OutreachMinutes201408

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OUTREACH MISSIONAL GROUP

Minutes of meeting held at 7:45pm, 7 Aug 2014 in Room 4 GWUC.

1. Present

AndrewHosking, LynMcDonald, FayeMcDougall, HeatherWilkins, JacobDavey, JudyLowe, KayeMackinnon, FairlieMackinnon, RobinPope, AmySpark.

2. Apologies

MeaganLowe (SP), AlaneeHearnshaw

3. DEVOTION

By love and through the Maker,
We will walk in wonder
By faith and through Jesus
We will walk in justice
By hope and through the Holy Spirit
We will walk in wisdom and in joy.

(HeatherWilkins library content)

Discussion followed, with special thoughts for JohnDeRavin and Susan in Kenya.

4. COG - No.2 + 3 BBQ FORUM (And Non BBQ Forums)

• Well done to all on recent events. Lena and David were very impressed.
  

• Could all people present bills for expenses.
  

• Well done to all on 3 August impromptu cake presentation morning tea (Non BBQ Forum). E. Timor guests were happy; about 60 people stayed for morning tea.
  

• Amy's friend Erin Wicking, has been confirmed as the speaker for September 2014. This will be Rohan's last cook before returning to Sri Lanka. As such it was decided to allow Rohan free choice on the menu. Andrew has asked Rohan about his expenses, for reimbursement, but he can be stubborn in this area. It was felt that Rohan should be acknowledged with a gift to express our thanks for all his assistance. Thought to be given for his replacement.
  

• We currently have $260 in kitty. (+$93-70 cakes)=$283?ish.
  

• Amy will be away leading up to the September Forum, so Kaye has offered to arrange advertising.
  

• Dee and Dan Rutherford are being sought to speak at a future Forum. (They are available in June 2015)
  

• The December BBQ Forum (Dec 28) will be a COP information session, providing extra information by applicants, further to Congregational Meeting. Pizza will be served. It was felt that the Forum should still take place to some extent, to maintain the routine.
  

• M. Isah has been sending helpers to collect garden tools and sewing machines. Much has been donated. There is an ongoing need for toiletries. It was thought a good idea to translate the list of items needed into Chinese for the playgroup families, as they show interest in our projects.
  

• Andrew has been told by GWUC office that the date booked for BBQ Forum June 2015 clashes with Church Anniversary. Jacob will confirm with Church Council the exact date of anniversary service. If the dates do coincide, would it be possible to change? Further discussion when more information received.
  

5. BUSINESS ARISING

5.1. COP 2014

• Still awaiting response for outcome regarding Steve F's email to MIA, re. Pastor William.
  

• Lyn has shown that Kerry Children Bible Ministry do have their own bank account. As such it was decided that they are independent of MIA. Therefore Resolution 2 (as per May minutes) has been adopted; ie $2,500 for Kerry Children, Ponda Mali, with the extra $1,000 provisionally set aside for this application going back into the overall kitty for redistribution. It was thought that the $2,500 would be sent in installments, rather than all at once.
  

• Andrew has approached Alan B. to help get COP 2014 pamphlet underway for 31 August Congregational Meeting (to be held at 11.30am).
  

• COP 2014 Selection Panel Members are keen and ready for COP 2014 Congregational Meeting presentation.
  

5.2. Congregation Meeting Sunday 31 August

• Andrew has been asked to present a 10 minute presentation. In preparation for this he has made a video showing interviews with other "non COP activities" being undertaken within our congregation, such as United Voices and UCAF.
  

5.3. Kenya

• Pastor William has rented land for 12 months pending Kerry Children's committee establishment of vision, fund raising, Global Development Group.
  

• They still need to see final paperwork on the rent agreement, but renting will give them time to reassess and work towards working through outcomes independently.
  

5.4. Asylum Seekers

• Seven people are on the Asylum Letter Writing campaign list. As yet, they have had no replies to their letters.
  

