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)

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Badminton

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Promote community fellowship through participation in badminton and Table Tennis

Current Office Bearers:

Convenor: Onn Chin
Member: Lynne Bowyer, Andrew Hosking,
Brady Trewin, Ian Mc Millan

Membership numbers:

2015 12
2016 16 from Mar 2016

Usual meeting attendance:

2015 4-12
2016 12-16 from Mar16

Meeting times and days:

Mon & Thur 8-10 pm

Locations used by Group:

Church Hall

Highlights of the year:

In 2015, we had a lot of interest from various people who lived in the area but not many stayed for long. Managed to ensure we had numbers to play regularly on both days although it was a struggle at times. With the absence of Onn during his hospitalisation from Sept to the end of the year, Brady, Andrew and Lynne kept the place running during that period.
Improvement in standards of play with the younger group has been achieved and we have managed to keep the levels of injuries to the older group within an acceptable level mainly at the ankles, elbows and knees.
Since Mar 2016; there has been a boost of number from the hub, local community and other people who have met active members of the Church like Andrew and have started to roll up to weekly meetings and sessions. The current attendance at each session at times exceeds the capacity we can manage. This has been alleviated by having initially the use of 2 table tennis tables each night. In addition, we had at times opened the court earlier at 6:30 pm to allow school age members to start and end earlier. Both Brady and Andrew have been able to be present to oversee wellbeing and security of the hall and people.
Discussions are being held to consider use of an additional night to meet the high demand. Currently the usual group of adults have not been able to get sufficient time on the courts and it is hoped the additional night would allow them to participate fully in the hours of 8 – 10 pm.
The increase in numbers have also boosted the voluntary collections each night and help pay for the expenses in the provision of shuttles, balls and bats for both badminton and TT.

Current expectations are that this group would be able to contribute some fund to the Church to defray cost of the lighting used during these occasions.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Careful Kitchen Crew

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

We aim to provide and ensure that correct food safety standards and procedures are understood and maintained by all users of the church kitchen.

Current Office Bearers:

"YanEmms: Food Safety Supervisor and convenor
NicoleRobertson: Secretary
DebGraham: Roster"

Membership numbers:

8

Usual meeting attendance:

5 to 8

Meeting times and days:

We meet quarterly on the third Monday in February, May, Aug and Nov. A member is rostered every month to check and rectify any food safety issues in the kitchen. Please refer to our roster to contact the appropriate CKC member if there are any issues or enquires you may have about food handling.

Locations used by Group:

"We meet in room 1 at 7.30pm.
We do several food safety checks in the kitchen at least once a week throughout the year. "

Highlights of the year:

Sarah Weiden did a great job in monitoring the food handling practices and all the fete food stalls were diligent in maintaining food safety.
GWUC kitchen scored 100% in our food safety inspection, but was penalised 10 points for displaying our UCA Food Safety Manual which was no longer accredited with the Dept. of Health.
Fortunately, we were able to adopt the current DHS, Food Safety program template , no1 version 3 for 2015 and will continue with this program for 2016. "

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Church Council

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

“The Church Council shall give priority in its life to building up the Congregation in faith and love, sustaining members in hope, and leading the Congregation to a fuller participation in Christ's mission in the world. This priority shall be reflected in the agenda of its ordinary meetings.” (UCA Regulation 3.1.2a)
Current Office Bearers:<<BR>>

Current Office Bearers:

HelenStewart (Chair),
JudyLowe (Secretary),
AshleyIrvine (Treasurer).
Membership numbers:

Membership numbers:

Ministers 3, Elected: 10; Co-opted: 2 (Total: 15)
Usual meeting attendance:

Usual meeting attendance:

12
Meeting times and days:

Meeting times and days:

Ordinary meetings Once per month, 8 p.m.
Locations used by Group:<<BR>>

Locations used by Group:

