attendance

20

Meeting times & days

4:30 Sunday, and part of the Children's and Families' service

Locations used by Group

Whole church building and playground. Local parks including Jells

Highlights of the year

Children NAGGING their parents to bring them to Kids Church!

Whole family days including Mother and Father’s day pampering celebrations as well as games and movie nights.

Presentation of bibles to our grade 3 students.

Kids being active participants in weekly worship, -leading singing, collecting the offering, helping with communion, saying grace............

Having youth and more senior congregation members get involved in running kids church.

Scripture topics studied this year

• Jesus and John the Baptist- Matthew/Luke

• Easter Encounters -Luke

• Isaac and our Faithful God- Genesis

• Story Seeds – Matthew

• Adventures with God – Acts

• God is with Jacob – Genesis

• Jesus Rescues- Mathew/Romans

• Birth of a Nation (Moses) – Exodus

• Christmas Praise - Luke

The bright happy faces and the enthusiasm the children bring to learning about Christ.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

Implement current Child Safe (or Church Safe) procedures for Kids Church as was done for NCYC. Current practices are out of date with other organisations leaving our children and adult volunteers at risk.

Coordination from a Children’s and Families worker.

Encourage all congregational members to come along and see what happens in Kids Church. They might just be surprised.

It would be great if some of the Baptismal Elders came to Kids Church helping to foster close bonds across generations.

More/improved storage for craft and curriculum materials. The current Kids Church cupboard is quite dilapidated and access to it and the materials is difficult.

Group

Leisure Time

Name

Margaret Fraser

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Leisure Time is an outreach program of GWUC. It serves the aged and lonely members of the wider community in an inclusive and caring way.

Leisure Time aims to:

o Enable those in its care to develop positive relationships with each other and their community;

o Deliver high quality services which promote human dignity;

o Ensure that the programs are non-discriminatory and are planned, implemented, managed and evaluated in a consultative and participative manner;

o Provide or encourage innovative services;

o Liaise and cooperate with other community service agencies in developing accessible and relevant services; and

o Advocate publicly on behalf of those who require services

Office bearers

Coordinator: Margaret Fraser

Secretary: Pam McDonald

Treasurer: Cliff Baker

Membership numbers

18 guests, 11 active committee

Attendance

Averages 12-15 guests and volunteers (3-4 hosts, 3 kitchen helpers and 3 drivers)

Meeting times & days

Every Monday, except public holidays and Christmas holidays, 10.30am-2pm

Locations used by Group

Fellowship area, kitchen and Room 1.

Highlights of the year

• Continuing positive relationships with and between guests. Many say it is the highlight of their week.

• We have organised 5 outings this year, and they also provide interesting opportunities, laughter and fun for our guests.

• Promotion of Leisure Time widely in the community. Four new guests this year and two more to start in Feb 2010.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

• Encourage links between Leisure Time and other church groups.

• Raise awareness of what Leisure Time offers both within the church and to the wider community

• Encourage congregational members to assist as volunteers – most people help once per month.

• Pray for continued wisdom in planning our programs, and for our guests.

Group

Men's Fellowship

Name

Malcolm Chamberlain

Purpose, Aims or Mission

To foster Christian Fellowship

Office bearers

Chairman & Treasurer: Malcolm Chamberlain

Membership numbers

40

Attendance

26

Meeting times & days

2pm, First Tuesday of the month.

Locations used by Group

Room 1

Highlights of the year

Sharing together and listening to guest speakers.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

None.

Group

MG Community Outreach

Name

Lyn MacDonald

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Generally in line with the OTWT Draft Plan 2

Office bearers

Lyn McDonald, Co-ordinator

Kaye Mackinnon, Secretary

Membership numbers

11

Attendance

7-9

Meeting times & days

1st Thursday of Month (except January), 8:00pm

Locations used by Group

Homes of Mackinnon’s & McDonald’s

Highlights of the year

* “Christian Playgroups”; Kimberly Easton has provided the impetus, having assembled ideas and data over the last few years on Christian Playgroups (not just a community venue which happens to be GWUC), “waiting” for someone to listen to her. Kaye Mackinnon has provided support and assembled a management Team comprising herself, Geraldine Fleming, Pam Graham and Lorraine Argall (Treasurer). Hostesses are being sought to provide a “warm, friendly, presence at each Playgroup session and provide a Christian connection to GWUC. A third Playgroup (Wednesday) is planned to operate in 2010 and will be led by Helen Boucher.

* Contact with Brentwood Secondary College; as they seek to strengthen their support of student needs other than just academic. . Alanee is GWUC’s contact for a range of specialist support.