• Outer Eastern Asylum Seeker has been asked by Whitehorse Community Chest to sell biscuits at Bunnings Box Hill or Vermont South, for Kids in Need Program, over weekends in August. It was suggested to them that participation would help their cause for funding, when allocations from Community Chest were distributed. Andrew and Heather will participate, and anyone else who can spare a few hours.
  

• Heather spoke of a new group recently set up called "Love makes a Way". It is a multi denominational group to help children in detention.
  

5.5. Baguia

• Two friends of the Lowe family from Baguia came to Melbourne in July for a conference. One of them came to worship with us on 3 August and was warmly welcomed. The invitation to stay for morning tea and an informal chat went well.
  

• The request for musical instruments had an overwhelming response, with many varied donations, including a $700 purchase of equipment Steven F. made with proceeds from the fridge drink money. A large organ has also been donated by a GWUC couple, which will probably be used in the Church at Baguia. Rotary will sponsor a container to transport these instruments and also tables and chairs to Baguia.
  

• The seeding of teachers and kindergarten, funded from COP, has shown the government that this is successful, so they have now undertaken to fund the teacher salaries and also build a kindergarten in the future.
  

5.6. Ermera

• One person from Ermera also attended GWUC on 3rd August.
  

6. REPORTS AND NEW INFORMATION

6.1. Pitjantnatjara Bible Translation Project

• Paul Eckert will be in Melbourne again 10 August and will speak at 8:00, 9:15 and 11:00am services. He will have a video presentation and give thanks for previous COP funding. A small morning tea of biscuits will follow.
  

6.2. Habitat - Brush with Kindness

• Declutter House information session notice has been placed on the board.
  

• A few BWK events are happening with Corporate groups. At present Habitat doesn't have enough jobs lined up for a Saturday event.
  

7. GWUC COMMUNICATIONS

7.1. Church Council

• Jacob spoke of recent developments from C.C.. Chair of Congregation hoped that congregational meetings could be more of an Open Forum, to "conversationalize and de business", with people being given the opportunity to talk about anything, even if not on the agenda.
  

• Only one Missional group to give a report per meeting, but all groups would have a written report for the meeting.
  

• In future all Church Bookings (both from within and outside GWUC) will have access to OH&S and Risk Book that has been developed. All events must be approved and signed off on by C.C. to be covered by Synod insurance. C.C. looking into this for possible ways to ensure not too great a workload.
  

• Discussion took place about future directions and possibilities to explore.
  

• The groups were seen to have a role of enablers not necessary doers, encouraging people to think, and explore other avenues and dreams.
  

• Should there be more local focus to our Outreach? The question was raised whether C.C. could consider the disproportionate workloads of the various Missional Groups; eg. do we need a local Outreach Group and an overseas Outreach Group?
  

7.2. Other Churches

• Rev Neil's recent invitation from the Korean Church opens up different possibilities. They attended 27 July 2014 worship, and are keen to build a link between us, and their local community. Possibilities to be discussed further.
  

• Next year, perhaps the BBQ Forum could include local speakers, talking about local issues.
  

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

8.1. Additional Speakers for BBQ Forum

• As mentioned in 3.1 Dee and Dan have been contacted and are available in June 2015.
  

• As mentioned in 6.2 perhaps there could also be a focus on local issues.
  

8.2. Congregation Meeting

• As Chair of Congregation Warren Greenwood has written to COG re. Andrew's presentation. (This letter can be seen as part of the Agenda) As discussed earlier, both in 4.2 and 6.1, Andrew will follow guidelines set out for possible presentation material. It was felt to be very important that all groups have a report (written) to keep congregation fully informed, even if not their turn to give a verbal presentation.
  

8.3. Kivuli

• Kivuli Trivia night Saturday 4 October. More people would be most welcome. Notice on Outreach Board gives details.
  

9. NEXT MEETING

• Next meeting will be held at GWUC Room 4, 7:45pm, Thursday 4 September 2014
  

• Amy Spark an apology for this meeting.
  

10. BLESSING

The Christian faith is akin to embarking on a journey -
a journey with an unknown destination.
We only know that God has called us
and that we must heed God's summons to get up and go!

Amen

Adapted by Heather Wilkins.