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
FORTY-
On the Grapevine…
Hi everyone,
This last week has been a fairly normally hectic week for me but I am sure that for those of you in congregations it has probably been far more hectic as we approach the last 2 weeks before Christmas.
May you all know God’s peace and presence in the midst of the busy-
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for the family of the late Rev Calder Allen a former Presbyterian minister of whom David Baker says, “If the writers of the Basis of Union were the architects of the uniting Church, people like Calder were the Master Builders”.
· Pray for the Afu family as they cope with the various illnesses and challenges they are bringing regarding care for family members from a distance.
· Give thanks for the donations that continue to come in for the TI manse appeal as well as the many offers of volunteer work party support.
· Pray for Melanie Smith, our Synod Payroll supervisor who had a sporting accident over 3 weeks ago and is still in pain and not able to work. She has asked for the prayers of the church for her healing. Pray also for Carola as she “holds the fort”.
· Pray for congregations and ministers seeking placements at the moment.
· Pray for Mosese and Witness Fangupo as they begin packing to come to Tully in the New Year.
Ministers Fringe Benefits 2008 (repeated from last week)
This is an important aspect of the remuneration package allowed for us as ministers
in the Uniting Church. The Australian Tax Office has clear guidelines and protocols
that must be followed. In the past few years the procedures have become a bit slack
both from the Synod processes and also the way ministers have sought to access the
funds in their fringe accounts. In order to comply with tax office guidelines our
Synod department has re-
PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES CAREFULLY as there are some changes that may affect you. As the letter from Jim Barry states, if you have any questions give Carola, Melanie or Jim a call.
Don’t forget to use the Synod 1300 822 753 (local call cost) number and ask to be transferred to the person you wish to speak to.
REMEMBER also that the form MUST be returned to the Synod office by the 5th January otherwise your total stipend will be paid into your normal account and you will be taxed accordingly.
Tully Manse: The Tully congregation are hard at work preparing the manse for when Mosese and Witness Fangupo and their family will come in January. There is a refurbished kitchen, new floor covering, internal repainting, new screens and much more. The Tully folk have really appreciated the support of members from the Ingham congregation who have also come to help them with some of the repairs.
At the Top (from last week)
A reminder of the logo competition, details have been shared before in Prompts and via email. I am excited about the possibilities as we explore what it means to be North Queensland Uniting Church “At the Top”.
I would like to remind you that Presbytery Prompts is a communication tool for the entire Presbytery, not just from me to you. Please continue to share events, thoughts, ideas with us all. I look forward to hearing from you what is happening in ministry and mission in your area and what exciting plans you have for 2008.
RESOURCES
(Don’t forget this section of Prompts. It is for you to share with the Presbytery any books/cds /websites or other resources that you have found useful in your personal or congregational life.)
HUMOUR ME
Today’s offering from “You won’t Die Laughing” by Patricia Cameron-
Shayne’s Stress Buster No. 37.
Reduce stress at Christmas by reducing your expectations.
This can apply to the behaviour of family members, gifts you give and receive, food preparation and expressions of gratitude.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Greetings in the name of Christ!
I can’t believe that I am starting to say to people already, “I’ll see you next year”, or “I’ll be in touch next year”. Each year just seems to fly by. Very soon it will be goodbye 2007 and welcome 2008. A new year always presents us with a new beginning and new ministry possibilities. As your church plans for next year I encourage you to ask the question, “What ministry are we providing for children, youth, early adults, families and new believers?”
There are several presbytery wide camping events planned for next year. I made the comment a few prompts ago that we don’t run an event for the sake of running an event and to fill up the calendar. An event is a ministry opportunity for your congregation to connect into. You may connect in to help birth a new ministry such as a kids club. Or maybe to expose your youth to a wider church event. You may identify people who could form a part of a leadership team for one of the events. What a great place for people to explore their gifts and grow as leaders. Start planning to be there now. Events only work if you support them.
Last week the presbytery leadership team agreed to have a youth camp over the Queen’s
Birthday long-
· Several people have indicated that they are keen to be involved in the organisation
of this camp over a long-
· It enables Ministers who are directly involved in their congregations youth ministry to attend and be with their young people.
· It doesn’t take young people and key leaders away from their congregations over this significant weekend and more importantly the worship services.
· The camp will be cheaper as it goes for 3 days rather than 4.
Below is the final list of events and dates for 2008:
11th – 14th January – Summer Madness, Sunshine Coast, grades 8-
6th – 9th June -
6th – 7th September – Kids Camp Out, Southern Zone
13th – 14th September – Kids Camp Out, Northern Zone
17th – 19th October – Young Adult Retreat
Please mark these dates in your churches diary.
As I am on holidays next week I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support this year. I pray that you will meet Christ in a meaningful way this Christmas and have a great start to 2008.
