Prompts 15 August 2007

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 - FIRST EDITION WEDNESDAY AUGUST 15TH 2007

On the Grapevine…

Hi everyone,

This week is the week of meetings in Brisbane. From the Mission Resourcing Committee meeting on Monday and the Presbytery Executive meeting on Tuesday I have a lot to follow up in between meetings when I am in the Synod office.

In weeks like this it is always important to remember that very important phrase, “too busy NOT to pray”.

So often we (I had better say I) do get caught up in rushing into the day, or starting early to get this or that done but failing to do the one essential task, PRAY.

Blessings to you all.

Pastoral Notes and prayer points:

· Russell Clark’s brother Rob, who lives in Cairns is seriously ill with cancer. Pray for Rob and his wife Edith as well as Rus and Liz as they provide support.

· Tracie Kersnovske’s Nana died on Monday evening. Pray for Tracie, Steve and the family. Tracie & Steve were fortunately able to get to Brisbane just before she died.

· Please keep the upcoming Emmaus Walks, team members and pilgrims in your prayers.

· Pray for the process of Shire Council amalgamations, especially for those workers who may be affected by losing their jobs.

· Rod Fisher from Atherton as he shares with the Synod Selection Panel this Saturday on his call to be a candidate for Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church. His conversation with the Presbytery went well and he has been affirmed.

BP cards to be cancelled: Many ministers will have had the use of BP fuel cards through UCIS. This was because BP had the state government contract to provide fuel and the Uniting Church is able to tie in with that contract price. BP has lost that contract which has been won by Caltex. If you have been using BP then you should have received advice this week that as of 14th September the BP cards will be cancelled. We are invited to apply for a Caltex Star Card which will continue to give discount fuel. My experience of these massive changeovers is that they do not always go smoothly so it may be worthwhile to get the process going early.

I am not sure, but my hunch is that there are many more BP servos in the north than Caltex ones.

Changes in FAPS at Synod

Mark Lee is the recently appointed Property Services Manager in FAPS. Many who attend Synod meetings will know Mark as the organizer of the Synod practical arrangements, especially our meals, accommodation, etc.

Mark sent the email below to inform us of other changes in roles at the Synod office in the Property section.

“I write to inform you off some staffing changes within the Synod's Property Services Division that will take effect this week.

Nyree Ashdown resigned recently and her replacement Jan Moy commences employment this coming Thursday (16th). Jan will be the Team Leader of the Property Administration Team. Jan has a administrative background with ABC Learning Centres and a small construction company.

Jackqueline Hargraves, our current property administrator and Mia Rhall, our current receptionist, swap roles - Jackqueline returns to the reception desk and will be responsible for the Directory and Historical Records as well as assisting Facility Services with the Building Survey Review. Mia will join the Property Administration Team to provide hands on administrative support.”

Council Amalgamations: The proposed Council amalgamations are still causing anxiety in many parts of the Presbytery at the moment. I am also aware that some members of our congregations are directly affected, through employment or membership on Councils. With the “shake up” I know that there is significant anxiety in the communities in which we live. Let us continue to pray for each other, especially for the most affected areas of Mossman and Port Douglas, Cardwell and Johnston Shires, Charters Towers and Dalrymple Shires and Townsville and Thuringowa, and Bowen and the Whitsundays. I have not heard of other areas directly affected.

Nick Vujicic the man born with no arms and no legs and whom Craig Blackburn brought to North Queensland last year has a new promotional video out. Details are printed below. Please note the special arrangement for North Queensland people.

Blessings to you all,

Bruce C.

Steve’s Stuff…

Due to Steve being on leave (see pastoral notes and prayer points) there is no information from him this week

YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS

August 25th – 26th – Youth Ministry Conference - Brisbane

September 15-16th – Kids Camp Out Southern Zone

October 12-14th - Young Adult Retreat - New Life Pastures, Kennedy

October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone

January 2008 - 11th - 14th - Summer Madness - Sunshine Coast

What’s New…

THANK YOU FROM WULGURU UNITNG CHURCH

The 'Market Day' at the Wulguru UC on Saturday was very successful. We sincerely thank the people of your congregations and the general public for supporting us with their attendance. We even had people from the Burdekin attend.

