#acl OutreachandSocialJusticeMGGroup:read,write All:read

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== Correspondence among OSJMG Feb 2024 ==
 * MargaretFraser wrote.
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Here's an update about a few things -
1. COP 2024 processes and documents
We have completed updates to the 4 relevant documents (thanks everyone).
These have all been approved by Church Council, including OSMG to act as the COP selection committee and the stated timelines. 
Margaret will speak with John Snare this month regarding how and when we present the COP application and selection process to the congregation.

2. COP 2023 recipients - all 2023 COP donations have been sent and receipts received. Joanne has forwarded the acknowledgement letters to me and I will place copies onto our noticeboard.
Friends of Ermera (Vida), UnitingWorld (Margaret) and Frontier Services (Margaret) have been contacted and all have agreed to provide a speaker at a time/service to be coordinated with the ministry team, preferably by end of May, before we close applications for 2024 COP.
Welfare will also provide some feedback, possibly written.

3. Honey Sales - These continue to raise money, and we are in a position to make another donation to the Uniting Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre soon.  They are also prepared to provide a speaker to give more information about how the money is spent.

4. Material Aid - Annette is doing a great job promoting this and keeping it current.  Is there anything that you need us to help with, Annette?

5. Website and wiki updates - partially completed.

6. Notice for Bulletin - Margaret to prepare an article by end of Feb.

7. Next meeting - I am compiling the Agenda for our 4th April meeting, to be held in Room 2.  This will include next steps in the COP 2024 process, the display at Monash Library (Vida), seeking additional Welfare items (Vida), and other.  Please forward further ideas.
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 * MargaretFraser wrote:
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Hello Chris, Ian (only when you are ready) and Joanne

The Outreach and Social Justice Mission Group OSJMG would like to revive our tradition of inviting recipients of COP funding to speak (not a sermon) at a church service in the months after they receive our donation.
We donated over $5,500 to UnitingWorld, Friends of Ermera and Frontier Services from the 2023 fete, as well as the same amount to our Welfare program.

They have each been contacted and have agreed to send a speaker. Welfare will do a written report.
The Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre which receives the profits from our honey sales has also agreed to provide a speaker.

The OSJMG would very much appreciate the opportunity to promote these organisations, as well as to maintain congregational enthusiasm for the big fete effort and outreach in general.  
We will be opening applications for this year's COP project proceeds in early April.  Applications close on 26 May.  If we could invite at least some of these speakers within the next 3 months, that would be great.

Obviously it needs to fit into your plans, and it is your decision whether to do this, so we need your guidance.
If you are happy to proceed, please let me know dates and services, so that I may contact the groups, and confirm arrangements with you. 
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 * AnnetteWojak wrote:
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Material aid update

Faye was very pleased to have the material aid month for welfare, donations have been coming in. Jo created little shopping lists of the items most needed for people to pop in their wallet, Chris will be highlighting these during the service.  Given we encourage donations all year round for GWUC welfare. I will send a food list display to John to have as a permanent item on the OSJM page,

Looking at other material aid possibilities. If the Harvest festival goes ahead, Food for Change accept fresh produce, Uniting Food for Families, pantry items. June we can do  Off your back, coat drive.  We have in the past collected for Rspca (they don’t need much at present) and lunch/stationary for Brentwood Secondary welfare department which we could do again. I am not aware of any suggestions coming to us from the congregation, I will chat to some members to seek further input.

Regards Annette
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