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GWUC Headlines for week ending Feb 26 2022

• National Church Life Surveys are due. See below.

• Nominations for Council and Joint Nominating Committee close Next Sunday Feb 27.

  • Information of JNC is at available.

• Church Council met this week and provisional minutes are now available. Login required.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Feb 19 2022

• A petition to synchronise closing hours for gambling venues is available. In Victoria, all gaming venues must only operate for a maximum of 20 hours a day with a four-hour break. However each venue can individually decide what hours their poker machine rooms are closed. In Monash, access to a gaming venue is available 24 hurs a day.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Feb 12 2022

• The report of last Sundays meeting, with links to all the material provided, is now available.

• The February issue of Crosslight is now available.

• The National Church Life Survey is underway.
  • After multiple delays, Glen Waverley is now running the National Church Life Survey.
  • This is designed to enable the whole congregation to provide input into church planning, and will be especially valuable this year as we move towards calling another Minister of the Word. However, its usefulness depends critically on how representative it is, that is, getting as many members as possible to take part.
  • This is a voluntary, anonymous and confidential survey.
  • Most people complete it in 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Choose one response to each question unless it states otherwise.
  • Not all surveys are exactly alike. There are many issues being covered.

  • Further details are available from NCLS.

  • The options for taking part are:

    • Online here for 15+ or here for 8-14yrs. Our Church Code is UA291301 Glen Waverley Uniting Church.

    • Paper copies available at 10am services on Feb 13th and 20th. The preference is for forms to be filled in and left on the day, but return to the church office is acceptable.
    • Contact the office asking Joanne to send you a paper survey by post.

    • A parent information sheet is available for families with 8 to 14 year olds.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Feb 5 2022

• The February edition of Newsbeat is now available, including two stories from Glen Waverley.

• Members are invited to financially support the UnitingWorld appeal, which is helping the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga to support people affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami. Funds donated through Unitingworld make it possible to quickly get food and clothes and other essentials to people in need, particularly those who have been evacuated from their islands. UnitingWorld has set up a website where donations can be made to support the emergency relief efforts that are underway. https://donate.unitingworld.org.au/tonga.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jan 29 2022

• Some workshops on welcoming are available from Synod, starting Feb 2.

• The World Council of Churches and others have launched a "zactax" toolkit to campaign for tax justice.

• As groups resume for the new year, we are reminded of the legal requirements for checkin and mask wearing

• TheHub have decided to resume in second term 2022.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jan 15 2022

• The Gold FISH group have decided to postpone the Book Sale from March 5 to a date to be determined, due to the increased prevalence of Covid-19.
• In view of the continuing large number of COVID19 cases in the community, Church Council has decided to hold a single 10am live streamed service throughout February. A special meeting of the congregation for Council to outline plans for our future ministry team was planned for February 6. This will now be held following the 10am service, and live streamed for those not in attendance. This will be an information giving meeting, and no decisions are planned. It is hoped that the regular meeting of the congregation scheduled for March 6 will be possible in person.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Dec 25

• UPDATE. Masks will be mandatory indoors in Victoria from 11:59pm tonight (23 Dec) for people aged eight and over as the state ramps up its response to the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The rule applies to all indoor settings except private homes.

• Government advice for Omicron.

  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms or if you have been advised to get tested by a contact, workplace or school, get a COVID-19 test and isolate until you get a negative result.
  • We strongly recommend wearing a mask if you can’t physically distance, are indoors in public areas, or if you are with people who may be vulnerable to COVID-19.

  • Remember to check in everywhere every time using the Services Victoria app.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Dec 11

• We have been notified by the family that a person who attended Beryl Boundy's funeral on Wednesday December first has subsequently developed symptoms and tested positive for Covid-19. It is considered unlikely that the person was infectious on Wednesday. We have also received sms notification from the Health Department of a positive case at the church sometime Tuesday or Wednesday last week, but it is not clear that this was the same person.
  All those who attended the church on those days are advised to be especially vigilant for symptoms, and of course, to get tested as soon as any symptoms appear.

• Church Council met this week, and provisional minutes are now available.

• A Visioning document considered at the meeting is available.

