PacificIslandsMinistry

Pacific Islands Ministry

In December 2023, WarrenGreenwood received the following from Wendy Flahive of Johnsonville congregation

Seasons Greetings Warren
I hope you are well?
Peter and I have had our ups and downs this year but looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Saviour soon.
I am writing to you to explain our current project and the success of our last project in June this year. The report I have attached below and since writing it the project has become sustainable with church and hospital communities in Kiribati being able to access birthing kits directly from Australia at no cost to the organisation. This is saving the lives of women and girls in these remote atolls.

Our next project in 2024 is to introduce birthing kits to the Solomon Islands. This will work differently because both Peter's and my health is more challenging now. Instead of health teaching we will be leaving the education side of the distribution of kits to the locals, a much better option as they can speak in local languages and engage better with the recipients of the kits. Hence we are requesting a donation towards the distribution of birthing kits of $4,000 to be given to recipient churches or hospitals according to their requested number of kits.

Let me know if you need any more information as I would be pleased to answer any questions.

Have a Blessed Christmas and New Year
Kind regards
Wendy

The attached proposal.

It was ascertained that Birthing Kit Foundation is a registered charity in good standing.
https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/2bd9b26b-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad244fd/profile

Warren replied on Dec 14:"

Hello again Wendy and Peter,
The project sounds so exciting and beneficial and will no doubt attract much support.
In talking with our Secretary of Church Council - David, we will have to tread carefully with presenting this to our congregation as the Uniting Church has changed the rules on sponsorship and giving to overseas organisations. 
I am sure your Church Councils (Bairnsdale and Johnstonville) will have read the attached edict handed down by UCA Synod. 
The summary of which requires congregations to really only deal with registered charities if giving is by a congregation as distinct from individuals wishing to support projects.
It has become a mess.  
And I am sure the fact your project is "Sponsored by the Kiribati Uniting Church HQ, Antebuka (KUC HQ), Bairnsdale and Johnsonville Uniting Churches” (and others such as Toastmasters) someone in that group will be aware of these new rules.  
But, David and I do want to make the project known to our congregation as many of them have supported your other projects and will want to support this one as well.
So we propose to publicise this in our Monthly Magazine (The Kingsway) and offer to “collate” any local giving.

But if you are able to, in the meantime, provide us with details from your church treasurer/s how the project proposes to comply with these new regulations and then we can consider support from a congregational level as well rather than individuals. 

I am sorry that all sounds officious, and it is Wendy, but as the UCA Synod document says, by not following it, we put the congregation at risk of money laundering legislation - even if we are sending packages not just money.

But in the meantime, I will get this ready for our next magazine issue. 

All the best.
Warren

Outreach & Social Justice committee considered the request in January, and sought clarification on whether donations could be channelled through bkfa using https://www.bkfa.org.au/get-involved/donate-now/

Wendy replied:

This is the best option that we have been using for some time now. Donation directly to a registered charity. Please ask donors to earmark with staff at BKFA that the donations are to go towards the pilot projects in the Solomon Islands for a planned outreach in June this year otherwise it will end up in general funds. I will be Honiara and Munda for a month ensuring volunteers and hospital staff will educate and distribute the kits wisely.
Thankyou for considering this important project that will help save the lives of mothers and babies in some very remote communities where they do not have trained midwives.
Kind regards
Wendy