GLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH

MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

Held in the Church at 11:30am on Sunday 6th March 2022 - following the 10:00am Combined Worship service.

A printable version of these minutes is available here.

Minutes

1. Welcome and Apologies

Apologies: SusanKaroly

2. Prayer

NeilPeters opened the meeting in Prayer.

3. Confirmation of Minutes of Meeting held on 14th March 2021

The minutes of the March meeting of the congregation at CongMeetingMinutes20210314 were accepted by consensus.

4. Reports and Recommendations

4.1. Ministry Team Report

Some good news about some of our programmes was highlighted by NeilPeters and AlaneeHearnshaw.

• Bible Studies: Two online bible studies have been running in parallel in opposite weeks led by SusanKaroly and DanielSihombing. They have different styles and are well received. 12-13 attend.

• Pancake Breakfast: Glen Waverley Secondary School has invited the team back. In the past we have offered material aid to the school for their breakfast programme. They now have their own programme and have offered left over breakfast food from the school to our welfare programme.

• Indonesian Fellowship: Worship was held on zoom during the lockdown. 20 plus attend. People join from Sydney Swan hill, USA, Indonesia. They are staying on zoom because of the level of engagement they achieve. NeilPeters leads communion monthly.

• Sunday kids: On-line engagement has built a strong sense of community, connection and engagement.

• Live-streaming Worship: Regularly 65-75 watch worship live on-line. By Monday evening there are typically about 200 views of the previous Sunday's worship. We receive messages of support. Regulars are online. This is encouraging as we imagine broadening our digital (on-line) ministry.

• It is taking time to emerge from Covid-19 lockdown and while we haven't yet re-established the old rythm, we are starting to find it. We need to be kind to each other. We will find our rhythm again.

4.2. Church Council Report

GlynHowells, Chair of Church Council drew our attention to the bilingual English class that has recommenced for this year on WeChat.

Glyn informed the congregation that Presbytery have approved us having 7 representatives on the JNC, so all nominated people can be elected. Glyn thanked those who had accepeted nomination. There was no further discussion of the future ministerial team plans as reported to the congregation on February 6th.

GlynHowells summarised the 2022 Re-Visioning as presented to the congregation on February 6th. He emphasised that this is not a fundamental change, but is adding detail to realising the vision we already have.

Resolution. This meeting of the congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church agrees to adopt the projects prepared and presented by the Church Council concerning:

• 1. Welfare,
  2. Program of Intercultural and Intergenerational Events,
  3. Digital Ministry and
  4. Outreach to the Glen Waverley Community.

Approved by Consensus

The chair thanked GlynHowells and ChurchCouncil for the hard work they have done to prepare the 2022 re-visioning programme.

4.3. Finance Report

4.3.1. 2021 Finance Report

The Treasurer has prepared a report summarising the 2021 results.

Church Council and Finance Committee have confirmed the annual Financial Statements and Accounts as at 31 December 2021.

In what has been a challenging year with all the interventions and changes associated with Covid-19, GWUC has achieved a sound result and remains in an excellent financial position.

A question was asked concerning how our budget would be affected by the winding down of Job Keeper and how increasing rental revenue might help.

• KenCoutts responded as follows. Rentals are increasing. This year, some rental income is needed to support the operations of our congregation to compensate for the decrease in Offerings. This is not sustainable in the long term, but allows us to continue as planned in the short term.

Resolution: This meeting of the Congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church approves the Accounts as presented and approves forwarding to our Auditors and then to Presbytery.

(Proposed by KenCoutts, GWUC Treasurer)

Approved by Consensus

4.3.2. 2022 Budget

Information concerning the budget is contained in the attached letter and clarification. Noteworthy is that the budget is tight and that Offering Receipts are a problem.

The Congregation is advised that Church Council have prepared and approved a proposed budget for 2022.

Our contribution to Presbytery and Synod etc through the Mission and Service contribution is a challenge. Presbytery requested $59,000. After discussion with Presbytery it was agreed that we budget $48,000 for Mission and Service. This will be reviewed mid-year. If our financial position allows, some or all of the reduction of the Mission and Service contribution may be reinstated.

In summary, we are planning a small surplus, but remain uncertain as to the Revenue and in particular our receipts from Offerings. Falling receipts from Offerings is a cause for concern and unless addressed will affect our ability to continue with our program in future years.

