Presbytery of North Queensland
PRESBYTERY PROMPTS
29 Wentworth Ave Mundingburra 4812
07 4779 5818 presbnq@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.presbyterynq.net
ISSUE FIVE 2007 F EBRUARY 13TH 2007
On the Grapevine…
Hello everyone,
Firstly, an apology for Prompts last week; you may have noticed that it looked very similar to the week before. With all that happened last week while I had made some adjustments to prompts I had not completed it. Jane did not realise this when she sent it out. This week there will be NEW information.
The Presbytery Meeting in Cairns on 23rd to 25th Feb. is coming up very quickly. Jane has been busy trying to finalise accommodation and transport details with those who are coming. Please get back to her by the end of the week if you have not confirmed your attendance.
As a part of this Presbytery meeting, we want to focus on significant issues facing the church and community and to discuss together our response to that as Christians. The issue that we will be focusing on in Cairns is Climate Change. The February issue of Journey opens up this issue very well and we plan to have some time reflecting on this whole area. We believe that our time together should NOT be only business focused but should also be an opportunity to share some deeper issues.
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
• Ev Blackman was hospitalised this week with a heart complaint. He is on medication and it has settled. Bev is struggling with her asthma at present. Pry that they will improve for their planned overseas trip.
• Gordon Burley is having more scans and tests in Townsville this week as his mobility has not significantly improved.
• Pray for Michelle Cook and James and their new baby Zane as they settle in to routines. Michelle is now back in Weipa and beginning to settle into routines. Her Mum is up with her at the moment.
• Hardingham family – Tamara continues to slowly improve. She has returned to Cloncurry to complete her year 12. Please continue to pray for them all.
• Please pray for Stephen and Tracie Kersnovske as they continue to work through some issues with the Department of Child Safety surrounding foster care.
• Please pray for Rev Mawunydjil Garawirrtja who will be undergoing surgery in Adelaide on the 4th of February 2007.
• Pray for Dr. Api Maha and his wife Nasain from PNG. Api had successful heart surgery to insert a stint and has returned to PNG
An important message from the Presbytery Treasurer appears below.
Child Safe Church training is organised in the Northern and Southern Zones for 17th March. Steve Kersnovske is the official trainer for North Queensland. As you are aware it is essential that there is a designated person in each congregation who is the Child Safety Officer who has some training. As we are all aware, churches are not exempt from the requirements of the law in this regard and as a church we need to be very active and vigilant to provide a safe place for all. Plan to have someone available for training. See further info in Steve’s notes below.
Hughenden/Flinders Patrol -
Johan Loots -
The Australian Prayer Network is mobilizing the nation for a National Solemn Day on 9th to 11th March. This has been preceded by many days of Prayer. I know that some of you who receive this also receive info from the Prayer Network. If you don’t, you may like to visit their website (www.ausprayernet.org.au) for more info.
Blessings to you all, Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Child Safe Church Training
Towards the end of last week Ministry agents in congregation placements from across our Presbytery should have received two copies of the child safe church manual and a letter from me. Below are the details of the up and coming training events:
Southern Zone
Saturday 17th of March
9:30am – 12:30pm, Aitkenvale Uniting Church
Northern Zone
Saturday 17th of March
9:30am – 12:30pm, Edmonton Uniting Church
This training is predominantly for Ministers and congregations child safety officers. Can you please phone Jane in the presbytery office and let her know who will be attending from your congregation. In addition, please let Jane know who your congregations’ child safety officer is and a contact detail for that particular person. Thank you.
Easter Camp
Please encourage your young people in high school up to the age of 21 to attend Easter camp 2007. Even if you have one or two young people, please encourage them to come along and meet other young people from across the north. In addition, if you would like to come as a leader and assist in some way, please let me know. Details of Easter camp can be found at www.yacmu.com.au. Under ministry you will find ‘Easter Camp NQ’. Click here and you will find all the information you need. You can also download registration forms. However if you would prefer me to post them to you, please contact me on 4036 4440 or at stevek@yacmu.com.au.
Celebration of Youth & Children’s Ministry
When your congregation has had their celebration service including a retirning offering, please forward one cheque to the presbytery office made out to the ‘Presbytery of North Queensland’. Our goal is to raise $2900 to top up our presbytery’s youth and children’s ministry account for future events. This is the amount we spent to assist leaders to attend the Qld State Youth Ministry Conference last August and young people to attend NCYC earlier this year.
I will be on study leave in Israel from Monday the 18th of February to Thursday the
1st of March. Unfortunately this means that I will miss the first presbytery meeting
for the year. Presbytery meetings are always a great opportunity for me to touch
base with people from across our large presbytery. So if you would like to catch-
Yours in Christ’s service, Steve.
AUDITS, ACCOUNTS, FINANCES AND OTHER “DIRTY WORDS”
By Ian Jessup Presbytery Treasurer
At this time of year, the words “audit”,” financial statements” and “annual report” are in focus.
I have noticed that most people’s eyes glaze over when these subjects are addressed, and that Uniting Church people are not exempt in this regard.