Room 1, GWUC

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

Implementation of our Vision
Church Council missional group representatives were tasked with coaching their MGs to maintain their focus on the implementation of the vision. The CommunicationsMinutes20150601 statement of Mission was highlighted as an excellent example for other groups to follow. At Church Council meetings there has been feedback from Church Council Missional Group representatives.
Makeup of Ministry Team
Church Council spent considerable time considering the makeup of Ministry team. Mark Easton convened a task group to further explore ministry team makeup. Focus groups were held to get input from members of the congregation. Early in 2016 Ministry Team composition was presented at the Congregation meeting.
Annual reviews:
Reviews for staff continue.
Safe church
Reviewed and adopted the Serving Safely Policy (2014), together with the full appendix of position description, induction documents and serving packs as an operational document for the life of Glen Waverley Uniting Church. Council adopted the policy as a living document, subject to revisions as roles and legislation change.
Safety Team
The safety team was set up by Council in July 2015 as defined in the Serving Safely Policy. Current membership is:
Dorothy Lockhart: Safe Church Concerns Person
Neil Skilton: Safe Church Administration Person
David Morgan: Deputy Safe Church Concerns Person & member of Church Council.
Indonesian Congregation
A task group was established to consider sharing our property with an Indonesian congregation. A few meetings were held and feedback forwarded to Presbytery. A report was provided to the Congregation meeting. The thinking of Presbytery had changed, and that the proposal for the Indonesian Congregation to share our property was no longer seen as the best way forward
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Church Council enthusiastically supported involvement in the Chinese New Year celebrations. Outcome was highly successful. Contributions to morning worship were presented in Mandarin and Cantonese
Support for Julie Hall
Lay consultant group for Julie Hall (candidate) was established to support Julie whilst she was at Glen Waverley Uniting. (March to October)
Worship Survey
Council was requested to consider the option of combining some morning services. Council were asked to formulate a survey to ascertain whether there was significant interest in investigating this further. The findings from the survey were presented at a Congregation meeting. Given the enthusiasm of the people for each of the current services, Council affirmed its support for all the existing service times & styles. Council celebrated both the diversity of the different services and the unity in the opportunities that we have to come together at various times throughout the year.
Cross Cultural Ministry discussions
There have been discussions with a number of different people regarding Cross Cultural Ministry. A common theme was the importance of working from the grass roots and building relationships
Glen Waverley Secondary College Chaplaincy program
The school has lost their funding for chaplaincy and wished to foster relationships with local churches and they were exploring opportunities for this. It was decided that Glen Waverley Uniting Church actively could engage in a partnership with the Glen Waverley Secondary College working with their chaplaincy program and the Well Being dept. That Glen Waverley Secondary College Chaplaincy program would receive financial support in 2016 of $5,000 from this church. That $2,500 be raised through fundraising and that $2,500 come from Interest earned in the GWUC Endowment Fund.
Highlights:
Councillors shared individual highlights of being a member of Church Council. Supportive group, diversity, respect, willingness to take on tasks, acceptance, enthusiasm and many achievements through use of gifts and passions

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Community Outreach MG

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Community Outreach is a servant ministry of GWUC. We seek opportunities to share God's love, to raise awareness and bring renewal to a needy world through connecting with our wider community, building relationships and offering support.

Current Office Bearers:

Convenor Neil Peters
Secretary - whoever volunteers each month

Membership numbers:

8

Usual meeting attendance:

5 - 6

Meeting times and days:

First Thursday of the month at 7.45pm

Locations used by Group:

GWUC Room 2

Highlights of the year:

* Established a monthly Material Aid Offering which has been very well supported by the congregation.
* Held three lunch forums with engaging speakers from Possible Dreams International, Kivuli Project and Whitelion Open Doors.
* Supported Jullian Burnside speaking at High Street Road UC.
* Actively supported the 2015 COP Committee and Process.
* Fundraising of $2437 to Jai at Glenallen Special School upgrade his wheelchair.
* Supported congregation involvement in Chinese New Year celebrations.
* Proposal to church council to financially support the chaplain at Glen Waverley Secondary College which was later supported by the Church Council and also the Congregation.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Cooee

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Friendship and support

Current Office Bearers:

None

Membership numbers:

4

Usual meeting attendance:

2 or 3

Meeting times and days:

Friday 12noon - 3pm

Locations used by Group:

Fellowship area

Highlights of the year:

Continued support

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Finance Committee

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

The timely & accurate reporting of all church income & expenditure, finamcial guidance for church council.

