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GLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH
MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION
to be held in the Worship Centre at 7:45pm on Tuesday, 10th March 2015
AGENDA
1. Welcome and Apologies
Apologies from EricArmstrong, LesleyArmstrong, MargaretFraser, YanEmms, StephenEmms, DonnaVanclay, FredVanclay, PamGraham, RobertFleming, AlisonClarkson, FayeWagon, MargaretLemke, EvelynFleming, HeatherRobison, AlanRobison and JohnThompson.
A special welcome to Julie Hall, who is undertaking Field Education here.
WarrenGreenwood welcomed the meeting and shared a reflection on the importance of working together as a team and getting involved. He described a talk given by Neil Armstrong, who spoke on the thousands of people who all worked together and whose combined efforts helped get him to the moon. Neil could have blamed a seamstress if there was a problem with the finger of a glove, or he could have taken action and fixed it himself. Warren spoke on the vision of GWUC, not your vision, my vision or Council's vision, but OUR vision.
2. Prayer
Warren opened the meeting with prayer.
3. Confirmation of Minutes of Meeting held on 9th November 2014
The minutes were confirmed by consensus.
4. Matters arising from the previous Minutes
None.
5. Correspondence
None.
6. Report from Ministry Team
NeilPeters presented the Minister Team Report:
Neil welcomed Julie Hall and introduced her to the congregation. At the 11am service this Sunday, Julie will be formally welcomed as a candidate on field placement at Glen Waverley Uniting Church.
Neil reported the Interim arrangements for supporting the ministry to children and family now that BelindaClear has concluded her ministry with the congregation. These arrangements have been endorsed by the ministry team and the church council. AlaneeHearnshaw has willingly agreed to a request to be the main contact person and support person for the volunteer leaders involved in this ministry. Alanee has already been busy meeting with volunteers to ensure they are resourced and supported in their roles. She has been involved in planning meetings and is available for advice/ideas when the leaders are unsure. Alanee will occasionally have a ‘hands on role’ as well.
At the 9.15 am service BelindaChung is leading the KAT program (Preschool/lower Primary) and KerrynLeister is leading the DOG program (upper Primary/Junior Secondary). Each Sunday there are other volunteers rostered to assist. KatieHunter is offering administrative support. The 4.30 pm children’s program is being led by LynnPeters with assistance, most often from Steph Lohning. Alanee is exploring with KayeMackinnon how the team can support the playgroups as well. Alanee and Neil are sharing the pastoral care role for children and families.
The Ministry Team have been trying to support Church Council, Missional Groups and Functional Committees to think about the steps they can take to implement the congregation’s vision. The ministry team feels they cannot make initiatives happen alone, but are keen to encourage, float ideas and support others in this important work. The recent involvement with Chinese New Year celebrations is an example of this. The Ministry Team, led by Alanee, worked with a task group and volunteers to make this outreach initiative a success. Many people put in a lot of work to apply for a tent site, develop the craft, create 500 show bags, plan the service of worship, have the church open Sunday afternoon and bring the Chinese orchestra. The Ministry Team want to work with others on this and other projects.
The Ministry Team, through example and encouragement, are trying to help our congregation to be as welcoming of new people as possible. This fits with the vision as an aspect of continuing to build community and connectedness.
Warren also asked how AlisonClarkson is doing and Neil reported that she is recovering from her broken arm with the help from family and friends. She will return to 'light duties' in the near future when she has a certificate from her doctor to say she is sufficiently well. The meeting sends their prayers and best wishes to Alison.
7. Open Forum
FayeWagon asked about the possibility of combining the Sunday 9.15am and 11am services, brought up by AlanBarnard at a previous meeting. Faye has talked with others and there were sentiments that having smaller services creates separation and it is not as uplifting to enter a church that is only partially full. It was felt that different styles of worship could be combined into a single service. The cost of multiple services in terms of the ministry team, money counters etc. should also be taken into consideration. Faye asked that church council conduct a thorough survey to determine the sentiments of the congregation in regards to this matter. HelenStewart is prepared for this to happen. BarbaraChamberlain endorsed Faye's sentiments and spoke on how joyful the recent combined service was with the church overflowing and everyone together. JohnSnare spoke, celebrating the fact that we can do different things in different services, and also celebrating when we can all come together.
DavidMorgan spoke, noting that this has been on council's mind for some time now. He also mentioned that there are attendance records on the wiki for reference, and that combined services tend to have less numbers than the sum of the individual services, a consideration. David also mentioned that there are individuals in specific services who are passionate about their style of worship and may be somewhat frustrated without the ability to express themselves in their particular service.
