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== COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH GMIM, RIEDEL: ==
NOTES FROM TWO MEETINGS BETWEEN GWUC REPRESENTATIVES AND GMIM, RIEDEL LEADERS, MAY 2023
=== 1. Some notes from meeting with GMIM, Riedel leaders at GWUC 7 May 2023 ===
Present: Lucky Kalonta, Geri Kalonta, Rev Dan Sompe (Chair of GMIM Riedel church council and chair of Presbytery) , Rev Laurine Muntu (Riedel) , Donald Wagey (Secretary of Riedel church council), Selvonny Senduk, Rev Steven Rembet (minister of GMIM congregation,Werot), Frits Muntu (Werot), Rev Neil Peters, Rev Hoon You, Vida Foo, Susan Karoly, Glyn Howells (chair and draft notes)
3 - 4pm 7th May 2023

Opening prayer: Neil

==== 1. Worshipping and sharing together ====
Feedback on today’s combined live-streamed intercultural worship: some Werot members joined the combined service via clear zoom link; some couldn’t open the link.

Awaiting feedback from Riedel congregation who received the live stream at 8am their time.

'''Agreed: i) send pre-recorded video file of songs or greetings for special occasions (2 – 3 minutes)<<BR>>
ii) exchange lectionaries (we don’t follow the same) 3 months in advance as a preliminary to sharing sermons with translations on a regular (3 monthly was suggested) basis.'''

Explanation: by following the other congregation’s lectionary the sermon will be integrated into the congregation’s themes

Existing meetings on zoom: Lucky and Andrew Hosking and two retired teachers from Melbourne participate in a weekly English language zoom Bible study led by GMIM ministers
==== 2. Ministry to youth ====
Can GMIM learn from our experience of declining youth church involvement? This is a concern also in Riedel.

Discussion followed of factors leading to this in Australia.
 * Many competing interests and demands can occupy youth in Australia
 * Education and cultures different: in western countries children are taught to make their own decisions and think critically (more individualistic culture). In traditional cultures the family and education systems emphasise conformity more (more communal culture).
 * Need to understand and work within youth culture eg some of the KGPM trainee ministers preferred songs of praise from Hillsong rather than the dominant hymn tradition of their church. Similarly, in GWUC we have more contemporary songs and the band at 9:15am worship and more traditional hymns at 11am. Some GMIM churches also have youth bands and songs in worship.

[What is Riedel/ GMIM’s experience of future of youth in church?]

Two models of working together: Leadership training on zoom and/or via visits<<BR>>OR<<BR>> sharing of experience between youth leaders in Melbourne and Tondano because we can learn from and inspire each other.
 * Second generation Indonesian congregation may be another partner.
 *  Kelly Skilton, a youth worker from the Synod of Victoria was also mentioned.
 * It could be inspirational for youth from Victoria to visit the vibrant, multi-generational GMIM churches in Riedel/ Minahasa with their street/ local area cell groups (‘columns’), communal festivals and culture of participation gathering around singing and food for Sunday worship, memorial days and birthdays.

'''Agreed: GWUC has heard the request and will try to find a way of connecting.'''

Two more concerns to discuss tomorrow at 9:30am in the church.
 i. Can we share information and help GMIM youth from Minahasa who are in Australia on the working holiday visa program? Rev Steven Rembert raised this concern at the Friday night forum explaining that some youth had been damaged by their experience living and working in Australia.
 i. Other congregations within GMIM would like to develop sister church relationships with congregations in Victoria.

Meeting ended with prayer by Pdt Dan Sompe

=== NOTES FROM FOLLOW UP MEETING Monday 8th May 2023 in small chapel, 9:45am ===
Present: Rev Dan Sompe, Rev Laurine Muntu, Mr. Frits Muntu, Mr. Donald Wagey (Secretary of Riedel church council),
Rev Steven Rembet (minister of GMIM congregation, Werot), Rev Neil Peters, Rev Hoon You, Mrs. Vida Foo, Glyn Howells (chair of the meeting). Lucky and Vida translated.

Began with prayer.

These two meetings were our first time to sit together and talk. It is very helpful to listen to each other and gain a clearer picture of where we are and how we can connect based on this new understanding. This will allow us to reword the Cooperation Agreement based on these clearer expectations.
 
==== GMIMyouthhereonworkingholidayvisas. ====
We can provide networking (Lucky has been linking GMIM people who have found their feet here with new arrivals and Glyn, Andrew and Lucky have welcomed young leaders from GMIM who have joined us for worship and fellowship at GWUC, etc. on a number of occasions.)<<BR>>
Recent graduates who venture here need to understand that they need to be strong, to develop independence and to seek to build a support base wherever they are. It is not easy to leave home for the first time while at the same time moving to an English=speaking culture/ country. Not always easy to find a good job.*

We cannot provide help with visa applications or help to find a job or information about applying to study – we are not migration agents.

There are also new government rules about sending money overseas from Australia and complex procedures in Indonesia re money sent from overseas.

Riedel: how can we help Glen Waverley? In 5 -1 0 years you will have lost the current generation who carry out most of your activities. Inspired by how much older people do here; wish to follow this example. By exchanging –building links between -- members of the younger generation can we enrich both our congregations?

 * we are beginning to face similar challenges re younger generation. Here your congregations are smaller; can we learn from you to deal with our own challenges? Eg some congregations are wanting to start their own churches (like Korea?)
 * can we work together to help young people find their own vision to keep close to the church? Younger generations have better English – so easier to connect. Can we make zoom link to build friendship/ connection between Sunday school children?
May be possible.
 * Frits from Werot a newish small GMIM congregation [77 families; 25 children; 18 youth; 48 young adults; 4 columns – cell groups] near Tondano: prison ministry with local prison; thanks to Riedel for inviting them to join them in this trip. 80% of young adults moved away from Werot to get jobs; happy to explore structured discussion and commitment. Seeking a sister congregation here.

[Glyn to follow up: Lucky and Glyn have discussed this with Rev Anneke Oppewal in the past. Suggested we use Newsbeat, etc to see if there is a congregation who would like to connect with Werot.]

Cooperation Agreement is an umbrella: worship, witness, service – on-going discussion on an annual basis to update/ refine as we involve new people and activities.
 
'''Agreed: update Cooperation agreement over the coming months based on our new understanding to provide clearer definitions and focus.  Not a contract or a legal document.'''

Meeting ended with prayer.

Conclusion: There remain many ways we can enrich our faith and our faith communities by building our relationship. Clear communication across the cultural boundaries remains the key. The dialogue and sharing with leaders from Tondano, which occurred during their visit, has provided us all with new insights and more realistic expectations.

Glyn Howells 15 May 2023

* Synod have done significant work in this area with Pacific islanders on temporary work visas with Mark Zirnsak, senior social justice advocate and others including Rev. Randall Prior and UCA ministers in key towns in Victoria. (https://victas.uca.org.au/social-justice/).This is funded by the Federal government. There is no parallel church program (Synod) supporting Indonesians here on working holiday visas as this is a newly expanding area with 6,000 working holiday visas allocated to Indonesia.