Current Office Bearers:

AshleyIrvine (Treasurer),WarrenGreenwood, NeilPeters & MattGraham

Membership numbers:

4

Usual meeting attendance:

4

Meeting times and days:

7:30pm , second Tuesday of the month (no January meeting)

Locations used by Group:

GWUC office.

Highlights of the year:

Accurate financials within audit timeframe.
Improved reporting facilitating stronger planning, strategy, process.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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: DebLeigh
Music selection and purchase: DebLeigh
Liaison with ministerial team: DebLeigh
Librarians: JoanneBoldiston
Music borrowing: LiseHales
Calendar/schedule: JennyAbraham & JohnSnare
Roll & performance record RobinPope
Scarves and ties: MarjorieSnare
Prayer and care: MarjorieSnare
Treasurer: JohnSnare
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.
2. Contribution of music to worship at the Croydon Uniting Church (March)
3. 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.
4. Participation in the Glen Waverley Uniting Church combined anniversary choir in June.
5. Participating worship simulcast with Beeac Uniting Church in September
6. 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.
7. 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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

None

Group

Inclusive Community MG

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To develop fellowship groups within the congregation, to improve pastoral care and welcoming procedures, to offer hospitality within the congregation, to support Seniors’ ministry, to encourage those performing duties such as Bereavement support, Supportive Care Link, Cradle roll and prayer support, to work to improve communication within the congregation.

Current Office Bearers:

JanClear (convenor) NeilPeters, FayeWagon, BarbaraThompson. AlisonClarkson, ElwynPederson, LaurelMuir, MarjorieCollins.

Membership numbers:

8

Usual meeting attendance:

6-8

Meeting times and days:

Usually a weekday about every 6 weeks.

Locations used by Group:

Meetings are held in the church.

Highlights of the year:

Munch with a Bunch lunches are held every couple of months at the RSL.
Lunches are held after 11am services sometimes and after combined services.
An Intergenerational night was held during the year.
We support Club 2015 and seniors activities.
Pastoral Care and visiting when necessary are important aspects of our program.
Supportive care link, bereavement support, cradle roll and prayer support are also discussed and acted upon, in our meetings.
We have a representative on the Communications Committee.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Provide volunteers as required, to support all programs including pastoral care.

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Leisure Time

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Leisure Time, staffed entirely by volunteers, is a community program designed to assist isolated Monash seniors and their families. The program provides a friendly day out, addresses social isolation and aims to develop positive relationships and promote human dignity in an inclusive and non-discriminatory way. Leisure Time is aware that its guests are pensioners, and hence participant's costs are minimised

Current Office Bearers:

Acting Chairperson/Treasurer: CliffBaker
Secretary: PamMcDonald
Committee: AlisonClarkson, JeanetteCoutts, MargaretFraser, AlisonHawkins, LaurelMuir, ElwynPederson, BarbaraThompson, PatVevers, RossVevers.

Membership numbers:

Committee - 11
Total Volunteers - 63
Guests - 19

Usual meeting attendance:

Meetings are organised by Day Leaders, and each of the four Mondays in each month are operated by a different group of volunteers.
Each Monday about15 volunteers are involved, whilst Guest attendance is 12 -18

Meeting times and days:

Mondays, excluding Christmas & Public Holidays 10.30 am to 2.00pm. Outings may be outside these times.

Locations used by Group:

Fellowship area, Room 1 & Kitchen at the Church, Outings at selected venues.

