Uniting Church in Australia
Presbytery of North Queensland
PRESBYTERY PROMPTS
29 Wentworth Ave Mundingburra 4812 Ph: 07 4779 5818 presbnq@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.presbyterynq.net
TWENTY NINTH EDITION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1ST 2007
On the Grapevine…
Hi everyone,
The current issue of Journey is a very important resource for your Church Council and your congregation to read and to refer to into the future. I have just received my hard copy through the post but I had already read some of the articles on the journey Website. Not only is the theme of responsibly using our vehicles a vitally important theme to explore, especially as we travel on the roads in North Queensland, but this issue also includes a copy of the Synod Annual Report. That report reminds us that as a church we are one in supporting each other. It clearly identifies where the Mission and Service Fund budget is spent as well as where the income is generated from.
I will highlight just 2 points at this stage.
1. There is a significant proportion of the expenditure that comes to North Queensland Presbytery by way of operational grants and Mission Partnership funding. This is more that we contribute as a Presbytery.
2. Just under one third of the income into the Mission and Service Fund budget comes from Congregations. The majority of the rest comes from UCIS and UnitingCare.
I particularly encourage Elders and Church Council members, as leaders in your congregations to read the Annual Report in the centre of Journey to have an accurate grasp on the functioning and missional thinking of the whole Synod. All too often we in the north, and yes I am guilty as well, tend to view “Head Office”/Synod/those in Brisbane, as uncaring and not really understanding what things are really like in the north. That is not the truth but we do need to keep reminding those in Brisbane that we are here and keep the lines of communication well and truly open. After all that Annual Report is not “their” report but rather “our” report. Through the decisions we all make at congregational, presbytery and synod level we set the priorities that are reflected in that report.
Happy and informative reading
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for the planning of State Youth ministry conference and that there will be a good attendance.
· Pray for the congregations that are moving into planning for future ministry placements.
· Please keep the upcoming Emmaus Walks, team members and pilgrims in your prayers.
· Pray for Garry and Teresa Hardingham and Tamara who is more critical than before Garry and Teresa went away.
Mission and Service Fund Allocations for 2008 :
The suggested amounts of the congregational allocations to the Mission and Services Fund for the Synod budget will be distributed to congregational treasurers this week. In order to be timely in our response to Synod and to help all of us plan effectively and budget for 2008 we would appreciate your congregation’s response by the due date, 31st August 2007. If you are unable to have a Church Council meeting before the 31st, Please let the Presbytery Office know.
The Townsville Bulletin today (Wednesday) has an article about a Wrap With Love “Knit In” conducted in Hughenden last week. This was where Peter Harvey organised 15 knitters to knit a wrap to be sent to needy people in Australia and overseas countries. ABC radio in Sydney have promoted it and so far 140,000 wraps have been produced and distributed. Well done Hughenden, I know with the cold nights you have had recently you may have been tempted to keep it yourself.
Council Amalgamations: I am aware that the proposed Council amalgamations are causing anxiety in many parts of the Presbytery at the moment. I am also aware that some members of our congregations may well be directly affected, through employment or membership on Councils. With the “shake up” I am sure that there is significant anxiety in the communities in which we live. Could I suggest that in your worship services or groups in the next little while that you spend time in prayer that the processes followed from here are appropriate, helpful and fair? There may even be the possibilities of combined churches prayer events, not to protest or support but to pray for the follow through of the decisions.
GTIM – (Growing Together in Marriage):
Marriages are all different and each needs fine tuning
A Growing Together in marriage Weekend is a wonderful opportunity for enriching,
fine tuning and re-
The tune-
At Bramston Beach Motor Inn, 1-
On 17th to 19th August 2007.
*** The GTIM weekend now has only 4 spaces left ***
Cost: $200 per couple (accommodation & meals provided)
Further info from: Richard & Karen Hosking, 13 Jefferson Crescent, Kirwan. 4817.
07 4723 1690 or mob 0407 231 690 Email: rsklhosking@bigpond.com
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Greetings in the name of Christ!
