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
SIXTEENTH EDITION WEDNESDAY MAY 9TH 2007
On the Grapevine…
Greetings everyone,
These first comments are particularly relevant to ministers but I am including them in Presbytery Prompts as it is also important information for members of congregations to be aware of. They concern the Placement processes and ways of being strategic with regard to ministry placements into the future.
There is every likelihood that the number of ordained ministers or qualified lay people available to fulfil full time ministry roles into the future will reduce. The number of ministers retiring each year has exceeded the number of candidates exiting college for some time now and that trend seems to be continuing. As an indicator there are 16 ministers on this years Synod retirement list and there are 4 exiting mid year and a couple more at the end of the year. We therefore need to, as a whole church, to be strategic and proactive about equipping and preparing ministers and lay people for the emerging situations.
It is also very clear that today’s ministry contexts vary markedly and that ministers are very aware of their gifts for ministry and their needs to be equipped in some other areas.
All ministers, and many lay people will have received a special issue of UC Information this week. This is to inform you all of the process that the Presbytery Ministers and Moderator have been working on in order to more effectively place ministers in appropriate places and to train leaders for future placements.
It is therefore very important that ALL ministers who will be seeking a placement into the future consider what direction God may be moving them in. Please fill in that ministry placement form as an indicator of the sort of ministry you believe you may be being encouraged to think about.
This is not a box filling exercise where you will be put in a box never to get out; rather it is an indicator of ministry possibilities. These will change as time goes on. This information is in addition to the personal and ministry profile that we have all completed and need to keep up to date.
Again 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. I have copied the email from David Pitman at the end of Prompts for your information and use.
Bruce Mullan puts out a Daily Mail that I find very helpful and thought provoking, thank you Bruce. I thought that last Saturdays was especially good so I have chosen to quote from it here.
“Broadcaster, writer and public speaker Dick Staub is author of numerous articles
and the books Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters (Jossey-
I'm the first to acknowledge that the issue of homosexuality is a divisive one in our culture and the Christian church. Setting aside the issue of whether I agree or disagree with these letters, as a veteran talk show host and follower of Jesus I've developed some informal communications guidelines to help me facilitate conversations between people who disagree:
1. My policy is to talk to people not about them.
2. There are times when we need to listen and not talk. Not every conversation requires the insertion of my personal views.
3. We should rediscover hospitality as an essential element of every religious tradition.
4. When in doubt -
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Garry and Theresa Hardingham and family with continued concerns for Tamara
· Innisfail and Tully residents as they continue to work through the effects of the cyclone, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
· Follow through of the decisions of the Zone meetings in Mareeba and Ayr and the family ministries seminar in Ayr.
· Please pray for the ministers and their families in the Cape/Gulf Zone i.e. in Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Weipa and Thursday Island.
· Pray for the forthcoming Synod that God’s Spirit would be evident in ALL that is said, done and decided.
· Be with Carole and Colin as they move towards the last few weeks of being in placement in Tully and support the transition processes.
· The Federal Government and Opposition in this budget week that each will have their eyes on what is right and good under God for this nation and the planet and not simply look at winning votes at the next election.
From Carole and Colin Young (Tully)
We would ask if you would thank the folk who have prayed for us over the past few weeks, in Presbytery Prompts. We have appreciated this enormously and have felt the results in many tangible ways. We report that the family in Perth is at peace and in many ways happy that Olga (Carole's mother) is now also at peace, after many years of suffering Alzheimer's. Our dear friend Selwyn in Sydney will be home this weekend, but will have to travel to the hospital 5 days a week, for 6 weeks, for Chemo. (a three hour return trip each day).
Thankyou so much for being there.
McKay Patrol
Some of us in the Presbytery have been working very hard in recent days to try to
get the McKay Patrol on a solid financial foundation to relieve Garry of the added
burden of raising funds for the Patrol. Donations are well down so far this year.
The McKay Patrol is a Queensland Synod Patrol which receives some support from Frontier
Services and the Synod budget but with the extra expenses recently associated with
the unexpected repairs to the airframe cracks and airbox replacement we are already
behind the 8 ball to the tune of more than $8,000.
Ian Jessup, Garry and I are trying
to put together some sponsorship applications as well as do an application for tax
deductibility for the Patrol. If there are folk in the Presbytery with expertise
in these areas who can give us a hand we will be very grateful.
It almost goes without saying but all donations are very gratefully received. Please send them direct to Garry at PO Box 95 Cloncurry Q.4824.
The Mossman consultation was held over the weekend. It was an important time of sharing with the congregation and hearing the exciting ministry occurring in Mossman, Port Douglas and Mt Molloy. The consultation team of Doug Foster, Krishna Buhler and Bruce Cornish were very encouraged. Please pray for us as we formulate a report and for the congregation and Graham and Cheryl Bizzell as they continue in ministry there.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Greetings in the name of Christ!