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
January 2008 -
March – 20th – 22nd – Easter Camp
October – Young Adults Retreat – dates to be advised
Kid’s Camp Out – Northern & Southern Zones dates to be advised.
What’s New…
LENT EVENT – A GIFT FOR YOU!
You have recently received two big boxes of Lent Event resources – it is as if Christmas has come early! We hope that you do indeed see Lent Event as a gift to your congregation. It may seem a little overwhelming to receive all these resources for the first time. RELAX! It is quite simple really. Open this gift layer by layer!
· find an inspirational coordinator and start to spread the word. The Coordinator’s
Guide gives step-
· give each resource to the person in charge of the particular area – children’s Sunday School, youth ministry, Sunday School etc.
· have a look at the promotional materials including a DVD, posters and brochures.
· review the Worship Resources. Think about running a sermon series in parallel with
the adult Bible Study -
If you have any queries, please contact Lent Event on 1300 LENT EVENT or info@lentevent.com Lent Event gives to your congregation while your church gives to others. Happy Christmas!
Lent Event Resources
AND BOOKS FOR REVIEW!
Finding a way through the spiritual maze by Michael Green
Today everyone is looking for a spirituality. This new quest takes many forms. Some explore the ancient wisdom of Egyptian Pharaohs, or the secrets of the Stonehenge. Others get involved in Wicca or the New Age.
Knowing God the Father through the Old Testament by Christopher J.H. Wright
Calling God 'Father' in prayer is second nature to Christian believers. We learned it from Jesus, even though it was apparently surprising to his first disciples. It was not a common way of addressing God within the worshipping life of Old Testament Israel, though they certainly used fatherly images for understanding the character and actions of God.
Dead Women Walking -
She ran and ran until she saw dim lights lining a distant road. Full of hope she ran to them. As soon as her hand touched the door, the house disappeared into a field of weeds. She saw another road in the distance, but this one was lined with corpses, their long mangled hair trailing in the dirt. Shadowy spirits circled around the bodies. In fear she ran on.
Men surviving cancer: Australian men tell their inspiring stories by Barry Leigh (ed)
What Aussie men don’t talk about. Inspirational stories of thirteen men in their 20s and 30s and early 40s. Reveals their fears and feelings. One chapter written by Queensland Congress staff person Andy King
No eye has seen by Graham Carter
Novel – Christian mother of three loses her life under very unusual circumstances when her car is forces from the road in what appears to be a random act of road rage. What follows is a breathtaking story of adventure and excitement as Sarah explores the limitless wonder of her new home… Paradise. By a Queensland author.
Mardi Lumsden
SHORT COURSES FEBRUARY 2008
Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice – Thursday, 31st January 2008
This course is designed to give participants an introduction and understanding to the UCA’s. Code of Ethics. Cost: $40.00 per person.
Indigenous Life & Traditions – Monday, 4th – Thursday, 6th February 2008
This course offers an appreciation of some of the issues with which indigenous people deal and the responses being made. Brief consideration will also be given to indigenous theology. Leaders from the UAICC will be leading the course.
Cost: $100.00 per person.
The courses are day time courses and run from approximately 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Further information can be obtained by contacting Mrs Alice Foo at the college on ph: (07) 3377 9958, or emailalice.foo@ucaqld.com.au .
David Rankin, Principal, Trinity Theological College
ALEXANDRA PARK CONFERENCE CENTRE
Alexandra Park Conference Centre is a 250 bed conference and accommodation centre
situated on the Sunshine Coast serving over 220 groups each year. The Centre is operated
by the Uniting Church in Australia. Alexandra Park currently has the following vacancy:
Full Time Catering Manager. A full time Catering Manager is required to manage our
catering department, serving approx 15,000 clients per year with high quality meals.
This position includes both hands on cooking and administration, approx 15 -
Ian Edgar
Please remember these…
STABLE ON THE STRAND
“Stable on the Strand” is presented by the Combined Churches of Townsville (over
60) with 1000 volunteers and will be held from 19-
Stable on the Strand 2007 will be:-
'The Stable Story' – a dramatic, walk through interactive display depicting the historical culture surrounding the Christmas Story spread right over Strand Park
'Kidsfest’ for Children -
'The Inn' Youth Tent’ for Teenagers -
‘Hospitality area for Adults’ -
'Live at the Strand’ – on the big stage on the beach featuring first class artists
Colin Buchanan (19th) & James Morrison (20-
For more information visit: www.stableonthestrand.com.au or contact Richard Hosking on Ph: (07) 4723 1690 or mob: 0407 231 690.