The State Youth Ministry Conference is only twenty four days away. Three people have registered from North Queensland. Don’t panic!! There is still time to register. But wait there’s more…. Seven more people can still access the $100 subsidy from Presbytery to put towards their registration fee or flights etc. I encourage your congregation to send someone to the conference. Refer to last week’s Prompts for information about our guest speaker, Dr Roland Martinson. We are really blessed to have Roland share his insights and many years of experience with us. Visit www.yacmu.com.au to find out more information, download a registration form and look at accommodation options. Click on ‘State Youth Ministry Conference’.
There will be a 2008 Holy Land Tour information night on Sunday the 19th of August at Aitkenvale Uniting Church. This will start straight after the evening worship service, around 8pm. Come and hear about this exciting tour that Tom Kerr and myself are leading in April next year. If you are looking for a tour to Israel that has elements of adventure, engages in modern day Jewish culture and walks in the footsteps of Jesus, then this is the tour for you. Please contact me for more information.
This week the child safe church convenor and ministry agent will receive an email asking where your church is up to with child safe church training. At this stage I am only aware of one congregation that has provided training for their leaders and other members of their congregation. It is extremely important that training takes place as soon as possible. Child safe church training is a part of our overall risk management process and the responsibility of each congregation. It is also our responsibility to ensure that our children are safe. If your convenor or Minister has provided training for your congregation, please let Jane know so we can document this and arrange certificates.
I have been reading an interesting book titled, Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow. In his book, Murrow asks where are the men? Are they not at church because they are not interested in God? Or is the way we do church on the whole more attractive to females? He argues that our church culture has primarily a feminine spirit. This includes safety, stability, harmony, predictability, protection, comfort, nurture, duty, support and preservation and that men suffocate in this environment. Murrow suggests that men are ‘challenge oriented’ and are looking for risk, change, conflict, variety, adventure, competition, daring, pleasure, independence and expansion.
Obviously the above lists are generalizations. However read the lists again and ask the question, ‘Which list represents our church?’ Burrow asks where are men like Elijah, Daniel, David, Paul and Peter? I highly recommend this book. We all need to grapple with the issue of how we reach men for Christ in a way that doesn’t ask them to leave their masculinity at the church door.
Yours in Christ’s service, Steve. 4036 4440, 0427 727 070 stevek@yacmu.com.au
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
August 25th – 26th – Youth Ministry Conference -
September 15-
October 12-
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
January 2008 -
What’s New…
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES
Just a reminder to all ministers that the presbytery office has marriage certificates available. If you require any please contact Jane at the office at presbnq@bigpond.net.au or by phone 4779 5818.
YOUTH, CHILDREN’S AND FAMILY WORKER INFORMATION BREAKFAST
Have you been thinking about Youth, Children’s or Family Ministry as a career path? If the answer is “yes” or even “maybe”, Michael Jeffrey, Director of the Youth and Children’s Ministry Unit would love to talk with you! You are cordially invited to an Information/Connection Breakfast hosted by Michael Jeffrey and the YACMU team. We will gather in the Albert Room at Trinity Theological College at 7:30 am on 26 August 2007 for a sumptuous breakfast and invaluable networking. Our shout! If you are interested in attending please email Michael Jeffrey HERE so that he can extend an official invitation to you. Oh, and while we are at it, we also invite you to our State Youth Ministry Conference which is on that same weekend! You can make a weekend of it! The Conference gets underway at 8:30 (for a 9.00a.m. start) at the Uniting Church Centre on Saturday, 25 August and concludes Sunday, 26 August after lunch. For more information on the State Youth Ministry Conference, visit our website at www.yacmu.com.au. You can download a registration form and get the ball rolling. Hope to see you there!!!
