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,
Below is information from a number of sources. I would like to remind you that Presbytery Prompts is a communisation tool for the entire Presbytery, not just from me to you. Please continue to share events, thoughts, ideas with us all. I look forward to hearing from you what is happening in ministry and mission in your area and what exciting plans you have for 2008.
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Give thanks for the donations that continue to come in for the TI manse appeal. Without an exact amount from this week I think that we are around $15,000 so far and the envelopes are yet to hit the congregations in this months Journey.
· Pray for Gordon Burley as he continues to cope with the nerve problems in his feet.
· Pray for congregations and ministers seeking placements at the moment.
· Give thanks that cyclone Guba moved away from the Thursday Island and Weipa and that there was no damage apart from some heavy rain. Pray for the damage and devastation in parts of XXX province of PNG.
· Mosese and Witness Fangupo as they begin packing to come to Tully in the New Year.
AdMinistry
This publication from Finance and Property Services was distributed to congregational treasurers and ministers this week. It included official notification of the Stipend figures for 2008. There was also mention that the stipend would continue to increase at the same rate for the next few years. This continued increase was discussed at length in the meetings I was a part of in Brisbane this week and that continuing increase in the coming years is certainly NOT definite.
There has to be much more consultation on all that and there will be.
Week of meetings
This last week was what we Presbytery Ministers call our ‘week of meetings’. It began on Wednesday morning with the Placements Meeting. This was a challenging meeting where we realised that there are more places to be filled than ministry agents that are available to fill them. We continue to give thanks that there are retired ministers who are willing and able to fill in as the needs arise. It was decided that the ministry vacancies would be included in UC information on a regular basis.
Please continue to make all of this a matter of prayer. Pray also that God would raise up men and women both to offer as candidates and to perhaps to offer for the new specified ministry of Pastor. If you may be interested to know more about that, drop me a line and I can send you the information.
A significant decision was the creation of a half time short term ministry placement in Cairns Emmanuel into which Irinale Tadulala has been called. This is in addition to Hedley’s position and will focus on the Pacific Island, PNG folk and others in the Cairns region.
The Moderator General Secretary and Presbytery Ministers, met on Thursday. Following a sharing time where we each were able to share where things were at for us, the incoming General Secretary, Douglas Jones shared with us both his excitement and trepidation at the incoming role he will be taking on from January. We were able to hear both Dougs heart for ministry and mission and his hopes for the practical, more routine parts of the role. It was acknowledged that with the changes in the General Secretaries role description from the last Synod, that the new role Douglas is moving into will initially be a challenge to engage with. Douglas will be doing a lot of listening and reflection in the first few months.
Jim Barry also outlined the changes in the Fringe Benefits arrangements and clearer guidelines which will be distributed this coming week to all ministers. Please note that there is a requirement to fill out and sign the Fringe Benefits form each year by the 1st January so make sure you attend to that as soon as you get it.
Friday saw us engage with the NCLS (National Church Life Survey) material by way of a workshop led by Dr Ruth Powell. This was a dynamic and on the whole both challenging and encouraging presentation. By encouraging I mean that while there is strong evidence that, along with many mainline denominations, the Uniting Church is holding its own, but challenging in that the UCA has an aging, albeit energetic, constituency that will in the next 10 to 15 years become less energetic. We were reminded that basic information is accessible on the NCLS website. The individual congregations access code is on the information you will have received from the NCLS. There is also an access code for other synod information that I can make available to interested people if you want it.
Saturday was not only Federal Election Day but also the Council of Synod meeting.
The meeting was a normal mix of reports from the Moderator, General Secretary, and
2 Presbyteries-
Rev Dr Malcolm Coombes was reappointed as Director of New Testament Studies for Trinity College for a further 5 years.
Rev Leva Pat was appointed in the half time role as Synod multi/cross cultural advocate.
The Council of Synod also acknowledged that this was the final meeting for Jenny Tymms as General Secretary and we shared a liturgy of release of Jenny from that role. It was also noted that Jenny would continue until January 2008 and support Douglas Jones in the transition process.
At the Top
A reminder of the logo competition, details are below and you should also have them by email. I am excited about the possibilities as we explore what it means to be “At the Top”.
NCLS info
From the information regarding leadership in the UCA from the NCLS our Mission Consultant Graham Beattie makes these observations:
Some interesting features I find are:
· The relatively high incidence of key leaders who are lay people (47%) compared with ordained ministers (46%)
· The average age of our senior leaders being 54 (close to the cross denominational
average of 52) and only 12% aged between 20 -
· On average senior leaders have spent only 4 years in their current congregation. This point is particularly interesting as church analysts such as Lylle Schaller claim that usually ministers don't enter their most effective period of ministry until they have been 7 years in a placement.
· Certainly UCA seems to be leading the way concerning women in key ministry roles
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· 83% of UCA ministers are Australian born compared with 77% as the cross denominational average
· Also UCA leaders are the most educated of all denominations, with 79% being university graduates
· 47% of senior leaders pastor a single congregation, 28% two and 25% three or more congregations
· An emerging trend to part time, lay and older staffing profile of church workers working one or more days per week.
RESOURCES
Heroic Leadership, by Chris Lowney. [Loyola Press 2003].
A book I read recently and found inspiring on leadership was called “Heroic Leadership”
by an ex-
A great book if you like those on leadership but are uneasy about ‘leadership idolatry’.
Not a Christian book, but the gospel is clearly just under the surface, with self-
Paul Clark, Minister Burdekin Uniting Church
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.
I am sure that there are some excellent resources out there you are using for Advent. Why not let the rest of the Presbytery in on the secret?
HUMOUR ME
Today’s offering from “You won’t Die Laughing” by Patricia Cameron-
THE JOY OF GIVING
‘What did you do for someone else today?’….People are not always aware of how they can give to others, or how good it feels. We both thought that we understood the meaning of ‘giving’ or ‘service’ – until we joined Dr. Patch Adams who was clowning in Nazareth Nursing Home in Melbourne. This is what happened:
Patch approached one of the residents who was lying in bed almost in a semi-
As Patch approached the resident, his sister looked up and said:
“I don’t think you’ll get much of a response from him.”
Hearing this, Patch looked at the woman, gave her a warm smile and said gently:
“Response? I’m not here for a response, I’m here to give.”
At that moment we both understood for the first time what ‘giving’ was all about. Patch also taught us how much fun there is to be had through service to others, especially when we get rid of the debit/credit attitude. He says:
“The highest drug in the world is giving.”
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
20/20 Vision
As part of our vision towards the year 2020 as a Presbytery we are looking to be At the Top in all that we do in ministry and mission. To share that vision and begin our thinking we want to promote this throughout the Presbytery. See the letter below for some details. Further information is being sent to your Church Council and ministers. If you do not have access to the logo comp application form, please contact the Presbytery office and we will send you one.
At the Top
Dear Brother or Sister in Christ,
The North Queensland Uniting Church is setting sail for an exciting journey into the future. We are weighing anchor to old habits and comfortable options and looking to sail forward with God. We are grabbing hold of adventure, ingenuity and innovation to find where the Spirit is leading. I am using such impassioned language because I’m excited about the Presbyteries bold new strategic plan. A 2020 vision we are developing to put the North Queensland Uniting Church at the top of it’s game, to bring life, salvation and hope to the people of the North.
We would like you to join us on this journey. In 2008 we hope to launch our new 2020 vision, sparked by the catch cry, At the Top. If you weren’t at the Presbytery meeting in Townsville in November you missed an explanation about how we are already at the top geographically, naturally, climatically, in terms of water, Tourist destinations and a whole host of other ways. We are now asking ourselves the question, as a church what do we have to do to be at the top of outreach, innovative ministry, youth ministry, etc, etc?
The Presbytery Leadership Team is now launching a logo competition, to find a logo
that will go with our dream, ‘At the Top.” We envisage having this logo on hats,
t-
Can you help by promoting this competition in your church? Please ensure that everyone in church the next few weeks hears about this and has access to the information. Perhaps you could encourage every Sunday School child to make an entry, make it a class activity. Maybe Bible study and youth groups, etc, etc can all have a go as well as individual church members.
