The Glen Waverley Uniting Church PSALTERGLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH COUNCIL
Meeting held at 7.45pm Wednesday 20th August 2008
MINUTES
1. Welcome & Apologies
· Welcome to Ern Greene
· Apologies from JanClear, Ineke Gyles, BeverlyMcGlead, DougNewberry
2. Devotions: Brian Clarkson
Brian talked about the visioning process, and the need to include the "David in the back paddock" from the Samuel story. Expecting God to work through every-one. We need to own the outcomes. Hebrews 11:1. Trust in God is the foundation of all that we do. We need to make the visioning process work.
3. Caring and Sharing
· Max has retired from the Youth committee. Thanked by acclamation
· Ted was dehydrated with mitral valve problems, but is home now.
· Graeme Lockhart attended a meeting for carers of those with brain injuries, and gained great insight into building relationships with injured people.
· Bruce Clear is still going backwards and forwards and the family needs our prayers.
· Brian Clarkson has a grandson, by natural birth, despite expection that a Caearian would be needed.
· Excitement is growing at Beeac ahead of the inaugural broadcast, with considerable media interest, and some problems. Several other congregations are interested.
4. Confirmation of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. Confirmed without change.
- Matters arising from Minutes not listed elsewhere
a. Bullying policy
Not yet concluded. The question is how to implement the policy.
b. Beneficiaries of Fete
Underway. Few submissions led to an extension. Expect conclusions 3 weeks before the fete.
Ministry team reminded.
- Correspondence for information
a. Thanks from NCYC09 noted.
b. Approval of Lay Presiders noted.
7. Special Items of Business:
a. Progress re “On the Way Together” (Led by Rev Steve Terrell)
· Summary. Discovery phase. (Where are we? Appreciative Inquiry, Asset mapping.) Dreaming phase. (What does the character of God look like in the future we've imagined.)
· Functional Approach (usual) vs Relational Approach, perhaps more appropriate to churches. Message of Christ. Centrality of love. Empowering for purpose filled life. Forgiveness. Joining with God, in a relationship. Motivation for doing things. Actions shaped and formed by relationship with God.
· Relational Approach interprets our process as: Identify character of God from life-giving experiences; Articulate that character in our own words; Decide how that character is expressed in any given environment; Decide what's needed; People are shaped by the character of God.
· Church structures, and the work experience of many of us, tend to push us to a functional approach.
· Moving into Discernment process.
· How do we live differently? Raise up that which gives life. The life giving themes that we have discerned are: Risking innovation; Supportive liberating relationships; Generously living God's love; Passionately expressing faith; Spiritually inspired living. How do we implement these better, while including diversity of how we express these?
· Six proposals have emerged: Community hub; Using technology; Shared and all age activities; Engaging the homeless; Community houses; Kombi mission-itinerant, not just youth. Need to test proposals against assumptions about the future, eg cost of transport, ethnicity shifts etc. Then check for resources, and role of church council in implementing proposals.
· Ongoing journey. Include Elders. Re-Vision each 2-3 years. Discern new propositions. Celebrate and be accountable. Move from Permission Giving to Licensed for Mission.
· Immediate role for Council may be the more raising up of the themes before tackling the proposals.
· Steve was thanked for all his input.
· Design team to meet with Steve to bring conclusions to the congregation, to the stewardship program, and to the call process. Decide next Thursday 28th, 5-7pm, with all councillors invite to be part of it.
8. Ministry Team (MoW, Youth, C & F and Seniors reports)
a. Youth Committee minutes noted.
b. Youth camp this weekend.
c. Monday night 21+ group has had growth in both members and level of community.
d. Alanee requested Council to look at internships again, especially the $2000 nett cost. Possibility of non-conventional occupations, eg coffee shop, technology. Synod bequests for disadvantaged youth are a possibility.
e. C & F Photo consent approval:
Council approved the form. The removal of the last line as recommended has been done.
The comment was made that groups should feel empowered to proceed with matters within their realm.
f. Caroline and two others attended a Synod training session for children's ministry.
g. Running a parenting course on a Friday evening / Saturday afternoon. Possibility of offering this more widely. Led by parents.
h. Uthies needs leadership.
i. David Morgan is to provide administrative support to Ministry team.
j. Isaiah festival raised questions of the ethnic groups in the congregation. Brace Bateman is to provide 2 days per week of supply during Ineke's absence, and would like to concentrate on this. Council was asked to support this. The question was raised about whether this was filling gaps or taking on an extra ministry. Others in the congregation with passion in this area are to be included.
k. Youth council requested greater consideration of tone and distribution list of e-mails. It is very easy for wide distribution, intended to keep people informed, to become hurtful public ridicule. Council accepted the letter, and supported the sentiments. See tabled document 1
9. Elders
a. Nothing to report
10. Pastoral Committee
a. Tabled See tabled document 2
b. Promotion of prayer ministry was discussed. Suggested action were supported. The Bulletin was recommended as the medium that goes to all congregations.
c. Vida Foo was commissioned 5 years ago to provide a ministry to overseas students, and has done so excellently. What is an appropriate thank you? Should it come from church funds? Is thanking people with a gift, part of pastoral care? Church council to send a thank you letter. Greg and Amy to liaise on this case.
11. Finance Committee
a. Report tabled. See tabled document 3
b. Preliminary planning for Planned Giving Program was discussed. The intention and general principles of the planning were approved.
c. A request to the Outreach Project committee for information on the outcome of the Deficit Funding Group will be addressed by Graeme, Roger Vass and BeverlyMcGlead.
12. Property Committee
a. Responsibility for Kombi vehicle was discussed. The two committees are to prepare a proposal. Original Kombi proposal is tabled document 4
- Other Business
- Leave for Office Manager
3 weeks in November. Faye Wagon filling in 9am to 2pm.
b. Chair during Graeme's absence
Brian's offer was accepted
c. Presbytery report. Presbytery contact list is tabled document 5
· Dates now fixed to 4th Wednesday.
· The possible expansion of the Somers camp ministry in the enlarged presbytery is being considered.
- is an ongoing need.
Next Meeting: 17th September 2008