Diff for "AnnualReport2022"

Group

Asylum Seeker Support

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide assistance to those seeking asylum in Australia

Current Office Bearers:

RobinPope

Membership numbers:

5-6

Usual meeting attendance:

Meetings informal

Meeting times and days:

Locations used by Group:

In homes or at GWUC

Highlights of the year:

During the pandemic, donations for the use of Asylum Seekers continued to be collected in the boxes in the church foyer. Donations of food, clothing, linen, cleaning agents etc were collected by the 4-5 members of the committee whose names were on the roster, and then delivered to the home of David Spitteler, who ran the Support Centre in Dandenong. This continued until mid 2022, when David closed down his operations, after 25+years of voluntary work.. The ASRC (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre) located initially in Footscray, had by then opened a new centre in Dandenong. Two members of the committee (Robin and BarbaraChamberlain) have visited this centre and made contact with a view to offering them support in the same way, although our focus in the future will be on providing specific items for their well-stocked food bank. They have no space for storing other items. We will resume the donation boxes in the new year.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Making sure that the congregation is frequently reminded that their donations are of great assistance. This can be done by messages in the weekly news bulletin, in issues of The Kingsway, and by recognising the needs of asylum seekers by marking World Human Rights Day or Refugee Day by presenting factual information about their treatment by our government - especially those who have been in detention for up to 9 years with no resolution in sight, or those 31000 whose claims have not been processed and are waiting in limbo for a determination.

Group

Broadcast Ministry

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide broadcast facilities for worship services to a global audience. To record services 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. To provide technical assistance to both the Ministry team and other worship space users.

Current Office Bearers:

Chairperson = Warren Greenwood

Membership numbers:

5

Usual meeting attendance:

4

Meeting times and days:

As & when required

Locations used by Group:

Available space or online

Highlights of the year:

As we emerged from COVID the need for Online worship did not decline as much as we had expected. In fact, our worship has become a replacement offering for many churches, individuals and Community groups (nursing homes) that developed an appetite for online worship.
The ministry has grown our reach and is now enjoyed by quite large numbers.
We have a subscriber database of over 350 people worldwide. This is in addition to the (approx.) 100 logins that occur each week after live worship has finished. The YouTube and Google statistics show that we have viewers in US, UK, China, Indonesia as well as locals.
Recently, we gained the ability to also detect how many downloads of worship from our website and found that there had been more than 300 downloads for some of our services.
We have been able to provide live coverage of weddings (to China) and funerals (UK, US and Indonesia) and live worship to our sister church in Indonesia. The ministry has had a far-reaching success beyond our expectations.
We also have stories of people coming to our physical worship because of watching online. And we are aware that blind people watch due to the quality of the worship delivered by our ministry team.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

We would again like to thank the ministry team for their co-operation and creative planning of worship. They have done a spectacular job under difficult circumstances.

Group

Communications

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

"The Communications Committee is a sub- committee of the Church Council. The Communications Committee works to ensure that information about the life of the congregation is readily available to interested people and that members of the congregation know what is going on.
Specifically, the Communication Committee's role is to:
1. oversee and coordinate all communications across the congregation ensuring that they are done in a timely and inclusive manner;
2. introduce new methods of communication as appropriate;
3. facilitate the production of a church magazine (recently renamed to Kingsway) in a variety of formats (to bring the congregation together through the use of information and entertainment);
4. ensure that all church communications are clear, appropriate and that no bias or offensive content is present;
5. continue to develop GWUC's online and web presence as an outreach activity;
6. maintain all brochures and promotional material used by GWUC;
7. seek to make best use of community material to publicise events and activities at GWUC;
8. liaise with Property Committee and make use of, and manage, any external signage;
9. take advantage of free promotional media wherever possible (i.e. Real Estate boards);
10. publicise and communicate Presbytery and Synod activities and events; and
11. 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. In 2022 there were three meetings.

Locations used by Group:

The Communications Committee meets in a meeting room at the church.

