InterculturalMeeting20240211

DRAFT Notes from Intercultural Task Group (ICTG) meeting, 11th February in room 1, 3:15 —5pm

Present: Rev Dr ApweeTing (by invitation), LuckyKalonta, SachinRemson, VidaFoo, JanClear, GlynHowells (chair and notes). Apologies: Rev IanFerguson

Apwee was welcomed and thanked for spending the afternoon with us.

Glyn began with a prayer from Psalm 50:1-4 … Be with us this day Creator as we seek to follow your way of justice, compassion and service in Jesus name, Amen.

Acknowledgement of Country

This land is God’s land and God’s Spirit dwells here. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kubin nation as the traditional custodians of this land under God. We commit ourselves again to working for reconciliation in this land.

1. Consider Rev Hoon You’s report to church council on intercultural ministry - item largely postponed until next meeting except:

2. February 18th Lunar New year celebration in Kingsway, Glen Waverley - not discussed

3. Uniting World Sunday in May

Assembly provides an Order of Service
Apwee offered to preach/ work with ministry team to take the service - need to follow up with ministry team
Apwee sees it as Uniting World being accountable to congregation (s)

4. Indonesian Fellowship worship for 2024

—worship together (holy communion) face to face 4th Sunday of each month starting from 24th March (Sunday before Easter) No longer on zoom (office have been notified of change).

5. Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday in July

Request Church Council for a combined 10 am service followed by speakers from other faith and lunch
Assembly initiative: Christian Order of Service provided which is accessible to other religions and those with no religion
Rev David Kim from Synod (to be inducted in March) was mentioned
we suggest a combined service followed by lunch
invite our friends from Monash Interfaith Group (via Jan), friends from other churches and our other faith friends
Monash Council has grants which close at the end of February (?) Lucky agreed to apply - as we are a non profit organisation we are eligible. (We have applied for our December Christmas Event)

6. Annual Intercultural (originally Indonesian) Christmas Worship and Celebration

In the past this was held early December in the afternoon followed by lunch. Could it become a combined service in the morning + concert + lunch to involve the whole congregation?
Request Church Council for a combine 10 am service followed by lunch and performances by other cultures. Application for Monash Council grant was submitted and results will be available in May. We’ve been in contact with Bendigo Bank Community grant and was advised to apply in July for their next FY allocation. Will be following this up.

7. Relations with Riedel

Next steps in our sharing? We have been invited to visit Riedel, Tondano, North Sulawesi this year:
Who? When? How? Best time to visit? Weather? Events/ festivals/anniversaries
sharing faith across borders is mutually enriching
ICTG would like to see Youth Group be part of the next visit - to discuss with youth leaders/ ministry team/ Church council
Could be part of a larger group - we didn’t discuss .

8. AOB

Lucky is seeking ‘native speakers’ to lead a weekly English conversation class on zoom with university students via the university in Tomohon (Minahasa), North Sulawesi
Each week a different topic.
Vida to approach Anita Choo and John Campbell. Next meeting: Tuesday April 16th 7pm on zoom