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 week the Discernment Retreat for Lay Pastors, Community Ministers and Youth Workers takes place. You may recall that at the last Assembly meeting there were 2 significant Ministry decisions made.
One was to establish the ministry of Pastor which will be a position appointed by the Presbytery and include some basic ministry training as well as mentoring and “on the job” training (CEM) but not necessarily a theological degree course.
The other significant decision was to change the number of Specified Ministries in the Uniting Church. Up until now there have been five, viz. Minister of the Word, Deacon, Youth Worker, Lay Pastor and Community Minister. From now on (or at least from the end of this year) there will no longer be any further Youth Workers, Lay Pastors or Community ministers appointed. Ministry leaders currently in those roles have the opportunity to stay as they are in their current placements or to seek to transition to the ordained ministry (Minister of the Word or Deacon). The Discernment Retreat this week is the first step towards that to see what the process will entail. What will then follow, if the ministry leaders decides to, is to make application to the Presbytery and if the Presbytery Leadership Team affirms that call, an interview with the special Synod selection panel. I know that recognition of prior learning and prior experience will be taken into account as well as formal theological training in any decision to recommend transition to ordination.
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for the Lay Pastors, Community ministers and Youth workers as they attend the discernment retreat this week – especially for our North Queensland folk, Ann Harley, Rus Clark, Steve Kersnovske, Ian Boudry and Peter Harvey.
· Pray for God’s wisdom in the outcome of the Special Synod this Saturday that will elect the new General Secretary for the Queensland Synod.
· Pray for Karen Walker (wife of John Walker minister at Wulguru) as she undergoes surgery this week.
· Pray for the right personnel to be available for the ministry vacancies in the north.
· Pray for the smooth preparations for the Presbytery Meeting 2nd to 4th November.
Mission and Service Fund Allocations
Thank you to all congregations for responding to the Presbytery allocations for 2008. Most congregations were able to accept the allocation, some congregations offered to take an increase and a couple of congregations were unable to accept the allocation asked on them. We have come up $3,000 short of the figure asked of us from Synod. That will show up as arrears against the Presbytery unless there are congregations who may be able to meet some of that shortfall, either as a one off payment or as an increase in their monthly contributions. If you are able to respond, please be in touch with either Ian Jessup or myself or simply call the Presbytery office.
Stipend for 2008
The Ministerial stipends commission has set the stipends for ministers for 2008. For your information, the stipend is calculated as a % of the average male weekly wage for Queensland. The reduced % takes into account the fact that ministers also receive a house allowance or are provided with a manse. The setting of the stipend by the committee also takes into account the economic situation in the congregations and recognises that the balance between a fair living allowance for ministers and the congregations’ capacity to pay is very difficult tight rope to negotiate. Many of us will remember the days when the stipends for ministerial agents were thrashed out on the floor of Synod. I personally am glad that we have a representative committee to do that work on our behalf.
The official notification of these figures with clear rationale will be published soon from the Synod office.
Some time ago in Presbytery Prompts I indicated that there would probably be a rise in the stipend by 6% for 2008. I can now confirm that 6% increase, which equates to an additional $205 per month for a full time minister. I can also indicate that there will not be any increase in the house or travelling allowance.
There is currently a move across all Synods in the Uniting Church to try to set a national stipend and allowances rate. Currently each Synod sets their own. Queensland is about average across the nation but there are certainly other Synods whose stipend is higher. This is a work in progress. Parity will not come easily.
28 DAYS OF PRAYER LEADING INTO THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS
SUNDAY 28TH OCTOBER TILL SATURDAY 24TH NOVEMBER (INCLUSIVE)
The Australian Prayer
Network is pleased to join with all the major National Prayer Networks in Australia
in calling all Christians to a 28 day season of prayer leading into the forthcoming
Federal Election. There are resources available for each day prepared by the Parliamentary
Prayer Network. If you would like to receive them please contact the Presbytery office.
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.
A book that I am reading at the moment is “You won’t Die Laughing” with the subtitle
of “How to have less stress in your life and more fun” by Patricia Cameron-
HUMOUR ME
Today I want to begin a new section in Prompts that I am calling “HUMOUR ME”. In
the resources section above I commend the book, “You won’t Die Laughing”. I have
received permission from the authors to include some excerpts from their book in
Prompts. Obviously these “tit-
In the first chapter entitled ‘the best of stress’ is this quote:
“You may die from stress, but you won’t die laughing! Laughter has too much going for it. Have you ever tried to lift something when you’re laughing? Not only do you find it hard to concentrate on the task at hand, but you can’t summon the strength to do the lifting. The reason for this is that you lose control and relax. So if you think about it, laughter is the exact opposite to that tense, tightly controlled feeling you get with stress.”
