GLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH

MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

To be held in the Church at 10:15am on Sunday 11th September 2022 - following a shortened 9:15am worship and before 11:00am worship

This is a special meeting of the Congregation to consider recommendations from Church Council concerning focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults.

A printable version of this agenda and key documents will be attached here.

Draft AGENDA (this agenda is not complete and is subject to change)

Note from the chair.

The time for this meeting has been chosen to facilitate attendance by as many members of the congregarion as possible. This meeting has important decisions to make and there is only limited time available. It is important that there is adequate discussion before final decisions are made. I will adjourn to meeting if it becomes clear that discussion cannot be completed and decisions made in the available time. If the meeting needs to be adjourned, resumption will be discussed. However, my intention is that resumption takes place as soon as practical.

1. Welcome and Apologies

Apologies:

2. Prayer

3. Proposal from Church Council concerning focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults

See below for background relevant to the Church Council proposals.

3.1. Recommitment to focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults

Discussion

In March 2021, the congregation approved the extension of Alanee's position and her ministry for 3-5 years.

Council proposes that the Congregation recommit to a focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults for at least five years.

The reasons for making this commitment include:

• The need to resource and actively support our intergenerational worship, children & families, young adults and youth ministry leaders.

• Our desire to be a church that is inclusive of all. So we are committed to ministering to all ages.
• The desire and the opportunity to grow these areas of ministry, in order to be more respresentative of the Glen Waverley Community.
  • The Census indicates a higher than normal percentage of children and youth in the Glen Waverley area.
• The Synod currently sees children and families as a strategic priority.

Proposed Resolution

The congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church commits to a focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults for at least five years.

3.2. Funding a focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults

Discussion

Funding this position at current levels of giving is predicted to exhaust our financial reserves within the five years.

Council proposes that the congregation commit to funding this ministry as a full time position.

The reasons for this include:

• It has been a full time plus position in recent years.
• The congregation has not been challenged to increase our giving for some years.
• Advertising up to full time is likely to appeal to a wider range of candidates.

Proposed Resolution

The congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church commits to funding a focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults.

3.3. Joint Nominating Committee to seek a minister for a focused ministry to children & families, youth and young adults

Discussion

We currently have a joint nominating committee (JNC) seeking a replacement for Neil from sometime next year. Using the same committee would be expeditious, and enable greater consideration of how the two replacements will work together to cover our ministries. This has been approved by Presbytery, and the members of the JNC have agreed to take on this extra work. The current JNC has seven congregational members as opposed to the usual 4 to 6, and has a good representation of youth and young familes.

Council proposes that the congregation elect the current JNC to also address the vacancy created by Alanee's departure.

Proposed Resolution

The congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church elects the current JNC to also address the vacancy created by Alanee Hearnshaw's departure.

3.4. Background relevant to replacing Alanee Hearnshaw

Past commitment to ministry to children, families, youth and young adults

From CongMeetingMinutes20210314

Resolution The congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church approves extension of the Contract and employment of Alanee Hearnshaw for a period of 3 years from Mid 2021 with an option of a further 2 years by agreement, when further matters relevant to our broader succession planning are finalised. This also presupposes that following the initial 3 years, Alanee wants to continue and GWUC is agreeable to that extension for the further 2 years.

Proposed by KenCoutts, GWUC Treasurer Approved by consensus

Financial Predictions

To assist consideration of the resolution concerning funding a replacement for Alanee Hearnshaw, some information concerning budget scenarios will be available for the meeting.

The current Joint Nomination Committee (JNC) seeking a replacement for Neil Peters

The current JNC, including members elected by the congregation in March 2022 (CongMeetingReport20220320) are:

Rev. GrahamBartley (Chair, Presbytery Liaison Person)

EuniceMagee (Presbytery Liaison Person)

MatthewBoldiston

RyanChan

AlisonClarkson

RussellCrawford

VidaFoo

MargaretFraser

MartinWojak

For further information about the group, please see the group's wiki page (JNC2022)

4. Other Business

5. Benediction