Presbytery of North Queensland
PRESBYTERY PROMPTS
29 Wentworth Ave Mundingburra 4812
07 4779 5818 presbnq@bigpond.net.au
Website: www.presbyterynq.net
ISSUE TEN 2007 WEDNESDAY MARCH 21ST 2007
On the Grapevine…
Greetings everyone,
We are now entering the fifth week of Lent. In the Synod Lenten studies, “Called
to Plant a Future” provided through the Journey the focus this week is on “Speak
out for the future”. This focuses on Jeremiah 1:4-
Due to my often being away with work commitments early in the week and with UC Info coming out on a Tuesday afternoon, Presbytery Prompts will now normally be distributed on a Wednesday.
Please remember to get your Synod registration form (green one) to the Synod office no later than Friday 27th April 2007. This green form should be accompanied by payment for meals etc.
The registration fee ($195) and form (pink one) should be sent to Presbytery office. Don’t forget that you will have to organise your own accommodation. I know that there are still some spaces available onsite at Alex Park as of today (Tuesday 20th). There are also other accommodation suggestions in the information that came from the Synod.
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
• Pray for Jane Woodforth who is on sick leave at present.
• Pray for Carole Young (Tully) as she travels to Perth to be with her Mum who is failing rapidly. Pray also for the Tully and district congregations as they organise Easter services with Carole being away.
• Pray for the Weipa community as they come to terms with the suicide of a 12 year old and the death of a 14 month old baby last week. Please also pray for Michelle Cook as she ministers in these situations as well as cares for her own baby Zane who is doing very well.
• 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.
• Bevan Favelle, minister at Glebe Rd UCA –Ipswich who is seriously ill with cancer.
• Ian Wilson, former minister at Aitkenvale, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Please pray for him and Merlene. Ian will have surgery in two weeks.
• Pray for the Korean Christian Faith Community in Townsville as they are established at the service in Townsville Central this Sunday night.
• The new Anglican Bishop of North Queensland. Bill Ray will be ordained as Bishop this Saturday morning (24th March) in Townsville. Please pray for him and our sisters and brothers in the Anglican Church.
An important decision: (This is from last week) One of the decisions at the Queensland
Synod meeting in May will be the ballot for the Moderator –Elect who will take up
office at the Synod meeting in Sept/Oct 2008. In early February, the Moderatorial
Candidature Task Group asked me to consider allowing my name to be one of the names
to go before the Synod for possible election as Moderator-
I made it clear to the task group that before I made a final decision to allow my name to go forward, I wanted to engage the leadership of the Presbytery in dialogue and prayer as we sought God’s will together in this. The process that I followed was to share with some members of the Presbytery Leadership Team and from there to share with the whole Presbytery at the meeting in Cairns. As it was to be a nomination from the Task Group, the goal of the process at the Presbytery Meeting was not so much to endorse or not endorse the nomination, but to give me a guide as to what God may be saying regarding this through my sisters and brothers the Presbytery.
Through this process it has been affirmed that God has called me into my present position of Presbytery Minister in North Queensland. It has also become apparent that God has not closed the door on the possibility that the term of that call may be shorter that I had originally thought. In some respects, I had hoped that there would be a resounding “NO” but that did not come. Through scripture verses, prayers, words of encouragement and wisdom and even through visions, God reminded me that it must be God’s decision and not mine and that I would know clearly God’s will. If I was to decide not to allow my name to go forward then I may in fact be making a decision on my own feelings and not God’s plan.
I believe firmly the God’s call does come through the voice of the church and so I am allowing my name to go forward to the ballot for Moderator Elect at the May Synod meeting.
Please pray for that whole process that whatever happens, God’s perfect Will would be clearly known and God’s perfect peace will be clearly experienced by all. I covet your prayers.
It is agreed that the Mission Resourcing Committee should be expanded and the current members were given power to seek people with appropriate gifts and skills, including pastoral gifts, to be included in that team. Please make this a matter of prayer and discernment. If there are people who believe they may see this as part of their ministry or you want to suggest someone, please contact either myself or our treasurer, Ian Jessup. Currently the committee meets monthly early on a Monday evening for about 1½ hours but that time is negotiable with the personnel available.
