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 weekend is the Presbytery meeting in Townsville. I look forward to seeing some of you there as we are encouraged and enthused by each other in the ministry places God has called us into. When we gather together we have the opportunity to share together. It is a time to share both our achievements in ministry as well as the times we have been disappointed. I am sure that this story has something to say to us all from time to time.
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
[Traditional posted by John Mark Ministries http://jmm.aaa.net.au]
Pastoral Notes and prayer points:
· Pray for Karen Walker (wife of John Walker minister at Wulguru) as she recovers from surgery.
· 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 and for an encouraging and fruitful time togethers.
· Pray for the Benedetti family on the death of Mario on Monday 29th October. Mario and Jeanette live opposite the Presbytery manse and will be well known to a number of people who visit the Presbytery Office and who have lived here.
· Pray for Doug Jones as he begins to prepare for his change of role to become General Secretary.
Appointment of General Secretary-
About three quarters of the membership of the last Synod gathered at a Special Synod meeting of Uniting Church members and ministers from across Queensland on Saturday, 27 October and appointed Rev Douglas Jones as the next General Secretary of the Synod.
Chairperson of the Nominating Committee Rev Stuart Cameron described Mr Jones as having the ability to hold the big picture and detail in creative tension. “Douglas has not been afraid to prophetically speak out when called on issues facing both church and world,” said Mr Cameron, himself a former General Secretary of the Synod of South Australia. “Both from his personality and his training [Mr Jones] seeks to educate as well as inspire, and challenges the church towards positive change."
Some North Queensland people will remember the name Rev. Doug Jones and will remember that there are two ministers in our Synod of that name. One was the Presbytery Chairperson of North Queensland in the late 1980’s. He is now retired and has been so for some years.
The other was the minister in what was the Tablelands Parish, who went on to be the Director of the forerunner of UnitingCare, (Department for Community Services) and then to the position of Old Testament lecturer at Trinity College. It is this latter Doug Jones who is our General Secretary elect.
Stipend for 2008 (repeated from last week)
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.
They are developed and published weekly.
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.
HUMOUR ME
Today’s offering from “You won’t Die Laughing” by Patricia Cameron-
‘A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.’ Proverbs 17:21
Just as we have inherited the capacity for stress, we’ve all been been supplied with the ability to laugh, which is the natural antidote. Laughter also transforms your biology just as dramatically as stress, but in an entirely different way. Although we secrete adrenaline when we laugh (which is why we feel energised) it is balanced with the relaxation that follows laughter. When we laugh, we also release ‘endorphins or ‘happy hormones’, which make us feel good. So good in fact, that Dr. Patch Adams once commented: the government would make it illegal if you didn’t secrete it inside’. The hormones of laughter are also thought to boost the immune system to fight disease, promote healing and keep us well. That is why it’s such a powerful antidote to stress.
Laugh and the world laughs with you. Snore and you sleep alone.
Blessings to you all,
Bruce C.
Steve’s Stuff…
YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTRY EVENTS
October – 20th – 21st – Kids Camp Out Northern Zone
January 2008 -
What’s New…
NEW WEBSITE INFORMS CHRISTIANS OF ALL PARTIES ATTITUDES AND POLICIES ON KEY ISSUES
In another important contribution to the electoral process, the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has launched a website that will inform hundreds of thousands of Christians throughout Australia – including many in marginal seats – about the different political party standpoints on issues that Christians surveyed have declared are important to them.
In all ACL put 25 questions to each of the political parties. Only one of the recognised
parties taking part on the election, the Greens, declined to respond to the questions.
The website www.australiavotes.org contains the responses of the six major political
parties to the specific questions on pro-
(A note from Bruce C., -
LAY PREACHER INFORMATION
To keep our records in order, please give to Marguerite at Presbytery the following information re Lay Preacvhers in your congregation/s
· Names, addresses and phone numbers of
1. Accredited Lay Preachers
2. Lay Preachers in Training
3. Those helping with preaching and / or worship leading not covered by 1 or 2 above.
Keeping this information is essential.
Thanks you for your assistance with this.
Marguerite Chapman, Lay Preachers Convenor
NEW ADDRESS FOR UNITINGCARE QLD AND CENTRAL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
The office of UnitingCare Queensland and UnitingCare Queensland Centre for Social Justice is relocating. From Monday, 5 November our address and phone details will be:
Postal Address -
Office Location -
Phone Main Line -
Fax Line -
Sandy Nolde, UnitingCare Qld
BOOKS FOR REVIEW
Journey is looking for reviewers for the following books. A reviewer’s brief will be provided. 300 words length, one month to review and you get to keep the book.
Christianity for the rest of us – how the neighbourhood church is transforming the faith by Diana Butler Bass The surprising story of the thriving neighbourhood church.
The New Flatlanders by Eric Middleton When a teacher and his students, in a Socratic-
The End of Days by Robert G. Clouse Teachings about the end times can clarify your beliefs and energize your own spiritual journey.
A Farmer’s Year by Angus Buchan In farming, life is a daily struggle against the elements, and is always unpredictable. Angus Buchan, a South African farmer of Scottish extraction, has learned the hard way to rely from day to day upon God.
The Contract with God (Trilogy) by Will Eisner The legendary graphic novel and the sequels that launched an art form. (Cartoon format)
Contact Bruce Mullan at journey@ucaqld.com.au and in the subject heading put ‘Book review referred by UC Info’ to offer to review. First in first served. Reviews will be published in Journey or at www.journeyonline.com.au.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
DECEMBER JOURNEY
The deadline for copy and advertising for the next issue of Journey is Friday, 9 November. To change subscription numbers please contact Kristine Bromiley at kristine.bromily@ucaqld.com.au or call (07) 3377 9825.
Bruce Mullan, Manager, Communication Services Unit
Please remember these…
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
Presbytery Calendar (including Bruce’s and Steve’s Diary)
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