Highlights of the year:

The Christmas Party was certainly one of the year's highlights. Guests, their families, and volunteers met for morning tea and then were entertained by three choirs from the Glen Waverley Primary School. The guests, Ministerial staff, the committee and some volunteer helpers then enjoyed an excellent lunch in party mode, followed by a short Church Service.
We have been without a Coordinator since April and sorely miss such a person. However the interim arrangement, which shares duties around the Committee, appears to have operated well, with little or no effect on Guest's enjoyment.
Six outings were enjoyed by the Guests - apart from the Christmas Breakup these are the Guest's highlights and are much looked forward to.
Financially Leisure Time was embarrassed by riches this year, with a Monash Council Grant and a generous bequest from Joan Carver, a well-loved member of the Guest group. We were able to minimise guest outings charges and contribute $4500 to the Church towards the purchase of new ovens for the kitchen.
Relationship with Monash Council was bolstered, financially by being granted the free use of a Council Bus and the participation in Council's Seniors Month activities, particularly the hosting of a Mystery Bus Tour for Morning Tea.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Meditation Study

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To be silent and open ourselves to the Divine.

Current Office Bearers:

Leader: Bobbie Rooks

Membership numbers:

8

Usual meeting attendance:

7

Meeting times and days:

Monday 7.30pm

Locations used by Group:

Highvale Village

Highlights of the year:

Increased membership from non church members.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

None

Group

Men's Fellowship

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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 !

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

New Comers Group

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

These people do not meet as a group but are encouraged to join existing groups within the congregation.

Current Office Bearers:

Members of the Inclusive Community Committee.

Membership numbers:

Fluctuates.

Usual meeting attendance:

We encourage newcomers to attend regular worship services and the anniversary service to be welcomed.

Meeting times and days:

N/A

Locations used by Group:

N/A

Highlights of the year:

It is good to see newcomers joining in the life of the congregation.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Playgroups

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide a safe, friendly, welcoming and supportive place for mothers and their young children.

Current Office Bearers:

Coordinator: Kaye Mackinnon
Leaders: JoyJackson, PamGraham, SheilaChan, MargaretGibson, JoyWahner, BevRichardson, ChrisKrahn, Rosalie O'Dea, Nancy2Burns, LynnPeters, VerityCormack, KayeMackinnon

Membership numbers:

60-80 children/week, 50 carers, 13 leaders
These numbers are approximate and fluid

Usual meeting attendance:

Daily average: 16 children, 16 adults, 3 leaders

Meeting times and days:

10 am - 12 noon, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday during school term time

Locations used by Group:

Rooms 2 and 3 and the playground. Occasional use of the hall in wet weather

Highlights of the year:

Morning teas and lunches sharing food from various cultures.
Attendance of Playgroup families at Hub special functions.
Attendance of Playgroup families at the GWUC children's Christmas program.
Support from the extended Church family for our “ mission”.
Christmas photos and parties.
Continuing refinement and development of our program.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Welfare Committee

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

The purpose of the GWUC Welfare Committee is underpinned by the mission of the GWUC within the Community Hub Mission Group.
We provide practical, spiritual and emotional support to those in the Church and wider community who seek our assistance.
Some recipients self refer, others are referred by members of our congregation or local agencies.
All referrals are responded to as promptly as possible.
Primarily, our focus is on day to day living expenses and the general independent living of individuals and families.
Those we see are encouraged to access existing community resources including those within our church.

Current Office Bearers:

Co-ordinator- DorothyLockhart
Sec/Tresurer- FayeMcDougall

Membership numbers:

4

Usual meeting attendance:

4

Meeting times and days:

Quarterly formal and minuted meetings with informal liaison amongst members, as required.

Locations used by Group:

GWUC Meeting Rooms

Highlights of the year:

Our Christian imperative is to care for the poor and the Welfare Committee considers our efforts as contributing , on behalf of GWUC , towards this enormous task.
In our interactions with, and interventions with or on behalf of those we assist, we pray that, and endeavour to, make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Assistance includes providing a 'listening ear”; counselling on a number of levels; sharing a prayer; accompanying or directing a person to an appropriate community agency; providing supermarket vouchers; food and travel assistance; distributing Christmas hampers; and confidentially channelling donations that come through our GWUC congregation and others.
Our specific highlights have been those generous financial donations as well as the incredibly huge amount of food and toiletries that came through the GWUC Missional Outreach Committees Material Aid Offerings on a particular Sunday.
We are grateful too to Eastern Emergency Relief who donated some of our Christmas Hampers .
Another Committee member with Social/Welfare experience ,who is available to respond during the day, is sought.

Any needs that Church Council can assist: