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
TWENTY FOURTH EDITION WEDNESDAY JUNE 27TH 2007
On the Grapevine…
Dear friends,
It is with sadness that I share with you this information that I have just received (Wed. 11:30am) from the Assembly General Secretary, Terence Corkin.
“Gregor Henderson’s (Assembly President) wife Alison died yesterday afternoon at 3:15pm.
The family was all able to be present with her for what was, in the end, a relatively quick conclusion to what has been a long and demanding vigil.
Gregor has asked that I let people know on his behalf. At this point in time there is no date for the funeral which will be held in Hobart. Gregor will not be available for any Presidential responsibilities until further notice.”
I will send a card to Gregor to express on behalf of the Presbytery, our condolences.
Please add them to your prayers this Sunday during worship.
Thanks
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Gregor Henderson and his family.
· Pray for the strengthening of relationships between indigenous and non-
· For safety on the roads during the holiday period especially for those we know and love who are travelling.
· For the special Council of Synod meeting this Saturday as we work out the processes for the appointment of a new General Secretary – also for David, our Moderator and Jenny the current Gen.Sec. as they guide the process.
Jane will be on leave from Tuesday 3rd July until Friday 6th July. Please note that Monday 3rd July is a Public Holiday in Townsville (Townsville Show) so Bruce will not be in the office that day.
Bruce Mullan puts out Daily Mail each day: Here is the article that he shared with us on Tuesday.
“Does God or some other type of transcendent entity answer prayer?
The answer, according to a new Arizona State University study published in the March journal Research on Social Work Practice, is “yes.” David R. Hodge, an assistant professor of social work in the College of Human Services at Arizona State University, conducted a comprehensive analysis of 17 major studies on the effects of intercessory prayer – or prayer that is offered for the benefit of another person – among people with psychological or medical problems. He found a positive effect.
“There have been a number of studies on intercessory prayer, or prayer offered for
the benefit of another person,” said Hodge, a leading expert on spirituality and
religion. “Some have found positive results for prayer. Others have found no effect.
Conducting a meta-
Hodge’s work is featured in the March, 2007, issue of Research on Social Work Practice, a disciplinary journal devoted to the publication of empirical research on practice outcomes. It is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious journals in the field of social work.
Hodge noted that his study is important because it is a compilation of available studies and is not a single work with a single conclusion. His “Systematic Review” takes into account the findings of 17 studies that used intercessory prayer as a treatment in practice settings.
[Posted by John Mark Ministries. Read the full article at http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/19832.htm] “
Lifeline Chaplain Cairns:
Krishna Buhler will be inducted as the Lifeline Chaplain in Cairns Lifeline on Friday 13th July 12:30pm at Lifeline Cairns. If there are people from our congregations in the Northern Zone who may be able to attend to support Krishna and continue to strengthen the links with Lifeline as another service arm of the Uniting Church that would be great.
National Church Life Survey:
Via a separate email to Ministers and Church Council Secretaries, we will be sending some basic information from the latest National Church Life Survey that may be useful in your planning processes. I am aware that some congregations have purchased their own more detailed information package.
Request from Bob and Anne Zander:
Bob and his wife Anne were the managers at the Uniting Church camp site on Magnetic
Island (before it was sold) and then when they moved to Rollingstone were week-
“There are approximately 200 students attending RE classes @ the school. The School
Rule is that students must buy their own work books. As a result it appears that
at present approximately 30% -
The work books cost $2.50 per student and are issued twice per year in January and July. This means that the total cost for all students' books for the year is $1,000 @ this school.
At the other two Schools where I teach RE the student books are provided in different ways. These Schools are both considerably smaller than Bluewater.
1. At Mutarnee, the student books and the Leader's Manuals are given by the UCA in Ingham, organised by Sue Dan. The Leader's Manuals are returned at the end of each Semester to Sue and are them reused in the next appropriate Cycle. It is a tremendous organisational gift to all RE teachers.
2. At Rollingstone, the Students' Work Books are paid for from the School budget. The Teacher's Manuals and any music discs I purchase and recycle at the next appropriate yearly cycle. As these are the same Manuals used by Bluewater there is no need for extra Manuals to be bought.
I would like to challenge Townsville ' Thuringowa Churches to support God's work @
this part of His vineyard -
Grace and Peace, Bob”
If 2 congregations gave $500 per year, or 4 congregations gave $250 that would cover the costs he is seeking. Maybe there is one congregation who is able to give $1,000.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
Steve is on holidays from Monday the 25th of June to Monday the 9th of July
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
August 25th – 26th – Youth Ministry Conference -
September 15-
October 12-
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
January 2008 -
What’s New…
30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Cairns Emmanuel, Edmonton and Northern Cairns
On Sunday night 24th June 2007, the four Uniting Churches in Cairns came together
for a combined worship service to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Uniting Church
in Australia: Northern Cairns, Emmanuel, Edmonton and the Korean Congregation. Rev.
Doug Foster preached during the service, reminding us of the importance of looking
'forward' to the future. The Korean Congregation Choir sang beautifully as usual.
The service was followed with a cuppa and fellowship as well as the cutting of our
very large anniversary cake. Photos attached. people cutting the cake, Hee-
Rev Hedley Fihaki, Cairns Emmanuel.
Burdekin Uniting Churches
A day of fun and games followed by a sausage sizzle. The service was opened by Paul followed by people giving memory messages. The Minister in 1977 was Revd Bert Adrian. His message was read by George Neilson.
