Diff for "AnnualReport2015"

Group

Adult Group

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Fellowship and Social get together once a month including welcome to new members. The group gives to various causes using funds raised. (Monthly gold coin donation and proceeds from Peridot Theatre ticket sales).

Current Office Bearers:

LindsayBrown, BeverleyBrown, JennyVass and RogerVass (the annually appointed small committee co-ordinates the program).

Membership numbers:

c50

Usual meeting attendance:

30-40

Meeting times and days:

First Friday each month except Jan and Dec when special events are held.

Locations used by Group:

Generally Room 1

Highlights of the year:

Adult Group continued with a monthly round of interesting speakers drawn from acquaintances of members. The program for 2015 was as follows:
Feb: BBQ at Rev Ineke and Tom Gyles
Mar: “Restoration of the Great Melbourne Telescope” (J Pollock)
April: “Bridging Lanka” (S Lorback)
May: “Press Images of the 20 Century (Bruce Postle)
June: Soup- Games- Sandwich (F & R Wagon and A & M Lemke)
July: “The First Silent Night” (film-L & G Collins)
Aug: “A life mapped out” (D Fraser)
Sept: “Travel in Canyonlands” (R & J Vass
Oct: “Organ Donations” (T Ferrugia)
Nov: “Life of Sir John Monash” (C Miller)
Dec: Christmas dinner for 60 members in the hall with entertainment provided by several singers and instrument players (organised by A Hosking ).
Donations totalling $449 were made to: Bridging Lanka $50. Nepalese earthquake ($99), Cherish Kenya ($100), Wesley Mission ($200)

Group

Broadcast Ministry

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide a broadcast worship services to selected locations. To record and create DVD's for distribution to GWUC members and other interested parties. To create and support an in home and hospital ministry. To record significant worship events.

Current Office Bearers:

Co-leadership. Warren Greenwood is contact point

Membership numbers:

5

Usual meeting attendance:

All - As and when required - online or at GWUC

Meeting times and days:

As and when required - online or at GWUC

Locations used by Group:

GWUC - Beeac - as invited

Highlights of the year:

* The ongoing support of the special ministry to Beeac each month or when requested, and their support for the outreach work of GWUC.
* Visits to Beeac to share worship and two way broadcast to GWUC
* The weekly download and watching of our worship from the church web site.
* The recording support we provide for special events, weddings and funerals.
* 3 DVD's are produced weekly for home bound members to watch services.
* We have been invited by Kerang UCA to visit early 2016 with a view to commencing a live broadcast to Kerang UCA in 2016.
* Upgrades to the software used and improved Skype connections to Beeac.

Group

Communications

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

The Glen Waverley Uniting Church Council has established a Communications Committee with the following responsibilities:
1. to oversee and coordinate all communications across the congregation ensuring that they are done in a timely and inclusive manner;
2. to introduce new methods of communication as appropriate;
3. to facilitate the production of a church magazine (currently called NewView) in a variety of formats (to bring the congregation together through the use of information and entertainment);
4. to ensure that all church communications are clear, appropriate and that no bias or offensive content is present;
5. to continue to develop our online and web presence as an outreach activity;
6. to maintain all brochures and promotional material used by GWUC;
7. to seek to make best use of community material to publicise events and activities at GWUC;
8. to liaise with Property Committee and make use of, and manage, any external signage;
9. to take advantage of free promotional media wherever possible (i.e. Real Estate boards);
10. to publicise and communicate Presbytery and Synod activities and events; and
11. to encourage, support and assist all forms of communications in GWUC.

Current Office Bearers:

Coordinator: JohnSnare

Membership numbers:

Seven members plus usually a member of the ministry team.

Usual meeting attendance:

Six

Meeting times and days:

First Monday of the Month when possible

Locations used by Group:

A meeting room at the church

Highlights of the year:

During 2015:
1. The refreshed GWUC website was launched.
2. Guidelines for promoting events were expanded - see 'Event Promotion' on link
3. The guidelines for the use of email, the 'Psalter' wiki, and Facebook were integrated into safe church policy.
4. The Church brochure was updated and reprinted.
In 2016, we will again explore options to recruit new members to the Communications Committee with a view to adding a capability to assist in creating communications materials (physical and electronic) for specific purposes. We will also work with the IT Group on the next generation wiki.
The Communications Committee aims to become a one stop shop for all the communications needs of the congregation. Our challenge for 2016 is to make progress to making this aim reality.

