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 -
On the Grapevine…
Hi everyone,
Bruce Mullan’s Daily Mail is again the source of this important truth that I share with you today.
‘He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus;
he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but
on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran
ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.
When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and
come down; for I must stay at your house today."’ (Luke 19:1-
The places and situations that we consider temporary or simply way stations turn out to be the places or situations that hold the most significance for us.
Henri Nouwen once said something to the effect that in his ministry he found himself becoming frustrated and resentful that his work was constantly being interrupted by people who wanted or needed something from him, until one day the Lord spoke to him and revealed that his real work was in those interruptions.
So I think we have to pay attention to the transit points on our journey. It just may be that we'll discover someone, perhaps even ourselves, who is out on a limb and needs some attention.
[Larry R. Kalajainen, Extraordinary Faith for Ordinary Time, CSS Publishing Company, Inc]
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for the family of the late Lalomili Lima.
· Pray for our Moderator, David Pitman, who has had to take some time off with illness.
· Pray for Russ and Elizabeth Clark (Mareeba) on the death of Russ’s brother.
· Pray for safety on the roads and in the homes and properties during the school holidays.
· Pray for the right personnel to be available for the ministry vacancies in the north.
· Chaplaincy in our schools, hospitals, prisons, aged care facilities and in industry and sport as well.
· Glenn and Collette Louttit and Tamika and Rebecca as they go on Long Service Leave and Graham Whybird as he provides supply ministry in Innisfail.
· Special Synod preparations.
· Pray for those people who were pilgrims on the two Emmaus Walks held during this month and for their families.
Rev. Lalomili Lima, the minister in the Inala congregation died suddenly last week. Initial information is that he had a heart attack. His funeral is being held on Tuesday 25th September. Please pray for his family and his congregation as they cope with his sudden death.
Placements: At the Synod Placements Committee last week we were faced with a number of vacancies across the Synod. There are ministry agents available for some and in conversations with those places but others that do not currently have anyone in conversation. It is heartening to see the number of candidates in college or in the process of candidating, including from North Queensland but that will still mean that in the interim there may well be some congregations or other placements that will need to seek interim arrangements for ministry. These interim supply arrangements are of course arranged through the Presbytery.
Please pray for the Placements committee.
I remind you that the Synod Placements Committee consists of the Moderator as Chair, the Associate General Secretary, one representative from each Presbytery, a deacon rep, a Youth and Children’s ministry rep, a Trinity College rep and a person representing Chaplaincy and Ana Mila as minutes secretary.
Unfortunately the Moderator was unwell last week and unable to be present. Please pray for him.
Journey Awards – Congratulations to Bruce Mullan and the Journey team (Mardi and Osker) for the award as noted below in an email from Journey on Monday.
“Over the weekend the Australia Asian Religious Press Association Awards were held in Auckland. I am very pleased to announce that Journey picked up two awards!
We won best newspaper front page and most improved newspaper.
Bruce Mullan was there to pick the awards up.
This is Journey’s best result since 1994. Thanks for all your support since we started two and a half years ago.”
Holidays: Jane will be on holidays from 26th September to 2nd October (Wednesday this week to Tuesday next week). Bruce will be holding the fort in the office during that time.
The Marriage Manifesto – strength and support for Australian Marriages –
The 'Marriage Manifesto' was launched on Tuesday 18th September 2007 at the 'National
Strategic Summit on Marriage, Family and Fatherhood' in Parliament House Canberra.
The conference was sponsored on a bi-
The 'Marriage Manifesto' presents an analysis of the current perspective and attitudes to marriage in Australia and promotes the benefits of marriage.
I have an electronic copy of this available if you would like to view it. I have looked at it briefly and it certainly warrants a detailed read.
It is a fairly large document (333KB) so be prepared for a slightly longer download time, especially if you have dial up.
Please contact Jane or me and we can send you a copy of the Marriage Manifesto.
Thursday Island Manse – As mentioned last week we have a quote to repair the manse on Thursday Island including the downstairs flat. The quote is from Dave Kennedy Homes, in Cairns for $67,600 of which we have in hand $34,000. The quote includes the basic building work as well as getting the materials to the site etc. It will be our responsibility as a Presbytery to support that building team through doing, or organising, the electrical, plumbing and painting work. This is a call for any individuals who may be willing and available to go to Thursday Island around the same time as the builders are there to help out with that work. I particularly want to hear from any electricians or plumbers who would be available. Transport and accommodation costs will be met for any volunteers. Please contact me (Bruce), ASAP if you may be available.
The builder can commence work in November and expects to be finished by Christmas. This will be dependant on the Synod Property processes flowing smoothly. Please pray for that.
