#acl All:read '''Minutes of Church Council''' '''Wednesday 19^th^ November 2008''' * '''Present – '''Rev. Greg Fry, Lynne Boyer, Brian Clarkson, Amy Whittaker, Max Whittaker, Rev. Brace Bateman, Jan Clear, Yan Emms, Doug Newberry, John Hurst, David Jackson, Warren Greenwood, Kerryn Leister (minutes), Graeme Frecker (Chair), Marjorie Bedford, Beverley McGlead, Graham Lockhart, Alanee Hearnshaw, Rev Ineke Gyles, Alison Dingwall, Carolyn Blakemore, Murray Lowe. * '''Apologies –''' David Morgan, Roger Vass ''' ''' '''1. Devotions: Max Whittaker''' Happy 80^th^ Birthday Max! Thank you God for good and blessed gifts from above. Psalm 103 '''2. Use of Consensus Cards ''''''(Orange - warm, Blue - cool, Yellow when you wish to speak)''' 10:00PM Curfew - Motions for any 15 Minute extensions beyond 10:00PM ''' ''' '''3. Confirmation of Minutes for October Church Council Meeting''' Accepted (although need to include Rev. Ineke Gyles’ apology for October meeting) ''' ''' '''4. Correspondence.''' a) Financial Statement of UCAF ''' ''' '''5. Ministry Team Report''' Christmas Alight planning has been good. Lots of volunteers (more men would be good for a balance). Carolyn has been writing procedures so volunteers are clear of what is expected of them. Registrations went out yesterday and already have phone calls. 25^th^ Jan – Baptism of Evangeline Joyce Belmont (parents: Andrea and Fernando) '''Agreed''' Preaching plan, Advent Christmas Mail out should be ready by Friday 21^st^ Nov Greg and Alanee will have some time off in January (Alanee 11-26 Jan) Ministry team will cover this time. Ineke will be around taking services in Jan. Alison and Carolyn also around during this time. Postcards- Alanee has designed a new one, linking to theme of ours. '''Does Church Council want to spend $250 for publicity of Christmas promotions?''' Agreed Mandarin Bible – young couple John Pooley and Brace have been working with. We gave them a Bible – they are learning English. John is getting a Bible that has Mandarin and English side-by-side. Amy made us aware of Peggy Yeo as a resource for multi-lingual Bibles. '''Should we have one of these Bibles here at Church?''' Lynne Boyer will buy a Mandarin/English Bible for the young couple. Ineke will buy one for the church. ''' ''' '''Further purchases for other languages is to be added to the agenda for next year. ''' Julie Ross – Farewell Nov 30^th^ @ 10am. '''Agreed that church funds be used to get present (Stole) for Julie. ''' Be aware of “Michael Israel” – Synod advises has been approaching ministers and church looking for donations or free accommodation. This scam has been brought to our attention. If he approaches us, we are to contact police. Ministry Team brainstormed some goals for next year. - Development of life giving goals - Education/praxis –Missional church - Worship - Pastoral care - Developing leadership - Communication-internal & external - Resource stewardship - Development of propositions – missions Ineke has a new office in the vestry. Anyone welcome! Ineke wants to advertise she hopes that on Fridays 9:30 – 12:00, wants to develop a space to have a coffee and look at bible readings, have a chat. __Youth Ministry__ Alanee thanks the church for the manse. She has already noticed the difference in living so close. NCYC needs prayer – young adults have taken on leadership roles, big time for them from now until the end of the NCYC. Mentoring program is about to happen. This will be recognised in a church service. __Seniors Ministry__ Seniors service 21^st^ Dec. __ __ __Children’s & Families Ministry__ Occasional Child Care, Playgroup, and Children’s & Families Ministry discussion has happened between Carolyn and Jan Clear. Jan bought up again that we need a Church Council Rep of Occasional Child Care Committee. It had been noted in Children’s & Families report that Carolyn and families feel unable to sit in these positions. Warren spoke of the possibility of charging rent to the group if it does not have a church representative. A representative needs to be from Church Council '''OR''' an appointment made by Church Council. Please speak to Jan for more information. __Asian Ministry__ Rev Brace Bateman passed around a report from his time with us. It was accompanied by a list of names and addresses of Asian families linked to our church. Brace has found some issues with racism within our church. From point 10 of Brace’s report – Jan told us that a pamphlet is already been prepared Amy asked that Asian members of our congregation be asked to organise a function for Chinese New Year to fit in with the council celebrations. Vida Foo has already asked to organise such as an event. We need to be aware of many cultures in our congregation. We need to be an inclusive community. There are Asian communities, Greek communities, etc. “I Apologise for Being Chinese” – written by Rev. Swee-Ann Koh Ineke is emailing copies of this for people to read. It explores understanding other peoples’ cultures and sharing cultures. Thank you Brace for your report and hard work! ''' ''' '''6. Visioning process: Greg Fry''' '''On The Way Together''' Greg spoke about the process. It has become somewhat clear through the latest phase of discussions that the Life Giving Themes have not been explained clearly enough. The Life Giving Themes are about the development of our Christian faith. The propositions are what we go out and do. We need to look at new propositions coming up but also the things we are already doing. Alanee