A PRAYER FOR MINISTRY IN THE TORRES STRAIGHT ISLANDS
Ministers and worship leaders are encouraged to use this prayer over the next two Sundays as part of the Thursday Island Manse Appeal.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the faithful ministers and lay people of many cultures
who have shared your gospel in the Torres Straits region
for over a hundred years.
Thank you that over that time
many people of all cultures have celebrated the "coming of the light"**
and acknowledged Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Thank you for the important partnerships we currently share
with the United Church of Papua Guinea
in the provision of ministry in the Torres Straits.
Lord, today we pray for the preparations
for the renovation of the Thursday Island manse.
We pray Lord for smooth preparations and for calm weather
so that the materials can be shipped to Thursday Island.
We pray for volunteer workers
to support the builder in the initial construction phase
and for others to follow and complete the work.
We pray for the release of the finances necessary to complete the job
and to provide a sound financial future
for the ongoing maintenance and ministry needs
on Thursday Island, Horn Island and other Torres Strait islands.
Above all Lord we pray that through all of this your name will be glorified.
We pray that the work itself and the people who do that work
would by their example and actions,
testify to the love and grace of God in Jesus Christ.
This we pray through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
**Each year a “Coming of the Light” festival marks the day (1 July 1871) the London Missionary Society first arrived bringing the Gospel to the Torres Strait Islands.
Bruce Cornish, Presbytery Minister, North Queensland
DROPPING OF THE EDGE
Craig Mischewski, the minister at Townsville Central UC attended a seminar entitled Dropping off the Edge – the distribution of disadvantage in Australia. Here is what Craig has to say…
Recently I attended a seminar on disadvantage offered by the Catholic Diocese of Townsville. Professor Tony Vinson presented his report titled Dropping off the edge: the distribution of disadvantage in Australia. This report identified key areas of disadvantage across Australia and the major consequences of disadvantage on the individual. The report shows the correlation of low birth weight to poor psychomotor development, emotional wellbeing, conduct disorders and reduced school performance. It identifies the relationship between low education and incarceration rates. Some very interesting results emerged that I would not have identified; the report showed that those students who did not have access to a computer in the home were less likely to graduate year 12. Following on from this, the report identified that there was a direct link between not finishing year 12 and underemployment, underemployment and low income, low income and mental health issues, mental health issues and child maltreatment, child maltreatment and poor school performance and so the cycle went on.
The report also clearly showed that disadvantage occurs in condensed geographical pockets. Entire towns or suburbs experienced disadvantage and therefore generated disadvantaged people who produced more disadvantaged people, therefore creating generations of disadvantage. Professor Vinson had been about this work since 1972 and he showed from his early work in Newcastle that disadvantage left unaddressed will continue and spread. The disadvantaged communities he worked in, in 1972 were as or even more disadvantaged today.
Many of you will be thinking this is not new information, we knew this stuff already, but I want to offer this. Reports like this that prove the effects of disadvantage are critically important in that they put pressure on the governments to shape policies that provide quality intervention programs. They are just as critical to the Church in reminding us of our primary call to care for “the least of these” (Mtt 25:45). The report states that to bring real change in these communities long term high quality intervention is required, particularly in early childhood development. Professor Vinson argues that these communities are not the places to send first year graduates, rather there should be strong incentives to recruit highly skilled people who will give a commitment of 10 years, which he shows, is the minimal amount of time it takes to make a real impact. Added to this is the importance of advantaged peoples building strong relationships with these communities and entering into long term meaningful engagement with them.
There are opportunities for us to do just this, we have several disadvantaged young mum’s groups operating out of our church hall, they would love to have your support.
Mount View Haven Gardens seeks to build relationship with disadvantaged youth and Townsville Living Waters needs people to build friendship with their disadvantaged clients. Professional skills aren’t a prerequisite, sometimes these folk just need someone to talk to on the phone, and we can all do that.
Earlier this year I offered this statement to our church council as a possible name and vision for our future, Townsville Central City Mission: Creating Communities of Blessing
I believe our congregation has a mandate to work with families and to create healthy communities, if you believe this then write on a Care Card that you are willing to be involved in helping where ever you can and give it to one of the stewards or elders and we will follow you up.
Peace. Rev. Craig
ADMINISTRY ISSUE 2 – 2007
By now you will have received the second issue of AdMinistry for 2007. This publication was emailed to all Ministers in Placement (including supply), Presbytery Secretaries & Treasurers, Church Council Secretaries and Treasurers, and Schools and Colleges. If you did not receive this publication, please click here to download the pdf version: http://www.ucaqld.com.au/inc.aspx?content=Resources. Please note that if you do fit one of the categories above and did not receive the publication, it may be that we do not have a correct email address for you in the Directory database. Please contact reception on (07) 3377 9777 to check your email address or have a look via UC Connect. If you are not included in one of the above categories and wish to receive the publication, please contact Pauline Smith on (07) 3377 9711 or finprop@ucaqld.com.au to be added to the list.