Remember – when the going gets tough, the smart get….laughing.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
‘Rain, rain, go away, come back another day’ is what we were saying at Kids Camp Out over the weekend. However the rain didn’t stop us from having heaps of fun. We just got on with camp and got a bit wet at times….
This years northern zone KCO was held at a campsite outside Malanda. Forty four children and leaders from three congregations attended the twenty four hour action packed camp. This is the third KCO that has taken place in the northern zone.
The children enjoyed a variety of activities which included swimming, going down a giant water slide, messy games, milking the cows, eating heaps of food and more games. No wonder they looked pretty tired when it was time to leave.
Over the twenty four hours the children explored the theme, Step! (into God’s love),
Skip! (with joy) and Stomp! (out in faith). We explored the theme through singing,
drama, games, small group time and most importantly -
I’m excited that around sixty children from across North Queensland were able to experience KCO 2007 in both the southern and northern zones. I encourage you to send a group of children along next year to Kids Camp Out.
Yours in Christ’s service
Steve.
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
January 2008 -
What’s New…
BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATES
Below are the approved form of words to be used on baptismal certificates as well as the churches who have agreed that a certificate used by them in this form is evidence of Christian Baptism.
“NNN
was baptised with water
in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.”
The Churches who have agreed and are to be included on the certificate are:
· The Anglican Church of Australia
· The Catholic Church in Australia
· The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand
· The Armenian Apostolic Church
· The Congregational Federation of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
· The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
· The Lutheran Church of Australia
· The Presbyterian Church of Australia The Romanian Orthodox Church
· The Uniting Church in Australia.
Jenny Tymms, General Secretary, Qld Synod
APPOINTMENT OF SYNOD CHAPLAINCY COORDINATOR
Rev John Cox (currently Minister of the Word in Emmanuel Uniting Church, Enoggera) has been appointed by the Council of Synod to the position of Synod Chaplaincy Coordinator. John will commence in his new role on 8 January 2008, and his tasks will include being the Executive Secretary of the Chaplaincy Commission; working with the Sector Coordinators; and helping facilitate and develop the chaplaincy ministry throughout the Synod. John’s contact phone in the Synod Office in 2008 will be (07) 3377 9822.
Ray Reddicliffe, Chairperson, Synod Chaplaincy Commission
Please remember these…
WANT TO SHARE A TAXI TO SPECIAL SYNOD
Ruth and Krishna are traveling to the Special Synod by Virgin Blue DJ770 arriving in Brisbane at 8.15 am. on the Saturday morning. Is there anyone else due to arrive about the same time who would be interested in sharing a taxi to Chermside? Ruth suggests meeting in the Qantas Arrivals lounge. Please contact Ruth if you are interested. ruthbeasley@westnet.com.au or phone 4093 0303.
PUPPET WORKSHOP -
I would like to tell you about the newest member of our family. Her name is 'Meg', she is purple, no legs, long arms, bulging eyes and a beautiful smile, still deciding on a nose and she can change her hair on a whim. When I brought her home my boys couldn't wait to play with her. She is of course the puppet I made on Saturday at the workshop run by Paul and Becky in Ayr. It was a great day of fellowship, learning and encouragement. Step by step we saw our piece of material, foam, cardboard and other extras come to life, as a powerful tool for opening doors and sharing the love of God. During the day Paul and Becky shared with us tips and tricks for being a puppeteer. When the opportunity arises for you to participate please take the opportunity, you will be amazed. Thank you Paul, Becky, Margaret, Pim, Miriam, Sarah, Jessie, Sandra, Catherine, and Michelle I really enjoyed my day out in Ayr.
Andrea Chamberlain, Aitkenvale Uniting Church.
The Puppet Making Workshop was run through Trinity NQ, with 9 puppets being made on the day. We would love to know if there would be enough interest in the Northern zone to run another day in Cairns next year. Please let Paul Clark (paul_bec@dovenetq.net.au) or Hedley Fihaki (hedley@cairns.unitingchurch.com) know.
Paul Clark, Minister Burdekin Uniting Churches
“BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS — A GUIDE TO COVENANT RENEWAL WITH
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA” UPDATE
As reported previously the meeting of the 11th Assembly affirmed the document “Covenant as an expression of the relationship between the UAICC and other parts of the Uniting Church” and commended
it to the church for study and the exploration of what it means for relationships across the church. A new resource has been produced for use in congregations, presbyteries and community service organisations as a way into the conversation and an encouragement to action. The booklet will be sent to all ministers in placement and Church Council Secretaries. Additional copies for group use can be ordered through MediaCom.