If there are congregations or individuals who would like to donate to this ministry opportunity please let us know. All the accounts for this project will be managed through the Presbytery Office so please send any donations here rather than direct to Thursday Island. We hope to also be able to have a state wide appeal so look for those details also.
RAFS big day out (this is a repeat from last week – please consider supporting it)
I have had a request for help from the Frontier Services Patrol ministers wife at Charleville who is organising a RAFS big day out at Greenvale. John and Robin have been friends of ours for over 25 years. I wonder if there are people in Townsville or Charters Towers who may have some connections in this regard and can contact me or John and Robin Case (bwp.fs@bigpond.com ). Below is the content of Robin’s email to me.
“Hi there Bruce & Marg.
I am after some help. I have taken on a project with Frontier Services to organise some Big Family Day Out events and one is to be in Greenvale on the 27th October. I am having a great deal of difficulty in finding suitable people that will go to Greenvale. I thought there may be people in the Townsville churches that may be willing to help out.
The purpose of these events is to provide an opportunity for families in rural and remote areas (particularly on properties) to come together for a day of information, entertainment and activity. We hope to have stalls, workshops and entertainment for all members of the family.
So far I have some people from a Natural Resources perspective and a GPS demonstration, someone who will do something in the exercise field, someone to do free massage and a van with children’s books for sale. Our RAFS girls will do a program for the children. We will need a lot more than that to make it a worthwhile day for the families.
One of the requests from families has been for a mobile hairdresser and I have tried several but so far no luck. Do you know of anyone who may be willing to come to Greenvale if we pay the cost of petrol? Other areas are craft stalls and workshops eg. Scrap booking, beauty products eg nutrimetics, gardening, a speech pathologist ( the one who services that area will be away), men’s health, comedian and I am trying to contact a dietician at the moment. You may even come up with some other things that you think might be relevant.
I do hope that you can help me with some contacts.
Hope you are both well, Regards, Robin Case ”
Emmaus
The two Emmaus Walks held this month were very well attended and well received by all participants. It was very pleasing to see the leadership offered by lay people in the churches during those walks. One of the key outcomes of the Emmaus movement it to empower and enthuse lay people in their ministry and leadership within their local churches. With the large number of Uniting Church men and women who were on the walks, I believe that the lay leadership in our churches will be even more effective as time goes on.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Steve is on currently on holidays and will be back at his desk on Monday 8th October.
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
October 12-
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
January 2008 -
What’s New…
PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP
It's not to late to sign up for the Puppet Making Workshop to be held in the Burdekin as part of Trinity NQ's training program. During the day you will make a 'muppet' style puppet as well as learn how to begin puppeteering. Running on Sat 13th Oct, the cost is an amazingly low $45 considering you'll go home with a cool puppet!
Contact Paul Clark for more information burdekinuc@bigpond.com.au or for a registration form you can contact the presbytery office on 4779 5818 or email presbnq@bigpond.net.au
Please remember these…
NATIONAL MINISTERS CONFERENCES IN 2008
Assembly President, Gregor Henderson, is convening the planning group for three national
ministers conferences to be held mid-
The planning group wants to ensure that ministers from more than one synod participate in each of the three conferences. Accordingly, planning is underway to hold these conferences in slightly unusual locations. With the assistance of Uniting International Mission and our partner church the Protestant Christian Church in Bali, one conference will meet in Bali. This will provide opportunity to all participants for significant mission exposure (and possibly a family holiday to follow?). Other locations are expected to be Alice Springs and the Sunshine Coast. Every minister in active service will be invited to attend one of these conferences – in
the venue of their choice.
Further information about dates and venues will be available in a few weeks. Full details will be available in December. In the meantime all ministers are asked to take note of this opportunity and to plan to attend one of the 2008 conferences.
Members of the planning group are Robert Watson (WA), Roger Brook (SA), Sharon Hollis (Vic), Liva Tukutama (ACT), Rob McFarlane (NSW), Murray Fysh (Qld), Andrew Gunton (Qld) and Gregor Henderson.
Meera Atkinson, Assembly Communications Unit
ANTI POVERTY WEEK
Start planning your event for 14 to 20 October -
Join in this world-
Many people in Australia and around the world are severely
disadvantaged by poverty. Just think about issues such as housing affordability,
homelessness, non self-
We are asking that individuals, communities, government and organisations hold an
event or conduct research -
We will send you further information including a resource kit showing the types of
events you could hold and/or research you could conduct, together with details about organising
and promoting your activities.
