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 FIRST EDITION WEDNESDAY JUNE 6TH 2007
On the Grapevine…
Due to the Minister’s and Spouses Retreat there will be no additional information from Bruce or Steve this week.
However there are a couple of new items of interest for your information.
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for the strengthening of relationships between indigenous and non-
· Give thanks with Malcolm and Judy for his cancer clearance (see below)
· Pray for the 100 year celebrations in Cloncurry
· Pray for Glenn and Collette Louttit and their family as Glenn has been given 2 months off on sick leave. (see more detail below)
· Pray for the Innisfail congregation and for Graham Whybird who is providing supply ministry.
· Garry and Theresa Hardingham and family with continued concerns for Tamara and as they prepare for their holiday.
· Please pray for the ministers and their families in the Cape/Gulf Zone of our Presbytery i.e. in Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Weipa, Thursday Island as well as the patrol areas.
· The whole Synod as we work through the issues arising from the decisions at Synod meeting.
· The Moderator elect – Bruce Johnson as he prepares for his role.
· The current Moderator, David Pitman as he continues to lead our Synod following this, at times difficult, Synod meeting.
MBF – Ministers who are in the health fund MBF will have received a letter from the fund outlining some new payment options that do not include the existing payroll deduction processes. I have spoken to our Uniting Church payroll people and they are aware of the situation. They had been assured by MBF that no letters would be sent out until at least June. Payroll had therefore planned to send something out to all affected ministers and employees in June. This will still be the case so please do not respond to the letter from MBF until you receive the advice from our payroll office as to the process to follow. I understand that there will still be the option to have our MBF contributions made through our Fringe Benefits accounts but that the authorisation will be different. I guess the word is – watch this space.
Baptist Men’s Camp – I am in a dilemma. Early this year I happily agreed to be the speaker at a Men’s Camp, organised by the Baptist Church in Townsville but open to men from other churches as well. The camp is to be held on the weekend 29th June to 2nd July, with the 2nd being the Townsville Show holiday, at Alva Beach near Ayr. Accommodation is at the Surf Lifesaving Club house.
Ian Stephens, who contacted me, gave me the theme of Compassion which is embodied in the camp theme ‘H’ man. This refers to – Heart for God (suggested sermon topic for Sunday)
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The speakers responsibility is for 2 Study sessions on Saturday morning, a brief devotion Saturday evening and to Preach on Sunday morning at the Burdekin Baptist Church.
My dilemma is that the special Council of Synod meeting to work through the processes following the last Synod, especially those relating to the appointment of a General Secretary, has been called for Saturday 30th June. As an elected member of the Council of Synod I am obligated to be a part of this meeting as one of the 2 elected members from North Queensland, (the other person is Ruth Beasley.) I see no way that I can be in both places. I even explored the possibility of teleconference.
My request is that if, as you read through this, God seems to be speaking to you about being the speaker at this camp, ( or perhaps brings someone else to mind) could you please contact me, either through email or my mobile as I am away now until after Ministers retreat.
I have given an undertaking to Ian Stephens to attempt to find someone to be the speaker in my place.
Queensland Synod Meeting
Last week I shared some of my thoughts on the Synod. I would value anyone else sharing their thoughts as well. Simply email them to Jane for inclusion in next week’s prompts.
Glenn Louttit and many others in the cyclone affected areas have been under considerable pressure since cyclone Larry struck over 12 months ago. It has been identified that many people are at the moment, 12 months on, experiencing what is called post traumatic stress. It has been identified by his doctor that Glenn needs to have 2 months off in order to more effectively minister into the future. Processes for supply are being put in place as are processes to support Glenn and Collette and their family as well as the congregation. Keep them in our prayers.
Placements Paradigm Sheet: Can I strongly encourage ALL ministry agents, lay and ordained, to fill in Placements Paradigm Response Sheet and return it to David Pitman or to me if you wish by 30th June. Ministers would have received that in a special edition of UC Info.
Mossman – Below is information from Mossman on how they contributed to the National Day of Thanksgiving.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Greetings in the name of Christ!
Over the last two weeks I have attended several important events in the life of our church.
Children and Youth National Coalition Meeting – Sydney
This is an annual gathering of people who work in similar Synod roles from across Australia. It is an important time to focus on national issues relating to children, youth, young adult and family ministry. In addition it is a great opportunity to network and support each other. Below is an overview of each day.
2007 Timetable
Monday
AM Flights arrive, travel to Centre for Ministry
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Opening Gather, welcome & Worship
14:30 National Church Life Survey – Ruth Powell
15:00 Afternoon Tea
15:30 National Church Life Survey -
16:30 Update on National In-
Transitional Arrangements for Ministry of Youth Work
Ncyc 07 Report
19:00 Dinner – BBQ at Nic’s place
Tuesday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Worship
09:00 NCYC 09 Overview & Report
10:30 Morning Tea
11:00 Second Generation Multicultural Youth Report
12:30 Lunch
13:30 WA Report
15:00 Duty of Care Discussion
15:30 Afternoon tea
16:00 About Face
17:00 Assembly Matters – Children’s Ministry Nationally
18:30 Dinner
19.30 -
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Wednesday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Worship
09:00 Vic/Tas Report
10:30 Morning Tea
11:00 Vic/Tas report Cont
11.30 National Children’s Ministry workshops – Update
12.00 Ministry of Pastor Update
12:30 Lunch
13:30 NSW Report
15:30 Afternoon Tea
16:00 SA Report
18:00 End Session
Dinner
Thursday
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Worship
09:00 QLD Report
10:30 Morning Tea
11:00 Next year – Conveners/E group Moderators/Agenda Items
11:30 Items we haven’t got to on agenda so far
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Close
14:00 Depart
Ruth Powell provided some thought provoking input from the latest findings from the National Church Life Survey. I will share some of the latest data relating to youth and children’s ministry in the near future.
