Diff for "PresbyteryReport20101027"

Present: AlisonClarkson, JudithWatkins, JulieRoss, StevenTerrell, JohnHurst, DonCheyne, GeoffParham, GregFry, GavinFaichney

Reflection on previous meeting: some confusion over what was decided at the last meeting. 5 (MW: St Luke's, High St Rd, St John's, St John's Fijian, St Marks) churches have been working collaboratively, and felt that there was not a great need to meet in regional groups. These churches meet every six weeks or so. One mtg a year for the wider group (MonashN) purely for fellowship seemed like a good idea (perhaps during the day, rather than evening?. Complement, rather than double up, on interchurch council.

Noted that MonashS felt they were too small, and wanted to rejoin - in contrast to first mtg (of all Monash) that said we were too large!

Need to identify the "point" of these meetings - what is our mission? (Noting that we do also include several agencies: Connections, Wesley College, St Mark's Day Centre, with whom we don't always connect well.)

MW congs are doing various things already, it seemed to make sense to coordinate them.

ST: The tasks are to be driven by the regional groups (bottom up), not by Presbytery (top down).

JR: General feeling that we don't want another meeting! MW doing things like C&F ministry, mental health, together. People are committed/passionate about these ideas. Cultures are different, and of different sizes, some are multicultural, some are not.

JH: The synergy of the MW churches against the regional church notion for GW may be a better regional g. split?

ST: Reg. Groups need to be thinking as agents of P.

JH: Perceptions of transparency across congregations-presbyteries-synod need to be clarified.

ST: The risk taking should be happening at the congregational level, even though the legal framework is driven from the synod.

ST: The issue of regional churches: SOME DISCUSSION: ST Marks perhaps marginal between neighbourhood and regional. GW wrestling with this - would there be some value in meeting with e.g., Frankston to dialogue regional ministries?

GF: Topics such as food voucher ministries would be of broad interest - Harrisons have GW as a church that does these, but each church needs experience and skills to also deal with them.

JR: Affinity groups rather than geographic groups?

ST: regionals act as a hub of resources for surrounding churches. RCs can become a 'gift' to other churches.

All: Could Alanee be used as a Presbytery resource for say one day a week? GWCC could take an initiative here!

ST: Frankston could be a good model for GW (as a RC).

JR: Presbytery and Council met as a coolamon as a place to gather and share stories

GF: Thanks to Steve for coming - it has helped!