Differences between revisions 14 and 15

Link to > CongregationMeetingReports > CongregationalPage

GLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH

MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

to be held in the Worship Centre at 7:45pm on Tuesday, 10th March 2015

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Apologies

Apologies from EricArmstrong, LesleyArmstrong, MargaretFraser, YanEmms, StephenEmms, DonnaVanclay, FredVanclay, PamGraham, RobertFleming, AlisonClarkson, FayeWagon, MargaretLemke, EvelynFleming, HeatherRobison, AlanRobison, JohnThompson

A special welcome to Julie Hall, who is undertaking Field Education at GWUC.

WarrenGreenwood welcomed the meeting and shared a reflection on the importance of working together as a team and getting involved. He described a talk he heard by Neil Armstrong, who talked about the thousands of people who all worked together and whose combined efforts helped get him to the moon. Neil could have blamed a seamstress if there was a problem with the finger of a glove, or he could have taken action and fixed it himself. Warren spoke on the vision of GWUC, not your vision, my vision or Council's vision, but OUR vision.

2. Prayer

Warren then opened the meeting with prayer.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of Meeting held on 9th November 2014

The minutes were confirmed by consensus.

4. Matters arising from the previous Minutes

5. Correspondence

6. Report from Ministry Team

NeilPeters presented the Minister Team Report:

Neil welcomed Julie Hall and introduced her to the congregation. At the 11am service this Sunday, Julie will be formally welcomed as a candidate on field placement.

Neil reported the Interim arrangements for supporting children and family ministry now that BelindaClear has concluded her ministry with the congregation. These arrangements have been endorsed by the ministry team and the church council. AlaneeHearnshaw has willingly agreed to a request to be the main contact person and support person for the volunteer leaders involved in this ministry. Alanee has already been busy meeting with volunteers to ensure they are resourced and supported in their roles. She has been involved in planning meetings and is available for advice/ideas when the leaders are unsure. Alanee will occasionally have a ‘hands on role’ as well.

At the 9.15 am service BelindaChung is leading the KAT program (Preschool/lower Primary) and KerrynLeister is leading the DOG program (upper Primary/Junior Secondary). Each Sunday there are other volunteers rostered to assist. KatieHunter is offering administrative support.

The 4.30 pm children’s program is being led by LynnPeters with assistance, most often from StephanieLohning.

Alanee is exploring with KayeMackinnon how the team can support the playgroups as well.

Alanee and Neil are sharing the pastoral care role for children and families.

The Ministry Team have been trying to support Church Council, Missional Groups and Functional Committees to think about the steps they can take to implement the congregation’s vision. The ministry team feels they cannot make initiatives happen alone, but are keen to encourage, float ideas and support others in this important work.

The recent involvement with Chinese New Year celebrations is an example of this. The Ministry Team, led by Alanee, worked with a task group and volunteers to make this outreach initiative a success. Many people put in a lot of work to apply for a tent site, develop the craft, create 500 show bags, plan the service of worship, have the church open Sunday afternoon and bring the Chinese orchestra. The Ministry Team want to work with others on this and other projects. We are keen to work with you.

The Ministry Team, through example and encouragement, are trying to help our congregation to be as welcoming of new people as possible. This fits with the vision as an aspect of continuing to build community and connectedness.

Warren also asked how AlisonClarkson is doing and Neil reported that she is recovering from her broken arm with the help from family and friends. She will return to 'light duties' in the near future when she has a certificate from her doctor to say she is sufficiently well. The meeting sends their prayers and best wishes to Alison.

7. Open Forum

FayeWagon asked about the possibility of combining the Sunday 9.15am and 11am services, brought up by AlanBarnard at a previous meeting. Faye has talked with others and there were sentiments that having smaller services creates separation and it is not as uplifting to enter a church that is only partially full. People felt that different styles of worship could be combined into a single service. The cost of multiple services in terms of the ministry team, money counters etc. should also be taken into consideration.

Faye asked that church council conduct a thorough survey to determine the sentiments of the congregation in regards to this matter. HelenStewart is prepared for this to happen.

BarbaraChamberlain endorsed Faye's sentiments and spoke on how joyful the recent combined service was with the church overflowing and everyone together.

JohnSnare spoke, celebrating the fact that we can do different things in different services, and also celebrating when we can all come together.

DavidMorgan spoke, noting that this has been on council's mind for some time now. He also mentioned that there are attendance records on the wiki for reference, and that combined services tend to have less numbers than the sum of the individual services, a consideration. David also mentioned that there are individuals in specific services who are passionate about their style of worship and may be somewhat frustrated without the ability to express themselves in their particular service.

8. Reports and Recommendations from Church Council

8.1. Church Council Report

HelenStewart presented the ChurchCouncilReport201503.

Key points include:

* The organic vision document and the implementation of this vision.

* A new task group looking at the make up of the ministry team.

* The call for for a new Children's and Family's worker to support this congregation's commitment to Children and Families. The position would be part-time, possibly 0.5, lay or ordained for two year period, and could be advertised shortly.

* The Mulgrave Indonesian Uniting Church are outgrowing their current location and there have been some conversations with GWUC (without any commitments made). There were some questions presented for thought on this matter and the church council would bring any official proposals to the congregation.

HelenStewart moved a recommendation: That this meeting support advertising of a Children's and Family's position

GraemeFrecker requested how 0.5 position would fit with the financial position of the congregation. Helen answered that the budget can support around 3.5 salaries in total and that Ashley will be presenting the full financial report shortly.

The recommendation was passed by consensus.

8.2. Financial Report

8.2.1. 2014 Final Summary

8.2.2. 2015 Budget progress

8.2.3. Endowment Fund summary

8.3. Inclusive Community

On The Way Together: Missional and Support Group Report What activities will help GWUC deliver our vision?

8.4. Communications