Asylum Seekers in 19 Southdown Manse; Robin Pope and her committee have been involved in various areas of Asylum Seekers work including the Asylum Seeker Centre Dandenong, and the Outer Eastern Asylum Seeker Network. The Recommendation to Church Council that the Manse at 19 Southdown Ave be provided rent free to Hotham Mission was passed unanimously and the Manse now houses a family. Robin has been very busy as she continues her work with these most vulnerable and disadvantaged people by being the contact person for GWUC. A small group of volunteers mow the manse lawns (with a dedicated, repaired lawn mower) as it is inappropriate for the current guests to do so. An information and volunteer training session will be held on Sunday 29th November 2009.

* “Tanks for Timor” Project. Meagan & Judy Lowe and Jane Hart, visited Baguia, East Timor in September 2009 and walked the gruelling track to the mountainous village of Gulari and it’s Primary School. They told Outreach Group that there was no reticulated water at the School (and village) and the "Tanks for Timor” Project was established with support of Church Council. “Mini tanks” (empty soup/baked beans/ spaghetti/ etc tins with an appropriate label) are offered as collection tins for loose change, together with a donation form (Tax Deduction receipt) via the “Friends of Baguia, who are an established fund able to forward 100% of funds to Baguia. A 3minute DVD has been produced by Meagan to show a few photos and explain the situation.

Jan, Belinda and Andrew Clear recommended this fund for those people who wished to make a donation in memory of Bruce.

* GW Food and Wine Festival: Organised by Alanee with little notice and supported by the youth and young adults. Provided children’s’ craft activities, over 800 projects. Lots of comments and thanks from Parents.

“We look forward to more involvement in 2010. Wouldn’t it be great to see the GWUC choirs on the main stages!”

This is a GREAT opportunity of OUTREACH and COMMUNITY just outside our front door.

* Kombi Krew: Already a well established Outreach project is expanding to be involved in the South Port Soup Kitchen on Thursday nights. They will serve healthy meals including some food from the South Port Community Garden, South Port Uniting.

Whilst Kombi Krew has themselves done the organising and commitment to this venture, Outreach group stand ready to support them.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

* General: Be aware of the Group’s activities, Communicate with the Group, and support the activities.

* Consider the recommendations put to Church Council from time to time.

Playgroups: Visit the Groups; encourage more volunteers.

* Asylum Seekers: Learn about the “facts”, seek to understand the privacy issues these people face.

* “Tanks for Timor” Project: Monetary support

GW Food & Wine Festival: Enthusiasm and support of GWUC’s involvement, assist with early planning for 2010 event.

Group

Ministry to Seniors

Name

Alison Dingwall

Purpose, Aims or Mission

To minister to senior members of GWUC in spiritual, pastoral, social and supportive ways, and to the wider community through links with retirement villages, hostels and nursing homes.

Office bearers

Coordinator:Alison Dingwall

Support group members:Lois Hosking, Graham Lockhart, Kaye Mackinnon, Elwyn Pederson, John Pooley

Membership numbers

60

Attendance

Varies with activity

Meeting times & days

Senior Services: 3 – 4 times per year: Sundays 2.30pm

Information sessions at GWUC: 1 per year

Afternoon tea group: 3rd Wednesday in month

Devotions at up to 10 Hostels, etc Various, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly.

Highlights of the year

- Each Senior Service, followed by afternoon tea – a time of fellowship for attendees

- Sunday 27 Sept 2009 – Senior Service, including Holy Communion

- Sunday 20 December 2009 – Christmas Senior Service, including Holy Communion

Any needs that Church Council can assist

- Follow up earlier CC request, in Jan 2009, to Port Phillip East Presbytery for recognition of Alison Dingwall as presider at Holy Communion as need arises at GWUC, not just limited permission for Senior Ministry

- Ensure continued funding for Ministry to Seniors

- Encourage Elders and CC members to attend and support services at nursing homes, hostels, etc

- Provide grant for purchase of 10 large print song books, for use with devotions at nursing homes, etc; approx $35.00 each.

Donation from Cumberland View for services conducted there could be used towards this purchase

Group

Working with Children Check

Name

Lynne Boyer

Purpose, Aims or Mission

Comply with UC and Australian law to have WWCC for people in our congregation who work with children.

Office bearers

Lynne Boyer

Membership numbers

1

Attendance

Meeting times & days

No meetings

Locations used by Group

Church Office

Highlights of the year

61 members have WWCC and have complied with UC requirements to provide a photocopy of their card. A further 28 members have a WWCC but have not copied their card.

Any needs that Church Council can assist

None