Financial Returns: A reminder to fill in and send your Congregation Financial Statistics Returns if you have not done so already. Returns are to be received at Synod no later than 31st March 2007. Please also remember that a copy is to come to the Presbytery. To date we have not receive many at the Presbytery office. The returns are due in by the END OF NEXT WEEK. Please be diligent as the information is vital for the budget process for 2008 which really begins in April.
Townsville Korean: There will be a special time of worship and celebration at Townsville
Central Uniting Church on 25th March at 6pm. This will be when the Presbytery recognizes
the Korean worshippers as the Korean Christian Faith Community in the Townsville
Central Uniting Church. The service will also recognize Myeong-
From Milk Chocolate to Dark Chocolate
Andy King, who works with Calvary Presbytery, won the 2006 Townsville Council Community and Arts Award for writing a book titled From Milk Chocolate to Dark Chocolate. The book is the story of Andy’s personal journey since a malignant cancer was removed. Congratulations Andy! Copies are available if you would like to have one to read and perhaps pass on to others.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
On Saturday ‘Child Safe Church Training’ took place in both the southern and northern zones. Thank you to everyone who participated in the training sessions. In addition, a special thank you to Tracie and Barbara for running the training in the northern zone. Last year I ran training at Mt Isa and last weekend in Weipa. So our presbytery is in a great position to continue to ensure that our ministry activities are safe for children and young people.
A variety of questions and issues were raised at both training sessions. Next week I will talk with Charlotte who has oversight for child safe church including training. Once I have had the opportunity to talk with Charlotte I will feed this information to you. We are all on this learning curve together.
Once again, thank you for putting the time aside on Saturday. It shows me that congregations have a real commitment in providing the best ministry for children and young people. Please don’t feel overwhelmed by the information that was presented and what congregations are required to do. It will take time to implement and will be tuff at times. Please call me on 4036 4440 if you need any help. You can also access information and resources by following this web link, www.faps.ucaweb.com.au/index.php?page=content&idcon=3341
Preparation for Easter Camp is coming along well. This will be a great time for young people to spend time together, do a variety of activities, but most importantly to explore the hope that Easter offers us. Please remember that I need to receive registrations by Monday the 26th of March. If you require a bit more time, please let me know. In addition, you can download registration forms at: www.yacmu.com.au and click on ‘Easter Camp NQ’. If you have any questions or need more information please call me on 0427 727 070.
The dates for this years Kids Camp Out are:
Northern Zone, 8-
Southern Zone, 15-
Please mark these dates in your dairy and share them with your children’s ministry leaders. More information will be available soon.
Yours in Christ’s service,
Steve.
What’s New…
Info re Synod: The newly extended conference facilities at Alexandra Headlands on the Sunshine Coast will be the venue for the 26th meeting of the Queensland Synod in May.
The gathering will make some key decisions about the future of Synod including the appointment of a new General Secretary and election of the next Moderator who will commence duties when Dr Pitman’s term finishes in the second half of 2008.
Dr Pitman says he has observed “a new spirit alive in our church. It is most apparent in the determination of ministers and congregations to be focussed and intentional about those things that declare the reign of God,” he said.
Synod decisions to be made will include the appointment of members to a newly established
Synod Multi-
A report from the Council of Synod recommends greater separation, realignment and
enhancement of the functions of the Finance, Investment and Property Board (oversight
function) and the Department for Financial and Property Services (service function).
It proposes greater emphasis and co-
A report from the Theological Education Task Group first established by the 23rd Synod in 2002 will be proposing one new integrated institution to incorporate both Trinity Theological College and a new learning community to provide educational opportunities including continuing education for lay and specified ministries.
Bruce Mullan
Working with Children & Families
Synod Children's worker Paul Yarrow will be running
a workshop in conjunction with the Southern Zone meeting in Ayr, on Saturday 28th
April for all those interested in enhancing their church's children and family ministry.
Final details will come out very soon, but please promote this event in your church.
Mark the date in your diary and encourage your Sunday School, Kids Club, and other
leaders to come along.
