Presbytery of North Queensland
PRESBYTERY PROMPTS
29 Wentworth Ave Mundingburra 4812
07 4779 5818 presbnq@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.presbyterynq.net
ISSUE SIX 2007 FEBRUARY 20TH 2007
On the Grapevine…
Greetings everyone,
This is a greeting once again from a wettish Townsville. I am aware that has not been as wet here as some of you further north from here have had. Sorry to be speaking of rain to those of you who are reading this in SE Queensland or other places where there is a need to rain. We wish we could send you some. Our prayers are continuing for rain in those areas.
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
• Ian Boudry – currently in Sydney on return from a family wedding in the USA, is not well and undergoing tests. Please pray for him and Sue.
• Ev Blackman and Bev Blackman are doing well at present following Ev’s stint in hospital and Bev’s ongoing asthma concerns. Pray that they continue to improve for their planned overseas trip.
• Gordon Burley had more scans and tests in Townsville last week as his mobility has not significantly improved. The specialists have no further treatment possibilities. Please pray for Gordon as he seeks further medical advice.
• Pray for Michelle Cook and James and their new baby Zane as they settle in to routines. Michelle is now back in Weipa. Pray that she is able to manage being in Weipa while still being on maternity leave.
• Please be aware that Alison, the wife of Gregor Henderson (UCA President) is suffering from an aggressive cancer and the medical prognosis is not very good at all. Please pray for Alison, Gregor and his family at this challenging time.
• Phillip Hulme – a former minister at Atherton who is seriously ill at present with a form of cancer and a heart condition.
• Evan Stenlake, currently in supply as Presbytery minister in The Downs Presbytery who had what was described as a neurological incident last week.
• Bevan Favelle, minister at Glebe Rd UCA –Ipswich who is seriously ill with cancer.
• The Anglican Diocese of North Qld as they have farewelled Bishop John Noble and are in the interim time prior to the installation of their new Bishop, Bill Ray which will be on 24th March.
Today (as long as this gets out on Tuesday) is Shrove Tuesday. Many call it pancake Tuesday. As most of you will be aware, this has become a very important day of awareness for the work of UnitingCare. This year there are 600 registered Pancake events across the state. The interest in, and profile of, UnitingCare has been significantly increased over the last few years with many more registered events this year than last year. An indirect spin off of that has been the awareness from the general public of Lent and Easter.
The Presbytery Meeting in Cairns on 23rd to 25th Feb. is this coming weekend. We hope and pray that the rain eases off between Ingham and Cairns by then. As last year we will be constantly monitoring the situation and will make a call on any postponement due to weather as early as possible so that people will not be disadvantaged. If you have any questions later in the week do not hesitate to call. You may also like to check the RACQ website which has up to date road condition reports.
Those of you who are Presbytery representatives will be receiving supplementary information on Wednesday for some of the business.
As a part of Presbytery meetings, 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. Andrew Johnson and Bruce Mullan from Synod will also help this process. By way of information I saw in the Brisbane paper on Saturday the following –
“US scientists, who have kept records on r=the planet’s temperature since 1880, reported that the world’s land areas last month (January) were 1.9 degrees Celsius warmer than a normal January. ……It is what climate scientists predict happens and will happen more frequently with global warming, according to an authoritative report by hundreds of climate scientists issued this month. Meteorologists are not blaming the warmer January on global warming alone. They said the warmer temperature was consistent with climate change.”
This last week has been the week of meetings in Brisbane that I attend on behalf of the Presbytery. This week of meetings occurs every 3 months and is a fairly full on time. Below is a brief report of those meetings:
Placements: We interviewed 2 exit students who will be seeking placements in the near future. They are Jennifer Lynn (Ministry of the Word) and Tanya Richards (Ministry of Deacon). As indicated before there are a number of vacancies across the Synod and especially in key positions that need to be filled. In the north we will be having consultations with Mossman and Tully in order to take the next steps in their processes.
Continuing Education for Ministry Forum: At this all day forum, facilitated by Rev. Jenny Byrnes from South Australia, North Qld Presbytery was represented by Glenn Louttit, Paul Clark and I. It was an interesting time. We hope that what flows from that day will be helpful in developing more proactive CEM processes for our Presbytery. Paul put forward the following as a purpose statement for CEM. Rather than see CEM as a compulsory part of ministers professional development to see it in this way I find helpful.