Someone will win $100 prize money, and our hope is that our people will all begin to talk about this bold new direction. We hope that this provides a catalyst for us all to think about what it will mean to be At The Top in mission and ministry in each place across the Presbytery. Please encourage people to be part of this, however talented or not they think they are. We’ll take any rough idea and turn it into something professional if need be.
The closing date is Friday 14th December. I know it’s a busy time of year, but please don’t let this exciting opportunity be missed!
Yours in Christ
Rev Paul Clark & Rev Bruce Cornish, On behalf of the Presbytery Leadership Team
PS – Imagine the excitement if the winner came from your neck of the woods!
Steve’s Stuff…
Dave Andrews who spoke at NCYC 2007 and is also a well known Christian activist commented that in both the past and present, when Christians are confronted with an issue or situation they either ‘fight’ or ‘flight’. At present I see this taking place regarding the soon to be realised move, ‘The Golden Compass’.
I have received emails warning people of the anti-
I personally believe that there is middle ground, that we don’t have to take either extreme, fight or flight! After reading about the plot and story line, I totally disagree with some of the concepts that are put forth. However is it an option for Christian parents to view the movie with their child/ren and afterwards have a discussion regarding what our Christian faith has to say about the ideas presented throughout the film??
From doing further research, it seems that people are more concerned with the three
books, The Golden Compass being one that Phillip Pullman has written. Critics say
that the anti-
When Phillip Pullman was asked about his religious beliefs, he stated:
I don't know whether there's a God or not. Nobody does, no matter what they say. I think it's perfectly possible to explain how the universe came about without bringing God into it, but I don't know everything, and there may well be a God somewhere, hiding away.
Actually, if he is keeping out of sight, it's because he's ashamed of his followers and all the cruelty and ignorance they're responsible for promoting in his name. If I were him, I'd want nothing to do with them. (Daily Telegraph)
Phillip’s comments makes me think whether the ‘fight’ or ‘flight’ mentality is helpful. As Christians if we are against this movie, what are we for? Instead of fight or flight, maybe we are called to shine the light of Christ?
Groups such as Focus on the Family are saying regarding the movie, let’s wait and see. However they are quite clearly against the books.
So where you stand is up to you. However can we comment on a film that we have not seen? In addition if we choose to watch the movie with our children, does it present us with the opportunity to have a great faith discussion?
Yours in Christ’s service, Steve.
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
January 2008 -
March – 20th – 22nd – Easter Camp
October – Young Adults Retreat – dates to be advised
Kid’s Camp Out – Northern & Southern Zones dates to be advised.
What’s New…
CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT ST LUKE’S IN WEIPA
2 Dec Carols by Candlelight
7 Dec Christmas KidsClub
25 Dec Christmas Worship
9-
Michelle Cook, Deacon, Frontier Services Cape York Patrol and St Luke's Weipa
ATHERTON TABLELANDS CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Atherton Tablelands Carols by Candlelight on December 8th at the Atherton Showgrounds from 6.30 pm.
Leo Newell, minister Atherton
LECTIONARY YEAR A FOR 2007 -
Peter Blackburn has just completed the Lectionary Year A for 2007-
Please remember these…
CHURCH TREASURERS – THURSDAY ISLAND MANSE APPEAL INSTRUCTIONS
Treasurers, please note that the Thursday Island Manse Appeal envelopes which will
be included with the December issue of Journey may be posted by congregation members
to the Synod Office using the Reply Paid return address. Some may also be deposited
in your Sunday offering plate. Please process donations in this way. Cash – please
bank and add to your monthly cash remittance marked TI MANSE APPEAL 12031 $amount
10501-
Jim Barry, Financial Controller, Financial Services Division
AT THE TOP
Have you told your congregation about the Logo Competition yet? After Compass two weeks ago my congregations were excited to hear about something inspiring the Uniting Church is doing, and began to capture the vision. I already have two logos in.
