Diff for "AnnualReport2016"

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:

Lindsay and Bev Brown, Jenny and Roger Vass continued from 2015 for a second year (the annually appointed small committee co-ordinates the program).

Membership numbers:

64 on the “roll”

Usual meeting attendance:

25-35 (maximum 45)

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:

Highlights of the year:
Adult Group continued with a monthly round of interesting speakers drawn from acquaintances of members plus other activities. The program for 2016 was as follows:
February: BBQ at the Vass, 27 attending, 20 apologies.
March: Poet Extraordinaire Don McQueen.
April: Trees with David and Shirley Williams (31 attending)
May: Migration story with Ken Gosbell (31 attending)
June: Uran Utang project presented by Tiffany Smith (23 attending and 14 apologies
July: Equip for Life with Mathew Shanks (27 attending, 22 apologies)
August: Games night (19 attending, 20 apologies)
September: Comedy Night 31 attending
October: School life with Elida Brereton
November: Life in New Guinea- a look back with Robin Pope (30 members attending)
December: Christmas Break up..organised by Lyn and PamMcDonald and Anne and ArthurDavey
Donations totalling $270 was given to the Share Appeal in support of the Homelessness Program. This donation was made up from $84 donated from sale of Peridot theatre tickets and the remainder made up of members gold coin donations made at the monthly meetings. The end of year balance is $94.15
The Committee for 2017 will be Margaret and AlanLemke and Sandra and AlanBarnard.
AnneDavey will continue as welfare contact. PatVevers will continue as Peridot contact.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Members continue to feel the demands of participating in the Fete as age creeps up. We have raised this with the Fete Committee and some thought needs to be given to the future demands on members helping at the fete on the Trash and Treasure stall.

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 and other events.

Current Office Bearers:

Co-leadership. Warren Greenwood is contact point

Membership numbers:

6

Usual meeting attendance:

As & when required, online or at GWUC

Meeting times and days:

As and when required – online or at GWUC

Locations used by Group:

GWUC – Beeac – Kerang, Johnsonville, Boort and as invited

Highlights of the year:

* The special ministry to Beeac, and their support for the outreach work of GWUC.
* Visits to Beeac to share worship and two way broadcasts to GWUC
* Visit to Kerang and Johnsonville who now take our services on a regular basis.
* The ongoing use of our worship by Boort UCA.
* The weekly download and watching of our worship from the church web site.
* The recording support we provide for special events, weddings and funerals.
* 6 (up from 3) DVD’s are produced weekly for home bound members.
* Over 100 people are watching our worship services from 11am in addition to
those physically at GWUC, and around 75 people a month download or watch a
variety of our services.
* The wonderful way the ministry team are inclusive to those churches.
* We welcomed Jesse Lang to the team to learn broadcast and sound management.
* The exciting news that Johnsonville had 20 people at their Christmas service towatch our Seniors Christmas podcast. Their normal numbers are 8 to 10.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Ongoing acknowledgement of the Beeac/Kerang/Boort and Johnsonville ministry by
and to GWUC, as well as the home-based ministry.
Ongoing funding to the ministry.
Encouragement.

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
to encourage, support and assist all forms of communications in GWUC.

Current Office Bearers:

Coordinator: JohnSnare

Membership numbers:

Five members plus usually a member of the ministry team.

Usual meeting attendance:

Five

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 2016:
1. The church brochure was updated to include information in Chinese
2. Frequently asked questions were prepared to help people who are relatively new to our congregation understand how things work.
3. A church postcard was prepared for visitors to our church.
4. The home page of the web site is routinely updated with news and event posters to ensure that it appears active.
For 2017:
1. Refresh the signage inside the car park notice board; and
2. Attempt to assist the congregation become more active using social media.
The Database/IT group plan to upgrade the wiki in 2017.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

There have been two resignations from the Communications Committee this year, JitTan and LesleyArmstrong. We have very much valued their contributions.
We are seeking at least two new members for the Communications Committee. Preferably at least one would have a passion for using social media as a communications channel.

Group

Community Hub MG

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Aiming, through our activities in Cooee, Leisure Time, Playgroup, The Hub, Welfare Committee, and Table Tennis/Badminton Groups, to open up our Church to the local community as a welcoming, supportive and friendly place of Christian hospitality.

Current Office Bearers:

Co-ordinator - GeraldineFleming
Secretary - JennyVass (now resigned)
CHMG Team - GeraldineFleming, JudithGreenwood, KayeMackinnon, DorothyLockhart, LaurelMuir, JennyVass (now resigned)

Membership numbers:

6 on team plus CC reps- NeilPeters, GailIrvine & ElwynPederson.
Well over 100 volunteers.

Usual meeting attendance:

8 for CHMG Meeting

Meeting times and days:

CHMG Meeting - Wednesday afternoon 4 times annually.

