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GLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH COUNCIL

Minutes of joint meeting with Elders held at 7.45pm Wednesday 23 Jan 2013

AGENDA

This was a special meeting called to consider the future directions of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church, in the light of the termination of Rev RosemaryCarter's placement.

1. Welcome

The chair welcomed visitors to the meeting, in particular Rev Greg Crowe (chair of Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee) and Rev Ron Townsend (supply minister for Presbytery Minister for Pastoral Care). The chair detailed procedures for the meeting including the need for an "in camera" session.

2. Apologies

Executive Meeting: LynneBoyer, GregFry, AlaneeHearnshaw, DeanMann

Meeting: LynneBoyer, KenDevos, ColinKing, BarbaraKrieger, GlennLaub, MurrayLowe, JudyLowe, RossMackinnon, BeverlyMcGlead, DougNewberry

3. Devotions

Led by Belinda Clear

4. Introduction

The chair introduced the meeting and explained the background. Statements made at Sunday worship by RosemaryCarter (6 Jan 2013) and JohnHurst (13 Jan 2013) were recapped. (See attachments Rosemary Carter and John Hurst or separate wiki pages ChurchFutureStatement01 and ChurchFutureStatement02.)

He saw this an an opportunity for us to re-think what GWUC is about. Accepting & affirming the value of each member of the congregation? Many people have expressed many emotions, that need to be owned and worked through. One common theme concerns our spirituality. Our crisis is about love, not just management or leadership. We are considering our arrival rather than Rosemary's departure.

Our gut reactions are survival instinct. We need to go beyond them and make considered, prayerful decisions. To be reflective rather than reactive. This is an opportunity for us to grasp the challenge.

5. Action Items (council in camera)

Councillors moved to room 1 for a brief confidential meeting.

See CouncilAgendaConfidential20130123

Councillors rejoined the meeting.

6. Comment from Presbytery Representatives

Ron Townsend spoke.

• Last here for Rosemary's induction.
• Come to this congregation prayfully.
• Presbyteries have responsibilities but not authority. We are co-councils.
• Some history.
  • Presbytery has had involvement with the team at GWUC for some years, not generally very public.
  • In 2010, there were conversation during Rosemary's call process about team dynamics.
  • Early terminations can be initiated by Presbytery or at the minister.
  • Assigning blame, looking for fault, is not the focus of Rosemary's statement, nor of the congregation.

  • GWUC has done very well developing Mission & Vision plans. Why has it not worked? This is not clear.

• Presbytery will:
  • Conduct an exit interview with 2 or 3 Presbytery people and 2 from the congregation.
    • Work through the problems and feelings.

  • Conduct a Life & Witness consultation under Regulations 3.1.4

    • Not a vision & mission plan. More heart than brain.

    • Tries to understand the background. The nature of things. The unconscious.
    • Understand future needs of the congregation.
    • Initiated by Presbytery.
    • Consults with the congregation and reports.

    • Carolyn Kitto was being organised for our next GGG process. She agrees that we need more than that, and has offered to conduct the Life & Witness consultation. Presbytery (at least Ron & Greg) are happy with that. It can be done more quickly by bringing in Carolyn. Presbytery would be involved, but not leading.

• Questions
  • Have Greg F and Alanee been consulted? They know about it. Carolyn's potential involvement has only become clear today.
  • Will Carolyn's involvement cost? Yes, about $6k. Would it cost if Presbytery did it? Yes if we used a consultant, no if we used a minister, which would involve some months of delay. But Ron thinks that it would be good value.
• Comments
  • We need to bring things out from under the carpet. They don't go away.
• Carolyn's proposal was read out. It is a busy week.

7. Relevant correspondence received.

• From Peter Baker

• Heather Wilkins wishes to record her endorsement of Peter Baker's comments
• Peter spoke to this.
  • He felt that there was little discussion with the congregation before the announcement.
  • Is it possible to hold off for consultation?
• Ron replied.
  • Presbytery processes and conversation with ministers are left for Ministers to communicate to congregations.
  • Understands that Rosemary's decision has been a shock to most members.
  • Presbytery counsels against any attempt to reverse the termination.
• Peter
  • We may need more that a week of Carolyn.
• Ron
  • Carolyn's proposed process looks good, but will certainly need to be followed up.

8. Comments from Marjorie Bedford

• Set out to speak to many people and got the following dominant responses.
  • Feelings of mismanagement and powerlessness.

  • Too many services, manses & ministers.

  • Too many traditionally voluntary jobs being paid.

• She was thanked and asked to encourage the people to make the comments directly, eg, through the suggestion box and during the Life & Witness consultation.

9. Structured Discussion

Table sessions were held to discuss:

1. What questions do people have?
2. What do people want to see
   1. in terms of a ministry team;
   2. in terms of a mission vision;
   3. in terms of a community of Christ?
3. What prayers would you offer for our congregation?

Answers were collected to guide the future processes.

10. Comments to share from tables and other.

• Katie: We have lots to celebrate. But our glue is breaking down.
• Warren: Journey begins tonight, expands with Carolyn, but opportunities to express views and to participate will continue. But we need to move on.
• Heather: Vision of being here in 25 years for my daughter.
• Irene: How many people have objected to Rosemary's preaching? Minister improving or congregation listening?
• Can we afford Carolyn? Yes. We have assets, and budget deficit will be alleviated by not having Roasemary.

• Graeme: What is time line for decisions on team? Ron: Needs to be refined in the life & witness consultation.

• Graeme: What help will Presbytery give in the interim? Ron: Encourage us to use lay leadership in the short term (weeks to months).

11. Closing Remarks

Ron

• There is great life and potential here.
• PRC want to affirm the life of GWUC, and still working out how to identify best ways to help.

Graeme

• Concern for those who are not here. David: We will get minutes up by the weekend.

John:

• Councillors will be asked to approve Carolyn Kitto soon.
• We will publicise the information as quickly as possible.

The chair closed the meeting with prayer.

12. Next (Council) Meeting

Scheduled 20 Feb 2013 (See Schedule)

Attachments

CategoryCouncil