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.

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 concensus.

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 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. Offered left over breakfast food from the school to welfare.

• Indonesian Fellowship: Worship was held on zoom during the lockdown. 20 plus attend. People joining from Sydney Swan hill, USA, Indonesia. They are staying on zoom. 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. 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

Discussion of future ministerial team plans as reported to the congregation on February 6th

Discussion of 2022 Re-Visioning as presented to the congregation on February 6th.

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 Concensus

4.3. Finance Report

Treasurer or delegate (for information).

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.

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 Concensus

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.

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

(Proposed by KenCoutts, GWUC Treasurer)

Approved by Concensus

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. The congregation agreed by acclamation.

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 cancellatioon 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.

The question of how the congregation might respond to the current flood disasters in Queensland and New South Wales and the tsunami devistation in Tonga. It was pointed out that the Uniting Church agencies Frontier Services and Uniting World have campaigns to support Australian and Overseas causes respectively, and 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 Concensus

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."

John Snare to summarise 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 Concensus

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 Concensus

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 Concensus

6.2. Other Business

BillMorgan reminded the meeting of the importance of a visitation programme, and while acknowledging the visiting done by members of the ministry team, asked that Church Council re-establish a visitation programme.

7. Benediction

BillMorgan closed the meeting in prayer.