The Glen Waverley Uniting Church PSALTER
OUTREACH MISSIONAL GROUP MINUTES NOVEMBER 2014
Meeting held at 7:45pm Thursday 6 November 2014 in Room 4 at GWUC
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
In Attendance: Andrew Hosking, Kaye Mackinnon, Faye McDougall, Lyn McDonald, Jacob Davey, Amy Spark, Alanee Hearnshaw
Apologies: Judy Lowe, Heather Wilkins, Fairlie Mackinnon, Robin Pope
2. DEVOTION
The Lord's Prayer.
God, part of the world,
revealed through every aspect of creation
and understood through our awareness.
May we honour thee holiness of creation
and act accordingly so that your love is reflected in the way we live.
May we always be thankful for the food we eat
and the friends we have.
May we forgive those who transgress against us
and be forgiven for our own.
In our freedom of love
may we live as your heart beat and not be compromised by hesitation.
Through our freedom, may your justice be seen and heard
and experienced forever and ever Amen.
Rev. Sherry J Weinburg New Zealand
Discussion followed, with thoughts of John De Ravin.
3. COG - BBQ FORUM (and Non BBQ Forums)
Helen S. has asked if Wesley Mission could run, with us, a Forum breakfast for them, as an information dissemination session for the entire community. This will occur Saturday 6 December at 8:45am. Gavin Blakemore will speak. Amy to arrange menu. Church Council will be asked to contribute, both financially and with man power on the day.
Winnie is ready to cook (Asian cuisine) at Lunch Forum, March 2015. Date is being confirmed with Dr Maitri of Possible Dreams International.
4. BUSINESS ARISING
4.1. COP 2014/15
Congratulations are extended to the Fete Committee for $29,000 total. Very well done.
COP Selection Panel reconvened to finalize figures.
A letter of thanks that has been sent from Church Council to all COP Committee members was tabled.
Letters to all recipients have been sent, inviting them to cheque presentation, Sunday 16 November, 9:15am Celebration service.
Final outcomes to be tabled at Congregation Meeting 9 November.
4.2. Comments/Criticisms raised about project and funding decision process
Extract from Church Council Minutes 17 March 2010, 4.7 COP proposals for 2010 was published in Bulletin as part of our response to 2014 questions, and the decision to maintain autonomy of COP Committee.
Call for COP Selection Panel Members 2015 has gone out, for people who have not sponsored a project, but no applications have yet been received. People were asked to think of possible people we could approach to fill these positions. Annette Wojak was mentioned; Lyn to approach.
Cliff has asked if the selection process could be completed by May (change to last month's minute notation) each year to enable effective advertising for the fete. Andrew to seek further clarification on this.
4.3. Any further actions for COP 2015
In reviewing COP application process, in light of discussion, we felt it was good.
The COP Committee can make decisions as they feel appropriate.
Outcomes of our discussion / resolutions are sent to the Wiki Page.
At the Congregation Meeting, figures for COP 2014 will be at every table, for ease of reading.
4.4. Asylum Seekers
We have received another sewing machine. Can we source more? Lentara would like by February 2015.
4.5. Baguia
Musical instruments have arrived safely, with much joy and excitement.
Books and left over tools from the fete are always welcome. Andrew has a few hand tools.
Some of the instruments for Manus were sold at the fete and others went to E. Timor.
4.6. Ermera
No news.
4.7. Monthly Outreach Offerings
The issue of our previous suggestion to have monthly offerings for outreach organizations has been agreed to by the Ministry Team, but they need a calendar for this. Thoughts that Robin may have offered to do this at our last meeting will be pursued.
5. REPORTS AND NEW INFORMATION
5.1. September 2014 Congregation Meeting
Deferred from September meeting; to be discussed and decided in October: Concerns raised about the feel of the Congregation Meeting have been conveyed personally to Chair of CC and were dutifully received.
It is difficult to squeeze the meeting to a shortened time, to encourage attendance, as many matters of importance need to be brought before the congregation at these meetings.
Timing of the meetings will be varied, to try something different, but impossible to find a convenient time for everyone.
