The Glen Waverley Uniting Church PSALTERLink to CouncilAgenda20230821 > CouncilMinutes20230821
Ministry Team Report August 2023
Neil’s Report
Offering ministry continues to keep me engaged and active. There are conversations to have, meetings to attend, worship and preaching to prepare for, pastoral conversations and funerals to prepare for and conduct. The team continues to meet weekly for support and planning.
I will be having coffee with Chris Waddell soon in preparation for serving together from mid October.
The Presbytery has signed off on my retirement form.
I have conducted funeral s for Audrey Allen, Simone White and Betty Woodland. Audrey had been a long time member of this church and her faith was very important to her. Simone White had requested her service at our church and we were pleased to facilitate this. With all funerals Joanne, Geoff Willis, and the tech team offer great support as does our small catering team. Betty has been involved in the Church all her life and contributed in music, leadership of youth camps, the fete, and was a Sunday School teacher. Her active involvement covered about 8 years. Di and I had visited her over the years.
The Confirmation group of two has begun meeting.
I have a baptism on 17th September for Maisie Joy O’Reilly who is brought by parents Amanda and Shaun.
A reminder that my next annual leave will be Wed 23 August returning Wednesday 30 August. I was keen to take a week of leave while Hoon was still here offering ministry.
Proposal: Approve the baptism of Maise Joy O’Reilly
Di’s Report
It has been a busy month with a number of visits, people in hospital and support for people who are sorting out their lives. I have continued to meet with and walk with the GOWERS at Jells Park and also catch up with the GOMERS at the Church. I have continued to visit people and make heaps of phone calls.
My time at Strathdon has settled this month. After discussions as to times of worship etc, we have gone with the original plan. I have a gentleman who usually does the Bible Readings for me and I have added some pre-service singing as most of the residents enjoy singing hymns.
I have been collecting bits and pieces for the fete from some of our people, who are downsizing. Attended the Inclusive Community meeting. Attended the MLDC meeting and opened the meeting with devotions. I have attended the World Day of PrayerCommittee meeting and the Word Day of Prayer AGM all at Wesley Place.
I have been called to pray with families and pray for their loved ones who have just passed away, this is a special privilege but a challenge.
I have had supervision and have met with a couple of ministry colleagues for mutual support. I also met with a person doing their period of discernment to discuss the role of Pastor in the Uniting Church.
I attended a couple of funerals and have presided at 2 funerals in the last couple of weeks. Meeting with the families and planning these special services is a privilege.
It was a joy to get back to meeting with the children for the Mount View Hub at the Mount View Primary School. We really enjoyed our time together and this is a great help to the hearing-impaired students.
Attended FISH group, it is such a good way to catch up with a number of our Church Members.
Met with Anneke Oppewal to discuss where I sit as part of the ministry team at Charman Uniting, it was a positive meeting. Speaking of Charman UC, we are still waiting for Synod to give us the go ahead to start the renovations on the Charman Church.
See you all when I get back from Canada.
DiPaterson
Pastoral Care