YACMU
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE WITH A DIFFERENCE
Do you enjoy ministry with children and are seeking an experience with a difference. A small number of volunteers, with experience working with and leading children as well as a valid blue card, are needed to assist with a children's program run in conjunction with Frontier Services at the Birdsville Races Carnival, to be held 30 August to 1 September at Birdsville. You will be part of a small team that will run activities for children around town for the race carnival. Food and lodging will be provided, and you will get to experience the unique experience that is Birdsville at race carnival time. If you are interested or would like further information, contact Andrew Bell, YACMU Regional and Project Worker for the Downs Presbytery on ph: (07) 4634 7174, mob: 0427 727 002 or Email: HERE.
YACMU
MINUTES OF THE 26TH SYNOD
Minutes of the 26th Synod 18-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
GUIDELINES FOR USE OF THE UNITING CHURCH LOGO
The Uniting Church logo is a source of pride and inspiration for all members of the Uniting Church in Australia. The Assembly has provided a logo library and accompanying guidelines where members can download the approved versions of the logo for both print use in black and white and colour and for web use. Please take time to read the new guidelines and download the approved copies of the UCA logo from the library for your records. The guidelines and logos can be found on the assembly website at http://nat.uca.org.au/logos/.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
BOOKS FOR REVIEW FOR JOURNEY
Journey is looking for reviewers for the following books. A reviewer’s brief will be provided. 300 words length, one month to review and you get to keep the book.
1.China's Christian Martyrs by Paul Hattaway China is experiencing a rich harvest that has grown out of the soil watered by the tears and blood of the martyrs. I strongly believe this book is not only a gift to the people of China, but will inspire Christians of this generation to obey God's call, to serve with a willing heart, and to lay down our lives so that the Great Commission might be completed.
2.Unexpected Grace Stories of Faith, Science and Altruism by Bill Kramer Unexpected Grace brings storytelling to science with compelling narratives about the investigators and participants in four studies, all of which have social and spiritual significance.
3.After the Heavy Rain (Khmer Rouge killed his family. He tracked them down but not for revenge) by Sokreaksa S. Himm Thirteen of Reaksa Himm's immediate family, including his parents, were brutally executed by Cambodia's Khmer Rouge. Severely wounded, Reaksa was hidden by the bodies of his family.
4.Somebody's Child The story of a man who found hope -
5.Assignment Earth by Lynda Rose It's a battlefield down there, and very, very dangerous. Being an angel isn't as easy as you think. There's so much to learn.
Also still available:
1.I Am Jewish Personal reflections inspired by the Last Words of Daniel Pear Edited
by Judea & Ruth Pearl Being Jewish. What does it mean -
Contact Bruce Mullan HERE to offer to review. First in first served. Reviews will be published in Journey or at www.journeyonline.com.au.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
SEPTEMBER JOURNEY
The deadline for copy and advertising for the next issue of Journey is Friday, 10 August. Journey will be looking at the issue of “evangelism”. To change subscription numbers please contact Kristine Bromiley HERE or call (07) 3377 9825.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
LIVE WEBCAST– HOWARD AND RUDD ADDRESS AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LEADERS
The “Federal Election 2007 – Make it Count” event will be hosted by the Australian
Christian Lobby (ACL) at the National Press Club in Canberra from 7 pm -
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
WANTED: APPLICATIONS FOR UC FOUNDATION GRANTS
Thanks mainly to dedicated people who have made an unrestricted bequest to the Church
in their Will, the Uniting Church Foundation has already been able to distribute
general grants of nearly $900,000. Applications are now invited for non-
Ken Edwards, UC Foundation
Please don’t forget these…
ADMIN KEY ACTIVATION
I’m pleased to say that the Admin Key function is now active on our website www.ncls.org.au. Feel free to forward this email to your churches to notify them on how to use their Admin Key. Further information will be available on our website. Churches / Parishes who participated in last year’s survey received their Admin Key, printed on the cover letter and the inside front cover of their Church Life Pack. It is a twelve digit key. Churches / Parishes enter their Admin Key on the bottom left column on our webpage to access the new services. This Key now enables a parish/ church to:
· Edit their Address and contact information
· Update their details on Church Search (a complimentary service of NCLS, see www.churchsearch.org.au )
· View their Extended Profile, showing all the answers to every question on the survey;
· Retrieve their Profile Number if lost;
· Order a Local Church Life Survey.