Terence Corkin Assembly General Secretary
EV -
How do we in the Uniting Church understand evangelism? How can we best go about doing
it? The Assembly Working Groups on Missiology and Evangelism are working towards
a major report for the Twelfth Assembly in July 2009. Some UCA congregations are
evangelising and growing. Many others are aging and declining. We are great at community
service. NCLS Surveys have consistently shown that Uniting Church people are conspicuous
in our community involvement as part of their commitment to Christ and his church.
We also bat above the average in social service agencies, both through Uniting Care,
as well as congregation-
to justice in public policy. Going wider, in many towns and cities, ecumenical cooperation is glued together by the participation
and wisdom of the Uniting clergy and members. These are great strengths. But boldly stating that our mission was “not about bums on seats”, we now find that it was actually about “hands on deck”. As well as all Synods listing evangelism as the priority task, the last Assembly in 2006 highlighted this among its Key Directions: Key Direction C. in consultation with other councils of the church:
1. Support and nurture the renewal of the passion for evangelism, discipleship formation and leadership development with an emphasis on spiritual development and faith sharing, and;
2. Request Theology and Discipleship and the Evangelism Working Group to develop key strategies including grass roots and inter synod activity.
We each know that we have been empowered to act for Christ — in many beautiful and
risky ways. Those of us who gather regularly in city churches and suburban home groups
and many rural halls all have a story of grace, a cup overflowing, a healing, an
exquisite love, a calling, a storehouse of meanings and a purpose-
So far, the Working Groups have researched motivations, attitudes, strategies and the implied theologies of mission and evangelisation. Our goal at this stage is to provide useful handles towards a larger discussion whose time has well and truly come.
We are working towards some useful proposals to the next Assembly. These will be based on good theological reflection, proven strategies and positive proposals. We suspect that, in the process, some healthy repentance may also be in order.
Then lets put the “angel” back into “evangelism”. And may the Holy Spirit, the Discomforter, continue to disturb us.
Ian Robinson National Working Group on Evangelism
SPECIFIED MINISTRY OF PASTOR RESOURCE
Detailed information on the Specified Ministry of Pastor is now available on the Assembly website.
It covers questions such as what Pastors do, who can become a Pastor, why there is a need for Pastors, how to become a Pastor, training, and future options for those currently recognised as Lay Pastors, Youth Workers, and Community Ministers.
To view the resource go to: Nat.uca.org.au/pastors
Terence Corkin Assembly General Secretary
EMBEDDING MISSIONAL DNA
Over recent years several congregations have worked hard at discerning their church's
'missional DNA' -
Graham Beattie, Synod Mission Consultant
INDUCTION SERVICE FOR REV SUE ALGATE
Rev Sue Algate will be inducted as Minister of the Word in the Nanango Parish at Nanango Uniting Church on Saturday 20 October at 2.00pm.
Mary Burnett Presbytery
FAITH BASED FILMS IN A THEATRE NEAR YOU
Heritage HM Theatrical Promotions have just finishing a very encouraging season with the film Amazing Grace. The film was viewed by over 500,000 Australians in 240 locations. They are now promoting their next release, One Night with the King, based on the story of Esther. Heritage HM believe faith based films are an encouragement to the church, an opportunity for church folk to invite friends to an outreach event, and an opportunity to run an event as a fundraiser. The One Night with the King trailer can be found at www.onenight.com.au. For group bookings and more information call ph: 1300 363 074.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communications Services Unit
ITEM ON WEBSITE
The Report of the October 2007 meeting of the Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee is in the ‘Reports’ page – highlighted in purple. Our website address is www.ecumenical.ucaweb.com.au.
Don Whebell, Secretary, Synod Ecumenical Relations Committee
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR BURMA
The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) has declared a national day of prayer for Burma on Sunday, 21 October 2007. NCCA General Secretary Rev John Henderson said the images of tens of thousands of Burmese monks, nuns and civilians marching in the cities of Burma has highlighted the tragic situation facing millions of people in Burma today. Read more AT www.journeyonline.com.au Prayers and other resources that could be used or adapted for use by churches can be found on the NCCA website www.ncca.org.au.
NCCA
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
October23rd – 27th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
24th – 26th – Steve to Brisbane for Discernment Retreat
27th October – Special Synod Brisbane
November 2nd – 4th – Presbytery meeting – Townsville – Mt Louisa House of Praise
11th – 50th church Anniversary Mossman
12th – MRC meeting – presbytery office
20th – 23rd – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
21st – 24th -
December – 4th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
5th – PLT – full meeting presbytery office.
9th – Bruce preaching Mission Beach, Tully
11th – 13th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements
25th – Christmas Day
January 2008 – 9th – 14th – Summer Madness Camp, Sunshine Coast