Link to CouncilAgenda20180822 > CouncilMinutes20180822

MINISTRY TEAM REPORT AUGUST 2018

Neil’s Report

I want to acknowledge with gratitude the wonderful support that I received from the Ministry Team, the Church Council and the Congregation during my sick leave as I recovered from heart bypass surgery. The surgery went smoothly and the recovery has gone very well. I did 4 weeks of Rehab. I still have a few medical appointments to come which is all part of the follow up.

I want to record that I was on sick leave from the 3rd June and returned to work on the 7th August – 9 weeks and 2 days.

I knew with the members of the ministry team that we have here that the congregation would be in good hands during my absence. I invited Alanee to facilitate and coordinate the work of the team. Alanee took extra services, liased with other worship leaders, and picked up general requests. Di took a couple of services and carried a significant load with regard to pastoral care. Dietrich was involved in some services. I wanted my gratitude and affirmation of the efforts of the team to be recognized at Church Council.

I am pleased to be back. My energy levels are not fully restored and I noticed that in my first week. I was glad I was spared from leading worship in my first week. I am now gradually picking up normal ministry activities. After 10 Sundays at home or in the congregation I am looking forward to the privilege and the responsibility of leading worship again.

I want to share with you that I also had good support from some of the ministers in the local area. Four of the ministers came and prayed with me before I went into hospital. Pastor Bill Brown from Syndal Baptist Church has kept in regular contact with me during my recovery.

My first service back was the honour of leading the service giving thanks for the life of Malcolm Chamberlain. Malcolm and Barbara have lived in the area since 1956 and Malcolm has made a big contribution to the life of this congregation. He will be greatly missed.

I feel I will need to take some leave before the Christmas rush. I am planning to take one week of annual leave from 7 November and returning to work 14th Nov. I think this will freshen me up for an important time of the year in the lead up to Christmas.

Neil Peters

Di’s Report

We have had a number of sad losses over the last month. We were sad to hear of the passing of the wife of a gentleman who had just had bypass surgery. We were also saddened but honoured to celebrate the life of Malcolm Chamberlain, the service was so Malcolm and it was good to have Neil back to preside at this special service for Malcolm.

We have had a number of people in hospital and rehab over the last month. It is always a pleasure to visit people as they journey and to support them as they face some of the hurdles for the future.

I have attended GOMER a number of times, to catch up with people and to hear how people are travelling. I have also chattered to people at the HUB and at other times around the Church. There has been some times of Pastoral listening and it is always an honour to support in this way.

Met with the Inclusive Community team and continue to be amazed at the volume of ways they enrich the life of the Church. I have met with the Ministry team to welcome Neil back and to farewell Dietrich and to pray for his future. I have attended UCAF. I attended the induction, at St Martin’s Beaumaris, of their new minister, Rev Scott Finlay.

I have met with the Uniting Church Minister’s group in my area at Black Rock/Sandringham/Cheltenham and Moorabbin, these meetings are very supportive and encouraging. Presbytery continues to be fairly full on in the last few weeks with another 2 meetings of Presbytery. We have moved along with the plan for the new structure of Presbytery and hope to have that up and running soon.

I attended a Lay Preacher’s Education day at Pilgrim College, it was a very helpful day with some excellent speakers. I have commenced a 5-week course “The Art of Grieving” at Seaford, run by Tobin Brothers. I will be attending a Minister’s Retreat at Pallotti College Millgrove, on the 20th, 21st, 22nd August.

I am delighted to have Neil back on deck, after his bypass surgery. I am grateful for the Ministry Team, Church Council and the ongoing welcome of the people at Glen Waverley. Thanks to the Church council for their card to Black Rock thanking them for releasing me to help out at GWUC. I have had Spiritual Direction and Supervision which are a very important part of my journey in Ministry.

Di Paterson – Pastoral Care Worker.