GLEN WAVERLEY UNITING CHURCH

MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION

Held in the Church at 10:30am on Sunday 16th July 2023 - between 9:30am and 11:00am worship.

A printable version of these minutes and is attached here.

Minutes

1. Welcome

The chair (JohnSnare) welcomed those present and introduced Rev. GrahamBartley (Presybtery representative on the Joint Nominating Committee) who chaired the remainder of the meeting.

2. Report from the Joint Nominating Committee (JNC) to select new ministers

Graham Bartley advised the meeting that the Glen Waverley Uniting Church JNC was unanimous in recommending the Chris Waddell to the congregation for ministry to people in the first third of their life.

Graham introduced Chris Waddell to the meeting.

• Chris is an exit student who will be ordained as a Minister of the Word soon.
• Chris has significant experience in ministry with youth, children and their families – both within the Uniting Church and in other settings.
• Chris has intercultural experience and has been intentional at building relationships.
• Chris has experience of ministry in a variety of settings – but particularly in large, multifaceted congregations.
• Chris brings gifts and experience to a team ministry setting.
• Chris is committed to intergenerational ministry and has energy and skills for this, whilst also being ready to engage as a Minister of the Word.
• Chris has experience in school chaplaincy, connecting with external organisations and other cultural communities.
• Chris has interests in assisting the congregation to explore ways to strengthen their online presence and explore ministry opportunities in this space.
• This placement would use Chris’s skills and gifts in Youth ministry whilst providing an opportunity for him to grow as an ordained minister.
• Chris has a Melbourne College of Divinity Bachelor of Theology 2002; a university of Divinity Graduate Certificate in Divinity 2023, and a University of Divinity Master of Theology 2023.
• Chris is in his 20th year as Youth Worker at North Ringwood Uniting Church.
• For more than 10 years, Chris has also been school chaplain at Melba College.
• As well as his interest in young people, Chris is interested in on-line ministry.
• Chris has met with Ian Ferguson and they feel that they could work well together as a team.
• Chris could start working in our congregation in October.

VidaFoo, a member of the JNC, made the following points supporting the recommendation to request a call Chris Waddell.

• Chris has served as a Youth Worker at the North Ringwood Uniting Church where they have vibrant youth & young adult groups as well as children's ministry.

• Chris is part of Messy Church which is a different way of doing church and it is held once a month to bring families & others together for an informal fellowship and a meal.

• Chris has a deep personal faith grounded in the bible and in prayer. He has years of experience working in a ministry team and sees great value in the sharing of gifts.
• Chris is well placed to work with Glen Waverley Secondary School as part of our revisioning programme. He is keen to work on stronger links between Glen Waverley Uniting Church and the local community.

• Chris's willingness to try different mediums & all forms of multimedia will compliment Rev Ian Ferguson.

• Chris has ticked all the boxes required to fill this position.

JohnSnare thanked the members of the JNC for the work they have done. (Acclamantion)

The following resolution was decided by a secret ballot. JohnSnare and DavidFraser counted and cross checked counting the votes.

Resolution: Glen Waverley Uniting Church resolves to request the Placements Committee to issue a call to Chris Waddell.

Approved unanimously and the result was received with acclamation.

The GWUC Placement Profile (2023) is attached here.

3. Benediction

The chair closed the meeting in prayer.