Kay Smith, Market Day Coordinator, Wulguru Uniting Church

HOWARD/RUDD FORUM FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS

Last Thursday evening (09-08-07) the leaders of the two major political parties spoke live to a video webcast hosted by the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) at the National Press Club in Canberra. Both the Prime Minister’s and the Opposition Leader’s addresses and the question sessions are available now as downloads from the ACL site:

http://www.acl.org.au/makeitcount/howard_speech.wmv

http://www.acl.org.au/makeitcount/howard_questions.wmv

http://www.acl.org.au/makeitcount/rudd_speech.wmv

http://www.acl.org.au/makeitcount/rudd_questions.wmv

Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communications Services Unit

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 2007 FEDERAL ELECTION RESOURCES

The next federal election will be held before January 19, 2008, and the buzz suggests it is likely to take place in November. Sure enough, those tell-tale signs of an upcoming election are mounting: politics and politicians dominate the news increasingly, commentators grow more vocal, opinion polls are rolled out at a rapid rate, and the pressing issues of the day shape up into party policies that are mouthed in media sound bytes. And we, the people, begin to ponder those issues, and to face the task of considering what we hold important and why, as we begin the process of deciding who should win our valuable vote.

Some tend to be tried and true voters of one party or another regardless of the policies of the day, but many more swing, influenced by the way leaders and parties choose to address, and propose to solve, the pressing problems of the nation.

Regardless of voting trends we each have a responsibility to cast an informed vote, a vote that reflects both our concerns as citizens and our theology as Christians in order to ensure personal integrity and the health of our society.

The National Assembly is producing a set of election resources around the theme of “growing a nation of hope” to help members of the Uniting Church think through the issues and political rhetoric from a Christian perspective. These resources are not party political. They are not designed to direct the votes of members but rather to encourage the exploration of the implications of the gospel in the consideration of policies and the process of coming to an individual decision.

The cornerstone of these resources is the Growing a Nation of Hope: your faith, your vote, your voice booklet, which will explore some of the major policy areas and current issues from a Christian perspective. Areas covered include: climate change, counter-terrorism and human rights, indigenous health, industrial relations, aid and development, issues of reconciliation and multiculturalism and more. It will also include an election toolkit with useful links and suggestions for planning activities and getting involved.

A copy of the booklet, together with a set of Hot Issues Briefs (double-sided A5 sheets that take a snapshot look at some of the key election issues) will be mailed out to all congregations in early September along with information about how to place further orders. All material is free of charge.

The materials will also be available from the UnitingJustice website (http://nat.uca.org.au/unitingjustice/) together with a set of “issues papers”. These offer a more in-depth coverage of the issues raised in the booklet as well as several additional key issues.

Uniting Church members are invited to draw on these resources to assist in their engagement with the political life of the nation. Voting in a federal election is one important way in which we can contribute to shaping the future of our country — a country that is well positioned to stand as a bearer of hope in the world: building strong communities and a healthy society where people are valued, respected, encouraged, cared for and supported; thinking creatively about solutions to violent conflict, environmental degradation, prejudice and social and economic inequities; and reaching out into the world in partnership to work for a peaceful and just world for the generations who come after us.

For more information contact your Synod justice agency or unit or email UnitingJustice at untingjustice@nat.uca.org.au.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SYNOD DIRECTORY ONLINE

Thank you to those of you who have signed up for UConnect over that past 10 days. Your response and positive feedback has been encouraging.

If you ever need to refer to the Synod Directory and have not yet applied for an account you might like to do that by visiting the web page at http://www.uconnect.ucaqld.com.au/new-user.php. If you have already signed up but have not received an email with your username and password please check your junk mail folder as some have found that their spam filter is catching it. Failing that please contact directory@ucaqld.com.au who can email your details to you.

There are a couple of changes we would like to make to enhance the search capability while protecting your privacy. We need your assistance with that.

Currently we are not displaying residential addresses of individuals unless the residential address is the postal address. We need you to tell us if you do not want your residential address displayed. (Note that we cannot suppress the postal address so unless it is a PO Box there is little point in not showing your residential address.) Once we have flagged the records of those who don’t want their address visible we will turn on the display of residential addresses. We plan to do that on 1st September.

We do display details of Partners in Mission and want to continue to do that but we are conscious that some partners may not wish to have their details available. If this is your situation please contact directory@ucaqld.com.au and request that display be suppressed.

Could you also assist us by checking your contact information and informing us of any changes. For individuals this can be done using the on-line form. Just click on ‘Request a Change’. For organisations you will need to email directory@ucaqld.com.au. Our plan is to offer access to others such as Church Council Chairpersons and Secretaries in the next 10 days so it would be good to get our data cleaned up as much as possible before then.

