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
THIRTY NINTH EDITION WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10TH 2007
On the Grapevine…
Hi everyone,
The Frontier Services conference in Adelaide last week was a great success and from comments, an encouragement to staff. I must point out an error in my reporting last week however. I think that I implied that this was an annual conference. In fact this gathering of ALL Frontier Services staff is held every 5 years. There are other gatherings in the intervening times of various groupings of the staff, i.e. children’s services staff, patrol ministers, aged care staff, etc.
It was an extremely valuable conference which provided not only an opportunity for staff to socialize and often meet each other for the first time, but also a time to learn and be energised for ministry in Remote Australia. The National Office staff and in particular the executive officer Kate Higgenbottom did an excellent job of coordination and planning for the conference and the meetings beforehand.
The Thursday programme, “introducing ourselves to ourselves” was especially valuable
not only for the information shared but the way that it was shared. The day was facilitated
by Patricia Cameron-
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for the right personnel to be available for the ministry vacancies in the north.
· Chaplaincy in our schools, hospitals, prisons, aged care facilities and in industry and sport as well.
· Pray for our Synod FAPS department as they adjust to necessary changes following the retirement of some key people, the moving on of others and the reallocation of roles.
Thursday Island Manse At it’s meeting last week the Synod Leadership Team agreed to our proposal to have a state wide appeal for the repairs to the Thursday Island manse. I will be working with the Communication Services Unit and the General Secretary of the Synod on making that happen. The target for the appeal will be $50,000.
National Lay Preachers Conference In the “Please remember these “section below is an item on the National Lay Preachers Conference to be held in NSW from 28th April to 2nd May 2008. This is not just for accredited Lay Preachers but also for any lay leader who is involved in worship leadership or preaching. I would like to encourage you to at least find out a bit more about the conference and consider going. For contact information see the article below.
Internet Scam: Greetings,
Beware Internet based scam from Journey advertising.
Journey has embarrassingly been caught publishing in good faith a bogus advertisement for English bulldog puppies.
Please advise your congregations not to respond to the classified advertisement. This is an internet scam that will ask for payment over the internet (they will not accept the secure internet payment method of Pay Pal) for puppies which will never be delivered.
Rev Phil Wright gave his address as Strathpine but this is not the case and the advertisement is entirely fraudulent. If the ad is responded to a “free puppy” will be offered but a request for $500 for shipping will be made. DO NOT SEND MONEY.
For more information go HERE and be warned. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
So very sorry, Bruce Mullan
John Flynn College: (repeated from last week) This is a Uniting Church and Lutheran Church residential college at James Cook University that is under the management of the College Council. Under the constitution, this Council consists of –
“Eight (8) members appointed by the Uniting Church, of whom no fewer than two (2) shall be ministers and no fewer than two (2) shall be women, …”
Currently these 8 people are : Malcolm Bottrill (retiring May 2008), Bruce Cornish, Jean McCubben (retiring Nov 2007), Annette Ireland (Kirwan), Ray Valdeter (not currently active), Geoff Whebell, Peter Phillips (Atikenvale), Fred Annersley (Aitkenvale).
There is an urgent need for a Uniting Church lay woman to be available to come onto the board from November, a Uniting Church minister to be available from May 2008, and also for another Uniting Church lay person to be available early in 2008.
If you see that this may be a ministry opportunity for you as you join with us to
provide a Christian, wholesome environment on the JCU campus I would invite your
expressions of interest to be nominated as members of the College Council.
As the college web site states:
“The John Flynn College is affiliated with the Uniting and Lutheran Churches and has its foundations firmly based on Christian values. Our mission to promote enduring knowledge and a strong sense of community has made The John Flynn College the Residential College of First Choice amongst students.”
Gary Doyle and his team have, and are, doing a wonderful job in their provision of this Residential College of First Choice. Please pray about whether God is calling you to be a part of this ministry in Townsville.
Synod 1300 number (from last week)
It has come to my attention that not everyone in the north is aware that the Queensland Synod has a 1300 number for the convenience of those of us from outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area. This number is 1300 UCAQLD (1300 822 753). Using that number means that any call to Synod will be the cost of a local call. Please make use of that number as it is provided for our benefit.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Greetings in the name of Christ.