By now Ministry agents should have received an information pack on ‘Summer Madness’. Can you please ensure that it is handed onto the youth contact person in your church.
SUMMER MADNESS is the biggest youth ministry event our church has hosted in years. It is being organised by our Uniting Church Qld Youth Workers and lay leaders with the support of the Youth & Children’s Ministry Unit. We are expecting between two to three hundred young people. It is going to be huge and a great way to start your youth ministry for 2008!
DATES: 11 – 14 January 2008
WHO FOR: Anyone in high school in 2008.
There will also be fantastic opportunities for your young adults to be a part of Summer Madness.
LOCATION: Alex Park Conference Centre on the Sunshine Coast.
The theme is ‘Momentum’. What a great way to start the year! Why wait for February or March to build up some momentum for 2008? This will be a great chance to help young people to build their faith and increase their own momentum and ability to face the year ahead.
Our guest speakers include Julian Hamilton who is a wee Irish man with an amazing ability to inspire and connect young people with God. Our second guest speaker is Andrew Fox who is from the Sunshine Coast and is an excellent communicator with people of all ages.
An important part of Summer Madness is that youth leaders attend camp with their group of young people. It is a great time to grow deeper with each other and God as a whole group. However we do recognise that this maybe difficult for people from North Queensland due to travel and having to take time off work. Maybe some other adults from your congregation would be willing to lead your young people? If you have one or two young people who would like to go, we will try to arrange for them to join another group.
I am currently looking at different transport options. From hiring a coach and being able to pick up groups from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast. This would be a fantastic way to develop a strong sense of community before we even reach camp. I am also looking into a group booking price with Qantas. I will keep you informed.
I hope that you will be able to bring your group along to Summer Madness. If you have any questions or need an information kit, please call me on 0427 727 070 or email me at stevek@yacmu.com.au.
Yours in Christ’s service, Steve.
What’s New…
UCA QLD SYNOD EMAIL ADDRESS
Please note that many of the Synod UC Centre email addresses have changed. Take out the “uccentre” in the middle of the address. E.g. instead of Ana.Mila@uccentre.ucaqld.com.au, the address will now be Ana.Mila@ucaqld.com.au. The old email addresses will still work however only for a short time.
SIMPLY SHARING WEEK—AUSTRALIANS BECOME INTERACTIVE TO SHARE EDUCATION
Simply Sharing Week, a program of Caritas Australia and Christian World Service/National
Council of Churches in Australia, has taken its annual education program online.
This year’s theme, Send My Friend To School, highlights the fact that education is
an important component in poverty reduction and peace. Simply Sharing Week will be
celebrated 17-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
ROAD TRIP TO ADVOCATE AGAINST GLOBAL POVERTY
Oaktree Foundation is inviting members of the public to be ambassadors of their Zero Seven campaign. They are calling on Schools, Universities and Church leaders across the country to nominate outstanding young people (aged 16 to 26) to become Ambassadors as part of Australia’s first national road trip to advocate against global poverty. This is an opportunity for young members of your church to develop their leadership skills. Read more about the Zero Seven Road Trip HERE or call mob: 0424 615 592 or email: HERE.
Clinton Ku, Queensland Churches Coordinator, The Oaktree Foundation
Please don’t forget these…
STILL LOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATION FOR SYNOD??
Peter Harvey, Patrol Minister at Hughenden, has managed to locate a 2 bedroom beachfront
apartment a few blocks from Alex Park at a reasonable price, and was thinking that
there may be someone still looking for a place to stay – the apartment is available
from 17-
SYNOD INFORMATION ONLINE
Please note that all the information sent to Members of the 26th Synod is also available online on the Synod Website at http://www.ucaqld.com.au/26synod.php. Available as PDF files are the reports and recommendations, maps, information letters, etc.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
YOU’RE INVITED …
Please accept our invitation to the 2007 SU Celebration of School Chaplaincy and Children’s Ministry
Come and share in prayer and worship and hear of the impact the new National School
Chaplaincy Funding Program will have in the North Queensland Region. You will also
learn of the work of chaplains in schools and the great times had on SU’s holiday
adventure based camps. We are fortunate to be entertained by stand-
We will also be launching our NEW LOOK – one that will help us to be identified with the young people. It’s very modern and funky and we can’t wait to ‘expose’ this new look to everyone.
Date: Saturday 19 May 2007
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Calvary AOG, Bayswater Road, Mt Louisa
Please come along. We would love to tell you about the great things happening in SU’s ministry with the young people.
