Open Church Council Meeting Agenda

• 17/10/13 Time 2:00 -- 3:00

Reflection time

(Elwyn plays organ) 1:55

Open with prayer

(Graeme Frecker) 2:00

Message

• Glen Waverley Uniting is not affected, but as a Community of Faith we reach out to those Congregations affected by this process.
• Definition of divesting.
• Discussions in Congregations that are not being divested of a church complex

  • Message:Glen Waverley Uniting is not affected.

  • Share how you are feeling:
  • Do you know people who are affected by divestment news,friends,family,neighbours?
• Are any neighbouring churches affected? Alison Clarkson will respond to this question.
• Passage of Scripture (Belinda Chung) "When one part of the body suffers,the whole body suffers"(1Corinthians 12:26)
• Discuss how we can enact our support.Suggestions include the following:
  • A small group from Glen Waverley Uniting visit another Church as an act of support.
  • Pray for the affected Congregations and inform them that we are upholding them in prayer.
  • Team of Congregation members meet each week at a specific time to pray for affected Congregations through the transition process. Would require a Convenor for this task to draw the prayer group together and ensure the ongoing commitment of the prayer group.
  • Offer to provide morning tea/afternoon tea/supper for a Congregation
• Hymn:
• Close in Prayer: Please join hands with the person beside you and the Ministry Team will lead us in a closing prayer.
• Elwyn presents a short selection of hymns so people who would like to continue praying or reflecting may have the 'quiet place' to do so.

Thank you for coming today to uphold one another. "Love is what binds us together..." (Colossians 3:14)

In Christ we place our trust.

Information received

A. :Letter written by General Secretary of Synod of Victoria and Tasmania.
1. 9/10/13. :Decisions of Synod Standing Committee's meeting re property divestments resulting from the special circumstances resolutions of the May Synod meeting.
2.Uniting our Future Project Control Group(PCG). Tasked with the job of enacting the resolution to generate funds by December 2014. Process can be found on specially designated website
3.Inter conciliar Consultation
4.Summary of Property to be divested. A total of 56 properties are on the list for divestment.

B.Newsbeat October 2013 :On Tuesday,October 8 the Synod Standing Committee announced details of 56 properties of the Uniting Church, throughout Victoria and Tasmania, which would be put up for sale- 14 of these properties come from within the Port Philip East Presbytery. Letter by Rev Dr Paul Chalson, Chair of Port Phillip East Presbytery.

C. An Open Presbytery is planned to be held at:Parkdale Uniting Church Cnr Parkers Rd &Blanche Ave Parkdale Vic 3195 Sunday 27th October 2013 beginning at 2:00 pm All members and non. - members of the Presbytery of Port Phillip East Presbytery are invited to attend.

D. Overview Document for Uniting our Future Program 8/10/13

E.Prayers and Studies in a Time of Special Circumstances prepared/written by Rev Rod Horsfield.