Presbytery of North Queensland

PRESBYTERY PROMPTS

29 Wentworth Ave Mundingburra 4812

07 4779 5818 presbnq@bigpond.net.au

Website: www.presbyterynq.net

ISSUE THREE  2007 JANUARY 30TH 2007

 

On the Grapevine…

 

Congratulations to any members of congregations or agencies who have been honoured in the Australia Day Honours list. The following is an excerpt from the Journey on line article regarding this:

“Among the Queensland recipients of the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) were

- Mrs Betty Born of Robina for service to people with intellectual disabilities through the Uniting Church's Crossroads program, and to the community. As the wife of a Minister of the Uniting Church in Australia Rev Dr Lewis Born, Mrs Born has supported and assisted many people, both within the church congregation and the wider community, for over 50 years.

- Mrs Laurel Asimus of Buderim for service to the community of the Maroochy Shire through church, service, welfare and aged care groups. A Uniting Church elder for 25 years Mrs Asimus has also been a volunteer Telephone Counsellor with Lifeline Sunshine Coast and Lifeline Board Member for 8 years.
- Mrs Edna Wright of Yungaburra for service to the community of the Atherton Tablelands through a range of musical, performing arts and church organisations. Mrs Wright is a former elder and organist at Atherton Uniting Church.” 

 

Special congratulations to Edna Wright from the NQ Presbytery.  

If there are any other UC people in the north that were honoured please let us know so that we can share the information with others of our Church family.

We have heard about Atherton Shire citizen of the year – Margaret Russell, a member of Atherton Uniting Church and Eacham Shire Junior Citizen of the Year – Alanna Pennells. Alanna was of the young people from the Atherton area who went to NCYC -congratulations to Margaret and Alanna.

 

As you will be aware this year has started fairly quickly with an early Presbytery Leadership Team meeting this Friday (2nd Feb) and the Presbytery Meeting in Cairns on 23rd to 25th Feb.  The year also has the Qld Synod meeting in May (18th to 22nd) as well as our usual Zone meetings and of course all the exciting events and plans in all the congregations across the Presbytery including the plans for Youth, Children and Families ministry coordinated by Steve.

 

Blessings to you all

 

Bruce C.

 

Pastoral Notes and prayer points:

• Pray for Michelle Cook and James and their new baby Zane as they settle in to routines. Michelle remains in Brisbane at her parent’s home for the time being.

• Hardingham family – Tamara continues to slowly improve and has been able to move to Cairns for further education. Pray for her as she settles in and for Garry, Theresa and the family in Cloncurry.

• Please pray for Stephen and Tracie Kersnovske as they continue to work through some issues with the Department of Child Safety surrounding foster care.

• Please pray for Rev Mawunydjil Garawirrtja who will be undergoing surgery in Adelaide on the 4th of February 2007. 

• Pray for Dr. Api Maha and his wife Nasain.  Api is a senior layman in the United Church of Papua New Guinea who has come to Townsville for heart surgery.
 

In his Daily Mail devotional on Tuesday, Bruce Mullan refers to the writings of Brian McLaren.

Brian McLaren was about to speak at a church youth convention when his host asked the audience a provocative question.

How many considered themselves liberal Christians?  A smattering of hands and a few cheers.  Conservative?  Louder claps and hoots.  Then he asked: "How many of you wish there could be a third alternative?"

The room erupted with cheers.  The host then introduced McLaren as a fellow pilgrim in search of the third alternative.  The nondenominational evangelist — labelled a "sage" for "emergent church," a growing theological movement aimed at a new generation — was surprised by the response but says he understands it now.

"One of the reasons they cheered is their sense that the polarization between conservative and liberal, evangelical and mainline, left and right has gotten so extreme, it seems like a cartoon," he says.  "People have this sense that we've lost our balance."

McLaren isn't preoccupied with hell — who's in and who's out.  Emergent church leaders don't view other religions, science and liberals as enemies.

McLaren says the centre of the emergent church's desire is to "re-centre the Christian message on Jesus and the teachings of Jesus."  He wants to dispense with an inward faith focused only on personal salvation.

The emergent movement also is critical of megachurch "seeker services," where megachurches treat parishioners as religious consumers who need the gospel tailored to meet their needs.