Barbara Hemerik, Administration & Promotions SU North Queensland
phone 07 4779 6620 fax 07 4725 4262 29 Casey Street (PO Box 804) Aitkenvale Q 4814
nq@suqueensland.org.au www.suqueensland.org.au
CAN YOU PLEASE HELP?
Just wondering if you could please take the time to complete a survey. This is my personal research project is investigating the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and the Uniting Church in Australia and should take about two minutes to complete. The online survey is available at http://hc.ucaqld.com.au/nfc/. Research participants will be Queensland employees and members of the Uniting Church in Australia and this research will investigate the extent to which people are aware of the Uniting Church in Australia’s policies the nuclear fuel cycle. The primary goal is to collect information that might help the church improve its ongoing communication efforts. There are no undue risks for people participating in this study. All information collected is confidential. Should you have any questions or require more information concerning your participation in the project please contact Bruce Mullan HERE. Please note that this study adheres to the Guidelines of the ethical review process of The University of Queensland. You are free to discuss your participation in this study with the researchers at the address above or if you would like to speak to an officer of the University not involved in the study, you may contact the Ethics Officer on ph: (07) 3365 3924.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communications Services Unit
BUILDING SURVEY FOR ALL PROPERTIES AND DWELLINGS OWNED BY THE PROPERTY TRUST
The Queensland Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia periodically undertakes a building survey of all properties and dwellings owned by the Property Trust. The purpose of the survey is to determine the current replacement value for each building / property improvement and to assess each property for physical hazards and risks. The next survey is due to commence on 1 June 2007. The survey is being conducted by Australian Pacific Valuers and is expected to be completed within two years from the commencement date. The review is being administered by the Department for Financial and Property Services and the Project Officer is Mr Peter Brighton. His contact details are:
Mr Peter Brighton
Project Officer
Mission Support Enterprises
Department for Financial and Property Services
GPO Box 674
BRISBANE Q 4001
Ph: (07) 3377 9737
Fx: 07 3377 9716
Email: HERE
At least three (3) months prior to a survey of any property beneficially used by
your Congregation / Service / Activity, Peter will establish contact to obtain the
details of the appropriate contact person of each property. This can be pre-
Mark Lee, Mission Support Enterprises
FEDERAL ELECTIONS – ONLINE OPINION POLL
Online Opinion http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/ is conducting a number of surveys
leading up to the election. They are inviting people to tell them what they think
about the leaders and the issues at http://www.whatthepeoplewant.net/. This poll
is asking how religious affiliation -
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
LATEST NEWS AT WWW.JOURNEYONLINE.COM.AU
The delusions of Richard Dawkins Unfortunately, Dawkins has blundered into a field
he knows very little about. He misunderstands the logic of the arguments and how
they function in a religious context. His own naïve and plodding counter-
Youthworker wins over Temptation “I’M NOT that smart I’m just quick,” Youth Worker Andrew Fox told Journey after his winning cleanup of television’s Temptation game show. HERE.
Fast news: Working Replica of Noah's Ark Opens The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open in the Netherlands on Saturday drawing a crowd of curious pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder. HERE.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
KIMBERLEY HORIZONS
Kimberley Horizons describes why and how the first four years of ministry of a Methodist
Minister – following his ordination in 1966 – became the foundational experience
on which Rev. Trevor A. Foote’s subsequent wholistic and successful ministry was
built. In achieving this purpose, the book gives a detailed insight into the unique
character of the little town of Broome in particular, and the ethos of the Kimberley
region. It outlines the effective contribution of Trevor and his wife to the development
of various aspects of Kimberley community and Church life. Sourced from the author’s
personal journal and records, the book provides an accurate historical record of
the Broome Uniting Church and the West Kimberley Patrol of the Federal Methodist
Inland Mission during the years 1967 to 1970. Kimberley Horizons will be interesting
reading for a wide range of people in the general populace, but especially those
who also enjoy the fabulous scenery, the special people, and the fantastic experience
of living in – or traveling through – Broome and the Kimberley. Published by Ark
House Press at $19.95 this book is available through Word, Koorong and the independent
Christian bookshops throughout Australia and New Zealand. Broome Uniting Church
will receive all the profits from those sales ($7 a copy). However, to help Trevor
recoup his co-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
CODE OF ETHICS FOR LAY PREACHERS
The Assembly has released “A Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice for Lay Preachers in The Uniting Church in Australia.” It is imperative that all persons exercising ministry within the life of the Church take seriously their role as a leader of worship and appropriate behaviour within the pastoral realm. This includes the development of relationships with others involved in ministry. It is also imperative that all Lay Preachers who have contact with children avail themselves of a Positive Notice Blue Card which is available through their congregation.
Copies of this Code are available from the Synod Office.