It was great to have a break over the school holidays ready for an action-
Young Adult Camp
This weekend young adults will gather at New Life Pastures, Kennedy. Over the weekend we will have times of worship, input, small groups, and a variety of recreational activities. It is a great opportunity for young adults to connect, grow in faith and develop new relationships.
Please pray for safe travel, safety and protection over the whole weekend, our guest speaker Steve Turner and that God will stretch our thinking about how we do church and mission.
Kids Camp Out – Northern Zone
KCO is now only ten days away. BUT, you still have time to round up a bunch of children to bring along. Don’t let your children miss this exciting ministry event. Do you have one or two children you can invite??? This year KCO is taking place at a campsite near Malanda. There will be heaps of time for swimming, games, spending time with your group, other groups and learning about God. If you need information please call me. I need to know numbers by Monday.
Summer Madness
The planning team anticipates that around two hundred young people will converge
on the Sunshine Coast next January for this awesome State youth Ministry event. So
far four churches from Nth Qld are taking groups of different sizes down. If you
have lost your information pack, Summer Madness runs from the 11th to 14th of January.
One of the primary goals is to help young people grow as disciples of Christ. We
are blessed to have Julian Hamilton from Ireland as our guest speaker. Are you planning
on bringing your young people? They will be truly blessed. What a great gift to
give them. It doesn’t matter whether it is one young person or twenty young people.
All you have to do is turn-
For more information please contact me on 4036 4440, 0427 727 070 or stevek@yacmu.com.au.
Yours in Christ’s service,
Steve.
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
October 12-
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
January 2008 -
What’s New…
LIVING WORD WORKSHOP
Living Word will be at Mt. Louisa House of Praise from 17th to 21st October. They will be running a workshop to help people find their place in the life of the Church. (pieces of the puzzle) 2 sessions:
Thursday 18th 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m.
Saturday 20th 8.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
Contact Mt. Louisa for Registration forms. The course covers gifts, passion, talents, availability etc. It will be very practical and not just lectures. Costs are involved. Contact Anne 4774 6089 or anniehaha@dovenetq.net.au for more info
CHRISTMAS CAPERS AT WULGURU UNITING CHURCH
Wulguru invites you to Christmas Capers
Where: Wulguru Uniting Church
Cnr Culgoa & Georgina Streets, WULGURU
(Turn into Culgoa Street off Stuart Drive at the
Shell Wulguru Service Station)
Date: Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Time: Noon to 2.00pm
Cost: Adults -
Christmas Luncheon Lucky Door Competitions Stall – Buy your Christmas gifts
All Welcome
RSVP by Friday, 26 October 2007 to Jean Johnson on 4773 2361
SECONDMENT OF ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
Rev Carol Bennett of the Toowong/Bardon congregations has been seconded by the General
Secretary to work within the General Secretary’s Office, alongside Rev Alan O'Hara
in a part-
Moderator, Queensland Synod
INDUCTION SERVICE FOR REV DAVID BAKER
Rev David Baker will be inducted as Presbytery Minister for Bremer Brisbane Presbytery at a service at Chapel Hill UCA on Saturday, 3 November at 9:00am. All welcome.
Grahame Tainton, Secretary, Bremer Brisbane Presbytery
PRESBYTERY MINISTER WITHIN PRESBYTERY OF SOUTH MORETON
“Fostering a creative, adventurous & inclusive church, celebrating & sharing life in Christ” The Presbytery of South Moreton is seeking to call to the position of Presbytery Minister a person with vision, energy and a strong team commitment who will provide pastoral oversight, intentional missional leadership and support across the Presbytery. It is envisaged that the role will be one of offering pastoral support and enabling Congregations and Ministers as they explore ways of being the Church. For an Information Pack to apply for this position please contact: Rev Anne Wright, Email: annerw@netspace.net.au or Ph: (07) 5563 3007. Applications close Friday, 23 November 2007.