Highlights of the year:

The Communications Committee met face to face again in 2022 after the disruption of the Covid years.
The status quo for communications activities was maintained including work behind the scenes to maintain and keep operational the web site and the wiki. It is pleasing to report that after collateral? damage associated with Zuckerberg’s pre-covid dummy spit, we were able to regain control of our Facebook site and it is now routinely used as a communications channel; thank you JoanneBoldiston. A disappointment was failure to progress work to update our on-line platforms and refresh the web site. While the Integrated Social Media and Streaming Presence project specified by Church Council was a priority, little progress was possible because we were unable to find a person in the congregation willing to take the lead on this project. We will try again in 2023.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

We are seeking at least two new members for the Communications Committee. The committee needs at least one new member with a passion for using social media as a communications channel. The committee needs at least one new member with a passion for keeping the web-site design contemporary.

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: DebLeigh
* Music selection and purchase: DebLeigh
* Music management
* Music Database: to be maintained by JohnSnare who will add music when it is purchased.
* New music: LiseHales to stamp/number/name/prepare music, ready for use.
* Music monitors: (at least 1 monitor for each part but other assistance will be required at times.)
* Sop – EvelynFleming
* Alto – MariaGillies
* Tenor – YanEmms & JacobDavey
* Bass - MichaelKennedy & MichaelFoo
* Performance calendar/schedule: JohnSnare – updates at FreeSpiritSchedule
* Roll & performance record: VidaFoo
* Friends of Free Spirit register: GeoffWillis
* Scarves and ties: JoyAllen
* Pastoral support (Prayer and care): JoyAllen (sop), JacquiKing (alto), KayeMorgan (Tenor) and MichaelFoo (Bass)
* Treasurer: JohnSnare
* Historian: JohnSnare
* Supper roster: MargaretColvin
* Stage managing events: LynMaslen

Membership numbers:

36 members plus some occasional visitors

Usual meeting attendance:

30 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 up to 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.
A small group from Free Spirit members contributed to worship at 11:00am on the second Sunday of many months (but not January and December)

Locations used by Group:

Practice is held in the Church.

Highlights of the year:

1. After the Covid-19 years, Free Spirit was able to get back to normal in 2022.
2. Free Spirit regularly contributed to worship on the fourth Sunday of each month except January.
3. Small groups made up from Free Spirit members often provided music in worship on the second Sunday of each month (but not January and December).
4. Free Spirit presented a concert at Hampton Park Uniting Church in March as part of a community arts festival.
5 Free Spirit contributed to worship at Dingley Uniting Church in March.
6. Free Spirit contributed to Easter and Christmas worship.
See also FreeSpiritHighlights2022

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

None identified.

Group

GOMER

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

A Fellowship group for retired men

Current Office Bearers:

DavidMorgan convenor

Membership numbers:

30

Usual meeting attendance:

15

Meeting times and days:

Monday 10am

Locations used by Group:

Fellowship area

Highlights of the year:

A full year of meeting at the church. Muddings closed and we now use Piatella for coffee, supplemented by hot chocolates made in the church kitchen. We have assumed responsibility for putting out the bins. We miss the lake walk, but Madelines remains closed on Mondays, and meeting at the church has advantages of smaller numbers and controlled ventilation during the ongoing pandemic.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Men's Fellowship

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

Fellowship among older men, learning from invited speakers

Current Office Bearers:

Committee of BillNorquay DavidSimpson ColinKing DougNewberry KeithWest

Membership numbers:

Usual meeting attendance:

Meeting times and days:

Locations used by Group:

Did not meet in 2022 due to pandemic

Highlights of the year:

No meeting in 2022.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Group

Playgroup Volunteers

Purpose, Aim or Mission of the Group:

To provide a welcoming, safe, friendly and supportive place for parents, grandparents or carers and their young children to meet and play together.