• Council decided to resume multiple services in February for a three month trial.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Dec 4

• Church Council meets this Monday night to consider our vision as a congregation. Documents are available at FleshingOutTheVision2021.

• As part of the vision Council is considering a proposal to set up a KingswayWelfareFund, and would be very pleased to hear from members who would be interested in helping with this.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Nov 20

• MonashInterfaithGathering invites us to join their online forum Stop violence against women Thursday 18 November.

• ChurchCouncil met this week, and provisional minutes are available now.

• Relaxed restriction mean that there is no cap on attendances this Sunday for the fully vaccinated. Some help on showing vaccination status is available at CovidVaccinationCertificate.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Nov 13

• The recording of DiPaterson's investiture is now available.

• Church Council meets next Monday. Matters for their attention can be sent to <councilsec AT gwuc DOT org DOT au>

GWUC Headlines for week ending Oct 30

• The church office will again be occupied from Monday 8 November. Details here

GWUC Headlines for week ending Oct 23

• ChurchCouncil met this week, and provisional minutes are available now.

• JanClear has written a report on the WomenOfFaithForum included DebLeigh's presentation.

• The Uniting Church has joined churches from across the region in calling on the Australian Government to play its part in global action addressing climate change.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Oct 16

• ChurchCouncil meets next week, and the agenda is developing.

• The Service Victoria app (Check in app) has now been updated to show vaccination certificates. Some help on getting and displaying your vaccination status is availble at CovidVaccinationCertificate. Comments, suggestions and calls for help are all welcome. The roadmap currently indicates that we will all need to show this or some other copy when the state opens up after reaching 80% of eligible people vaccinated, expected early next month.

• The moderator has sent a pastoral letter about opening after restrictions lift.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Oct 9

• The October newsletter of the Victorian Council of Churches is now available.

• Continuing discusssions on dealing with the Victorian roadmap are available.

• Glen Waverley features in Towards Zero Episode 2, released by the Uniting Church National Assembly.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Sep 25

• Presbytery Minister wrote: Vaccination Passports? The Victoria roadmap provides for different levels of capacity depending on whether or not everybody present has been vaccinated. This will be a challenge for many congregations, as the Victorian government has indicated that there will be a limit of 20 people gathering together where we don't know that everyone present has been fully vaccinated. I am confident that we'll have resources from both the Government and from the Synod that will help us navigate this challenge.

• Church Council met this week and provsional minutes are available at CouncilMinutes20210920.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Sep 18

• Church Council meets Monday Sep 20 on Zoom. Anything for their consideration should be sent to <councilsec AT gwuc DOT org DOT au> as soon as possible please.

• The Uniting Church National Assembly have just released these resources for congregations on taking action on climate change

GWUC Headlines for week ending Sep 11

• DebLeigh is talking to the Monash Interfaith Gathering on September 23 about the Choir of Hope. Flyer available here.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Sep 4

• Extended lockdowns mean a a single 10am live streamed service with no congregation for the forseeable future, certainly through September.

• We were awarded a Five Leaves Eco Award at the recent (virtual) Presbytery meeting. An article and video of the presentation is available.

• We are preparing an outside display celebrating Spring, and are inviting our church community and neighbourhood to Spread the Warmth of Spring… but we need your help! Here is a SunFlower to print out and colour in. (You could even write a nice message on it!)

• Crosslight is available on line.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Aug 21

• Extended lockdown means a a single 10am live streamed service with no congregation for the next two Sundays Aug 22 and 29.

• Introducing the Uniting Church – 3 Thursday nights in September. Port Phillip East Presbytery is running a series of three online seminars in September focusing on the Uniting Church. This is designed for groups and individuals who are new to the Uniting Church. On Thursday September 9, 23, 30, the Presbytery Minister team will be helping participants explore the Uniting Church in Australia, with attention to beginnings, beliefs, values, approaches to leadership and decision making. Register online at http://www.trybooking.com/BTLCL.

• Church Council met this week, and provisional minutes are available.

• The Moderator and other UCA officials have released an open letter on the COVID experience and vaccination.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Aug 14

• Church Council meets Monday Aug 16 on Zoom. Anything for their consideration should be sent to <councilsec AT gwuc DOT org DOT au> as soon as possible please.