“The purpose of CEM is to ensure that we have excellent, up to date, fresh leaders leading the church in mission”
We will keep you all posted as a part of the process.
Council of Synod: This was held over 2 days, Friday and Saturday. The Friday was given over to working through the Synod office functional and role review report to bring it into a shape that will be meaningfully presented to the Synod in session. This review was instigated as a result of the impending changes in senior roles in the Synod. The retirement of Bruce Binnie (Director of FAPS), Ian Hayes (General manager of UCIS), the moving on mid year of the General Secretary, Jenny Tymms, the vacancy in the position of Director of Mission, UnitingCare and other necessary governance changes. Those of you who will be coming to Synod will have a bit to get your head around but I believe that the changes to be discussed will be important for the whole Synod to grasp and share its wisdom on.
The Saturday saw further work on this as well as reports from UnitingCare, Finance and Property Services, the Presbyteries of Moreton Rivers, South Moreton, North Queensland, Central Queensland and The Downs. We do not usually have that many Presbytery reports at one meeting but we had to defer some from the last Council of Synod meeting.
It was noted that the 30th Anniversary of the Uniting Church will be celebrated as a Special Evening event during Synod rather that organising a separate event closer to the actual date in June.
The next Council of Synod meeting will be the meeting of the new Council following the May Synod.
An important message from the Presbytery Treasurer appears below. He has called it “Audits, Accounts, Finances and other ‘Dirty Words’”. This is a rather apt title for some of us.
I will leave that message in for a second week. Please pass it on to your treasurers if they do not receive Prompts.
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 -
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. You may also note that the National Day of Thanksgiving this year is 26th May.
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 retiring 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…
PRESBYTERY BUS TRIP
Discussions are being held with regard to a Presbytery bus trip. The proposed itinerary includes traveling west to Cloncurry, south to Barcaldine and Longreach and back to the coast through Collinsville to Bowen and back to Townsville. The congregations en route have been contacted and have warmed to the idea should it become a reality. Possible dates are May or June long weekend. The last trip was from Townsville to Mt Isa back in 2003. Morning teas, lunches and dinners were served at churches along the way and a great time was had by all participants.
Before preparations can be made, an idea of how many people would be interested in such a trip need to be organised. If you are interested and would like to know more please contact Jane at the presbytery office on 07 4779 5818 or email to presbnq@bigpond.net.au or Townsville Central on tcuc@ozemail.com.au
ABOUT F.A.C.E.
About F.A.C.E. (Faith and Culture Exchange) for young adults aged 18 -
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
ATTENTION ENHANCE USERS
One of the biggest frustrations that users of Enhance (Queensland Synod’s lectionary based multimedia resource) tell me about is the ability to use the search engine. To save you time and some of that frustration I will provide you with a list of 4 to 6 clips that will work with the lectionary readings for the upcoming week. I have also provided some ideas on how the clip might be used. All this is available from the website. You can also preview the whole collection online. Why not take a couple of minutes to have a quick look. Go to www.digistry.org.
Michael Jeffrey, Director, YACMU
WALKING FREE RENEWING MINISTRIES
Walking Free Renewing Ministries is a faith community of the Presbytery of the Downs. It is a new ministry that has been started up by Rev Dr John Lucas to help people be renewed by God through Healing, Teaching, and Training. He has been working in the area of healing and teaching for 20 years and is the former CEO of Freedom Life Centre at Toowoomba.
Walking Free offers a face to face or phone ministry service to people suffering from disease and damaged lives through:
· Abuse (sexual, emotional and physical) by others
· Addictions (including gambling and pornography)
· Fear, anxiety and depression
· Substance Abuse
· Suicidal tendencies
We offer to churches, through weekend or half day seminars, teaching and training in the areas of Releasing God’s Gifts, Walking in the Freedom of Christ, Releasing God’s power in one’s life, Unlocking the power of Prayer, Hearing the Voice of the Master, Warfare prayer, healing (physical and emotional), Conquering Rejection and Fear. For further information contact Rev Dr John Lucas on ph: (07) 4630 1101 or mob: 0448 132 262.
John Lucas
Please don’t forget these…
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
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
February 23rd – 25th – Presbytery meeting – Cairns
25th – Marcia Cowen’s Induction – Edmonton
28th – 4th March – Bruce in Brisbane – time in lieu of missed holidays
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 child safe church training
19th to 23rd -
April 5th – 9th -
17th – 19th -