Group

Community Hub MG

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Aiming through our activities of Cooee, Leisure Time, Playgroups, The Hub, Welfare Committee and Badminton Club to open our Church to the local community as a welcoming, supportive and friendly place of Christian hospitality.

Current Office Bearers:

GeraldineFleming - Co-ordinator
Jenn Vass - Secretary
CHMG Team - JudithGreenwood, KayeMackinnon, LaurelMuir, CliffBaker, BevRichardson, DorothyLockhart, ElwynPederson, NeilPeters

Membership numbers:

10 on CHMG team
Over 100 volunteers

Usual meeting attendance:

10 for CHMG meeting

Meeting times and days:

CHMG meeting - Wednesday afternoon 4 times a year

Locations used by Group:

CHMG meeting - Room 2

Highlights of the year:

Please refer to
Cooee, Leisure Time, Playgroup, The Hub and Welfare reports.

Group

FISH - Aqua

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide pastoral care, friendship and fellowship to all who participate in the group

Current Office Bearers:

Judith & Warren Greenwood

Membership numbers:

20

Usual meeting attendance:

12 - 16

Meeting times and days:

8 times per year, usually Sunday evening meals, but can be lunch or afternoon teas.

Locations used by Group:

Each others homes but can be at parks or other locations

Highlights of the year:

* Welcoming back to the Aqua group Susan and David Karoly
* Increasing our membership with new members Nancye and Greg Cottrell
* Continued outstanding pastoral care, support
* Great fellowship,
* Visits to other locations such as Australia Botanical Gardens and Royal Botanical Gardens.
* Again providing service to GWUC through the organisation of the Church Christmas lunch and Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday.

Group

FISH - Red

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Care & Share

Current Office Bearers:

Convenor: LynneBoyer

Membership numbers:

22

Usual meeting attendance:

7

Meeting times and days:

Twice a year

Locations used by Group:

Church

Highlights of the year:

Christmas Lunch at the Church. We tend to sit together at church functions and catch up for coffee after church.

Group

FISH - Yellow

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Families in sharing homes

Current Office Bearers:

BarbHurst and PamBunney for 2015
Mcgregor and King are taking over for 2016

Membership numbers:

22 (Ken and WinnieMcGregor have been a part of the group for some time )

Usual meeting attendance:

18

Meeting times and days:

Every six weeks approx

Locations used by Group:

Family homes

Highlights of the year:

We have continued to meet in homes about every 6 weeks for lunch or dinner.
In November it was wonderful to have the company of Jim and Donna who, although members of the group, are rarely in Australia for a gathering.
We again set up for the church Christmas dinner.

Group

Free Spirit

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Music can warm the soul and bring us closer to the Lord!
Free Spirit is a group of people who aim to enrich worship through music - and sometimes have some fun with other types of music as well. Free Spirit is regularly part of the worship at the Glen Waverley Uniting Church, but also likes to be part of worship with other congregations from time to time.
Free Spirit is self-funding; each member contributes $1 per week, used to buy music and cover other expenses.
Free Spirit operates under a privacy policy in accordance with GWUC guidelines.

Current Office Bearers:

Music director: Deb Leigh
Music selection and purchase: Deb Leigh
Liaison with ministerial team: Deb Leigh
Librarians: Jo Boldiston
Music borrowing: Lise Hales
Calendar/schedule: Jenny Abraham & John Snare
Roll & performance record Robin Pope
Scarves and ties: Marj Snare
Prayer and care: Marj Snare
Treasurer: John Snare
Historian: JohnSnare
Friends of Free Spirit Register: GeoffWillis
Supper roster: LynMaslen

Membership numbers:

30 members

Usual meeting attendance:

25 members

Meeting times and days:

Practice weekly on Wednesday evenings.
Singing at worship or other events in both GWUC and elsewhere twice a month, including GWUC worship on the fourth Sunday of each month (except December and January) alternating between 9:15am and 11:00am services.