However, we all know that, however boring, finances are a necessary part of everyday life, and the Church is part of our everyday life. As the finances of the many are handled by a few, it is necessary that the highest standards of probity and accountability are observed, so that those giving, and indeed those on the outside looking in, can be satisfied with how the funds are handled, or at least, have the opportunity to satisfy themselves if they are interested. In our Church, the Synod has adopted a system for use in a uniform manner to meet these objectives. These include:
• A system of internal control over funds e.g. cheque signatories must review and sign documents supporting payments when signing cheques to ensure the payment is appropriate.
• The Annual Financial return, prepared by or on behalf of congregation treasurers and forwarded to the Presbytery Treasurer and Synod Office.
• The Annual Financial Statements, including an auditors report on these financial statements.
Details are set out in the Treasurer’s Manual, which should be readily available to all treasurers. If you do not have one, they are supplied in CD Rom format from the Synod Office (1800 822 753) or, if you wish, Jane from the Presbytery office can help. If you would prefer a hard copy, this can also be arranged, but CD Rom is the preferred medium for cost reasons.
I will now deal with a few of the terms mentioned above. I hope I shed some light on the arcane sciences of accounting and audit!
Annual Financial Statements
Usually, these will comprise a summary of the monies paid in and out of the congregation bank accounts, and then a reconciliation of the funds held by the congregation at the start and end of the financial year, which, in the Uniting Church, coincides with the calendar year. This is called a Statement of Receipts and Payments, and, providing there were no large outstanding bills payable or receivable and the beginning or end of the year, will properly describe the financial affairs of the congregation for that year.
In some larger congregations, it might be considered necessary to go to the more sophisticated Income and Expenditure Statement or Statement of Financial Performance, and a Balance Sheet or Statement of Financial Position. These statements take into account assets owned by the congregation, such as debtors (monies owed to the congregation) and items of furniture and equipment, as well as monies owing by the congregation to other parties such as telephones and electricity bills etc.
These financial statements are to be adopted by the leaders of the congregation as showing fairly the affairs of the congregation for the relevant year. They are then presented to the auditor for audit.
The Audit
An audit is undertaken to have an independent person certify that, in his or her opinion, the financial statements represent fairly the affairs of the congregation for the year under review.
In order to do this, the auditor will look at the records supporting the financial statements, including offerings records, receipts, deposit books, payments, vouchers supporting payments, bank statements, minutes and sundry other documents as necessary. Depending upon the size of the congregation, and the internal controls, the auditor may look at a sample of the records, or all the records. This is a matter of the auditor’s professional judgment.
The auditor will, at the end of this process, issue an audit opinion, which will express an opinion on the financial statements as to whether they fairly represent the affairs of the congregation for the relevant year. This opinion may, in some instances, be qualified by the auditor to say, for example that, because of how certain matters have been handled, he or she cannot express an opinion, or expresses a limited opinion, on that particular aspect of the financial statement that deals with that matter. For example, some auditors may limit their opinion on the offerings to the amount deposited into the bank account, because there are limited controls on handling the offerings.
The Synod also expects the auditor to review the internal controls and certain other
matters detailed in the pro-
The Auditor
The auditor must be either a member of CPA Australia or a Chartered Accountant. For
small congregations, defined as congregations with gross income below 2.5 times the
notional stipend (for 2006 the notional stipend is $37,870 making the threshold $
94,675), two non-
The auditor must be independent of the body being audited. As such, it is inappropriate for the auditor to be a member of “board, council or committee whose accounts are being audited”. Nonetheless, it is possible to receive approval to appoint such a person, in limited circumstances. Congregations should obtain such approval from the Presbytery.
Annual Returns
The Annual Returns are fully described as “The Congregation Financial Statistics Return”. They have been posted to all congregations in blank, in three colours, blue, yellow and white. They have also been provided electronically. The information to be included can principally be sourced from the financial statements. It is important that they be returned by 31st March in the following year, as this information is crucial to much of the work done by the Presbytery and the Synod. The blue copy goes to the synod office, the yellow goes to the Presbytery office, and the white copy should be retained by the treasurer.
From a timing point of view, it is logical that the audit be complete at the time of preparation of the annual return. However, if the audit is not complete, please do not hold up the annual return.
Conclusion
I hope this article clarifies the situation with regard to these matters. If you have queries, please feel free to email or phone me. Details are below.
Ian Jessup Email ijessup@jessupandpartners.com.au Work Phone 47212816 Mobile 0428212816
What’s New…
MESSAGE FROM MODERATOR
Dear Friends in Christ,
You will all be aware that there has been extremely heavy rain and major flooding in North Queensland over recent days. This has resulted in many roads becoming impassable. A message from Anne Cross, Director of Uniting Care, indicates that this has created some very real problems for Blue Care, with some staff unable to get home or get to work, or finding it impossible to reach those outside of town communities who receive care in their homes. Lifeline has also been very busy in responding to the emergency. Anne says that staff, as always, are responding wonderfully well.