Paul Clark
Minister Burdekin Uniting Church
A MESSAGE TO MINISTERS / DEACONS / LAY PASTORS / YOUTH WORKERS and others who are approved UCA Marriage Celebrants
The Synod Office has received information concerning names on a marriage documents. This is an important and fairly detailed explanation into the names which may be used on marriage documents such as Notice of Intended Marriage and Marriage Certificates.
It is vitally important that each Marriage Celebrant have a clear working knowledge of the information, for the document itself stresses that wrongly used names could greatly affect the person should they at some future time apply for a passport in their married name.
It also warns against using “common usage” names, “also known as” names and the like. Be very careful if the name being offered is different to the one on their birth certificate or a previous Marriage Certificate. There are major changes for the lawful changing of a name, and use of “Deed Poll” will no longer be accepted.
Should you have difficulty getting a hard copy for yourself, of if you have questions concerning the information in the document, please phone me (Rev. Alan O’Hara) on (07) 3377 9721 (Mon – Thurs). It may be that your question and its answer may be of help to others. Whatever else you do, please read this document.
Alan O’Hara (Assistant General Secretary)
Please don’t forget these…
From Andrew Johnson (Synod Justice and International Mission Advocate)
For information on climate change you can go to our website on Green Church:
http://www.socialissues.ucaweb.com.au/index.php?page=content&idcon=3445
It includes links to:
A poster of ideas
Fact or Fiction page where you can ask questions
Common Belief: Australia's Faith Communities on Climate Change
The Vic/Tas Synod report on Climate Change
Seasons of Creation Worship Resources
Many other links from around the world.
If you want your own self audit kit please contact me.
Andrew Johnson
Justice and International Mission Advocate
Queensland Synod | Uniting Church in Australia
GPO Box 674 | Brisbane | QLD 4001
Phone: (07) 3377 9911
Email: andrew.johnson@ucaqld.com.au
SHALOM CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Shalom Christian College officially launched its Academy of Sport program last Friday with the support of AFL
Queensland. With only 20 positions available until further funding can be raised, more than 80 students signed up to try out for the program.
The academy not only intends to build on Shalom's student sporting prowess but also
to bolster the students' self-
Shirley said natural sporting ability was not enough and students had to improve in their studies to remain members of the academy. "They have to attend all their classes and improve on their numeracy and literacy
levels to maintain their position in the academy," Shirley said.
PRESBYTERY BUS TRIP 2007
Hi All,
I greet you with great expectation and anticipation. Our 2007 Presbytery Bus Trip has been given the official green light by Presbytery of North Queensland. We went on a similar trip in 2003 and it was an outstanding success for all involved. The congregations visited liked being visited and the trippers liked meeting and encouraging people from very different places were isolation is considerable.
We plan to hire a bus to take us from Townsville to Julia Creek, Cloncurry, Winton, Longreach, Bowen and back to Townsville over the May Day long weekend.
1. Along this route we will be visiting as many Uniting Churches as possible for a meal or a morning/ afternoon tea.
2. In 2007, we plan to leave promptly at 8.30am on the Friday 5 May 2007 at the Wulguru Mobil Walkabout Palms Caravan Park & Roadhouse (cnr Stuart Dve and Bruce Hwy)and return to the same roadhouse on the Monday night 8 May 2007.
3. We are hoping about 50 people will come tripping.
4. It has been agreed that we need to have people registered with deposit of $50, paid by the 31 March 2007, otherwise there will be insufficient time left for organisational purposes.
5. At this stage the cost will be about $500 per person, which includes bus travel, accommodation (hopefully units / cabins in van parks) and food. We plan to have restaurant meals on the Saturday and Sunday nights.
6. People who are coming from further a field than Townsville need to arrive in Townsville before the Friday morning of 5 May. There is a large caravan park and roadhouse at our meeting point, where people can stay either side of the bus trip.
7. I am thinking of organising a polo shirt with a UC Presbytery Bus Trip logo
8. If anyone would like to help with the organisation in any way eg music, finance, food handlers certificate person etc, please contact Merilyn Thomas (me) on Hm 47784535.