McLaren notes the critics but says he's ultimately trying to teach another audience.  In A Generous Orthodoxy he describes that audience as those "outside the church."

"A friend of mine once said that every new Christian should be equipped at baptism with a manure detector because there's plenty of it around in the church world, and I agree," he writes.  "I've seen it and smelled it (and too often tracked it through the house).  Sometimes, I've felt like giving up and walking away in search of fresher, healthier air.  But there's something here that I love and can't stop loving, and that something is actually Someone."

[By John Blake Voice of 'sage' inspires admiration, intense criticism posted by ajc.com/living 27 January copyright 2007 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  Read the full article at http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/faithandvalues/stories/2007/01/26/0127LVRELMcLaren.html]

The full article referred to in the web address above includes the following that I thought were interesting:

9 CHARACTERISTICS OF EMERGING CHURCHES

1. Identify with the life of Jesus.
2. Transform the secular realm.
3. Live highly communal lives.
4. Welcome the stranger.
5. Serve with generosity.
6. Participate as producers.
7. Create as created being.
8. Lead as a body.
9. Take part in spiritual activities.

Source: "Emerging Churches" (Baker Academic, $17.99) by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger

Judy Bottrill - support for special needs child - Judy has just started work with special needs children at St Jo’s at the Strand in Townsville. In trying to help these kids she tries to capitalise on their interests and try to build some educational programs that way.

One boy she was working with today has limited interests. However, he has some interest and talent in simple cartooning. Judy wonders whether there is someone in T’ville who has that skill who might be interested in working with the boy for a period, one day a week, to help get him stimulated.

Do you have any ideas?

Please send any ideas to  jmbotts@bigpond.com or phone 4779 6489.

 

Child Safe Church training will be organised in all Zones in the next month or so. Steve Kersnovske is the official trainer for North Queensland and will be running train the trainer events soon. Dates will be confirmed this Friday. As you are aware it is essential that there is a designated person in each congregation who is the Child Safety Officer who has some training. As we are all aware, churches are not exempt from the requirements of the law in this regard and we need to be even more active and vigilant in this regard to provide a safe place for all.  Look for the dates and plan to have someone available for training. Training for congregational people will be about 3 hours.

 

Presbytery Meeting (Cairns) – 23rd to 25th February: Just a reminder to everyone that our first Presbytery Meeting for this year will be held in Cairns at YAL Tropicana Lodge from Friday 23rd February through to 25th February. The information sheets and forms to return notifying the office as to who is attending from your congregation or agency have been sent. Please reply ASAP as the time lines are short.

 

Synod delegates – if you have not already done this PLEASE send to Jane by FRIDAY the names of those who are attending the Synod meeting in May from your congregation. The synod role is supposed to be finalised by 31st January but we have a couple of days grace.

 

Hughenden/Flinders Patrol - The induction/commissioning of Peter Harvey will take place at Hughenden on 5th March. Peter will be present in Hughenden from about the 5th February as part of his settling in process. If anyone would like to go to the induction to support Peter and the folk at Hughenden please consider coming. I will be travelling from Townsville on the Monday and returning on Tuesday if anyone would like a lift.  

 

New Army Chaplain: We welcome the new Uniting Church Army Chaplain to 1st Battalion RAR in Townsville, Charles Vesely, and his wife Yvonne and children Kari(13), Damaris (10), Shem (9), Andraya (7). They come to us from Central West Presbytery in NSW and among other things are enjoying rain for the first time in ages. Welcome to the north.

 

Johan Loots - a minister from South Africa who made application through our Presbytery to be a minister in the Uniting Church has accepted a call to the congregation of Aspley in Brisbane. He will be inducted on 11th February. For the time being, Lisa will continue to work in Townsville, but that will be a short term arrangement. Please pray for Johan as he commences in Aspley, his first congregation in Australia.

 

The Leadership training in conjunction with Trinity College will be held in Townsville as follows. More details and rego form will be available later.

 

Friday 30th  March

7: 00 p.m. – 10: 00 p.m.         Pastoral Care   (Bruce Cornish)

 

Saturday 31st March

9: 00: - 12: 00 p.m.                    Understanding your community/congregation  (Bruce).

