AnnualReport2017

Group

Asylum Seeker Support

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Advocate for support of Asylum Seekers within the community

Current Office Bearers:

Rev Neil Peters - Chairman of Outreach Missional Group

Membership numbers:

9

Usual meeting attendance:

2

Meeting times and days:

First Tuesday of the month (4-6 WEEKLY)

Locations used by Group:

Foyer, Off-site

Highlights of the year:

Large cash sums raised through various events such as the “Honey Money,” Staffing of Lions Op Shop Mt Waverley, Food and toiletries and clothing/household goods raised through collection.
Periodic Newsletter contributions to raise profile of the issues.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Maintain support of the ventures outlined through the oversight of Outreach Missional Group.

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, Sony Simanjuntak, Graham Pratt

Membership numbers:

24

Usual meeting attendance:

12-16

Meeting times and days:

Mon, & Thur 7:30-10 pm

Locations used by Group:

Church Hall for badminton and Annexe for TT

Highlights of the year:

Numbers attending was still high at 12-16. Attendance on the additional day was not sustained and this was eventually dropped to minimise resources in ensuring supervision.
Attendance of the local community was good and a number of young people came to play both badminton and TT. Invariably as the players improved, they move on to other clubs which catered to their needs. So average standard players stay on the not so young group keep the standard of play at a reasonably high level.
It should be noted that a number of members from the community in this group helped in the Church Fete this year as they did last year. This is appreciated.

Management of the opening and closing of the hall is well done now and there is adequate supervision of the activities. The current office bearers have helped ensure supervision is adequate on the nights the hall is used.
Special mention to Brady who has picked up the role of ensuring the resources are available on the nights the court is used and also some training of the younger players. He is also taking on additional administrative activities.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

None at this stage.

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: John Snare

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 2017:
1. Refreshed the signage inside the car park notice board
2. The home page of the web site is routinely updated with news and event posters to ensure that it appears active.
For 2018:
1. Attempt to assist the congregation become more active using social media.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

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

Database Users

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

The group of members authorised to access the church rolls database.

Current Office Bearers:

No formal structure

Membership numbers:

9

Usual meeting attendance:

All meetings are eletronic

Meeting times and days:

NA

Locations used by Group:

NA

Highlights of the year:

Basically satisfactory operation. Improvement of the resistance of our emails to being classified as "spam" and not delivered.

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 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 assisted by Maria Gillies
Calendar/schedule: John Snare
Roll & performance record: Robin Pope
Scarves and ties: Marj Snare
Prayer and care: vacant
Treasurer: John Snare
Historian John Snare
Friends of Free Spirit Register: Geoff Willis
Supper roster: Lyn Maslen
Fete: Yan Emms

Membership numbers:

29 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. Participation in the Glen Waverley Uniting Church combined anniversary choir in June.
3. Fund-raising concert for the Peppertree Hill retirement village in June (proceeds $150 contributed to the Glen Waverley Uniting Church outreach programme).
4. Contribution of music to worship at the St. Michael's Uniting Church (August).
5. Contribution of music to worship at the Southern Mornington Peninsula Uniting Church at Rosebud (September).
6. Ran the silent auction at the fete raising approximately $4009 in October and assisted with setting up and packing up.
7. Sale of a fund-raising CD. The CD was funded by Free Spirit members. Net proceeds in 2017 $200.
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:

DavidMorgan

Membership numbers:

37

Usual meeting attendance:

25

Meeting times and days:

Monday mornings at 10am.

Locations used by Group:

Madelines Restaurant, Jells Park

Highlights of the year:

Contining appreciation by members of the opportunity to get together.
Visits from ministerial team members.
Great support for members with health problems.

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:

Coordinators: BevRichardson and ChrisKrahn

Membership numbers:

About 80 children, 60 adult carers

Usual meeting attendance:

Average per day over year about 16 children

Meeting times and days:

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

Locations used by Group:

Playground, Rooms 2 & 3

Highlights of the year:

o New babies born to playgroup families
o Special welcome to Dietrich- his skills are much needed!
o Special occasion parties - farewells to families returning home overseas, birthdays, sharing food from other cultures
o Christmas parties and photos
o Welcoming new families via The Hub

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Willing assistance from the Property Committee is much appreciated
Support and visits from Neil, encouragement from Ministry Team and Church Council are also much appreciated
We are still short of dedicated leaders and committed helpers for Monday, Wednesday and Friday

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, 7:45pm

Locations used by Group:

Room 1

Highlights of the year:

o Continued reduction of Solar Panel loan from original $48,000 now to $19,991 via rebates & savings and a significantly reduced power bill.
o Solid rentals income during 2017. Income continues to cover expenses with the exception of the new unplanned, unbudgeted security system.
o CCTV security installation in key high-risk areas and a personal alarm system to protect staff and Welfare team.
o Careful Kitchen Crew continue to pass all Monash Council Food Safety inspections and were awarded 5 Star compliance - highest level.
o No major accidents or injury incidents during 2017
o A new member of the Property Committee - Mirini Lang
o Installation of a bike rack and redesign of car park area to provide improved disabled parking options and access to the church.
o Successful receipt of a $2,600 grant to cover the cost of installing a Hearing loop in the Chapel for use by a variety of groups. Installed 19th December 2017.
o The invitation to participate in a Commonwealth Grant by the local MP to the value of $12,000 for Air Conditioning in the church - a final agreement pending.
o The amazing 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. However, they are aging and we may need to supplement the tasks with paid help.
o The dedication of the property team.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

o As Church Council develop and deliver the new missional programmes, and as various programs are modified or extended, Property Committee would like as much notice as possible so that any new facilities or equipment can be managed in a safe and appropriate manner. For example: - An understanding that domestic quality furniture or equipment may not be safe or the best choice for use in a public building such as ours.