THE AUSTRALIAN VOICES TOUR
The Australian Voices visit North Queensland to perform contemporary Australian music alongside some classics of the choral repertoire, as part of their 2007 Queensland Tour.
Townsville -
Where: Townsville Choral and Orchestral Society building
Address: Denison St, Rockhampton
When: 7pm Saturday, 30 June 2007
Tickets: Adults $15.00 / Conc. $10.00
Tully -
The Australian Voices visit Tully to sing a range of music from the choral repertoire and some of Australia’s newest and most exciting choral music. This is a must see concert for any lover of good music!
Where: Uniting Church Hall
Address:
When: 7pm Sunday, 1 July 2007
Tickets: Adults $15.00 / Conc. $10.0
Innisfail Concert -
Where: Good Council Auditorium
Address: Owen St, Innisfail
When: 6:30pm Monday, 2 July 2007
Tickets: Adults $15.00 / Conc. $10.00
Cairns Concert -
The acclaimed Australian Voices sing our last concert in this tour -
Where: Cairns Choral Society Hall
Address: Greenslopes St, Edge Hill
When: 7:30pm Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Tickets: $15 adults /$10 conc.
Mardi Lumsden, associate editor / advertising manager, Journey – Newspaper
FAREWELL TO MRS SHAYNE HEARLEY
The Synod is sad to farewell Mrs Shayne Hearley, who has been the Executive Secretary to the Moderator and General Secretary for the past two years. Shayne will finish up on 30 June 2007. The Synod wishes her every blessing as she embarks on this new phase of her journey – retirement! At the same time we are also happy to announce that Mrs Ana Mila, who has been with Synod Support Services and the Secretariat office for five years, has been appointed as the Acting Executive Secretary to the Moderator and General Secretary as of 1 July 2007.
Jenny Tymms, General Secretary
INDUCTION SERVICE FOR REV ROBYN KIDD
An Induction Service for Rev Robyn Kidd, Director of Mission, UnitingCare Health will be held on Sunday, 1 July 2007 at 4.00pm at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Brisbane City. All welcome.
UnitingCare Health
INDUCTION SERVICE FOR REV PAM BATSON
The Mary Burnett Presbytery will induct Rev Pam Batson into the congregations of Coolum Beach and Bli Bli on Thursday, 5 July at 7.00pm at the Coolum Beach Uniting Church, Elizabeth Street Coolum Beach. All Welcome.
Mary Burnett Presbytery
‘HERMENEUTICS AND THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE’
A conference devoted to this theme is being organised by the Australasian Theological
Forum in Canberra from 23-
Geoff Thompson, Trinity Theological College
HEALTHY CHURCH DNA & LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR CLERGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Times in ministry are changing Dr Larry E Webb of The Kilgore Group will share his
specialist insight and help you to harness change and turn it into opportunity through
this limited seminar series. Whether your church is healthy or struggling, this four-
Graham Beattie, Synod Mission Consultant
Please don’t forget these…
TRANSITION PROCESS TOWARDS ORDINATION
Youth Workers, Lay Pastors and Community Ministers who are interested in the transition process towards ordination following the introduction of the new Specified Ministry of Pastor, can obtain a copy of the process from Ana Mila HERE, ph: (07) 3377 9709 or from their Presbytery office.
General Secretary
PLACEMENTS PARADIGM RESPONSE SHEET
ALL in ministry placements are reminded that the Placements Paradigm Response sheet is due on Friday, 29 June 2007. A hardcopy is available on the Synod website. Click here: www.ucaqld.com.au/files/Placement Letter from Moderator.doc. Please pass on this important information to anyone that you know, who is in a UCA ministry placement, but does not have internet access.
Moderator
FRAUDSTERS PREY ON THE TRUST OF CHURCH MEMBERS
Affinity Fraud is ranked in the top 10 frauds in the United States and has been reported as being Australia’s “most insidious scam”. Is your church congregation at risk? The fraudster works on the relationships and trust they have developed by their involvement in the congregation and persuades someone else like a leader or well respected and trusted member of the group to use their influence to convince people to invest in financial schemes which are only intended to make the fraudster rich and to dupe those who invest. Read a full report on Affinity Fraud, how it works and how to avoid it by Professor Myles McGregor Lowndes from The Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies at the Queensland University of Technology. Available now at http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArticle.php?categoryId=1&articleId=1066.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
June 29th – 1st July – Bruce to Council of Synod Brisbane
July -
8th – Preaching 3 services at Aitkenvale UC
9th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office
10th – 11th – Bruce to Brisbane Placements meeting
13th – Krishna Buhler induction as LifeLine Chaplain -
18th – Presbytery Leadership Team meeting – face to face Presbytery office
22nd – preach at Wulguru
29th – 1st August – Meeting – Tully
August 11th – Northern Zone meeting – venue Edmonton UC
13th – Mission Resourcing Committee meeting – presbytery office
15th – 20th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings
25th – 26th – Youth Ministry Conference -
September – 1st – Southern Zone Meeting – Wulguru UC
6th – 9th – Emmaus Mens Walk
10th – Mission Resourcing Committee Meeting – presbytery office
13th – 16th – Emmaus Women’s Walk
18th – 21st – Bruce meetings in Brisbane
30th – Bruce to Preach at Malanda
October – 3rd – 6th – Bruce to Frontier Services Board meeting -
8th -
9th – Presbytery Leadership Team teleconference
12th – 14th – Young Adults Camp
16th – 25th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings – Placements etc, CoahNet training
21st – Ministry Sunday
28th – Bruce to preach at Wulguru
Steve K’s Calendar
June 19th -
25th – 9th July -
July 15th -