Locations used by Group:

CHMG Meeting - Room 2

Highlights of the year:

As per the reports from Cooee, Leisure Time, Playgroups, The Hub and Welfare Committee.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Prayer and continued involvement.
A volunteer for the position of Secretary would be very welcome.

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 a volunteer each month

Membership numbers:

7

Usual meeting attendance:

4 - 5

Meeting times and days:

First Thursday of month 7.45 pm

Locations used by Group:

GWUC room 2

Highlights of the year:

Four very successful Outreach seminars covering Glen Waverley Secondary College School Chaplaincy, Glenallen Special School, Water projects and volunteering in Nepal after the earthquake, Climate Science and ethics and morality.
Overseeing the COP process and spent time reviewing the COP processes.
Encouraged the outreach initiatives of Easter family day, the Moon Festival and neighbour day.
Made donations to Father Bob's food appeal $150 and Water Aid $200. Committed to supporting Welfare work next year $200 for 2 swags for the homeless and $150 general welfare.
Monthly Material Aid offering continues to be well supported each month.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Any suggests for a new convenor would be most helpful.

Group

Cooee

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Friendship and support

Current Office Bearers:

None

Membership numbers:

4

Usual meeting attendance:

4

Meeting times and days:

Fridays 12 noon - 3pm

Locations used by Group:

Fellowship area

Highlights of the year:

It was good to see one of The Hub visitors join the group occasionally.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

No

Group

Faith Development MG

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Encourage people in the congregation to grow in and share their faith/spiritual journeys

Current Office Bearers:

Convenor: MiriniLang
Notetaker: ColinKing

Membership numbers:

8

Usual meeting attendance:

3-5

Meeting times and days:

No regular time. Usually evening meetings. 8pm monthly to quarterly.

Locations used by Group:

Frequently private homes.

Highlights of the year:

Lenten study - "A sensual Faith"
Advent study - "Prepare the Way" included an email group - worked well.
Meditation Group run by Susan Karoly in the Sarcred Space rrom. On hold while Susan is away for 6 months.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Suggestions of suitable people to join our group meetings.

Group

Finance Committee

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

The timely & accurate reporting of all church income and expenditure.
Financial guidance for church council.

Current Office Bearers:

AshleyIrvine (Treasurer), WarrenGreenwood, NeilPeters, and MattGraham.

Membership numbers:

4

Usual meeting attendance:

4

Meeting times and days:

7:30pm, second Tuesday of the month (except January meeting)

Locations used by Group:

GWUC Office

Highlights of the year:

Accurate financials (actual v budget).
Comply with standard audit timeframe & receive satisfactory audit opinion.
Improved reporting facilitating stronger planning, strategy, and processes.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Nil.

Group

FISH - Yellow

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Fellowship in homes.

Current Office Bearers:

Organisers JacquiKing 2016. JanClear & NormaSaxton 2017

Membership numbers:

20

Usual meeting attendance:

14-18

Meeting times and days:

Usually Sunday lunch or dinner.

Locations used by Group:

Homes or outings occasionally.

Highlights of the year:

A lot of members travelled away.
A lot belong to walking group and went together with others from walking group.
Few more grandchildren born.
A lot of members go to Saturday morning coffee at the Glen.
Four have big 0 birthdays in 2017.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Don't think so.

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 Glen Waverley Uniting Church 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: John Snare
Roll & performance record Robin Pope
Scarves and ties: Marj Snare
Prayer and care: Marj Snare
Treasurer: John Snare
Historian John Snare
Friends of Free Spirit Register Geoff Willis
Supper roster Lyn Maslen

Membership numbers:

28 members

Usual meeting attendance:

25 members

Meeting times and days:

Practice weekly on Wednesday evenings.
Singing at worship or other events in both with Glen Waverley Uniting Church and elsewhere twice a month, including with Glen Waverley Uniting Church 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 sometimes 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. Organising and participating in the Ecumenical Choral Service hosted in 2016 by the Glen Waverley Uniting Church in May. This was the last of 34 annual Ecumenical Choral Services.
3. Contribution of music to worship at the Berwick Uniting Church (July).
4. Participation in the Glen Waverley Uniting Church combined anniversary choir in June.
5. Fund-raising concerts for the Glen Waverley Uniting Church and Castlemaine Uniting Church in September (proceeds $1,645 and $900 respectively).
6. Sale of a fund-raising CD. The CD was funded by Free Spirit members. Net proceeds to date approximately $4,500.
7. Contribution of music to worship at the Heatherton-Dingley Uniting Church (November).
8. Participating in special Easter and Christmas services at Glen Waverley Uniting Church.

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:

Group contact: DavidMorgan

Membership numbers:

35

Usual meeting attendance:

25

Meeting times and days:

Monday mornings at 10am.

Locations used by Group:

Madelines restaurant, Jells Park.

Highlights of the year:

Continuing high numbers of regular attenders. Singing happy birthday to Leana.

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 with retirement villages, hostels and nursing homes.’