Concerns that all Missional Groups need time to report at every meeting have been allayed. Chair of Congregation has assured everyone that all entitled to speak any time.
The suggestion that COP recommendations be led by Outreach Co-ordinator was felt to be inappropriate. At all times the meeting should be in the hands of Chairman of congregation, with all matters going through the Chair.
As a procedural matter, it has been noted that no discussion on projects should be allowed until all recommendations are presented.
It needs to be emphasized to the congregation that COP Selection Panel makes a recommendation based on ALL project applications.
Managing of the COP Process has been delegated to Outreach Missional Group.
It was felt that matters are being handled well by Congregation Chair.
5.2. Kivuli, Kenya, Trivia Night
Trivia night raised $7,500, which was superb; pretty much right on target.
Isaac is looking forward to getting funds so he can start installing the irrigation system before the Dec - Feb "dry" months. This is providing a good model for others to observe.
5.3. Christmas Table
Heather Hon has asked if this year we might formalize Uniting World Christmas gift table. This could be manned before and after services. A notice will be placed in the Bulletin and the table in place during December. A suggestion that we could design leaflets (like we did at Easter) showcasing Christmas gift ideas was raised. Alanee will speak with the Ministry Team about ads also.
5.4. Habitat - Brush with Kindness
No news to report on BWK.
5.5. Free Spirit
Making another CD.
6. GWUC COMMUNICATIONS, Church Council
CC are happy with the Children and Families ministry, and have discussed future roles, with Belinda leaving.
All Missional Groups met Sunday 26 October. This was successful and will become a regular occurrence.
As part of faith development for the children, the possibility of children writing to Asylum Seeker children has been suggested.
To have more focus on our local Outreach, Alanee has spoken to Vincent, who organizes Chinese celebrations in the area. Local Council to provide information on what is needed in the community also.
CC is responding to the need for a Sacred Space within GWUC. Suitable locations within the building are currently being discussed. Heather would need to know if people are in the building at any given time.
Outreach is seen as an enabling body not always the doers.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
7.1. Additional Speakers for Banquet Forum
Dee and Dan Rutherford (Kivuli Project) have been confirmed for 21 June 2015.
Dr Mitri potentially for March 2015 (as mentioned in 3. COG BBQ FORUM)
Local speakers would be nice. Still need suggestions for September and December 2015 Forum speakers. Pitjantnatjara speaker and Dr Geoff and Beris Bird (doctor visiting Gaza) have been mentioned as future possibilities.
Act for Peace speakers have offered to come, and may be available Dec 2015?
7.2. Operation Christmas Child
Shoe boxes have left. There was a great response, with Playgroup mums happy to participate. Even more successful than last year.
7.3. Frontier Services, visit, 9:15am service, Sunday 26 October
Morning tea was well attended.
7.4. Act for Peace (see letter)
Video will come and we will show it.
7.5. Idea for COG Meeting Operation - Reports with Agenda
Reports to be submitted to COG Co-ordinators BEFORE meetings. Reports could then be distributed with Agenda. Only discussion needed then would be the important points or matters to be finalized.
8. NEXT MEETING
Next meeting will be held at GWUC Room 4, 7:45pm, Thursday 4 December 2014. People encouraged to bring a plate for supper. It may develop into a workshop to prepare for the Wesley breakfast that weekend.
9. BLESSING
Affirmation of Faith
We believe that God creates all things,
renews all things and celebrates all things.
We believe that Earth is a sanctuary, a sacred planet filled with God's presence,
a home for us to share with her Kin.
We believe that God,
in Jesus, became a piece of earth, a human being,
who lived and breathed and spoke among us,
and suffered and died on a cross made from a tree.
He suffered for all human beings and for all creation.
We believe that Jesus spirit is still with us
at the core of creation, reconciling all things to God,
renewing all creation and filling the cosmos.
We believe the Holy Spirit groans in empathy with a suffering creation
and renews life in creation.
We believe that we are called to care for all of God's creation,
oceans and rivers, flora and fauna,
forests and fields, mountains and wilderness,
air and sky, and to regard all people as our kith and kin.
Amen
(Library: Ross Mackinnon)