The Glen Waverley Uniting Church PSALTERMinutes of Church Council Meeting
20 July 2008-07-17
Present:' Kerryn Leister, Jan Clear, Amy Whittaker, Max Whittaker, David Jackson,
Doug Newberry, Beverly McGlead, Marjorie Bedford, David Morgan, Alanee Hearnshaw,
Lynne Boyer, John Hurst, Alison Dingwall, Roger Vass, Rev Greg Fry, Yan Emms, Graeme Frecker (Chair), Wendy Wyatt (Minute Scretary).
Apologies: 'Brian Clarkson, Rev Lynette Dungan, Graeme Lockhart, Warren Greenwood.
Chairman Graeme welcomed all especially John Hurst, Beverly McGlead and Warren Greenwood (an apology for this evening) who have been elected by the congregation to Church Council. Our thoughts are with Julie Ross who this evening is moving from candidature to intern in ministry.
Devotions: 'David Morgan read from the Uniting Church Meeting Manual on the discernment process of meetings through the guidance of the Spirit. Followed by prayer.
Caring and Sharing: Yan Emms noted Rohan Pryor from the Uniting Church spoke on the ABC about the 2009 NCYC Gathering. Also shared that her daughter Cheryl has attended another Ceremony at which she received a further prize. Marjorie Bedford – has 4 boarders, one from Tai Wan, one from Hong Kong, one from Vietnam and one from Brazil. Good to see them interacting with each other. Alison Dingwall away overseas for 3 months. We wish her well in her journeying. Doug and Vera Newberry away for 2 months overseas – Europe. Three funerals last week. Great to see how our congregation gathered to mourn and rejoice in the life of these people.
Noted: Alison Dingwall was present at this meeting. Minutes confirmed. Matters arising from those Minutes:' Nil Minutes of previous meeting: – 18 June 2008
Correspondence:
Letter of resignation from Rev Lynette Dungan – Moved that we place on record our appreciation of Lynette’s service on Church Council.
Letter from Ross Mackinnon – currently he has permission to preside at the 8.00 am service until August this year and will need further permission after August to conduct services after this date. Graeme Frecker in consultation with Ministry Team to prepare a ‘case’ for permission for both Ross Mackinnon and Alison Dingwall to be given authority to preside at communion services.
Situation regarding supply must be addressed. Graeme has spoken to Ineke Gyles who has said she is willing to extend her time with us to 0.5 until the end of December. Supply matter needs to be put to Presbytery. Decided that Presbytery be notified that Ineke is prepared to take up 0.5 ministry until 31 December and seek Presbytery approval for this to happen. Agreed by all present.
Special items of Business:
Progress on “On the Way Together” - shown via overhead slides and the voice of Steve Terrell. Roger Vass showed diagrams via the overhead, pulling together all the comments made by the congregation meetings over the past few weeks. An opportunity on 3 August to write up what we feel God is calling us to. Meeting was held about integration of Isaiah Festival on 16 July (Alanee, Julie, Carolyn, Steve and Greg).
Review of Budget Framework and Strategy – congregation last year voted that we talk with Presbytery regarding matters affecting Glen Waverley Uniting Church. Last Wednesday Graham Lockhart, Graeme Frecker, Roger Vass, Greg Fry met with Steve Terrell, Mark Lawrence and Chris Begg from Presbytery about the role of the GW congregation and the wider church and relation to Presbytery, and about the way in which the Ministry Team might be shaped over the next few years.
Might not be 3 Ministers of the Word, could be 1 Minister of the Word plus lay people, or other options. Chris Begg (Presbytery Treasurer) has advised they are looking for 20/25% of income from each of the churches (would be $120/140,000 per year for us).
Roger Vass advised it is time now to look at the 2009 Budget.
Showed overheads emphasising the extremely difficult outlook financially for our church.
Expenditure Income
Ministry Team Planned Giving
Secretarial Open plate and donations
Service & Mission Rent and interest
Property costs Other regular fund raising
Christian Education and Worship
Steps must be taken now to try and correct this situation and asked for suggestions on how this might be achieved.
Different views were discussed at length. Fete money or part thereof, to be directed to GWUC? Mission & Service decreased? Possible use of third manse? Decrease in number of Ministers of the Word? Negotiation with BOMAR to regain interest on surplus? (A one-off opportunity – good argument needs to be presented). GST one-off might be available. Bequests? Available sources of external funding to be pursued? Someone to peruse grants available. Noted a good submission is necessary when applying for grants. Pools of money at Synod which might be utilised.
Agreed that' these matters to be taken to the Finance Committee.
Reports: Ministry Team: Request for Baptism: Jessica Margaret Phillips and Amber Joy Phillips (parents Jenny & Tim Phillips), and Mila Dascha Keppich (parents Kirsty Keppich-Birrell and Matthew Keppich Arnold). Approval granted by Church Council. Wedding on 2 August at 1.30 pm – Lisen Arnold and Stephen Ennor. Seniors: Seniors Service 2.30 pm on 20 July. Church Service (Isaiah Festival) on Tuesday 29 July at 10.30 followed by Morning Tea and faith sharing. Children & Families”: Tabled. Kerryn Leister has stepped down from the Sunday School, and Marnie Troiani and Deb Graham have agreed to take over. Thanks to Kerryn for her time and effort over the years. Query re why the 4.30 service stops over school holidays. Carolyn advised this will be reviewed. Youth: Alanee reported the live recording was a huge success. Thanks to the congregation members who worked so hard. So many people put so much effort into this event. Exciting to see over 200 people on the Saturday night. Four young people have attended a Discipleship Conference in Canberra. Suggested an article be placed in the Bulletin thanking personally and individually the people who were involved in the NCYC Saturday night. Elders: Had a great session on ‘Forgiveness’. Pastoral: Having a Casserole Lunch on 20 July. Twenty people coming. In the process of linking and talking to people who have been on our Newcomers List for over a year to ascertain where they see their place at GWUC. Finance: Article to be put in Bulletin showing that in June this year we are operating at a loss of $20,000, that our giving is down and targeted fund raising of $10,000 is only $615. Property: Tabled. Process in place to deal with issues of bullying etc. Graeme Frecker to talk with Ministry Team and come back with proposition on this to Church Council. Agreed by Church Council. Noted that the office is a ‘work space’. Knock before entry? Church Council agreed and endorsed the recommendation from the Property Committee that the Committee go ahead with the project to install water tanks. Roger showed where the tanks would be situated and advised that funding is available from the Government for publicity. A display to be put in the Foyer for the congregation to note and be informed. Committee for the water tanks is: Lyn McDonald, Lindsay Brown, Alan Lemke and Joel Leister. Presbytery: John Hurst reported from their June meeting. Presbytery looking at how to take up the challenge of a new and wider Presbytery. Presbytery meetings will he held every second month on the 19th. Presbytery looking at bringing manse allowances into line throughout all Synods. Other business: Discussion on expectations for Fete money profit. Silent Auction donors need to know who the recipients are. Re gift for Lynette – Graham Lockhart is arranging Commissioning of Church Council members and Elders at a church service suggested. Greg Fry to take in hand. Agreed by Church Council. There being no further business the meeting concluded at 10.15 pm. Next meeting:' 20 August 2008 at 7.45 pm
Devotions:' Brian Clarkson Supper:' David Jackson, Kerryn Leister