Some may not have noticed the maps feature. Just click on the little magnifying glass icon beside an address. If your church does not appear in the correct location, please check that the address is correctly formatted. (street no, street name, suburb, postcode)

Thanks for your assistance with this. We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for improvements. Contact us at its-help@ucaqld.com.au or phone our Help Desk on 3377 9749.

Ken Griggs, Manager, Information Technology Services

Please don’t forget these…

NOMINATIONS FOR FINANCE, INVESTMENT & PROPERTY BOARD (FIPBOARD)

Nominations and expressions of interest from members of the Uniting Church are sought for two positions on the Finance, Investment & Property Board (formerly Finance & Property Board). The Board supports and resources the strategic missional planning of the church by providing a framework for planning, monitoring, reporting and acting on the stewardship of assets of the Church. The Board exercises oversight in relation to Church investment strategies, audit risk management and effective property and asset management. Board members need to have a mix of skills including an understanding of the Church and governance. Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals with particular skills in banking, finance, investment, and audit and risk management. A full information pack is available via the website (http://www.ucaqld.au/employment.php) or contact Ana Mila on ph: (07) 3377 9705.

Jenny Tymms, General Secretary

UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND, BOARD MEMBERS

UnitingCare Queensland is the health and community service ministry of The Uniting Church in Australia (Queensland Synod). It is one of Australia's largest not-for-profit organisations and Queensland's largest provider of health and community services. UnitingCare Queensland employs 15,000 people and has an annual turnover in excess of $780m. Its network of services includes Blue Care, Lifeline Community Care, Crossroads and hospitals such as The Wesley Hospital Brisbane, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital Brisbane, and three regional hospitals. The UnitingCare Board is responsible to the Church for ensuring the organisation is dynamic, visionary, values driven and sustainable into the future. The UnitingCare Board is seeking two new members. Community service, business and professional leaders who can demonstrate outstanding achievement and appropriate qualifications are encouraged to express their interest. In particular we are seeking candidates with an extensive background in the social sciences, or broad governance and/or senior executive experience in complex organisations. An information kit can be obtained by emailing HERE or phoning (07) 3512 9400. An expression of interest should be submitted by 31 August 2007.

Geoff Rogers, Human Resources

NICK’S DVD NO ARMS, NO LEGS, NO WORRIES

We are pleased to announce that Nick’s new Motivational DVD is almost ready. You have the opportunity to order your copy during August. The cost will be $30 for home use. (NQ orders during August will be processed post free).

Nick Vujicic was born in Australia without arms and legs (no medical reason). In November 2004, Nick visited the greater Cairns area for 9 days and was a great blessing to many. He agreed to return for 3 weeks in July 2005 and spoke at many schools and churches, from South of Townsville to North of

Cooktown, the last few days with the band Soulharvest from Mossman. When the Blackburn family moved to the Tweed Coast of NSW, Nick agreed to come and speak at local schools in March 2007 so that the sessions could be recorded for the sake of the hundreds of schools and communities Nick

cannot visit (he spends the majority of his time overseas).

Captured on this DVD (launch 30/08/07 in Pottsville) is over two hours of eye-catching footage and heart-warming words from one of Australia’s most unique and inspiring young people. It features messages given by Nick to; 1. Teenagers: (a) ‘See the Body’ (Tweed River High)

and (b) ‘Hear the Heart’ (Wollumbin High), 2. Children ‘You are Special’ (Pottsville Beach Primary),

3. Parents ‘Doing your Best’ (Pottsville). PLUS: Nick’s Story, Motivational Media segment, Corporate

Showreel, Photo Gallery, Trailer, Bloopers & Deleted Scenes.

For more information, please email nickdvd@bigpond.com (Ph 02 6676 2611)

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August ORDERS $30 only (a) electronic: details through above email, or

(b) cheque: LC & JM Blackburn, PO Box 203, Pottsville Beach, NSW, 2489.

Name & Address ______________________________________________

Number of DVDs _____________ Payment enclosed $ _______________

NOTES FROM ASSEMBLY UPDATE NEWSLETTER

Assembly Standing Committee Highlights

Theological listener

The Standing Committee was given space to reflect on how theology relates to the business of the Standing Committee.

The listener helped to us to engage on important questions and issues, such as how the Holy Spirit directs our agenda.

Consensus decision making processes as well as the worship time helped create spaces for the work of the Holy Spirit in the meeting. The challenge is to be conscious of how our theology and practice is interrelated in an organization that is also a community of faith in which core theological values come before regulations.

The Standing Committee affirmed its solidarity with Congress, extending empathy and compassion toward our brothers

and sisters. Relationships were acknowledged as core to the ongoing nature of this covenant and how we understand

ourselves as a pilgrim people in this land at this time in our history.

An urgent meeting between UnitingCare Australia and the Congress

Congress assisted the Standing Committee in evaluating the impact of the recent Howard interventions in the indigenous

communities of the Northern territory. Congress gave voice to the pain and offence experienced by many indigenous people. Congress also sought an urgent meeting with UnitingCare to consider what sort of responses could be helpful on the ground, and ongoing ways Congress could be in partnership with UnitingCare Australia in community services. The ASC’s strong commitment to working for the benefit of all indigenous Australians was reaffirmed.

Presidential ruling

Following a Presidential Ruling handed down at the meeting the Congress urged the Standing Committee to approach

its work with the UAICC with great sensitivity. The President also urged the ASC to prioritise the strengthening of this relationship. The ASC was reminded that our covenant relationship with Congress is pivotal to our understanding of

what it means to be the Uniting Church in Australia.

Implementation Task Group of the Specified Ministry of Pastor

This report presented to the ASC by the Task Group stressed that continuous recognition and accreditation, not continuous service, was the way in which persons who continued as Lay Pastors and Youth Workers will be recognised after the opportunity for new applicants to these ministries ends. The scope of the Ministry of Pastor was helpfully presented in this report. Focus points included teaching the beliefs and practices of the Uniting Church, pastoral oversight of members and or groups operating under the auspices of the Uniting church, worship of congregations and faith communities of the Uniting church, and evangelism or service beyond a gathered congregation exercised under the auspices of the Uniting church.

New covenanting education resource

A new resource has been developed to help congregations revitalize their understanding about the importance of

covenanting with the first peoples of the land. This resource has been approved by the UAICC and will be available to the

church in September.

Polity and governance Task Group report.

The ASC Task Group was established to critically evaluate the polity and governance of the church with a view to reducing the level of prescription, increasing the level of local permission giving and enhancing the capability of Councils of the church to hear and respond to current missional imperative. To that end it is progressing towards delivering its final recommendations. Meanwhile it was pointed out that we are not a democracy; nor a peak body for the other councils where one council represents the interests of another one council; that there is a need to rethink how we determine membership of our Councils and the way the gifts required for their work are identified; that structures need to build trust; and that the goal of our polity is congregational health. Questions were also raised. For example: where do community services sit within the polity of the UCA? Is our work on governance and polity tied too much to denominational identity?

The Standing Committee itself spoke strongly of the need not to add more regulations as a way of dealing with our

governance issues.

Fossil fuel investments

In March the ASC passed a number of resolutions in regard to the Assembly’s response to climate change, one of which

was a request to the Audit and Finance Committee on the Assembly’s investments and advice about divesting any

investments in fossil fuel producing companies and investing instead in renewable energies. This report was submitted

to the July ASC stating that due to the high degree of risk involved to both capital and income a large scale switch

of funds would entail the Investment Committee strongly recommends the continuation of the existing policy. The ASC

requested further information to make better policy decisions concerning fossil fuel investments. It also requested the

involvement of Uniting Justice in the information presented in the next report.

Progress report on the ASC Industrial Relations Task Group

The exploration of just and ethical employment practices with the Uniting Church has been resourced by UnitingJustice

with a wide range of documents from Synods, theological reflections on work justice, key aspects of the WorkChoices

legislation, and the Church’s submissions to the inquiry of the WorkChoice Bill of 2005. It was agreed that there were

various concerns about the legislation but also that work place agreements were helpful in certain contexts, notably

in UnitingCare agencies, schools, and Frontier Services community centres. A consultation exercise, involving a survey

of both employers and employees, was considered but it was decided not to move forward with this proposal at this stage.

It was agreed that instead focus for now should be on the convergence of values and that a drafting group be established

to produce a draft statement for circulation.

From: Terence Corkin Assembly General Secretary

CEM WEEK: TUESDAY, 4 SEPT – THURSDAY, 6 SEPT 2007

If you have not already received a brochure please contact the college office on ph: (07) 3377 9950. If you are interested in attending any one or all of the following sessions, please contact the college office. This is an excellent opportunity for you to visit Trinity and to explore study options with our Faculty members, visit our Library, and meet other ministry colleagues.

· Tues 4th Sept - Workshop on Strategies for Teaching Adults (Presenter: Rev Dr David Rankin)

Time: 9.45 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.