Pauline Smith
SCHOOLS’ COMMISSION EXECUTIVE OFFICER (0.5 POSITION)
The Synod Schools’ Commission is the Uniting Church in Queensland’s key contact point
within the primary and secondary education sector, and acts as conduit for the Church
scoping the educational environment and providing information about possible strategic
direction and challenges which face Uniting Church schools. As part of the Synod’s
vision to create stronger strategic linkages with church-
Ann Warren, Synod HRA
ECO-
Rev Clive Ayre is currently engaged in the PhD in Pastoral Work program at the University
of Queensland and researching “an approach to ecological mission in and through the
Christian community in Australia.” As part of that process, he has recently returned
from a trip to the UK, where he visited a number of peak organisations and eco-
Clive Ayre
UPDATED EMAIL – ODE TO JOY CD
The Bundaberg Uniting Church has published a CD titled Ode to Joy of music played by organist Doug Killer on the Bundaberg Uniting Church organ, just in time for Christmas! While a major purpose in producing the 20 track CD was to honour the service of Joy Killer who died last year, it was also a way of recording history. Pipe organs are fast becoming museum pieces and are fighting for their place as the "monarchs of musical instruments". CDs are $10 each plus minimum of $2 postage and handling. To order call Bundaberg Uniting Church on ph: (07) 4153 2201 from Monday to Friday between 9am and 12noon or email: city@bundyunitingchurch.com.au
Bundaberg UCA
PROPERTY SHARING TASK GROUP SURVEY
The 11th Assembly identified property sharing in cross-
Jenny Tymms, General Secretary
LENT EVENT 2008 – FIND YOURSELF A COORDINATOR NOW!
Next Lent we will all be benefiting from the wonderful Lent Event program. Lent Event
is much more than just a Lenten appeal. Lent Event provides an amazing array of resources
and now is the time to have a look at it, if you haven’t already. Lent Event Educational
Resources were sent to Church Council Secretaries last month. A box of Promotional
Resources will be arriving soon. To get the best out of Lent Event, it is vital for
you to find yourself a Coordinator to run Lent Event in your church. The first job
for the Coordinator will be to make sure that the resources are distributed to the
person in charge of the relevant area – worship, adult bible study, Sunday School,
youth bible study etc. It is very disappointing for churches when they realise too
late that they had this wealth of material available to them, but it was sitting
unopened in a box. The Promotional Resources box contains a Coordinator’s Guide which
provides step-
Sarah White, Lent event Co-
FEBRUARY JOURNEY
The deadline for copy and advertising for the next issue of Journey is Friday, 11 January. To change subscription numbers please contact Kristine Bromiley kristine.bromily@ucaqld.com.au or call (07) 3377 9825.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
COMMUNICATION SERVICES UNIT CHRISTMAS CONTACT
Communication Services Unit Staff will be on leave for parts of the remainder of the year. Please use the email address journey@ucaqld.com.au to contact Bruce Mullan or Mardi Lumsden and osker.lau@ucaqld.com.au for Osker Lau. Telephone enquiries over the December period should be directed to ph: (07) 3377 9910.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
December – 4th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings re The John Flynn College.
5th – PLT – full meeting presbytery office.
7th -
9th – Farewell function for John & Karen Walker at Wulguru UC
10th – MRC meeting – presbytery office
11th – 13th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements
14th – 15th – Bruce in Cairns for Irinale Tadulala’s induction and meetings
19th – 23nd – Stable on the Strand
19th – 11th Jan – Jane on holidays
23rd Dec – 7th Jan. – Bruce & Margie to Brisbane (holidays)
-
25th – Christmas Day
January 2008 – 9th – 14th – Summer Madness Camp, Sunshine Coast
27th – Bruce to preach and lead Communion at MT Louisa House of Praise
February – 7th – PLT – face to face
11th – MRC – presbytery office
13th – 16th – Bruce to Brisbane for placements etc
23rd – Northern Zone meeting
March – 1st – Southern Zone meeting
4th – PLT Executive meeting – teleconference
10th – MRC meeting presbytery office
12th – 13th – Bruce to Brisbane for placement meeting etc
21st – Good Friday
23RD – Easter Sunday
24th – Easter Monday
April – 11th – Full PLT meeting – face to face in Cairns
14th – MRC meeting – presbytery office
16th – 17th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements meeting etc
25th – Anzac Day
28th – 2nd May – National Lay Preachers Conference – NSW
May – 5th – Labour Day
6th – PLT Executive meeting – teleconference
12th – MRC Meeting – presbytery office
16th – 18th – Presbytery Meeting – Tropicana Lodge Cairns
19th – 22nd – Ministers Retreat – Mercy Centre Cairns