Anne Wright, Presbytery of South Moreton
Please remember these…
Message from Bruce Mullan re Christmas postcard campaign:
We are on a tight timeline to make the 2007 Christmas postcard campaign happen for congregations.
“There’s more than one man behind Christmas” is the theme of the 2007 Christmas promotion
campaign The Communication Services Unit is again partnering with congregations
to produce high-
These will be available as web downloads which congregations can personalise and be used in PowerPoint Presentations, local newsletters, other letters and mailings. A special section on the home page of the Synod website (www.ucaqld.com.au) will list Christmas service times around the state and provide information about church locations and additional materials provided will include copies of the publicity materials artwork for local congregational use.
The prices remain the same as in 2006 with a Starter Pack: 3000 postcards and 30 A3 full colour posters – $165 (Includes packing and postage to your congregation). Additional postcards are available at $130 for 3000 (minimum lot) and posters at $10 for a packs of 10.
Postcards will have the full colour “There’s more than one man behind Christmas” theme and illustration on one side. The other side will display the invitation “Revisit the Jesus story with us this Christmas”, plus the congregation’s individual contact information, Christmas service times and events in black and white.
A3 Posters in full colour gloss will have the same theme and matching artwork and will have blank space for you to include your local service times. These are designed for placement in shopping centres and community notice boards. Postcards can be distributed by contract letterbox delivery services, by Australia Post or can be hand delivered by congregation members.
To register for the campaign go the Synod Website or call the Communication Services unit through the synod number 1300 822 753. Please note that the deadline is Wednesday, 18 October 2007. LATE APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED as we need to make print deadlines.
Postcards and posters will be delivered in the third week of November. Enquiries to 07 3377 9910 or journey@ucaqld.com.au. Bruce Mullan
NATIONAL LAY PREACHERS CONFERENCE
The conference will be held in NSW from 28th April to May 2nd 2008.
The Conference program will include :
· Daily Bible study led by Rev Prof Bill Loader
· Electives including –
o Culture and Worship
o The Art of Preaching
o How to : Dialogical sermons
o Multiple Media in Worship
o Music, music, music
o Exploring the Basis of Union
o Introducing the Code of Ethics for Lay Preachers
Expressions of interest to elm@nsw.uca.org.au or call Natasha on 02 8838 8910
Karyl Davison, Associate Director, ELM
IMPACT SUMMER – 18TH TO 23RD DECEMBER – REEF TO OUTBACK (YWAM) TOWNSVILLE
We have received information here at the Presbytery Office about this training and fun programme that also supports the Stable on the Strand in Townsville.
Krystal Cochran is the Impact Summer Coordinator and her contact details are 4771 2123 or 04 0688 6322 or email (krystalc@reeftooutback.com). There is also a brochure available from the Presbytery Office. Cost for the week is $160.
MALICIOUS EMAIL
As the volume of ‘spam’, virus and trojan email continues to increase I’m sure that
most of you already have anti virus and anti spam software keeping your computer
‘clean’. But just in case I guess another warning can’t hurt. There's another round
of bogus Microsoft security bulletins appearing in inboxes -
Ken Griggs, Information Technology Services
SUBSCRIBE TO QCT NEWS
Queensland Churches Together has a new weekly bulletin -
Glenine Hamlyn, General Secretary, QCT
QUEENSLAND SYNOD'S ECUMENICAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
New Items on Website
The website has a new ‘Feature Article’: An Address titled ‘Still a Pilgrim People’ by the Moderator, Revd Dr David Pitman, to the churches in Mackay on the 30th Anniversary of the Inauguration of the Uniting Church.
The current ‘Feature Article’, the sermon, ‘What are the Children Hearing?’ preached at the Forum of the National Council of Churches in Australia in July, is now in the ‘Bible Studies’ page. The title is ‘What are the Children Hearing?’
In response to several requests from people for clarification of the Statement in July from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, we have placed that document on the website and the response made to by the Assembly in August. We have also included a an extract from an article by Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville, in which he helpfully comments on some aspects that feature in the Vatican statement. They are in the 'Documents' and 'Dialogue' pages in the website.
