CommunityServiceBequest

Idea

Why we think it would be great

Who it will serve

Ongoing costs

Other considerations

Suggested by

Progress

To replace the 20 year old analogue sound system in the worship area with a modern digital system, integrated with the chapel and hall systems. Approx $10,000

This will significantly enhance sound throughout the worship centre and enable a broader and better quality sound for all members, all functions and particularly music.

The entire GWUC community, weddings, funerals and other functions.

Nil once installed.

This will enable a substantial improvement and flexibility of our sound capability.

WarrenGreenwood

Purchase of 2 new ping pong tables and 8 bats with balls would require $1500. $1000 for the tables at regular retail price and $500 for bats with balls.

At present on Mondays and Thursdays at 8pm we have an average of 8 players in the evening, and with more tables we could accommodate greater numbers. Also tournament times planned wil require 4 tables.

Local community members of GWUC as well as the Indonesian Fellowship and Glen Waverley residents.

There should only be replacement of items through general "wear & tear" required.

Badminton and Ping Pong are an excellent opening to church membership

Badminton club, BradyTrewin, AndrewHosking

Clarified as being alternative funding to Endowment Fund

We could expand our food bank by purchasing a storage shed and securing food supplies from some of my golf mates.

We have a great number of people accessing our food bank at this point.

Homeless and poor currently accessing our welfare services.

Food stuffs would need to be continually sourced.

We need to secure food supply first but this is doable.

BobArgall

Meeting with Welfare group being arranged. Reported at BequestWelfareMeeting

To set up a women's choir for the victims of abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence and for those affected by it through family and friends connections. (See also No Excuses choir).

The issue of domestic violence, and sexual abuse is either becoming increasingly prevalent or more recognised in our society, and affects women across all socioeconomic groups, all ages. Victims of this type of abuse often struggle with self esteem, self confidence having been betrayed by loved ones who are often the perpetrators of this type of abuse. Being part of a choir may build connections with other women who have been in similar circumstances. It can help build self confidence, and self esteem. A similar choir run in the north of Melbourne (No excuses choir) has had very positive reactions from its members.
The following is from the No Excuses choir music therapist Christina Green:
"They've said how it has changed their life, how they have become more confident," she said.
"A growth of confidence is a real goal that I would hold as a music therapist, and this has been highly successful in that way."
She said the rapid growth and popularity of the choir symbolised a shift in public thinking about family violence.
"It's come to feel like something that's bigger than the sum of its parts and you can feel when a time is favourable for something to happen; for a different awareness to come," Ms Green said.

Members of the wider community in Monash council who identify as victims of domestic violence/abuse, and those who support them.

Initial cost to set up include music costs (currently our music resources are not for female voices only) which may run into $2000, room rent (for 1.5 hrs /week) at GWUC? - depending on availability, time spend liaising with community services who are in contact with people who are in this population (council services, counselling services, dentists, churches in the local area, neighbourhood houses), advertising on LightFM?, catering costs for morning/afternoon tea each week ( I don't know how to cost this until I know how many people would be involved).

DebLeigh

More detailed proposal at BequestChoirOfHope

To set up a Men’s health and well-being group, open to all ages and of all faith and ethnic background. To create a place where men can feel comfortable talking about their emotions and feelings. The program may involve quarterly get togethers and an annual retreat.

Men’s health typically does not get much attention. Men may find it difficult to express their feelings, may feel isolated and experience loneliness. Often these topics are taboo amongst friends and family as the man is meant to be strong. Also depression is a big thing. Problems manifest with family, work, and life in general. A program to bring men together, can show the love of the Lords words by helping and supporting others. A channel where a wealth of life experiences within and outside our congregation can be shared. The desired outcome would be to assist with better connectedness with self and others, build better relationships, peer to peer support and a more fulfilling life.

A service that can extend our reach into the local community. Assistance to those that may be suffering in silence. With engagement and participation of GWUC members, this could foster cohesion and fellowship of our congregation’s males. Men’s health issues may prevail more in regional areas, hence an offering that can extend to our Beeac members.