1: 00 – 4: 00 p.m.                      Visioning mission  (Craig M.)

7: 00 – 10: 00 p.m.                     Recruiting and resourcing leaders (Craig. M.)

 

Steve’s Stuff…

NCYC was the first event to kick-off youth and children’s ministry across our presbytery.  What a great way to start the year.  Our first major youth ministry event this year is ‘Easter Camp 2007’.  This will be a fantastic camp and opportunity for young people from across our presbytery to connect.

 

Easter Camp commences Thursday the 5th of April around 8pm and finishes lunch time Monday the 9th of April.  The camp is being held at New Life Pastures, Kennedy.  Easter Camp is for high school age students and young adults up to the age of 21.  The price is still to be finalised.

 

The theme is ‘Stories of Hope’.  Our guest speaker is Rob Hanks who is the Director of the Youth Unit in NSW.  Rob speaks regularly at camps and other events and connects well with this particular age-group.  He also uses a variety of music and multi-media clips to bring his message alive.  Rob is looking forward to coming to Nth Qld and sharing with us.

 

Each morning we will have a time or worship, input and small groups.  In the afternoon young people will be able to choose from a variety of electives.  A variety of activities will take place in the evening.

 

I encourage you to bring your group of young people, be it one or one hundred.  If your congregation can send young people but not a leader, please let me know so we can work something out.  My prayer is that we will have fifty young people attend Easter camp.  In directing previous Easter camps, I have witnessed the Holy Spirit working in young people’s lives in amazing ways.  Exploring the Easter story and what it means for us is so important.  It will be a great time of growth for young people.

 

If you have any questions about Easter camp, please call me on 4036 4440, 0427 727 070 or stevek@yacmu.com.au  I will send each congregation registration forms as soon as we have finalised the cost and program.  You will find similar information about Easter Camp at www.yacmu.com.au.  Registration forms will also be available to download from this site.

 

Please let your young people know now and plan to be there.  If you would like to be involved in a leadership role, please let me know.

 

Yours in Christ’s service, Steve.

 

What’s New…

GOD’S ANCIENT PATHS TO FINANCIAL SUCCESS

Understanding Finances from a Biblical Perspective

16th & 17th February at Townsville Central Uniting Church

Who should come :

Anyone who is struggling to get by and desirous of getting out of debt.

Anyone who has trouble saving money

Anyone who wants to learn God’s wisdom on finances

Anyone who wants to learn how to be a better steward of what God has given him or her.

Cost: $50/$40 (Early Bird) Individual; $65/$55 (Early Bird) for Married couple using 1 workbook) or $85/$75 (Early Bird) for Married couple using 2 workbooks

Register on or before 1st of February and avail of the Early Bird discount. Inquiries at the Church Office 4771 2584

 

PROCESS FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR THE MARRIAGE REGISTRAR

Ministers changing their residential address are to advise the Registrar-General within 30 days of their movement on ph: (07) 3247 9203 / 1300 366 430 or address: The Registrar of Ministers of Religion, Registrar-General’s Office, PO Box 15188, City East, Qld 4002.

General Secretary

 

MEDIA LIAISON OFFICER

This is to advise that Mr Phil Smith has been appointed as Media Liaison Officer working with the Moderator, Rev Dr David Pitman and in conjunction with the Communication Services Unit team. Phil has significant experience in journalism, broadcasting and public relations and will provide valuable resourcing for the synod for two half days each week and managing the church’s relationships with the media. Phil can be contacted on ph: (07) 3377 9834 or HERE.

Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit

 

LENT STUDIES 2007 AVAILABLE ON THE WEB

Please note that 2007 Lent Studies, Called to plant a future are now available on the Synod website as a downloadable A4 PDF document. The original colour version has been replaced with a black and white version which can be easily photocopied for use by small groups. You can access the studies at http://www.ucaqld.com.au/lentStudies2007.pdf.

Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit

 

Please don’t forget these…

SYNOD JUSTICE AND INTERNATIONAL MISSION ADVOCATE (JIMA)

Members of the Synod will be sad to learn that in February Heather den Houting will be leaving the position of Social Responsibility Advocate and International Mission Consultant which she job shared in a part-time capacity with Andrew Johnson. Heather leaves to take up full-time study as a Candidate for the Ministry of Deacon and we wish her God's blessing as she pursues the call of God and the Church on her life. Following recommendations arising from a review undertaken in relation to the position, the role was re-designated and advertised as a full-time position to be filled by one person. We are delighted to advise that Andrew Johnson has been appointed to this significant position within the Synod. Congratulations Andrew! Although the role will remain substantially the same, the position will now be known as the Synod's "Justice and International Mission Advocate (JIMA) in line with the language becoming more widely adopted across the church.

Jenny Tymms, General Secretary

 

EIGHT RURAL AND INDIGENOUS MINISTRIES WIN UC FOUNDATION GRANTS

Wide geographic spread through five presbyteries has again been a feature of the successful applicants for the second round of Foundation grants in 2006. The Foundation received 19 applications, totaling over $90,000. After deliberation by the Foundation’s Board, ten applications for $35,249 were successful. This brings the total number of general grants to over 180, amounting to nearly $845,000. The successful applicants in this round were:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mainly, it is thanks to the dedicated people whose Will has resulted in an unrestricted bequest being received by the Church, that the Foundation has been able to disburse its tax-free interest earnings on such funds, in the form of these general grants. Their special gift to future generations, from their accumulation of a lifetime of God’s blessings, is a true reflection of the values and principles they treasured. The closing date for the next round of general grants is 31 March, for disbursement during June. For more information about bequests to the Church and for grant application forms, why not visit the Foundation right now at www.foundation.ucaqld.com.au or phone the Development Manager on ph: (07) 3377 9777.

Ken Edwards, UC Foundation

NO MORE VICTIMS

No more victims? Who are the victims? The crime affects not just the victims, but in other ways the society, the families, the community as a whole, and even the perpetrators. In many ways it’s our responsibility as God’s people to pray for God’s intervention. Shared responsibility and collaborative approaches – community safety and crime prevention are the responsibility of everyone in the community. Prison Ministry wants to share the love of Christ and serve the special needs of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families, including the children. We know that prison is a tough time both for those who are confined and for their loved ones left at home to deal with loneliness, social rejection, financial strains, and other pressures. We hope to provide a better service, serving our God in serving inmates, ex-inmates and their families. I believe we need to equip the family with support, not only with groceries, but also some form of training, anger management, budgeting, cooking lessons, parenting skills, marriage counselling etc. If somehow we can support the families this will be a way of breaking the cycle of crime. Many of the inmates, ex-inmates and families face the time alone. Crime is a problem of the whole community. Incarceration is necessary in some cases, but re-offending in part shows us something we are doing is not right. We are missing the target somehow. Our focus should be in crime prevention, equipping families and transition programs. If you wish to support the work of prison ministry you can send your donation to “Lifeline Community Care Prison Ministry Gift Fund Account” BSB: 084-009 & A/C No: 50-841-5792. All donations are tax deductible. Thanks for your support and prayers. We need you! Let us count the blessings together.

Beatriz Skippen, Senior Prison Chaplain

 

Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s Diary)

 

February 2nd – Presbytery Leadership Team Meeting – face to face (office)

13th – Bruce to Brisbane for Placements meeting

15th – CEM Forum – Brisbane

 16th – Moderator & Presbytery Ministers meeting – Brisbane

17th – Council of Synod meeting – Brisbane

23rd – 25th – Presbytery meeting – Cairns

25th – Marcia Cowen’s Induction – Edmonton

 

March 5th – Peter Harvey Induction – Hughenden

8th – 9th – Bruce, Craig Mischewski, Malcolm Bottrill and Doug Foster to Brisbane for Coach Net Training

11th – Bruce to Ingham – Preach and Worship

22nd – Bruce to Placements Brisbane

23rd – Moderator & Presbytery Ministers meeting – Brisbane

29th – Presbytery Leadership Team meeting – Teleconference

           30th – 31st – Leadership Training Course – Townsville

 

April – 5th – 9th Easter Camp – New Life Pastures

16th – 20th - National Presbytery Ministers conference – Yarra Ranges Melbourne

28th Northern & Southern Zone Meetings