Resolution: This meeting of the Congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church approves the Budget for 2022

(Proposed by KenCoutts, GWUC Treasurer)

Approved by Consensus

4.3.3. Endowment Fund

The Endowment Fund is outside the GWUC Financial Accounts and had a balance of $68,140.11 at the end of 2021. A summary of the account and relevant transactions is attached.

The chair thanked KenCoutts for his reports and the work of the FinanceCommittee and those supporting the EndowmentFund. The congregation agreed by acclamation.

4.4. People and Culture Report

A report updating the congregation from the People and Culture Committee is attached.

The chair thanked KenCoutts for his reports and the work of the PeopleAndCultureCommittee.

5. Congregational Outreach Projects

FairlieMackinnon presented an overview of the process used to select Congregation Outreach Projects. She then informed the meeting that last year the outreach project selection committee, appointed by the congregation at it's meeting in March 2021, carried out the selection process. However, Covid-19 lockdowns and the cancellation of the fete meant that the proposed projects were not presented to the congregation and did not receive funding.

Fairlie introduced the projects selected in 2021 and proposed that they be adopted to receive funding from the proceeds of the 2022 fete. Fairlie's presentation is attached.

A question was asked concerning how the congregation might respond to the current flood disasters in Australia and additionally help the rest of the world. Fairlie responded, acknowledging the need but emphasising that the process for project selection exists to help with prioritisation. It was also pointed out that the Uniting Church agencies Frontier Services and Uniting World have campaigns to support Australian and Overseas needs respectively and, as advised through the bulletin (and otherwise), members of the congregation are invited to contribute to them.

Resolution: That the funds from the 2022 GWUC Fete be allocated according to the 2021 COP Panel's recommendations. These are that funds should be distributed to the following groups: The GWUC Welfare Committee, Friends of Baguia (Timor Leste), Friends of Ermera (Timor Leste), Diocesan Project Jagriti Bhalai Kendra (Northern Eastern India).

Approved by Consensus and acclamation.

6. Other Business

6.1. Marriott Bequest Picture Window Update

At the meeting of the congregation in March 2021, the attached proposal was considered to apply a bequest from the late Irene Marriott "which is to be used by the Church for a project or improvement approved by my Trustees as being an acknowledgement of the connection and support of my late husband Fred Marriott and myself with that church". That meeting approved the proposal to apply money from the Marriott bequest to a project "to create picture windows with the location to be determined".

JohnSnare summarised what has happened since the last meeting.

Resolutions:

1. The congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church approves the proposal to apply money from the Marriott bequest to create a work of art on the wall at the south end of the entry foyer (above the foundation stones).

Approved by Consensus

2. The congregation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church approves the proposal to apply money from the Marriott bequest to create a work of art on back-lit glass.

Approved by Consensus

3. The Glen Waverley Uniting Church congregation calls for volunteers to progress the Marriott Bequest picture project, building on the proposal presented to the congregation in March 2021.

Approved by Consensus

6.2. Visitation

BillMorgan reminded the meeting of the importance of a visitation programme. While acknowledging the visiting done by members of the ministry team, Bill asked that Church Council re-invigorate a visitation programme. He considered that this is important in the light of the fact that that the current Covid-19 pandemic has left some people lonely and isolated. Such people should know that they are not forgotten.

6.3. English Conversation Classes

JanClear advised that English Conversation classes will resume on May 5th. (These classes are coordinated with the English classes held by Sheila Chan.) Jan needs new helpers/tutors and called for volunteers to help her.

6.4. Church Council

JohnSnare commented that only two nominations have been received for new members for the 2022 ChurchCouncil. This is disappointing in light of the fact that there are nine vacancies to fill. While there are sufficient on-going members for the ChurchCouncil to operate this year, we potentially face a very serious situation if we cannot get sufficient people willing to serve on ChurchCouncil. Without a Church Council, our congregation cannot operate. John advised that an election for new Church Councillors for 2023 will be held later this year and urged members of the congregation to seriously consider making themselves available for nomination or to approach others that they consider worthy of nomination.

6.5. Chair of Congregation Meetings

JohnSnare observed that he has been chair of meetings of the congregation for five years and that it is time for the congregation to consider whether they would like things to continue as they are, or whether it's time for a change.

John advised that the first item on the agenda for the next full meeting of the congregation will be a call for nominations followed by appointment of a chair.

John advised that he will nominate to continue, but called for people to consider other possible nominations between now and the beginning of the next meeting.

7. Benediction

BillMorgan closed the meeting in prayer.