Jenny Tymms, General Secretary
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
May – 11th – 15th Bruce to Frontier Services Board meeting
17th – Convocation of Ministries Alex Park , Alexandra Headlands, Sunshine Coast.
18th – 22nd – Queensland Synod Meeting – Alex Park Youth and Conference Centre
24th – Bruce returns from Brisbane
26th – National Day of Thanksgiving
28th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office from 5pm
30th to June – 3rd -
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
Steve K’s Calendar
May Children and Youth National Coalition meeting in Sydney
18th – 22nd – Synod
August 25th – 26th – Youth Ministry Conference -
September 15-
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
A MESSAGE TO ALL THOSE IN MINISTRY PLACEMENTS
Dear Colleagues
During 2006 I engaged in an extended conversation with our Presbytery Ministers about how we might enhance our Placements system and make it more effective. We have agreed on the following:
· The imperative of being proactive in developing a clear picture of the placement situation across the Synod, including present needs and anticipated changes and developments in the future
· The task of developing a register and description of every ministry position in the Synod
· The urgent need to initiate a process of training and formation that will help to ensure that we have people to fill the various categories of ministry into the future. The formation of people for leadership is an urgent, even critical, matter for us at this time.
We have developed an initial placement paradigm identifying particular contexts for placements in order to facilitate a more effective placement process and assist with forward planning. It looks like this:
Leadership Context Normal Tasks
Regional Congregational Plan & lead worship and preach
leadership, with an additional Lead and supervise a team of ministers, support
element of community service staff & other specialist staff
Theological reflection and strategic thinking in relation to the mission and ministry of the congregation,
Creative and strategic mission planning
Leadership training and formation
Planning and leadership for pastoral care, education and administration
Establishing new work/Planting new congregations
Multi-
Address rural issues in a theological context
Train and support people for leadership in ministry, discipleship, worship, pastoral care and administration
Multi-
Address contemporary suburban issues in a theological context
Train and support people for leadership in ministry, worship, pastoral care, discipleship, education and administration
Supervising Chaplain Staff supervision & developing ministry teams
Setting policy, and developing practice guidelines
Recruiting and training people for lay chaplaincy
Encouraging and developing theological reflection in relation to chaplaincy
Lead worship and preach
Community Ministry in a community context
Recruitment, training & support for volunteers
Advocacy in relation to social justice issues
Education and advocacy for mission
Lead worship and preach as appropriate
Development of, and support for, new Faith Communities
Synod/Presbytery leadership in a specific area of ministry
This paradigm assumes that:
· we are committed to strategic leadership for the church through its specified ministries
· ministers can move from one category to another
· the Placements Committee will keep a close check on the ministers required in the future for each category
· the synod will resource the specific training required by each category of ministers
· we will act to identify those ministers we believe could appropriately function in each of these categories, what further training/formation they may need, and how that can be best accomplished
We realise that not everyone in a ministry placement will feel that they necessarily fit readily into this initial paradigm. However, we still invite you to consider in what context you believe your experience and gifts best equip you to minister.
We also acknowledge that there may be other categories of ministry placement not
included in this paradigm that we may wish to include in the future (eg multi-
We agreed that we would give our ministers the opportunity, in the first instance, to indicate which category(s) they believe they best match at this stage.
We will then seek equivalent input from the Presbyteries regarding the ministers in placement within their bounds.
The purpose of my writing to you is two-
You may believe that you could properly function in ministry in more than one of the categories identified. You are free to indicate this if you wish, but to prioritise your response to assist us in the further work that will be undertaken by the Placements Committee.
We do request that you send your response by email, fax, or surface mail no later than the 30th June. A reminder will be published in UC Information. After that date, the Presbytery, as indicated above, will undertake it’s own work for the Placements Committee whether your response has been received or not.
Thank you in anticipation of your support for this innovative and forward-
Grace and peace
(Rev Dr) David Pitman Moderator
A hardcopy is available on the Synod website. Click here: www.ucaqld.com.au/files/Placement Letter from Moderator.doc.
PLACEMENTS PARADIGM RESPONSE SHEET
Title ………… Present ministry category…………………………………..
Full Name ……………………………………………………………………………
Present placement ……………………………………………………………………
Mailing Address …………………………………………………………………….
..…………………………………………………… P/C …………
Phone ………………………………….. Mobile ……………………………………
Email …………………………………………………………………………………..
I believe that my gifts, training and experience equip me particularly to exercise ministry in the following context(s), or I would want to develop my capacity to do this:
(Please tick one, or number in order of priority)
Regional congregational leadership [ ]
Multi-
Multi-
Supervising chaplain [ ]
Community [ ]
Synod/Presbytery leadership [ ]
Signed ……………………………………………………………………..
Date ………………………….