Make sure your congregation hears about 'At the Top' and the Logo Competition!
Paul Clark, Minister Burdekin Uniting Church
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Russ Clark (minister at Mareeba) attended a Leadership Summit in Sydney and this is what he has to say…
I attended a Leadership Summit organized by Willow Creek Ministries recently in Sydney. There was a number of speakers of excellent quality and I found the Summit to be a rewarding experience… so much so that I have already booked to go next year. All the speakers were viewed on the big screen.
Bill Hybells spoke of the need for total commitment to a church’s vision by the whole
church, and how to go about involving people. Carly Fiorina former CEO of Hewlett-
Some of the Sydney based churches took their leadership team to the conference and are making these talks the foundation of their church’s future development.
Quotes from the conference that were meaningful for me were :
· Learn the “inspirational” language of people on your team> (Hybells)
· Don’t be burdened by other peoples prejudices. Find common ground and work on that (Fiorina)
· Learn more from your strengths than from your weaknesses. (Buckingham)
· Don’t get too emotional with failure. (Curtis)
· A leader’s great challenge is to find truth tellers, not people who tell yu what you want to hear. (Ortberg)
· Plans don’t accomplish things, only people do. (Powell)
· Surround yourself with people who know more than you do. (Carter)
Russ Clark, Minister, Mareeba Uniting Church
GLOBAL WALKING BALI EXPOSURE TRIP
Tour includes -
Tanya Richards
ODE TO JOY CD
The Bundaberg Uniting Church has published a CD titled Ode to Joy of music played by organist Doug Killer on the Bundaberg Uniting Church organ, just in time for Christmas! While a major purpose in producing the 20 track CD was to honour the service of Joy Killer who died last year, it was also a way of recording history. Pipe organs are fast becoming museum pieces and are fighting for their place as the "monarchs of musical instruments". CDs are $10 each plus minimum of $2 postage and handling. To order call Bundaberg Uniting Church on ph: (07) 4153 2201 from Monday to Friday between 9am and 12noon or email: robevans@dovenetq.net.au
Bundaberg UCA
COMPASS: THE UNITING CHURCH ABC TV NOT GREAT JOURNALISM
The ABC Compass program last Sunday night examining what they called “the unfolding
story of a modern and dis-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communications Services Unit
MODERATOR’S SERMON TEXT AVAILABLE
Praying with open hands was the title of the a sermon given at the special meeting
of the Queensland Synod on 27th October 2007 by the Moderator Rev Dr David Pitman.
Many people have asked for the text and Journey is pleased to publish Dr Pitman’s
sermon online at http://www.journeyonline.com.au/showArticle.php?categoryId=1&articleId=1287.
The texts for the sermon were Psalm 65: 1-
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communications Services Unit
U.C.I.S CONTACT LIST
We’ve recently welcomed some new faces to the U.C.I.S team. Below is an updated list
of names so you know who to contact when you talk with us: Loans: Stephen Peake (General
Manager), Rob Cowan, Ian Harding, Lorraine Devonshire Customer Service: Lynne Spratt,
Judy Douglas, Eliana Sanchez, Leo Tapara, Lynda Wright. Just a reminder that our
call centre opening hours are Monday-
Uniting Church Investment Services
BEYONDBLUE
beyondblue is a national, independent not-
Leonie Swainston, Seniors Peer Education Officer, COTA Queensland
NEW DISABILITY LOBBY
A new disability lobby group has emerged in the lead-
Cameron Gledhill, Communications Officer, National Disability Services
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
November
20th – 23rd – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
21st – 24th -
30th & 1st Dec. – The John Flynn College Strategic Planning weekend.
December – 4th – Bruce to Brisbane for meetings re The John Flynn College.
5th – PLT – full meeting presbytery office.
7th -
11th – 13th – Steve to Brisbane YACMU
13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements
23rd Dec – 7th Jan. – Bruce & Margie to Brisbane (holidays)
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25th – Christmas Day
January 2008 – 9th – 14th – Summer Madness Camp, Sunshine Coast