Locations used by Group:

Practice is usually in the home of Russell Lang, and usually in the Church the week before an occasion when Free Spirit sings.

Highlights of the year:

1. Regular contributions of music to worship in Glen Waverley Uniting Church.
1. Contribution of music to worship at the Croydon Uniting Church (March)
1. Participation in the Ecumenical Choral Service hosted in 2015 by the Holy Redeemer Church, (East Oakleigh) in May. Subject to obtaining the necessary approvals, it is planned for the Glen Waverley Uniting Church to host the Ecumenical Choral Service in 2016.
1. Participation in the Glen Waverley Uniting Church combined anniversary choir in June.
1. Participating worship simulcast with Beeac Uniting Church in September
1. Recording a fund-raising CD. The recording work was finished in 2015. Following final editing, mixing and replication it is expected that the CD will go on sale early in 2016 (with proceeds to support Glen Waverley Uniting Church projects). The CD was funded by Free Spirit members.
1. Participating in special Easter and Christmas services at Glen Waverley Uniting Church.
Plans for 2016 include more visits to other churches and possibly a concert.

Group

GOMER

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

A group for men to enjoy simple weekly fellowship over coffee in an unstructured atmosphere, as and when they are able. Keener members also do a walk before coffee.

Current Office Bearers:

Membership Secretary: DavidMorgan

Membership numbers:

39

Usual meeting attendance:

25

Meeting times and days:

Mondays at 10am

Locations used by Group:

Madeline’s Restaurant, Jells Park

Highlights of the year:

A new record attendance of 32. The wide variety of men who attend.

Group

Kids Church

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide a stimulating and enjoyable curriculum for the preschool to grade 3 (KAT) and grade 4 to year 8 (DOG) children that enables them to grow in faith and knowledge of God and Jesus.

Current Office Bearers:

KerrynLeister (DOG), BelindaChung (KAT) and KatieHaala (admin)

Membership numbers:

9 KAT and 7 DOG registered for 2015

Usual meeting attendance:

5-20 children each week

Meeting times and days:

During the 9.15am service each Sunday during school terms.

Locations used by Group:

Rooms 2 & 3.

Highlights of the year:

* Kids growing, learning and asking questions.
* Participants developing a deeper understanding of the Christian Faith, God and Jesus.
* The development of stronger relationships between the children and leaders including those between children of different age groups.
* Developing prayer life including the prayer wall from the second half of the year.
* To see the number of children attending grow throughout the year and a greater level of consistent attendance.
* To have children extend and continue activities on their own throughout their week, and indeed, after the “school year” has ended (ie: bible journaling by DOG children, that children ask to be shown to Kerryn via mobile phone)
* Having members of the congregation come and share their faith and mission with the DOG group (eg: Faye McDougall)
* Belinda was overjoyed at being corrected by the KAT children when taking ALL the chocolate money. She was told very politely and very clearly that Jesus wanted us to share our things.
* Seeing the KAT children gaining satisfaction, enjoyment and more from the Christmas story through the Christmas mobile project undertaken over a number of weeks.

Group

Ministry to Seniors

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

The Mission of the Ministry to Seniors is ‘to minister to senior members of Glen
Waverley Uniting Church in spiritual, pastoral, social and supportive ways, and to the wider community through links withretirement villages, hostels and nursing homes.’

Current Office Bearers:

Alison Clarkson (Coordinator)
Support Team: Jan Clear, Elwyn Pederson,
Jan Roberts, Evan Laidlaw

Membership numbers:

All seniors in congregation
6 leaders/pianists for devotions at nursing homes, etc

Usual meeting attendance:

40 - 100 at quarterly services
30 - 40 at seminar

Meeting times and days:

Services approx quarterly on Sundays at
2.30pm
Seminar annually on a Friday, 10.00am to 3.00pm

Locations used by Group:

Church, Fellowship area, Room1, Kitchen, Foyer, depending on event

Highlights of the year:

* Pastoral visiting at home or hospital, including, as required, communion
* Outreach to wider community through devotions at aged care facilities and invitations to special events
* Afternoon tea after a Seniors’ Service is an important fellowship time, especially for those living alone
* Praise and Carol Services were both well attended and much appreciated
* The Seminar, focussing on community support for seniors, was well received with interesting and knowledgeable speakers
* It has been a privilege to conduct or assist with funeral services for senior members !