Current Office Bearers:

ChrisKrahn assisted by KayeMackinnon, LesleyLamble, Rosalie O’Dea and RebeccaCornall

Membership numbers:

Average term membership 9 children plus accompanying parent or carer

Usual meeting attendance:

4-9 children plus accompanying parent or carer

Meeting times and days:

10am -12 midday on Monday and Tuesday

Locations used by Group:

Rooms 2 and 3, outside Playground

Highlights of the year:

Witnessing developing friendships of parents or carers new to area
Witnessing social developments and achievement of skills of children aged 6 months to 5 years old
Allowing adult participants to improve their English speaking skills and join community activities including GWUC assistance programs

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Assist with advertising in the Monash community.
Maintenance of outdoor playground and equipment.
Cleaning of floors and carpet in indoor play areas.
Most importantly help is desperately needed with recruiting helpers for playgroup as we only have 4-5 volunteers which incorporates 2 volunteers on each day we operate, but if one is not able to attend on rostered day cover falls on those already involved

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:

8

Usual meeting attendance:

8

Meeting times and days:

First Monday of each month

Locations used by Group:

Rooms 1 or 4

Highlights of the year:

As GWUC has emerged from the COVID restrictions most, but not all, of the Property users have returned to normal rental behaviours. To entice them back we chose not to increase the 2022/2023 rental charges, but a small increase will be introduced late 2023. The specific highlights of 2022 are as follows:-
* The 5 year carpet update project throughout the complex has been completed.
* The replacement of all incandescent or hyalogen lighting, with efficient LED lighting has continued. We have replaced about 50% of all lighting.
* The solar system continues to deliver huge savings (of around $10,000 p.a.) to our congregation.
* Solar panels were installed on 17 Southdown (same as 15 S/D) and are working really well.
* In February we applied for a Department of Sustainability 50% of capital cost grant to replace the broken Foyer and Fellowship in-ceiling heating system with heating and cooling. We were successful and received a grant of $10,025 being 50% of the total project costs. The installation of 4 Inverter A/c units has been completed and they are working brilliantly. They are also significantly lower cost to run.
* Careful Kitchen Crew continued to pass all Monash Council Food Safety inspections and recently have also been successful in having our church classification reduced from Class 2 to Class 3 meaning a halving of annual fees and reduced Food Safety administrative tasks. (In my language we are no longer considered to be a Restaurant Classification) This is a big step in easing of the workload on everyone.
* No major accidents or injury incidents occurred during 2022
* Throughout 2022 there was an amazing dedication of the volunteers who sweep, mow, clean and repair the complex. Every week. It is incredible that we have over 50 people who give generously of their time. However, like reported last year, they/we are aging, and tasks are being simplified and reviewed to ensure their necessity or current frequency.
* The dedication and reliability of the small property team.
* We have been successful in getting a few people to do small tasks rather than large, rostered tasks. This has been wonderful.
* With the departure of the 17 Southdown Ave manse occupant in October, work has commenced on refreshing the manse for a future occupant. Similarly with 15 Southdown, we will have work to do in 2023 as Rev Neil Peters moves into his own new home.
* Again, I would like to thank all our hirers and congregation members who have respected our property and ensured it is maintained in good condition.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

Like all groups, we would welcome volunteers to do small tasks.

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: Margaret Duncan
Vice-President: BarbaraThompson
Treasurer: NormaSaxton
Secretary: MargaretDuncan
Committee: GeraldineFleming, DianaColes, MaureenBall

Membership numbers:

35

Usual meeting attendance:

Average of 24

Meeting times and days:

1st Tuesday of the month

Locations used by Group:

Fellowship area, Room 1

Highlights of the year:

Our Guest Speakers in 2022 were Susan Karoly, Alanee Hearnshaw, Maria Gillies, Rev Linley Liersch and Meredith Allan, Pauline McKinnon, Keith Hallett, Dr. Cheryl Threadgold OAM, Ross Mackinnon. Our speakers brought a variety of topics including their live and interests, Japanese/Chinese embroidery, effects of having a disability in todays society, history of Sunday School, Amateur theatre and its history in Victoria, relaxation and meditation methods and benefits and the origin of TAFE. Because of Covid restrictions no special food was included at morning tea. There was no May fund raising luncheon.

Any needs that Church Council can assist:

No we feel well catered for thank you.