Visit www.antipovertyweek.org.au for more information
A CHURCH OF PASSIONATE DISCIPLES
A final reminder that responses to the Assembly discussion paper on church membership — known as “A Church of Passionate Disciples” — are due to Rev. Rob Bos by 30th October, after which date the Assembly Standing Committee will prepare a report for the 12th Assembly in July 2009. So if your presbytery or congregation has not held a discussion on this important matter referred from the Assembly then please arrange a discussion soon! Personal responses are also welcome. Copies of the document may be downloaded from the Assembly website: http://assembly.uca.org.au. Send responses to Rev. Rob Bos by email: robb@nat.uca.org.au or post:
PO Box 483 Redbank QLD 4301
Terence Corkin Assembly General Secretary
COVENANTING — STRENGTHENING CONGRESS DELIVERY OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
The July meeting of the Assembly Standing Committee requested that a meeting be convened as a matter of urgency to progress a decision of the 11th Assembly that UnitingCare Australia and Congress should meet to find ways of establishing a community services arm for Congress. That meeting took place in Brisbane on August 21 and 22.
By sharing our experience and expertise it became clear that the vehicle that best suited Congress’ situation at present is a strengthened network. Congress, though a variety of means, is already involved in providing support services and community development programs within their communities. However due to time restraints it is difficult to share lessons learned and to support each other, as well as to effectively connect with the wider UnitingCare network and agencies that are willing and able to assist in providing mentoring and various kinds of “back office” support for applications.
The group agreed on the strategy of appointing a network facilitator for three years who will strengthen the capacity of the network to engage in issues that impact on indigenous people and facilitate the development of local community services delivered through Congress. The task now is to develop the “business plan” including the position description, ways of working and the budget. The Assembly, synod and UnitingCare representatives are committed to finding the ways of making this partnership work once the invitation formally comes from the Congress.
Terence Corkin Assembly General Secretary
THANK YOU
To the Uniting Church, a big thank you from the Henderson family. Over the seven months of Alison’s struggle with cancer, at the time of her death on 26 June, and in the weeks since, the care, support and prayers of many, many Uniting Church people have been simply marvellous. Thank you.
Our sense of being cared for by God and by God’s church has been very strong, and certainly helped Alison, me and the family to maintain courage, love and hope. We find enormous comfort in the promise of eternal life and in the experience of God’s love and peace. Thank you for your understanding and care during the past months.
Gregor Henderson President of the Uniting Church in Australia
FRONTIER SERVICES IS NORTHERN TERRITORY WINNER OF NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP AWARD
Frontier Services has been chosen as the Northern Territory winner of the Federal “Minister’s Awards for Excellence” in apprenticeship training.
The award, which recognizes Frontier Services’ training achievements in its aged care programs across the NT, was announced in Melbourne today by the Minister for Vocational and Further Education, Andrew Robb. As part of the selection process, Frontier Services had to provide detailed information on its apprenticeship induction process, training and mentoring programs, provision of resources such as libraries, and opportunities for apprentice feedback. “We are absolutely delighted to win the NT award,” Sharon Davis, Frontier Services’ NT Manager in Darwin, said.
“We are very proactive in taking on trainee carers because we want to build a solid
local base of Indigenous and non-
Accepting the award in Melbourne were NT Manager Sharon Davis, NT Training Manager Rosemary Jeffery, and trainee carers Talya Johnston, who works at “Juninga” aged care service in Darwin, and Diane Weare from “Rocky Ridge” in Katherine. Frontier Services, which is the largest provider of aged care services in Outback Australia, currently has 26 trainee carers working across the NT.
Rosemary Young National Director, Frontier Services
NEW SYNOD WEBSITE GOES LIVE
The all new Uniting Church Queensland Synod is now live at www.ucaqld.com.au. The site has been completely redesigned using the latest technologies and includes fully searchable links to 135 congregations, with contact details, map and times of worship services. As well as being a gateway to the Uniting Church in Queensland, the site has a deliberate focus on faith information and presents more of the church than just its administrative structure. You are invited to log on, have a look around, check out your own church information, and offer feedback and comment HERE.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
HELP PEOPLE FIND YOUR CHURCH
The new Synod website is now online with an exceptional new “Find you local Uniting Church” section. People can search for your church by map, postcode or name or browse alphabetically. There is space in your individual church entry for your church address, contact details, worship times, photograph and a detailed map is provided to help people find your worship centre. Please log on to the new website www.ucaqld.com.au and have a look at your church’s home page. If the details are incorrect or incomplete please correct these by logging on to your corrections page and making the changes. You can also include a photograph of the front of your church. The correction page can be accessed at http://www.journeyonline.com.au/register/login.php. Please note that these changes do not change your information on the Synod UConnect database only for the Synod website entry. If you have forgotten your username and password please email HERE with your name and position in the congregation to receive a reminder email. It is important to have a look at the map function. If you are showing a Queensland map you will need to adjust your street address. The map will work well if you can enter a street number and full name (e.g 6 Mills Parade). Avoid abbreviations (e.g. St. Crt. Rd. etc) and avoid partial numbers (e.g. 5/64 or 17a). Don’t describe the address as being on a corner (e.g. Corner or Cnr.) as it may not work. Instead use the number and full street address. If you want to highlight a street corner do so at the end of your church description section.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
NEW SYNOD WEBSITE “FAITH WINDOWS”
In the centre of the home page of the New Synod Website there are three windows which rotate giving different content every each time a user logs on. The sharing in the “faith windows” has been written by a range of people under the headings “About Faith” and “About a life of faith”. Each is 100 to 150 words so it can be quickly read. People are invited to contribute their own stories for inclusion as “faith windows”. Please email Bruce Mullan HERE.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
ARE YOU RECEIVING US? ARE YOU RECEIVING US AGAIN?