has re-worded the themes for the youth. This is fine but the original words need to be remembered. Details from propositions will be filled out by February. Greg asked the Church Council to read the propositions. We have been asked as councillors to think about our role in oversight and empowering. Greg asked us in groups of 3 to discuss which group/proposition we would belong to and be passionate about. __Feedback from small groups__ - the people who are saying “I don’t know anyone”, there needs to be real interconnection rather than just a visit eg: lunch - Community Hub as being an area where the whole church can be involved in. How do we energise and enthuse the congregational members to be involved so we have a group who would be available and to be at a training session to approach people in non-threatening way (people who come to the church throughout the week) - If we run a café, it’s no different from down the street, unless we use the Life Giving Themes - The seed is already in place for propositions. The council has a responsibility to find or ask people who have a vision to develop and encourage. The timetable of the visioning seems to clash with a planned giving program. This needs to be taken into account. We need to move as fast as we possibly can. ''' ''' '''7. Caring and Sharing''' Graham Lockhart asked us for prayers regarding an insurer for a Tongan Arcade. There is a $1.6 million action to be heard on 4^th^ Dec. Mediation was also mentioned. Please pray for all involved in this situation. '''8. Elders Report:''' Desire to have a more significant role as a group and want Church Council to help facilitate this. Elders will discuss this further at their Feb 2009 Meeting. More interaction with Church Council and the opportunity/responsibility as a Group to actively further the spiritual/elders type activities of the Congregation is sought. There is a letter from Herb inviting all Church Councillors to attend Feb 2009. 2000 Covenant will be made available to Elders and Councillors. ''' ''' '''9. Finance Committee''' ''' ''' '''9.a) Endorse Action of CC Executive to:''' - Suspend payment of Mission & Service (M&S) Contributions for Nov. & Dec. 2008 (approx $16,000) - Foreshadow to Presbytery a significant reduction of GWUC's M&S contribution for 2009 ''(Note: the emails sent by Roger Vass to Presbytery & to “Eric” in the Synod Office'' ''concerning these 2 items were circulated to CC Members)'' ''- ''Fete Money Residue 2008 & Future Fete Money – target it to Projects for needy folk that M&S Money would normally be used by Synod to support. Is Congregation Meeting approval needed for 2008, & future allotments? ''' ''' '''9. b) General Finance report - Warren Greenwood (''''''''Roger Vass overseas'''''''')''' Roger has made it public to the congregation our current financial position. We are not broke cash-flow. There are no allocated monies remaining. Amy commends the financial committee for presenting a balance budget. It is what was asked of them. '''In respect to 2008, do Church Council endorse the letters signed by Roger Vass to David and Eric? ''' Yes. '''Is it the view of Church Council that we put a strong recommendation to the COP that the monies beyond $20,000 be used to fund a compensating Uniting Church project?''' Agreed ''' ''' Discussion followed regarding respect the congregation’s decision, the COP committee and its decisions, as well as where funds would be most beneficial. 2009 Budget – the new Presbytery is changing the manner that it looks to congregations for Mission &Service funding. The new Presbytery have come to the view of looking at congregations as a whole and what they are doing for Mission & Service in their day to day life. The consequence of that decision will change what their expectation is of us and our Mission & Service contribution. From their projections the amount appears to Roger to be quite low for what our congregation can achieve. '''Church Council endorse a proposition that the congregation be given a 6 month budget (1^st^ Jan to 30^th^ Jun 09) that will provide balanced budget with a M&S contribution of $25,000, this will enable us to continue with our current planned ministerial make-up.''' Agreed '''10. GWUC Telephone Policy - Warren Greenwood ''''''''(Report circulated)''''' Ministry Team members are currently treated differently regarding telephones, internet, etc. Property is now bringing this recommendation back to CC. Agreed '''11. Property Committee ''''''''(Report Circulated)''''' There will be a water tank report given to congregation. There has been a change to the original proposal. Extra large tank out the back. A tank go over near the corner, near rubbish bins, near corner of house (water for manses), still a tank under wing on car park side. The committee are within budget. All funds are from a grant. '''12. Children & Families Ministry ''''''''(Report Circulated)''''' ''' ''' '''13. Other Business.''' Is there is some work that can be done off-site by someone required to do 12hrs Community Work? It needs to be something that can be done/supervised off-site. A big clap for Bruce Clear who is coming home permanently after 16 weeks. Doug Newberry raised the issue of people not being recognised. Our faces should be on show for congregation to know who their councillors are. The same for Elders. Photos were taken down for NCYC live recording. '''14. Closing''' ''' ''' '''Next Meeting: 17th December 2008 Congregational Meeting''' ''' ''' Recorded Kerryn Muir