9. Please register and pay your deposit at either
NQ Uniting Church Presbytery Office 29 Wentworth St, Mundingburra 4812 ph 4779 5818 email presbnq@bigpond.net.au or Townsville Central Uniting Church Office 73 Wills St, Townsville City 4810
Ph 47712584 email tcuc@ozemail.com.au
Please note
The Registration Form is attached to the end of Prompts and can also be accessed via Townsville Central or Presbytery Office.
Registration Form must be completed and returned by 31st March 2007.
Merilyn Thomas, Co-
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
March -
22nd –Bruce to Placements Brisbane
23rd – Bruce to Moderator & Presbytery Ministers meeting – Brisbane
25th – Commissioning of Myeong-
29th – Presbytery Leadership Team meeting – Teleconference
30th – 31st – Leadership Training Course – Townsville
April – 5th – 9th Easter Camp – New Life Pastures
15th – 20th -
23rd – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office from 5pm
28th Northern & Southern Zone Meetings –
Northern Zone venue TBA, Southern Zone venue in Ayr
29th – Bruce to preach in Atherton
May – 1st – Bruce to Placements meeting Brisbane
4th – Commissioning of Krishna Buhler as Lifeline Chaplain Cairns
14th – 15th Bruce to Frontier Services Board meeting
17th – Convocation of Ministries Alex Park Brisbane
18th – 22nd – Queensland Synod Meeting
25th – National Day of Thanksgiving
28th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office from 5pm
Steve K’s Calendar
March -
19th to 23rd -
April 5th – 9th -
17th – 19th -
The Uniting Church in Australia Presbytery of North Queensland
2007 Bus Trip Registration Form
(1 form per person)
Your Name: ___________________________________________________________________
Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Phone No……………………………………………………………………
Email Address:………………………………………………………………
Date of Birth …………………………………………....Shirt Size: ……………………………
Next of Kin Name:……………………………………………………………………….
Phone number: ……………………................................
Mobile Phone No. ……………………………………..
Email ……………………………………………………………………………………..
Emergency Contact Person :……………………………………………………………
Relationship to yourself …………………………………………………………………..
Phone No……………………………………………….
MEDICAL DETAILS:
Medicare Number: ………………………. ……………………………………………….
Private Health Insurance Number:………………………………………………………….
Your Doctor’s Name, Address and Phone No.: ……………………………………………………………….
Do you have a medical condition or take any medication? (If so, please specify): ………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………............................................
Do you have any food or other allergies? (If so, please specify) ……………………………………………..
Please indicate any other information it may be helpful for us to know in caring for
you on the trip eg deafness, disability, sleeping difficulties …………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Payment to NQ Uniting Church Presbytery Office, 29 Wentworth Ave, Mundingburra QLD 4812
Cash or Cheque (payable to North Queensland Uniting Church Presbytery)
Deposit (due by 31 March 2007 $50:
Balance (due by 30 April 2007) $
INDEMNITY
I, the undersigned, am willing that I should participate in the specified program. I understand that the
nature of the activities at the program will include, but may not be limited to bus travel, games, devotions, craft, communal eating and that risks may arise during these activities.
I hereby authorise the leader in charge of the trip, where it is impracticable to communicate with me, that I may receive such medical or surgical treatment as the leader and qualified medical practitioner may deem
necessary at any time. I further authorise the use of Ambulance and/or anaesthetic by a qualified medical
practitioner if in his/her judgement it is necessary. I accept responsibility for payment of all expenses associated
with such treatment.
I understand that every effort will be made by the leader to contact my next of kin in the event of any illness or accident.
Your name: …………………………………………………………………………………
Parent/Carer’s Name if you are under18:…………………………………………………..
Your signature or Parent/Carer’s signature: ……………………………………………….
Date: ………………………………………
PRIVACY STATEMENT
***** Uniting Church is collecting the information on this form to ensure that your participation is as
enjoyable and safe as possible. Failure to supply the information will limit our ability to care for you
appropriately and provide an environment that is safe and enjoyable. If you wish to find out more about the Church’s privacy policy, please phone the synod Privacy contact on 07 3377 9837.