A changeover in the Synod database which allocates ministry agents and church council
office holders to automatically receive UC Information has been made. Church Council
Chairpersons, Secretaries and Treasurers should receive this mailing automatically
as they are placed on List A because of the position they hold in the Uniting Church.
All ministry agents, presbytery office bearers and retired ministers should also
receive it through List A. If you are receiving two copies of UC Information please
check in the “To” box to see if one is List B. You can unsubscribe to List B here
https://secure.uca.net.au/mail-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
NCLS CONGREGATIONAL REPORTS
Has you congregation collected its 2006 National Church Life Survey Report but hasn't got around to doing much with it yet? Or perhaps you've had an initial look but are not sure where to go from here? As Synod Mission Consultant I'm available to talk with your church council, minister, or other leaders (face to face or over the phone) to explore with you some of the emerging insights and possibilities from your report. Simply phone me on ph: (07) 3377 9818 or email: HERE to discuss options. (By the way, if your congregation participated in the 2006 NCLS but still hasn't received its report they are available from the Synod Office. Just contact Kristine Bromiley on ph: (07) 3377 9825 or email HERE.)
Graham Beattie, Synod Mission Consultant
CHARLOTTE TYRRELL IS LEAVING
Charlotte Tyrrell our Workplace Health & Safety Resource Advisor has decided to pursue career opportunities outside of the Church. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Charlotte for her commitment to and assistance with Workplace Health & Safety along with Child Safe Church initiatives over the past year whilst working for the Queensland Synod, she will be missed. From Monday, 17 September 2007 Workplace Health & Safety queries can be sent to the following email address for assistance and advice: health.safety@ucaqld.com.au
David Munro, Risk & Insurance Manager
DIRECTOR OF THE PILGRIM LEARNING COMMUNITY (PLC) – (FULL TIME; 5 YEAR INITIAL CONTRACT)
Applicants are now being sought to fill the position of Director of the new Pilgrim Learning Community, which, along with Trinity Theological College, will form part of the Queensland Synod’s Network for Christian Formation (NCF). The Network will provide a highly respected centre of excellence in theological education that will equip both lay and ordained leaders for ministry in the Church. Working with the other key leaders of the Church, the Director will create a learning community which will facilitate the equipping of God’s people with knowledge and skills to fulfill the Gospel imperative in a 21st century. The individual (lay or ordained) sought to fill the role will have a passion for Christian adult education and formation. He or she will have exceptional leadership, service delivery, management and educational skills. Applicants must have:
· Membership of the Uniting Church in Australia, and commitment to and understanding of the mission and ethos of the Uniting Church.
· Thorough knowledge of the Uniting Church and its polity.
· Demonstrated capacity to implement strategic plans in complex organizations within fluid and changing environments.
· Experience in providing educational resources, delivered through a variety of methods.
· Demonstrated effective communications skills.
· Qualifications / experience in Christian Adult Education
The full application pack is available via the website (http://www.ucaqld.com.au/career.php) or by contacting Ana Mila (07) 3377 9709 or ana.mila@ucaqld.com.au. Applications will close Friday, 26 October 2007.
General Secretary, UCA Qld Synod
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
September –24th – 8th October Steve Kersnovske on holidays
26th – 2nd October – Jane on holidays
30th – Bruce to Preach at Malanda
October – 3rd – 6th – Bruce to Frontier Services Board meeting -
8th -
10th – Bruce to Ingham
12th – 14th – Young Adults Camp
13th – Bruce and Rod Fisher to Brisbane for Synod Selection Panel
15th – full PLT face to face – presbytery office
16th – 25th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings – Placements etc, CoachNet training
20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out, Northern Zone
21st – Ministry Sunday
23rd – 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.
11th – 13th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements
25th – Christmas Day
January 2008 – 9th – 14th – Summer Madness Camp, Sunshine Coast