• A collection of links about ventilation of the church during Covid19 is available at CovidVentilation.

• The extension of lockdown number 6 has us offering a single 10am live streamed service for August 15th with no congregation.

• In response to the lastest IPCC report, a petition to government about climate change can be read and signed at http://chng.it/dGbCJ4ddpt.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Aug 7

• The Presbytery Newsletter for August is now available.

• Lockdown number 6 has us back to a single 10am live streamed service for August 8th (no congregation) and 15th (congregation to be determined).

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jul 31

• A single 10am service this week, but hoping to resume normal services on Aug 8, with a limit of 73 in the church (4sqm/person)

• Current rules are item 87 of OpeningAfterCoronaVirus.

• Church Council have agreed to take part in the National Church Life Survey this year. We were working on that when COVID hit in March 2020.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jul 24

• With the lockdown extended, we will have a single 10am service next Sunday.

• Church Council met this week, and provisional minutes are available to the congregation at CouncilMinutes20210719.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jul 17

• Back into lockdown. Government directive includes "Religious gatherings and ceremonies: No in-person gatherings permitted. Broadcast permitted", so we will have a single 10am online only service. See item 85 of OpeningAfterCoronaVirus.

• Church Council meets Monday night on Zoom. Anything for their consideration to <councilsec AT gwuc DOT org DOT au> as soon as possible please.

• Direct Debit contribution arrangements are changing soon. Please see DirectDebitChanges2021.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jul 3

• The Presbytery Newsletter for July is now available.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jun 26

• Church Council met this week and provisional minutes are available at CouncilMinutes20210621

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jun 19

• Church Council will meet on Monday June 21. Any matters that should be considered by Council can be sent to <councilsec AT gwuc DOT org DOT au>

• In the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, DiPaterson is named an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) recipient for her unwavering service to Girl Guiding and the community.

• This week's COVID restriction require 4sqm per person, limiting the church to 73. There will be no morning tea this week.

• Sacraments in the Uniting Church in Australia, Wednesday nights in July and August. This online course, held on Zoom over eight evenings, provides an inspirational and practical introduction to communion and baptism. Great for people new to the Uniting Church, for members who have always wanted to understand the sacraments more deeply, and lay people who may be authorised as celebrants for communion and baptism. Register online at ucappep.eventbrite.com.au

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jun 12

• The relaxed Covid restrictions only allow 50 in church. Therefore this Sunday will again be a single live streamed service at 10am.

• The following week is Church Anniversary, which would normally be a single combined 10am service. We will see what is possible.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Jun 5

• The Presbytery Newsletter for June is now available.

• Live streamed worship at 10am again this week due to extended shutdown.

GWUC Headlines for week ending May 22

• Not yet announced, but received in response to an enquiry:
  "Service Victoria and the Department of Health are working on a new system for businesses and organisations such as yours which will be web-based. Any device which can connect to the internet and run Safari or Chrome will be able to use the new webform. This system will be ready by 28 May when the new digital check-in system is required." This will allow many more people to check in on their own devices, and make it much easier for us to help those who cannot.

GWUC Headlines for week ending May 15

• Church Council has changed its meeting day to the third Monday of each month, that is this Monday 16 May. Material to be considered should be sent to <councilsec AT gwuc DOT org DOT au>

GWUC Headlines for week ending May 1

• The Presbytery Newsletter for May is now available.

• Church Council this week held its first meeting after the recent delayed elections. Provisional minutes are available to the congregation. Council decided to meet in future on the third Monday of each month.

• The check in system that we have been using from Rewardle has failed to meet the dealine for connecting electronically to the government system. The means that we will need to change to the government system.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Apr 24

• John Rutter on the music for Prince Philip's funeral service. The first three paragraphs are well worth reading, particularly for 11am worshippers.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Apr 17

• Some covid restrictions have been eased: for example, you can now collect a hymn book on your way into the service. Please remember to return it to the stewards table after use, so that it can be wiped down. The choir stalls have also been reinstated.

GWUC Headlines for week ending Apr 10

• There are now three live services: 8am, 9:15am, and 11am. The 9:15 and 11 services are live streamed as well.