Group

Monday Night Bible Study

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide members with opportunities to gather regularly for fellowship and through lively conversation on bible passages and through recommended book studies members share their faith journey and encourage one another to be sent to homes and communities doing God's work

Current Office Bearers:

JitTan is the prime mover and others in the group have volunteered to facilitate in sessions

Membership numbers:

15

Usual meeting attendance:

10

Meeting times and days:

2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 7.30 pm

Locations used by Group:

Room 2 in GWUC

Highlights of the year:

* Seasons of the Spirit inclusive program for the congregation for 2015
* Lenten Study in Feb/March entitled “Through the Eyes of Love” by Ian Price
* A New Season -Easter to Pentecost in Oct/Nov promoted by Synod

Group

Property Committee

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To maintain, expand and care for the Property/s used by the Glen Waverley Uniting Church for the benefit of all of the congregation and act as a stewardship caretaker for those properties on behalf of the Uniting Church in Australia.
To generate income from the property in a manner that is consistent with the UCA and GWUC philosophies.

Current Office Bearers:

Chairperson: Warren Greenwood

Membership numbers:

14

Usual meeting attendance:

11

Meeting times and days:

1st Monday of each month, 7:30pm

Locations used by Group:

Room 1

Highlights of the year:

* Full years operation of the Solar panels - generating a saving in excess of $9,000.
* Reduction of Solar Panel loan from $48,000 to $35,000 via rebates and savings.
* Replacement of Room 1 carpet with Carpet Tiles
* Installation of Inverter A/c in Room 1
* Rental income in excess of $70,000 which means that all 2015 property costs have been fully covered by rentals.
* Enhancement of the Water Harvest System and progress being made to return the lawn sprinklers to mains pressure.
* Careful Kitchen Crew continues to pass all Monash Council Food Safety inspections and being awarded the highest level of compliance.
* No major accident injury incidents during 2015
* We have commenced cutting extra large pews into a single and two smaller units for ease of handling. This work is being done by Bill Norquay and is spectacular.
o Late December, the CKC found that the Food Safety template we operate on, and used by Synod, was allowed to expire by Synod 5 years ago. This means we have to subscribe to a different template and the transfer is under way.

Group

Rosters - Kids Activity Time

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide an opportunity for men to meet in Christian fellowship, listen to a guest speaker, and share experiences over a cuppa.

Current Office Bearers:

Convenor: MalcolmChamberlain

Membership numbers:

31

Usual meeting attendance:

25

Meeting times and days:

2pm, first Tuesday of the month except November (Cup Day) and January.

Locations used by Group:

Room 1

Highlights of the year:

Monthly speakers;
* Feb - Roger & Jenny Vass - Madagasca
* March - Mercy Ships
* April - GeoffWillis and WarrenBartlett - Musical interlude
* May - AlaneeHearnshaw
* June - GraemeFrecker - A public life
* July - DavidFraser - Work reflections
* August - GlynHowells - Community farming
* September - NancyeCottrell - Work in prisons & other welfare services
* October - David & Shirley Williams - Meeting Giants.
* Dec - Breakup celebration.
Money raised for Mercy Ships - $700 from the sale of John Nunn's carpentry tools, plus $360 from Men's fellowship members and 8.00am church attendees.
David Williams painted a picture of a stained glass window & members contributed $100 to have it framed. This picture was presented to Rev.Bill Morgan, a regular attendee of Men's Fellowship, to honour his 100th birthday.

Group

The Hub

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To be a meeting place where we welcome, offer hospitality and grow relationships with people in the local community and in our church.
To continue to grow our current activities –
The Hub normal activity, special morning teas at The Hub, nativity dress ups for children etc.
To create activities arising from the needs of the people in our community.
To connect with other groups in the community and to grow partnerships with
them.