8. Reports and Recommendations from Church Council
8.1. Church Council Report
HelenStewart presented the ChurchCouncilReport201503.
Key points include:
* The organic vision document and the implementation of this vision.
* A new task group looking at the make up of the ministry team.
* The call for for a new Children's and Family's worker to support this congregation's commitment to Children and Families. The position would be part-time, possibly 0.5, lay or ordained for two year period, and could be advertised shortly.
* The Mulgrave Indonesian Uniting Church are outgrowing their current location and there have been some conversations with GWUC (without any commitments made). There were some questions presented for thought on this matter in the Council report. If they are interested, church council would bring any official proposals to the congregation, consulting with a cross-section of the congregation so that everyone is on board and can be involved. BraceBateman made known that he is the ministerial supervisor for the minister of this congregation.
HelenStewart moved a recommendation: That this meeting support advertising of a Children's and Family's position.
GraemeFrecker requested how 0.5 position would fit with the financial position of the congregation. Helen answered that the budget can support around 3.5 salaries in total and that Ashley will be presenting the full financial report shortly.
The recommendation was passed by consensus.
8.2. Financial Report
Presented by AshleyIrvine. Ashley also asked the congregation if there is any additional financial information that members of the congregation would like to see. If so, they can let HeatherHon known and she will pass on the request to Ashley. Warren thanked AshleyIrvine and PeterStewart for their substantial work in the last year having the previous 3-4 years of budgets successfully audited (up to Dec 31 2013, with 2014 figures to be handed over shortly).
8.2.1. 2014 Final Summary
Ashley showed slides with the full figures for 2011 through to 2014 (budgeted and actual) and the 2014 balance sheet. Some points to note:
* Open plate giving has been down in 2014 compared to projections from previous years.
* Safe churches administration and our Intern used slightly more budget than expected.
* A deficit of $6,900 for 2014 (total income of $398,600).
* Income and expenses were very close for 2014.
* We have a healthy bank balance, even after major asset purchases such as the solar panels.
8.2.2. 2015 Budget progress
Ashley presented the tracking of the budget over the past two months of 2015. Income is slightly down, as per usual in January, with summer travel, but we are on track.
There was a question how the budget may be affected by the lack of a co-ordinator of fundraising. The church council is looking for a new co-ordinator and the meeting was also urged to individually seek opportunities for fundraising and become involved in these efforts.
8.2.3. Endowment Fund summary
The Endowment Fund is there for mission and outreach opportunities (there are specific rules around this so that it will not be spent on, for example, bills) and currently holds $59,124. Giving to this fund often occurs through wills and estates, and if anyone wishes to arrange this there are the resources available from the office. This item follows questions on this fund in previous congregational meetings.
RogerVass, HelenBoucher and KenDevos were the trustees of the fund during 2014. Ken and Roger have asked to step down and PeterStewart has offered to be a trustee, so there is one position that remains open. The meeting thanked Ken and Roger for their work.
There was a question regarding the advertising and allocation of these funds - this is the responsibility of the church council. The 'Use of the Fund' rules are available on the CouncilEndowmentPolicy wiki page.
Together with HeatherHon WarrenGreenwood has offered to prepare a bequest and donation pack for use with families at appropriate times.
8.3. Inclusive Community
On The Way Together: Missional and Support Group Report
JanClear presented the report, including an advertisement for the upcoming Seniors Service. Jan began her report with a story on the baking of a cake - concluding that the individual ingredients of a cake are not tasty on their own, but together they work together and become delicious. Jan thanked the committee members for their work towards all reported tonight. There is a need for more volunteers in the Supportive care link program, not only to provide transport and meals, but also for ideas on how to address in the increasing needs of the congregation. Last year, the group held an intergeneration night (attendants were 5-80 years!) and they are looking at how they can repeat this event in 2015. The group is committed to the Pastoral Partners program (23 people are currently supporting 100 others by keeping in touch, visiting and providing a point of contact). There was a workshop in January 2015 for Pastoral Partners, with several more in planning. Munch with a Bunch continues to be worthwhile, with a large number of people attending morning tea after the 11am service. The group will continue to support and advertise seniors services.
Nurturing faith development is also a part of the Missional and Support Group.
