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OUTREACH MISSIONAL GROUP MINUTES, 8 April 2010

Present:

Lyn McDonald, Yan Emms, Robin Pope, Faye Mc Dougall, Bill Norquay, Meagan Lowe, Alanee Hearnshaw, Amé Pocklington, John Duravin, Alex Skilton, Walter Skilton, Kaye Mackinon

Apology: Judy Lowe

Lyn opened the meeting with prayer

1 Business Arising from March Meeting

· After some debate it was decided that, in the interests of clarity and consistency, the full title Outreach Missional Group should be used, at least at the start of documents and presentations.
· The Welfare Group’s previous suggestion of financial support was revisited briefly but the decision not to offer financial support in the case was maintained.
· “Cuppas’ will continue to be offered to those who arrive early for the meeting ( 7.45 – 8.00)
· Deputy office bearers are needed for this group. Robin will act for Lyn as Coordinator during his absence later this month. Someone will need to be approached to accept the role of Deputy Coordinator for the future. Lyn suggested that a new member might be coopted to fill this role. Pass suggestions to Lyn.

2 “National Close the Gap, Event” – Amé Pocklington

Report of meeting

· The event was a great success with about 40 people attending. The speakers included our own Bec Weterings Indigenous Health, Nicole Boyer Nutrition in Indigenous communities, Amé Pocklington Making Indigenous Poverty History and another speaking on the lack of factual reporting Government/Aboriginal consultations. All were challenging and inspirational in raising awareness on the “gap” that Indigenous communities currently suffer.
· The delicious food, prepared by two of our Asylum Seeker guests, was greatly enjoyed.
· The Group decided to donate $171 from the Outreach Missional Group budget to cover the costs of the event.
· At next meeting Amé will outline plans for continuing this outreach education initiative.

Amé was warmly congratulated for her energy and enthusiasm in organizing this great event.

3 Social Justice – Letter Writing for political action – Robin Pope

· Robin presented a proposal to re-initiate a program of letter writing by members of the Congregation to appropriate political figures on significant issues relating to social justice.
· Robin spoke of the effectiveness of this approach in bringing about change and provided samples of the support material available from the UCA Justice and International Mission unit.
· The Group endorsed this initiative. The ways a letter writing project could be publicized and begun were discussed.
· At Robin’s suggestion, it was decided to invite a speaker from UCA Justice and International Mission to inform, challenge and inspire action from the Congregation. Robin is to approach the Community of Faith Missional Group with the view to having the speaker present at one or more of the Sunday services.

4 COP Sub Committee Report.

Presented by Yan Emms, on behalf of Robin and Faye.

· ♠nvitation for submissions will be in Sundays 11^th, 18^th, 25^th April and 2^nd May Bulletins, and the relevant documents are available from the Office counter and by email.

COP Selection Panel

· David Fraser, John Hurst and Heather Hon are the Panel members for 2010.

· They will report their recommendations to the July Congregational Meeting.

COP Relevant Documents

NOTE: The documents are now available on the Wiki under Congregational Outreach Projects.

5 Reports

Playgroups: Kaye Mackinnon

· The Easter/end of term activities went well.
· Thanks to Bill and his helpers for their work in filling the sand pit and replenishing the tan bark down “Lemke Lane”.
· Numbers in the groups are still very fluid, but members are interacting well.

Asylum Seekers: Robin Pope

· Robin has done a substantial amount of ‘personal’ work assisting one of the tenants find accommodation, transporting her daughter to and from school etc. thank you Robin.
· The manse is currently empty, awaiting Hotham Mission placement of new tenants.
· Some minor maintenance needs to be done – Robin has advised Property Group.
· Much appreciated help was provided by a few GWUC people with relocating the previous tenants, together with Robin.
· Robin has met with Maxine Morand re the severe shortage of suitable rental accommodation.

Welfare: Faye McDougall

No matter to report (apart from in 1. above).

Reports from Alanee Hearnshaw:

Outreach Sunday

· This will be in 25th July, at all services.
· Meagan, Robin and Amé will assist Alanee with the planning .

Kombi Krew: No report needed

Soup Kitchen:

· A meeting to get underway will be held this week.

GW and Brentwood Secondary Colleges: Amé

· Links are continuing with the students who attended the camp. This initiative is progressing well.

Tanks for Timor: Meagan Lowe

· No progress has been possible with tank installation during the wet season.
· A July visit by a number of people is being planned.

Maningrida: Laura Morgan

· Laura met with nearly a dozen people from the Congregation at Lyn & Pam’s home, and with smiles and laughter talked, showed pictures and facts, and answered many questions about her life teaching in Maningrida. This was informative, challenging and important. A bit disappointing that so few attended.
· Laura provided a copy of the 16 pages of ‘visuals’ she presented which she allows us to use as appropriate; it is a.pdf of 87mb so had NOT been attached to these minutes. Please make suggestions on how we can really share it with the congregation.
· Laura continues to need personal support and encouragement in her mission in this very difficult environment – NOT money, nor goods, but your letters, emails, skypes etc
Ways need to be found to keep the wider Congregation informed of her work.

Knitting for South Africa: Alex Skilton

Alex presented a full report re her visit to the Cape Town Region and her distribution of knitted goods from GWUC.
Report is attached.
The need continues to be pressing and offers continuing scope for GWUC outreach.
Letters of appreciation, photos and information about this project will be displayed in the foyer.
Alex will report to the Congregation in Church. Alex and Walter will discuss this with the ministers.

6 GWUC Communications

Website

· We need to continually consider what our Group should include.

Wiki

· No action by Lyn this month. Consider further next meeting.

Newview

· Robin/ Judy &Murray to check at next Communications committee meeting date for submission of Reports.
· Consider Alex and Laura’s (or parts of it) reports for publication in Newview

Bulletin Insert

· Meagan to prepare this for April with information from this present meeting. Review with Robin.

Next Meeting:

May 6, 8.00 pm

Bill and Jill Norquay’s home, 43 Browning Drive, Glen Waverley

Blessing:

The meeting closed with a Franciscan blessing

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