Current Office Bearers:

JudithGreenwood – Co-ordinator
LaurelMuir – Secretary
The Hub Small Group - JudithGreenwood LaurelMuir PamMcDonald KayeMackinnon DebGraham LynneBoyer Pamela McDonald, Geraldine Fleming, GailIrvine.

Membership numbers:

50 Volunteers

Usual meeting attendance:

The Hub Volunteers’ Lunch and Meeting – 20
The Hub Small Group Meeting - 9
Number of visitors to The Hub varies. Sometimes 2, sometimes 12.

Meeting times and days:

The Hub Volunteers’ Lunch and meeting – once in 2015 – Sunday lunch.
The Hub Small Group – once in 2015 – Thursday 1pm.
The Hub operates Tuesday and Thursday10am – 2pm, Wednesday 10am – 12noon during school terms.
Special Morning Teas on Thursday or Wednesday 10am – 12noon.

Locations used by Group:

Foyer, kitchen and also fellowship area for special morning teas.

Highlights of the year:

Special Morning teas at The Hub for 2015 – Well attended, great atmosphere, more and more new people from the community attending, and familiar faces coming back.
Some family and friends of GWUC people, others seeing notices in the Monash PALS booklet or the local paper etc.
Hot Cross Bun Morning Tea in March - $428 donated to The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea at The Hub in May - $640.15 donated to the Cancer Council Victoria.
Celebration Morning Tea at The Hub in July- celebrating 6 years of The Hub - $162.00 donated to Motor Neurone Disease
Seniors’ Morning Tea at The Hub in October - $715.20 donated to Motor Neurone Disease.
Christmas Morning Tea at The Hub and Children’s Nativity Dress-up photos in November and December - $200 donated to GWUC Welfare to be used for the needy at Christmas.
Continued support and participation in some of our morning teas from The Body Shop and Muddings Bakery.
Many people continue to come to The Hub to practise speaking English in an informal conversation. Many feel at home at GWUC and even make their own cuppa and offer to make one for our volunteers! Many visitors have said how much they appreciate The Hub and all our Volunteers.
The Hub events advertised in the Monash PALS booklet and the local paper bringing in more people from the local community.
The Hub events also advertised in Crosslight, the GW Library, Victorian Seniors’ Festival booklet and GWUC monthly and weekly bulletins.
Over 60 families came to The Hub for their children to dress up in Nativity dress-ups and have their photo taken. This was a wonderful opportunity for us to talk with the children and their parents about the real Christmas story.
Colouring –In books given to children in Playgroup, Mini Maestros and GWUC children were very much appreciated by both children and parents.

Group

UCAF

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To enable members to share in Christ's mission, meeting together for fellowship, service and worship.

Current Office Bearers:

President: BarbaraThompson
VP and Secretary: MargaretDuncan
Treasurer: NormaSaxton

Membership numbers:

55

Usual meeting attendance:

40

Meeting times and days:

First Tuesday of the month at 10.00am

Locations used by Group:

Room 1 and Fellowship area

Highlights of the year:

Fund raising lunch in May with speaker Phillip Johnson.
Christmas service and luncheon in December.
Some excellent speakers from National and Church Mission Groups.

Group

Uniting Voices

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To enhance the worship life of the church through music and song

Current Office Bearers:

Co-conductors: Barb Hurst, Elwyn Pederson
Accompanists: Robert Fleming, Noela Bartlett, Elwyn Pederson
Treasurer: Bev Barnfield

Membership numbers:

28

Usual meeting attendance:

20

Meeting times and days:

Rehearsals: Thursday 8pm,
Worship Services: 1st and 3rd Sunday 11am

Locations used by Group:

Room 1 and Church

Highlights of the year:

We sang at services on most first and third Sundays from February till Christmas. We joined with Free Spirit for the Anniversary service.
We took part in a Seniors Service.
We supplied morning tea at both the fete and the Book fair.
We sang at Cumberland View's ANZAC service.
We took part in the annual Ecumenical Choral Service.
We prepared and sang a service based on Iona resources at Christmas.
We have sorely missed our friend and accompanist Noela who has been unwell for most of the year.
Rita has been unable to sing with us due to Trevor's health and Nick Smith, after singing with us for a year, has not been contactable for the last 3 months.