Out of the Valley Youth & Young Adult Leadership Conference, Adelaide
This annual conference is organised by Hope Valley Uniting Church and held at the Adelaide showgrounds. Approximately 150 to 300 young people attended the two day conference. Both days were thought provoking.
The first guest speaker was Bo Boshers from Willow Creek. Bo explored with us the need to move away from ‘Youth Group 1.0’ to ‘Youth Ministry 2.0’. In a nutshell, this means a move away from entertainment based youth ministry to ministering to and with young people – discipleship. It was affirming to hear that Willow Creek is headed in the same direction as YACMU (Growing Apostles). Bo also explored the importance of mentoring.
The second guest speaker was Louie Giglio who is the founder of Passion Conferences, a movement calling people around the world to lives that make much of God through national conferences, campus tours and gatherings across the USA. Louie explored ministry with young adults in the context of campus ministry across the States. Louie also explored ‘what is worship’ with us.
I would recommend this training event to people who minister with youth and young adults. Jeff Savage and myself were nearly the two oldest people there. It was a sign of hope to see so many young people passionate about Christ and in most cases their voluntary ministry within the Uniting Church.
Synod, Sunshine Coast
One of my highlights was the presbytery reports. It was great being able to hear
and see what is happening in different parts of our diverse State. My second highlight
would be having the opportunity to catch-
It is good to be home.
Yours in Christ’s service
Steve.
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…
FAMILY & FRIENDS DAY AND MINI FETE
GARDEN SETTLEMENT – Pallarenda
Saturday, JUNE 16, 2007 – 2 p.m.
Preloved, Craft, Cake, Produce & Plants, Trash & Treasure Stalls ….
Sausage Sizzle & Ice cream $2.00 (what a bargain)...
Entertainment, Games and Prizes...
Please come and support the "Friends of Garden Settlement Group" in their bid to enthuse the families of residents to be part of this special event.
AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHIOR VISIT TO TOWNSVILLE
The African Children’s Choir will be performing in Townsville at The Strand on Sunday 22 July 5.00pm. You can see a little snippit and some background information on these amazing kids just by visiting the following websites. Cost for us to see this show in Townsville is free! http://qmf.org.au/02_cal/details.asp?ID=30 http://qmf.org.au/02_cal/details.asp?ID=32. http://qmf.org.au/02_cal/details.asp?ID=34.
FAX MACHINE TO GIVE AWAY
The Presbytery office has a Panasonic Fax Machine to give away. For further information contact the office on 07 4779 5818 or email Jane at presbnq@bigpond.net.au
Please don’t forget these…
NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING IN MOSSMAN
Through the Minister’s Fraternal we arranged for the Churches to prepared biscuits and cakes. On Friday 25th we arranged for the distribution of these gifts of appreciation and ‘Thank You’ cards to many groups in the community. Those people who were thanked included:
Indigenous Groups
Volunteer Groups such as Meals on Wheels, Rural Fire Brigade, SES, Coastguard, Volunteers working with youth,
Primary and High Schools, Kindergartens, Police, Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Hospital and Respite, Blue Care, Lollipop people on School Crossings, Library Workers, Community Centre, etc.
Distributions were made in Mossman, Port Douglas and Julatten.
We had planned for Churches to meet together for a Thanksgiving Picnic in Mossman on Sunday afternoon. However, because of rain, the picnic was cancelled.
THANK YOU
“The Rev Malcolm Bottrill was given the wonderful news last week that his cancer has been defeated.
Malcolm and Judy are deeply grateful to the many people throughout the Presbytery who have prayerfully supported them over the last 20 months.
A STATEMENT FROM THE MODERATOR ON PENTECOST SUNDAY
Last weekend the Moderator of the Queensland Synod, Rev Dr David Pitman participated
in various church and community-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communications Services Unit
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
June 4th – 7th – Minister and Spouses Retreat – Sister’s of Mercy Centre, Cairns
14th – 15th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
18th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office
29th June – 2nd July – speaking at a mens’ camp – Burdekin
July -
11th – Placements -
18th – Presbytery Leadership Team meeting – face to face Presbytery office
29th – 1st August – Meeting – Tully
August 11th – Northern Zone meeting – venue TBA
13th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office
15th – 20th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
September – 1st – Southern Zone Meeting – Wulguru UC
6th – 9th – Emmaus Mens Walk
13th – 16th – Emmaus Womens Walk
18th – 21st – Bruce meetings in Brisbane
Steve K’s Calendar
June 4th -
19th -
July 15th -