Link to CouncilAgenda20230918 > CouncilMinutes20230918

Ministry Team Report September 2023

Neil’s Report

Offering ministry is keeping me focussed, stimulated, and I continue to enjoy the ministry opportunities that come my way. There have been quite a few pastoral visits to make, including to hospitals and rehab.

I had a meeting with ChrisWaddell where we got to know each other a little and talked about expectations for the rest of this year once he starts. This was most helpful.

I have conducted the funeral of NoreenRodgers. Noreen has been a long-time active member of this congregation. Noreen was 46 years a Sunday school teacher here, 35 Years CRE teacher, long term kitchen helper at Leisure Time, long term church visitor, hosted monthly fellowship afternoon teas, and was a regular worshipper up until covid hit. She was indeed a faithful and dedicated servant.

I have led services at Cumberland View twice this month.

I was invited to attend a pastoral lunch put on by Mt Waverley and Chadstone Inter Church Council.

The ministry team have been thinking about their involvement in the fete.

The Confirmation group has had three meetings now and it seems to be going well. All being well I hope to have confirmation happen at the 10 am service on 3rd December.

I have had a request for baptism from NicoleBoyer and Lisa for their son Mason. This will possibly be on 29 October at 9.15 worship. Council needs to approve the baptism.

I recently attended a zoom retirement seminar put on by the UCA and Mercer who manage the superannuation fund.

The ministry team has enjoyed working with Hoon. He has attended all team meetings and contributed well to our conversations. It has been easy and engaging to work with Hoon. We will have lunch together before he concludes his time with us. We wish him well in the future.

I had to convert 2 of my last annual leave days into sick leave as covid finally caught up with me. I was grateful to SueMorgan, AnnetteWojak, RossMackinnon, AlisonClarkson, and JanClear who covered Sunday worship at short notice when I was sick. So, I have two annual leave days to pick up before I finish. My next annual leave will be Wed 27 September returning Tuesday 3 October. This will pick up one day of my two.

NeilPeters

Action: Approve the request for baptism from Nicole and Lisa.

Link to > InterCulturalMinistry > CouncilAgenda20230918 > CouncilMinutes20230918

Intercultural Report Sep 2023

Interfaith meeting

• Lucky has funding from City Council.
• Proposing Sep 23 at 4pm at GWUC.

Zee Cheng Khor Community

• See https://zeechengkhor.org.au/

• We have received aninvitation to "Lanterns For All@ZCK" to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. An event at the end of September for young people across cultures and backgrounds.

• They came to the dinner as part of our Indonesian festival.
• Some of our people have attended their events, with members of other faiths.
• Interfaith with an Asian focus.
• Glyn consulted and then replied:

  • Stephen S K CHEW FCPA, AGIS, ACG Retired
    President ZEE CHENG KHOR Moral Uplifting Society 紫成阁
    Director, International Confederation Moral Uplifting Societies
    
    Dear Steven, 
    
    Warmest greetings at the start of spring.
    
    Thank you for your kind invitation to sponsor and join your harmony building Mid Autumn Festival Chinese lantern parade. Unfortunately, although I have discussed it with some leaders, church council hasn’t been able to meet to make a decision about jointly sponsoring your event and we need to have permission to use the Uniting Church logo. 
    
    But it is a wonderful idea, and we will promote it with our children and families.  We would also like to help with delivering the program leaflets in the areas where we walk if that helps. We look forward to continuing to work together. 
    
    Peace and Grace,
    
    Glyn Howells. 
    
    GWUC Intercultural Task Group.

• Steven replied:

  • Hi Glyn, no worries at all. Uniting Church Glen Waverley is part of the  Forces For Good in the community to promote love, peace and harmony. The objectives of the event is to share the Chinese Lantern Festival with the broader community to promote these objectives, and build the capacity for individual community partner. What you are able to do now is what we are asking for. I will send you the brochure to circulate and promote in the Church, Thank you Glyn for all your effort.

A collection of information sources on The Voice to Parliament Referendum

• Australian Electoral Commission statement of the question.

• The official booklet from the Electoral Commission.

• Uniting Church information page.

• ABC news explainer. (13 min video)

• Lawyers on the "Third chamber argument".

• Is the Ulura statement one page or 26?

• Final Report of the Referendum Council, including the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

• Q&A with Noel Pearson

• Annabel Crab on keeping focused.

• Inter faith leaders statement

• Yes by Rev Dr Sandy Yule

• A letter from Tim Costello comparing the Voice with abolition and civil rights, and challenging religeous leaders to be involved.

• Synod statement from 2021.

• Synod covenanting.

• Preaching from the Heart. A collection of sermons from Creative Ministries Network.

• A collection of resources from Synod

• A collection of frequently asked questions from the UCA National Assembly.

• Voice design report. Page 23 et al. give the suggested structure from the Indigenous voice co-design process final report.

• a statement from Ray Minniecon,an Anglican priest and an aboriginal elder.

Collected by DavidMorgan