Bruce Cornish, Presbytery Minister in North Queensland, has told me that stranded travellers are being supported by Uniting Church ministers and congregations in several different centres, but that people in general are coping with conditions that often occur during the wet season and with which they are very familiar.
However, would you please keep this situation in your prayers, remembering that many
families and communities are still trying to recover from the devastation and heart-
(Rev Dr) David Pitman, Moderator
AUSTRALIAN HYMN BOOK – TULLY CONGREGATIONS’ REQUEST
Colin Young from Tully has been trying to track down The Australian Hymn Book (Harmony Edition) and so far has had no success.
The details are:
Australian Hymn Book (Blue Cover)
Harmony Edition
Published by Collins
If anyone has a copy out there that they are not using, Tully are quite happy to pay for it. Please contact Colin Young on 07 40681132.
PROCESS FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR THE MARRIAGE REGISTRAR
Ministers changing their residential address are to advise the Registrar-
General Secretary
MESSAGE FROM ACTING NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF UNITING INTERNATIONAL MISSION
Thanks for the $40,891.16 from the Lent Appeal offering for 2006. We deeply appreciate these grants. Each of the projects, Education for Leadership in East Timor, Papua Islands Region Enterprises, Ambassadors for Peace in Sri Lanka are important projects and its great to know the Queensland people of the Uniting Church are sharing in this way through the Lenten Offering. Please express the appreciation of Uniting International Mission to the Synod.
John Mavor, Acting National Director, UIM
UC DIRECTORY
It’s that time of year again when Congregational Meetings are being held and new Church Councils are being elected. Please remember that the Synod Directory would like to be notified of the following Positions:
· Church Council Chairperson *
· Church Council Secretary
· Church Council Treasurer *
· Workplace Health and Safety Officer *
· Church Office
(* Not published in the Synod Directory)
We require Business Phone Number, Home Phone Number, Fax and Mobile; Email addresses, Addresses – Postal and Physical. If you could Fax this information to fax: (07) 3377 9781 or email: HERE. The above methods are the most preferred due to the volume of calls but if you require any extra information please contact Jackqueline Hargreaves on ph: (07) 3377 9810 or if you are not in the Brisbane Area call on 1300 822 753 and ask for extension 810.
Jackqueline Hargreaves, Synod Directory Administrator
11TH ASSEMBLY MINUTES AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
The Confirmed Minutes of the 11th Assembly meeting are now available for download as a PDF. To download a copy click HERE.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
Please don’t forget these…
SECOND HAND COMPUTER TO GIVE AWAY
Do you know of anyone who has a use for an old computer? A family at Aitkenvale Uniting Church has a computer to give away. If you or someone you know may be interested please contact Rev Malcolm Bottrill (Aitkenvale minister) on 0409 513 977.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A LIFELINE TELEPHONE COUNSELLOR????
Would you like to become one of Lifeline’s 5,000 Volunteer Telephone Counsellors? Every day, all round Australia, Lifeline is recruiting and training Telephone Counsellors.
Lifeline is looking for…People from all walks of life who are prepared to…
• Undertake initial training
• Commit to shifts on a regular basis (usually fortnightly)
• Commit to continual training
• Work within the vision and values of Lifeline North Queensland
• Care about the community they live in
• And can pass a comprehensive selection process showing:
1. Self awareness
2. Good communication skills
3. Good listening skills and
4. a non-
Courses start March 2007.
Costs : Self Awareness Course $60.00
Telephone Counselling Course $250.00 (including LivingWorks ASIST training) there is a rebate for 2 years commitment.
Payment plans available for both courses. Please call 4779 9911 for your application kit today.
A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO ETHICAL WEALTH GENERATION COURSE
Saturday, 3rd of March, Central Uniting Church
Speaker: John Chapman
A helpful follow-
Inquiries: Townsville Central Church Office 4771 2584
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
February 13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements meeting
15th – CEM Forum – Brisbane
16th – Moderator & Presbytery Ministers meeting – Brisbane
17th – Council of Synod meeting – Brisbane
23rd – 25th – Presbytery meeting – Cairns
25th – Marcia Cowen’s Induction – Edmonton
March 5th – Peter Harvey Induction – Hughenden
8th – 9th – Bruce, Craig Mischewski, Malcolm Bottrill and Doug Foster to Brisbane for Coach Net Training
11th – Bruce to Ingham – Preach and Worship
17th – Child Safe Training Northern & Southern Zones (venues to be confirmed)
21st – Heads of Churches meeting -
22nd – Bruce to Placements Brisbane
23rd – Moderator & Presbytery Ministers meeting – Brisbane
29th – Presbytery Leadership Team meeting – Teleconference
30th – 31st – Leadership Training Course – Townsville
April – 5th – 9th Easter Camp – New Life Pastures
16th – 20th -
28th Northern & Southern Zone Meetings – venues TBA
Steve K’s Calendar
February 19th to the 1st of March – study leave in Israel
March 10th to 15th -
17th -
19th to 23rd -
April 5th – 9th -
17th – 19th -