Our website address is www.ecumenical.ucaweb.com.au
Don Whebell, Secretary, Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee
HEALTHY CHURCH -
If you have not recently looked at the Healthy Church site, there are some new additions.
To assist in the orientation and induction of new members to the Church, resources
are now available. The first is a number of information sheets under the heading
of "Introduction to the Uniting Church". The information sheets cover topics such
as the governance structure of the church to an overview of the UC Centre. The resources
have a Queensland Synod focus and include information about Heart & Soul, Vision
for Mission,Network for Christain Formation, FAPS and UnitingCare. The second lot
of new resources is designed to assist people to develop Induction programmes at
a local level for new employees and volunteers. A handbook is accompanied by a series
of practical checklists and useful websites to develop an induction programme that
is informative and interesting. To access Healthy Church site, the login is "healthy"
and the password is "ucaqld". Any queries about the new resources can be directed
to Ann Warren -
Ann Warren, Synod HRA
COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR MS COLLEEN GEYER
The Commissioning Service for Ms Colleen Geyer as Director of Mission, Blue Care will be held on Friday, 19 October 3pm at BlueCare head office, 55 Sylvan Road, Toowong. Afternoon tea to follow. Please RSVP Julie Gallwey on ph: (07) 33773302. All welcome.
Robyn Kidd, Director of Mission, UnitingCare Health
COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR MRS SHARON KIRK
All are invited to attend the Commissioning Service for Mrs Sharon Kirk as Presbytery Minister of The Downs Presbytery, to be held at Middle Ridge Uniting Church Stenner Street, Toowoomba on Friday, 12 October at 7.30pm.
Jean Dodd, Secretary, Presbytery of The Downs
COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR MR PETER GAVEL (YW INTERN)
Mr Peter Gavel (YW Intern) will be commissioned as a Youth Worker at a Service at Albany Creek Uniting Church, Albany Creek, commencing at 7.00pm on Sunday, 7th October. All welcome.
Presbyteries of South Moreton and Moreton Rivers
CALLING ALL TECH HEADS
At YACMU we managed to create an online web conferencing program that works really
well with kids in rural and remote areas do Christian Education. A leader with a
group of up to 5 kids can talk to each other, see each other, text each other, do
activities together, watch stories, video clips, flash games and activities together
– anything really -
Michael Jeffrey, Director, YACMU
SUMMER MADNESS BUILDS MOMENTUM
Has your church signed up for Summer Madness yet? Over 32 Uniting churches and 200
young people in Queensland have signed up to come to Summer Madness in January 11th-
Michael Jeffrey, Directory, YACMU
MINISTRY SUNDAY RESOURCE
Congregations are reminded that Sunday, 21 October 2007 is Ministry Sunday and congregations are urged to focus their worship and prayer on the need to encourage people to listen for the call of God to ministry in the church. Ministry Sunday resources will be available for congregations and ministers at www.ucaqld.com.au and click on resources tomorrow and contain resources for worship around the lectionary for that Sunday. These resources include: liturgy resources, lectionary notes, music resources, stories and illustrations, computer animations and an item for your newsletter bulletin. The Future of Ministry Project Team encourages preachers and worship leaders to place the call to ministry before their congregations as they gather for worship and prayer on that Sunday.
John Mavor, Future of Ministry Project Team
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
October – 12th – 14th – Young Adults Camp
13th – Bruce and Rod Fisher to Brisbane for Synod Selection Panel
15th – full PLT face to face – presbytery office
16th – 25th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings – Placements etc, CoachNet training
20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out, Northern Zone
21st – Ministry Sunday
23rd – 27th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
24th – 26th – Steve to Brisbane for Discernment Retreat
27th October – Special Synod Brisbane
November 2nd – 4th – Presbytery meeting – Townsville – Mt Louisa House of Praise
11th – 50th church Anniversary Mossman
12th – MRC meeting – presbytery office
20th – 23rd – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
21st – 24th -
December – 4th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
5th – PLT – full meeting presbytery office.
11th – 13th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements
25th – Christmas Day
January 2008 – 9th – 14th – Summer Madness Camp, Sunshine Coast