• 2021 English Class for Chinese speakers and Chinese Fellowship (combined)

  • Start date: 21 Apr 2021 (no classes on school holidays)
  • Every Wednesday 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
  • Venue: Room 1 Glen Waverley Uniting Church
  • Contact: 0412 659 386 Sheila Chan

GWUC headlines for week ending Apr 3

• Assembly have released a statement on Towards Zero – Assembly Climate Action Plan

• The Presbytery Newsletter for April is now available.

GWUC headlines for week ending Mar 27

• ChurchCouncil met on Wednesday night. Provisional minutes are now available (Log in required.)

• Council decided this week to resume three morning services after Easter at the same times as pre-pandemic. This decision came from both the desire for diversity in worship, and from the fact the numbers attending the 10am services are approaching the allowed limit and some members are staying away because of the crowding. The 5pm service plans to resume after school holidays. Conversation will also begin regarding the 1 pm Indonesian/ Intercultural service. Council seeks feedback from members to inform future decisions. Both 9:15 and 11 will be live-streamed, as they were before the pandemic.
  Wearing of masks in church is no longer compulsory, but strongly advised whenever distancing is difficult. It is also encouraged in order to make others feel safe. Windows will continue to be open to ensure ventilation as the best defence against aerosol transmission.

• Groups meeting in the church buildings should read and abide by CovidGuidelinesForGroups

GWUC headlines for week ending Mar 20

• The wiki is back! Hooray and thank you JohnHurst.

• The March issue of Newsbeat is available.

• Church Council will meet next Wednesday 24th. Matters to be considered should be sent to [email protected]

• Pancake breakfast at Glen Waverley Secondary College resumed last Thursday, just a year after being suspended.

• The meeting of the congregation made some important decisions. Minutes will be available soon.

• The Synod's JIM Cluster has developed astudy guide resource on the Statement from the Heart for Second Peoples seeking to explore and pursue a truthful, just and meaningful relationship with First Peoples.

• TheHub will resume on Tuesday mornings only from April 20.

• In April 2021, Glen Waverley Uniting Church Welfare Committee are one of the community groups being supported at Grill'd.

GWUC headlines for week ending Mar 13

• The wiki is still broken. Sorry

GWUC headlines for week ending Mar 6

• Unfortunately the wiki (aka ThePsalter) is broken at the moment. We are working to repair it as soon as possible.

GWUC headlines for week ending Feb 27

• Church Council met this week. Provisional minutes are now available, see CouncilMinutes20210224

• Council agreed to continue single services up to Easter Sunday, and to use the time until Easter to build community and engage the congregation in discussions on how and when we resume diverse services, and what those diverse services may look like. As part of this a survey will be coming next week.

GWUC headlines for week ending Feb 13

• NO congregation at church this week, due to state shutdown order.

• Government guidelines for "Travelling with others" are now available. These should be followed when giving rides to people who do not reside with you.

• Guidelines to enable groups to meet safely in the church are now available.

GWUC headlines for week ending Feb 6

• The new edition of the Kingsway magazie is now available.

• Newsbeat, the Presbytery newsletter is now avaialble for January

• ChurchCouncil met this week, and provisional minutes are available to the congregation.

• Wearing of masks is now compulsory in all indoor spaces, including worship. Further details here.

GWUC headlines for week ending Jan 30

• TheHub, the Thursday English class and the Bilingual English class have all cancelled for the first school term, and are hoping to start after Easter.

GWUC headlines for week ending Jan 23

• The Book Sale is planned for Feb 27, subject of course to COVID numbers and with many precautions. To volunteer to distribute leaflets, please contact PeterAnderson. To help with setup and on the day, please contact SueMorgan.

• In person attendance at worship is now possible. Details here.

GWUC headlines for week ending Jan 1

• A virtual tour of the 'Once Upon A Christmas Installation' is now available.

• An updated statement on worship attendance is now available.

  • We are advised that the changes announced on Jan 31 do not affect worship.

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Note that some wiki pages require a wiki login, available to all church members. This can be arranged by contacting JohnHurst. If you want to see a particular wiki page and cannot, you are always welcome to contact DavidMorgan or ask the ChurchOffice to print a copy for you. If you need help finding information, see GwucWikiFirstTimeReaders or ask.