Costs needs to be scoped out further, and depends on local GUWC expertise in the area. If limited internal resources, perhaps initially engage a counsellor who is passionate in the area of men’s heath to structure a program. Costs maybe involved in running the program and may include training for Church members that are interested. Funding for the first few meetings or offsite retreat, or until it can become self funded. More practically, the program could be formulated around an approved budget.

Connecting with people in our community may lead to opportunities with faith development, or the return of people to faith. Whilst this is not the primary purpose of the idea, it may raise the profile of GWUC being a kind and caring place for all people. Should the program be successful, it may increase the number of younger people and families into an aging congregation.

TerryChung

Conversation with DorothyLockhart being arranged. Reported at BequestMensGroupMeeting

To develop new ways to support the work of our Welfare Committee, which is meeting the needs of an increasing number of needy people in our community. Input from Welfare has not yet been sought.

There is a clear need for assistance and our church is in a good location for access. This bequest might enable some "radical servanthood" to help our neighbours.

People who approach our church for help, e.g. unemployed, recent migrants, victims of domestic violence, asylum seekers and others in crisis.

Possibly some paid hours for a support worker. Possibly increased need for financial/food asssistance.

Privacy of the persons seeking assistance is important, as is immediacy of support for those in crisis.

MargaretFraser (Sorry this idea is not well developed, but others may be able to expand on it.)

Meeting with Welfare group being arranged. Reported at BequestWelfareMeeting

Fund the purchase and running costs of a mini-bus.

Many people have no transport, from elderly to students.

A range of age groups, giving people greeater access to the church encourages involvement.

Running costs & depreciation. Perhaps paying a driver.

Many individuals are providing a pick-up service now. This could ease that burden.

JacquiKing

Jacqui withdrew after comments by Property.

Fund a pedestrian crossing from the multi-level carpark. (Would have to be done with City Council facilitating.)

Access is difficult on this busy street.

Many attending the church. Good access is welcoming.

ColinKing

Two previous submissions to council are attached. CouncilRingRoadSubmission2014.pdf Monash Council 2015 Planning Impacts on GWUC.pdf

Fund a paid Welfare coordinator

As a practising Social Worker I became a member of the GWUC Welfare Committee about 2005 and have been its coordinator since 2008. I have since retired from paid work
It has not been possible to locate an alternate trained Social Worker to work voluntarily to replace me in this role.
While I continue to be happy in the role, am competently supported by other Committee members, and can certainly continue to work with the Welfre Committee at this stage, I am more than aware tha a change in leadership is normally beneficial and also that I am not getting any younger!

Current & future clients of Welfare Committee

DorothyLockhart

More details at BequestWelfareCoordinator.pdf

Fund the post of a Musical Director

Available to play the organ each Sunday at 11am
Oversight of the various choirs that all is well and schedule for singing at church
Christmas and other special events music
Music copyright stuff liaising with choirs and office
A special worship event for worship (we had one many years ago which was the combined choirs singing for the whole service to which I was much moved)
An orchestra
Encouraging current and prospective musicians within the congregation to help lead in music for worship
Liaison between VCE musicians and local songs to do practical ‘gig’s at Waverley
Teaching new songs
Weekly organ recitals at lunchtime
Liaison with other bands in Glen Waverley or City of Monash
Music at the devotions in local nursing homes
Primary school aged recorder music anthems
And much more

The cost of this position will depend upon the monies available – but such a position should be advertised for at three years to get the program working. A manual on what a musical director can do has been published by Mountain Street Media “A church Music Director’s Handbook’

The Christmas and special events music would be a community service.
An orchestra would be community service (do not have to be a member of the congregation to be in the orchestra)
Liaison between VCE musicians would be a community service
Weekly organ recitals would be a community service
Liaising with other bands would be a community service
Music at nursing homes community service
Liaising with Primary Schools would be a community service

SusanKaroly

Came late

Replace the worn bench tops in the church kitchen

See CouncilCorrespondence20181128EileenScott

Nil

EileenScott

Came late.