Presbytery In Council

Report on Meeting held at Cranbourne UC, 27 Aug 2014

Traveling together to Cranbourne, talking about the issues on the agenda (notably marriage) and other issues.

Devotions included singing a Korean hymn (in Korean).

Then followed an extensive (although we didn't have enough time!) discussion on two issues, introduced by Jay Robinson (marriage) and Kim Cain (Eldership):

• Marriage (see Assembly page http://www.assembly.uca.org.au/marriage)

• Eldership (see Synod page http://assembly.uca.org.au/resources/discussion-papers/item/1552-a-fresh-look-at-elders-in-the-uniting-church)

We touched on many ideas in both of these - for me, the linking of marriage to the theology of creation, fall and redemption was an uplifting insight. With Eldership, there was a feeling in our group that the UCA made a mistake in trying to blend the Church Council and Eldership, and we were of the opinion that these should again be separated, although not necessarily back to the old model.

Then followed a presentation on the activities of the host church, Cranbourne UC:

• Fijian congregation
• food truck, food is donated by community
• Wendy Snook minister
• trialling Messy Church
• camera club
• craft club
• volunteers BBQ
• Folk Uniting Night (FUN)

The regular reports, received as text beforehand, were taken as read, and there was discussion on the recommendations:

• Steve Terrell (Presbytery Minister for Mission and Education) has accepted a call to Launceston:
  • Resolved to approve plans to cover the PMME vacancy through supply until the Synod Major Strategic Review concludes.

• Plans for Presbytery on Show. This is an exciting event, and we are hoping that GWUC will make a significant contribution to this. Talk to AlaneeHearnshaw!