OutreachMinutes201409

OUTREACH MISSIONAL GROUP MINUTES SEPTEMBER 2014

Meeting held at 7:45pm, Thursday 4 Sept 2014 in Room 4 GWUC

1. Welcome and Apologies

In Attendance: Andrew Hosking, Kaye Mackinnon, Lyn McDonald, Belinda Clear, Faye McDougall, Judy Lowe, Robin Pope, Alanee Hearnshaw
Apologies: Meagan Lowe (SP), Jacob Davey, Amy Spark, Fairlie Mackinnon, Heather Wilkins

2. Devotion

Opening Prayer (Larry Nemer)

Loving God
Open our minds to the leading of the spirit.
The spirit that:
enlightens,
challenges,
comforts,
guides,
and gives courage.

Open our minds,
our hearts,
and provide wisdom.

Loving God, lead us today.

Amen

(Heather Wilkins library content)

Discussion followed.

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

• People were asked to present bills for expenses to Amy when she returns later this month.
  

• Thanks were received from Paul Eckert for our continued support and invite to speak.
  

• Amy's friend Erin Wicking confirmed as speaker at September 2014 Forum.
  

• September BBQ Forum will be Rohan's last; he will cook a curry. Sausages and onions will also be cooked. Faye to source 5 loaves of bread.
  

• Winnie is learning to take over from Rohan.
  

• Rohan will be acknowledged with a gift of a personal $50 book voucher. They had mentioned that there is a great need for books in Sri Lanka, so investigations will be made regarding the type of books most useful to them. These could then be supplied from our fete and book fair. Lion's Club send a shipping container to Sri Lanka regularly; in the process of obtaining contact details.
  

• As Amy is currently away, Kaye has offered to arrange advertising for upcoming Forum. Andrew to email Amy to obtain Erin's contact details, so Kaye can obtain extra information for publicity.
  

• Sandy Whitfield has offered to make chicken soup for a future BBQ Forum
  

• BBQ Forum 26 June 2015 clashes with Church Anniversary. June 21 suggested instead; Dee and Dan Rutherford confirmed for June Forum.
  

• December 28 2014 Forum will be a COP information session by applicants, further to Congregation Meeting. At present few recipients have replied to the invitation to attend. Pizza will be served.
  

• M. Isah sent helpers to collect garden tools, ladders etc. Much has been donated, and letters of thanks have been received from Lentara.
  

• There is an ongoing need for toiletries for Asylum Seekers. A list of items needed has been translated into Chinese.
  

4. BUSINESS ARISING

4.1. COP 2014

• Congratulations to COP Committee on Final Formula for Fete 2014 proceeds being motioned at Congregation Meeting 31 August.
  

• Lyn is placing 2014 COP Applications on the Wiki.
  

• Andrew has assurance from Alan B. that COP 2014 pamphlet has been released.
  

• Letters of thanks to be sent to all COP committee, and to ensure they understand they did a good job.
  

• COP Selection Panel Members were keen and well prepared for the Congregation Meeting Presentation, but have declined to continue this role in 2015.
  

• Much concern was raised about the feel of the Congregation Meeting and comments/criticisms raised about the projects and funding decision process. Because of this, it was decided to devote 50% of the next meeting to discuss COP further. Previous COP Selection Panel Members will also be invited to this meeting to share their thoughts and experiences.
  

4.2. Congregation Meeting Sunday 31 August

• Andrew gave a 10 minute presentation. More activities can be outlined at our next Congregation Meeting Presentation.
  

4.3. Kenya - Kerry Children Bible Ministry

• Awaiting information from Pastor William re. Rental Agreement and Global Development Application.
  

4.4. Asylum Seekers

• Seven people are on the Asylum Letter Writing campaign list. No-one has yet had a reply. Robin to email Julian Burnside to confirm that all letters are being delivered.
  

• Outer Eastern Asylum Seeker Support Network had been asked by Whitehorse Community Chest to sell biscuits at Bunnings Box Hill and Vermont South, for Kids in Need Program. This went well with approx. $1,000.00 being raised.
  