Jan spoke on the importance of welcoming new people and the opportunities we can all take to sit with new people and talk with them about the activities that they can become involved with in GWUC. There are plans to tighten up the welcoming practices at Sunday services.
English classes have been running since 2013, with tutors preparing a range of activities for the students - around 12 attend each of the lessons, with new people joining regularly.
Jan concluded by encouraging us all to think about how we can all contribute, whether it is big or small.
Warren thanked the Missional and Support Group for all their work.
8.4. Communications
JohnSnare presented the CommunicationsReport201503, speaking on the importance of linking/connecting all the bits of the body (or ingredients of the cake) with good communication. The committee focuses on not only communicating lots of information, but also being as concise and uncluttered as is possible in that communication.
The communications committee has been communicating with the shops on Kingsway - LesleyArmstrong has hand-delivered cards to each shopkeeper each Christmas for several years and a connection has been built over this time. Another form of communication to Kingsway are the signs out the front of the church, advertising events - John asked the congregation to please let Communications know if the signs outside ever miss anything or are ever out of date. He also noted the effectiveness of this, not only for cars, but also for pedestrians - individuals have even been spotted taking photos!
The website is currently being refreshed and John showed the meeting a preview of the new site. The website has brought a number of young people to our congregation over recent years. John thanked AaronBlakemore and RussellGreenwood for all their work on the site.
Plans for 2015 include:
* Updating brochures
* Adding life to our Facebook present
* Looking in - Refreshing our strategic plan looking for opportunities for improvement
* Looking out - Responding to needs identified by others
Looking for communication helpers who could contribute by preparing posters, photographic record, content for the website, facebook posts or maintaining outside notice boards. If anyone feels like they could help in any of these roles, John would be keen to talk to you!
9. Other Business
9.1. Congregational Outreach Project (COP)
9.1.1. COP Funding Change
JudyLowe reported the re-allocation of $3500 from COP that went to the village of Baguia in Timor. The funds were initially intended for an agricultural project, but in February fierce storms severely damaged the buildings in Baguia and even destroyed some. The community wrote to ask that the money be redirected to the re-roofing of the school and other buildings. This was reported in the bulletin, the congregation responded with overwhelming support and this money has been redirected.
9.1.2. COP Committee
NeilPeters reported that applications are now open for the 2015 COP project. Information can be obtained from CopProjects2015 or from Heather in the office, with applications due Friday April 10th. PamelaMcDonald and CliffBaker have so far joined the COP committee for 2015, with a third position in the process of being filled.
9.2. General Business
9.2.1. Naming of our church
DavidSimpson proposed that our church adopts a name, inspired by churches associated with a person of Christian significance. He feels that a name provides identity, not just geographical location. David suggested that RossMackinnon may provide valuable input into the process.
It was noted that the matter of re-naming the church was proposed in 1991, with many names suggested (e.g. King's Way/Kingsway Uniting Church), before settling on the Glen Waverley Uniting Church. It was suggested that the names should not be confined to persons of Christian significance and that the whole congregation be consulted in coming up with possibilities (e.g. a suggestion box). The best use of our time, the intended purpose of the name change and the convenience of the geographical name were raised as matters to be considered. The auditorium/sanctuary space or specific meeting rooms could also be named if the church as a whole does not want to be renamed. Some members of the meeting did not enjoy the spoken abbreviation of the Glen Waverley Uniting Church to GWUC, and this is something that could be taken on board in future communications.
DavidSimpson put forward a proposal: Under the guidance of the communications committee a task group be established to investigate the possibility of and vision benefits of re-naming the Glen Waverley Uniting Church in the next 12 months. HerbFleming seconded the proposal.
The majority of the meeting were cool to the suggestion and the idea was amicably left for now.
A number of attendees expressed disappointment at the use of the abbreviated GWUC instead of Glen Waverley Uniting Church. This also applies to using COP instead of Congregational Outreach Programme. JohnSnare will discuss this use of abbreviations in our documents, Website and other communications with the Communications Committee.
9.2.2. UnitingCare presentation
Warren spoke on the recent presentation from UnitingCare delivered in the morning services and the significant support this part of the Uniting Church family is supplying to the community. This is really to be celebrated!
(note: the UnitingCare slides will be linked if they can be obtained)
9.2.3. Election of a new Congregational Secretary
KayeMorgan formally submitted her resignation as Congregational Secretary, as she will be living in Munich for the next two years as part of a research fellowship. A new secretary will be elected at the start of the next Congregational meeting.
10. Benediction
The meeting shared together in the benediction.