The Glen Waverley Uniting Church PSALTERLink to CouncilAgenda20230626 > CouncilMinutes20230626
MINISTRY TEAM REPORT June 2023
Neil’s Report
We are now half way through the year and it is going quickly. Hoon’s time with us is also racing along. I have heard that many people are appreciating Hoon’s contribution to worship and our life together as a congregation.
There have been some significant pastoral matters in recent times and some of these have been a little stressful. I was honoured to lead the funeral service celebrating the life of Lorraine Bartlett. Lorraine and Warren have made a significant contribution t our congregation. I also led the funeral service celebrating the life of Jean Phillips, a long-time member at GWUC.
Last Friday I was invited by the Moderator to attend a “Faithful Futures” meeting. This is a group from Synod and Presbyteries thinking strategically about what the church will look like in 10-15 years time. I was invited to share about our experience of the live stream of worship.
I have taken services at Cumberland View and Highvale Retirement Villages.
I have continued with Synod and Presbytery responsibilities.
The Welfare Team will miss Elinor. She has done an outstanding job as welfare coordinator. We wish her well in her new position. I have negotiated with Elinor to attend worship at 10 am on 30 July so we can thank her. (church council should she get flowers or a gift?)
I have been temporarily assisting with the pancake breakfast at Glen Waverley secondary College.
I have two young people ready to prepare for confirmation commencing in August.
The youth group leadership is now all organized for when Lynne and Jemma are away. This is very good news.
The ministry team continues to meet weekly.
The annual leave I have taken while at GWUC has now been submitted to the Synod. With assistance of Joanne and the Synod pay office we have been able to confirm the outstanding leave to be taken prior to retirement.
Neil Peters
Di’s Report
I have continued to meet with and walk with the GOWERS at Jells Park and also catch up with the GOMERS at the Church. I have continued to visit people and make heaps of phone calls. We have had a number of people in hospital and I was able to visit them. I have also visited a few after they returned home.
My time at Strathdon seems to be going well. I have led worship and communion in the Chapel and a service in the high care section of Strathdon, each service was attended by someone who are members at Glen Waverley. At this month’s service in the high care section, I was delighted to have a gentleman, John, to do the reading. The reading was the Good Shepherd from John’s Gospel and because he had lived and worked in the Middle East, he was able to talk about the shepherds in that country.
I have attended the Code of Ethics Training on Relationship with Colleagues. I am still involved with the MLDC and we had meetings at Noble Park. As part of my responsibility on MLDC I interviewed a potential Lay Preacher and her application has been approved.
I have had supervision and have met with a couple of ministry colleagues for mutual support. I enjoyed a week’s leave in Noosa with the family, very relaxing. I enjoyed being part of the GWUC Walkathon and was pleased to do all 7 laps.
Black Rock continues to look to the future direction, with the Cheltenham/Mentone congregation happy to merge with us and we hope to move with them when their renovations are completed.
I will be going to Canada to see my family and meet my Grandson from 23 rd August till 14 th September.
Di Paterson
Pastoral Care