In the near future the Admin Key will allow churches to:
· Create a Customised Profile, such as Worship Service Profiles or Age Group Profiles.
I will update you when the Customised Profile function is operational. In the meantime, churches can view their Extended Profile.
Kathy Jacka, Logistics Coordinator, National Church Life Survey 2006
THE IMPORTANCE OF REINTEGRATION
We as a community are missing the target when it comes to providing services to inmates that focus on preparing them to reintegrate into the community. The tragic deaths of Craig Semyraha and Constable Brett Irwin provide an example of how devastating situations can be prevented with the implementation of life skill teaching centres. As inmates are released into the community some come to the conclusion that they do not have the skills to live independently without committing a crime and hence they resort to re offending. The whole community will reap the benefits of life skill centres. I often speak to people who have spent most of their life incarcerated and most recently a young man asked me for a list of “How to Do Things”. On his list included everyday tasks such as how to use an ATM or a mobile phone. The need for mentors and volunteers from the community to work with inmates one on one has also been suggested. We need to be more effective in our service delivering current and concise information on important areas of much need. Despite the transition programs that are already in place, there is much more that we as a community can provide. Please pray for the wives’ of inmates that are assisting us in a research project that began last Friday. That we are able to equip the women with new skills.
Beatriz Skippen, Senior Prison Chaplain
HOWARD & RUDD SPEAK LIVE TO CHRISTIANS TOWNSVILLLE WEBCAST
You’ve likely heard that Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd will soon be addressing the Christian community and sharing why they feel they should have your support in the upcoming election.
This is an unprecedented opportunity to hear from the leaders of our nation and we’d
like to invite you and your congregation to be a part of this first-
The presentation will be broadcast via a live web-
Date: August 9, 2007
Time: 7:00pm-
Place: Reef to Outback 121 Ingham Road, West End
If you have any questions, please contact Anna or Rebekah at Reef to Outback on 4771 2123.
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
August 2nd – Bruce in Bowen
3rd – 4th – Emmaus Training Day 2
7th – 8th – Steve in Brisbane YACMU
11th – Northern Zone meeting – venue Edmonton UC
13th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office
17th – 18th – Emmaus Training Day 3 & commissioning teams
15th – 20th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
21st – 26th – Steve at YACMU & Youth Ministry Conference
25th – 26th – Youth Ministry Conference – Brisbane
27th – 31st – Bruce to Mt Isa, Cloncurry and Hughenden (Western Trip)
27th – 31st – Steve to Sunshine Coast for National Youth Worker Inservice
September – 1st – Southern Zone Meeting – Wulguru UC
3rd – 6th – Steve to Brisbane for Triple P Training
6th – 9th – Emmaus Mens Walk
10th – Mission Resourcing Committee Meeting – presbytery office
13th – 16th – Emmaus Women’s Walk
18th – 20th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
18th – 21st – Bruce meetings in Brisbane
30th – Bruce to Preach at Malanda
October – 3rd – 6th – Bruce to Frontier Services Board meeting -
8th -
9th – Presbytery Leadership Team teleconference
12th – 14th – Young Adults Camp
16th – 25th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings – Placements etc, CoachNet training
20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out, Southern Zone
21st – Ministry Sunday
24th – 26th – Steve to Brisbane for Discernment Retreat
28th – Bruce to preach at Wulguru
November 2nd – 4th – Presbytery meeting – Townsville area Venue to be advised
11th – 50th church Anniversary Mossman
12th – MRC meeting – presbytery office
20th – 23rd – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
21st – 24th -
24th – Special Synod Brisbane
26th – PLT teleconference
December – 11th – 13th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements
25th – Christmas Day
January 2008 – 9th – 14th – Summer Madness Camp, Sunshine Coast