• Heather spoke previously of a new group set up called "Love makes a Way". Adrian Greenwood facilitated this group and Alanee is arranging a date for him to talk at a GWUC 7pm service.
  

4.5. Baguia

• The request for musical instruments had an overwhelming response, with many varied donations, including a $700 purchase of equipment Steve F. made with proceeds from the fridge drink money.
  

• Instruments have been packed in a container, and the ship leaves next week, due to arrive 10 October. A fleet of trucks has been arranged to then distribute.
  

4.6. Ermera

• One person from Ermera also attended GWUC on 3rd August. Having many people from East Timor in Melbourne for a conference was well reported on Radio, where wall art works they were doing here was also discussed.
  

5. REPORTS AND NEW INFORMATION

5.1. Pitjantnatjara Bible Translation Project

• Paul Eckert will be in touch with Warren G. to conduct a live service (Skype) link, at which Pitjantnatjara language will be spoken.
  

5.2. Habitat - Brush with Kindness

• No news to report on BWK.
  

• $35,000 goods donated by a corporation.
  

5.3. Free Spirit

• Free Spirit provided an excellent concert at Boronia UCA 21 August. It was well attended and a good fund raiser (~$1,600 towards Boronia's Outreach projects.)

6. GWUC COMMUNICATIONS

6.1. Church Council

• Jacob will discuss at the next meeting visioning for COG future meetings; what Outreach should look like: Format? Content?
  

• To have more local focus to our Outreach, should we be encouraging/formalizing/supporting our relationships and involvement with Monash Council, local businesses, Chinese celebrations etc.?
  

• Mission Groups are seen very much as enabling bodies and promoters, not the doers.
  

• C.C. emphasized that Outreach ministries local and abroad should be encouraged to be undertaken by all church members with a passion in these areas. Additionally the ministry team and council should nurture people who feel called or compelled to help in these areas. Therefore an extra missional group may not be required, but rather a conscious search for those in our congregation with a skill/passion for a Kingsway ministry who can then report through Outreach.
  

6.2. 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.
  

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

7.1. Additional Speakers for BBQ Forum

• Dee and Dan Rutherford have been confirmed for 21st June 2015.
  

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

7.2. Congregation Meeting

• As Chair of Congregation, Warren Greenwood has written to COG re. Andrew's presentation. We felt it was very important that all groups have a report (written or verbal) for each Congregation Meeting. Having only 1 group give a presentation per meeting does not keep people well enough informed, as there is too long a time gap between meetings for this. Warren has suggested he could be in favour of more groups presenting at a time, but would need to run content past him first.
  

• Some comments regarding COP procedures at recent meeting have concerned some people. This will also be included for discussion at next Outreach Meeting (as per item 4.1.)
  

7.3. Kivuli

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

• Project Manager for Kivuli arrives in Melbourne this weekend for a 1 month visit. Lyn hopes to bring him to Church.
  

7.4. Operation Christmas Child

• Kimberley is getting ready, ordering boxes.
  

• Suggestion that on different weeks the congregation could be asked to bring items for the boxes. It was decided we would ask for 2 of the items required: something for school, and something to love eg. doll etc.
  

• Belinda to arrange posters for publicity.
  

• This raised the issue of our previous suggestion to have monthly offerings for certain organizations. Alanee will raise this again at the next Ministry Team Meeting.
  

8. NEXT MEETING

• Next meeting will be held at GWUC Room 4, 7:45pm, Thursday 2 October 2014.
  

• Amy Spark and Heather Wilkins apologies for this meeting.
  

9. BLESSING

You have called us to peace, for You are peace.
Grant us the vision to realize these aims:
Where there are ignorance and superstition,
let there be enlightenment and knowledge.
Where there are prejudice and hatred,
Let there be acceptance and love.
Where there are fear and suspicion,
Let there be confidence and trust.
Where there are tyranny and oppression,
Let there be freedom and justice.
Where there are poverty and disease,
Let there be prosperity and health.
Where there are strife and discord,
Let there be a harmony and peace.

Baruch atah, Adonai, ham'vereich et amo Yisrael bashalom.

Amen

Adapted by Heather Wilkins.