Current Office Bearers:

AlisonClarkson (Coordinator)
Support Team: JanClear, ElwynPederson, SusanKaroly, JanRoberts

Membership numbers:

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

Usual meeting attendance:

40-100 at quarterly services
15-20 at seminar
20-30 at light lunches after 11.00am service

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, Kitchen, Room 1, Foyer, depending on event

Highlights of the year:

Spiritual: Devotions at age care facilities; services for seniors at GWUC
Pastoral: Home and hospital visiting with communion if required
Social: Afternoon tea group, regular lunches after 11.00am services
Supportive: Seminar - speakers on safety in the home, safe church policy and elder abuse, armchair exercises
Special Events: Praise service of favourite hymns; celebration of Seniors Week with music and afternoon tea; assisted on Leisure Time stall at Monash Council Seniors Expo
I have been privileged to assist with or conduct funeral services for senior members of the congregation
I am grateful to ElwynPederson and JanClear who looked after our seniors while I was overseas.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

2 leaders of devotions at age care facilities are not able to continue in 2017.
Leaders and musicians need to be available during the day. Please let me know of anyone you think might be interested in assisting the team.

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:

20

Meeting times and days:

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

Locations used by Group:

Room 2

Highlights of the year:

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Prayer Request

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To pray privately for our members needs and for the needs of those outside our church.

Current Office Bearers:

BeverlyMcGlead.

Membership numbers:

Fifteen

Usual meeting attendance:

No meetings convened.

Meeting times and days:

Nil

Locations used by Group:

No group.
People Pray at their own time and wherever they are.

Highlights of the year:

Three private Prayer Requests for 2016.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Nil

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:

11

Usual meeting attendance:

10

Meeting times and days:

1st Monday of each month, 7:30pm

Locations used by Group:

Room 1

Highlights of the year:

* Reduction of Solar Panel loan from $48,000 to $24,500 via rebates and savings and a significantly reduced power bill.
* Rental income again in excess of total property costs which means that all 2016 costs (and more) have been fully covered by rentals.
* Redesign of the Water Harvest System, returning the lawn sprinklers to mains pressure and new garden sprinklers to make more efficient use of the captured water.
* The conversion of the worship centre main lights to LED.
* Careful Kitchen Crew again continues to pass all Monash Council Food Safety inspections and being awarded 5 Star compliance - highest level.
* No major accident injury incidents during 2016
* The completion of reducing the pew sizes giving greater flexibility in worship and ease of moving the pews.
* It was with enormous sadness that we accepted the resignation of Ross Lennon late this year. The contribution Ross has made over 25 years as a member and as Chairperson cannot be underestimated both in monetary terms and devotion and skill. Ross has helped ensure our property remained at its best. A great servant of God and of the congregation.
* The unbelievable dedication of the volunteers who sweep, mow, clean and repair the complex. Every week, rain hail sleet or snow, as they say. It is incredible that we have over 70 people who give generously of their time.
* The dedication of the property team.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

* We continue to want to encourage more women to join the property committee, but our efforts have been unsuccessful. Now, Vida Foo is no longer a Church Council member we have also lost her.
* With the success of our church mission to reach into the wider community, we see more people from a wide variety of ethnic, social and non-Christian backgrounds who feel at home in our complex, which is wonderful. We are also then faced with greater cleaning and general maintenance costs due to cultural behaviours and understandings. Property would appreciate the understanding of Church Council of these challenges and the continued support in managing the impacts of new and different activities on our buildings and services.

Group

UCAF

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To enable members to share in Chrit's Mission, meeting together for Fellowship, Service & Worship.

Current Office Bearers:

BarbaraThompson President
MargaretDuncan Secretary
NormaSaxton Treasurer

Membership numbers:

50

Usual meeting attendance:

35

Meeting times and days:

First Monday of the month at 10am, except January and November

Locations used by Group:

Fellowship area, kitchen and room 1. For May lunch, Church, hall, kiitchen & Fellowship area.

Highlights of the year:

It was very rewarding to have an average attendance of 35. We have had some excellent speakers & heard of the work of Mission without Borders, Share, Wesley Mission, School Cahplaincy in the City of Monash. Rev. Barbara Higgins acted out the life of Mary Magdalene.
Our highlight for the year was our "High Tea"with guest speaker Patricia Begg. It was attended by 140 guests & we raised in excess of $1600. We have been able to donate over $1700 to 5 organisations. A very successful year.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

We are able to operate without any assistance other than occasional help with equipment required by our speakers.

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: BarbHurst, ElwynPederson
Accompanists: RobertFleming, NoelaBartlett, ElwynPederson
Treasurer: BevBarnfield

Membership numbers:

26

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 took part in the annual Ecumenical Choral Service.
We prepared and sang a service at Christmas.
We have welcomed back our friend and accompanist Noela who had been unwell for the first half of the year.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Keep the piano tuned.