Church Council news
Church Council met on 14th May. Read about it here!
A fortnight ago I wrote that the Church Council will meet on 14th May. It was a very productive meeting indeed.
One of the discussion items was my continuing Supply Ministry. Subject to Presbytery approval, my Supply Ministry will be extended to end-November. I am not available in July. You will receive by email or in printed form a document called Planning to Prosper 2. This was accepted by the Church Council.
What else happened at Church Council?
1. Karley Nelson led a wonderful devotion from Ephesians 4:1-6 talking about unity.
2. We agreed to move our meeting time back to 7pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month.
3. We agreed to hold our Annual Congregational meeting on 29th June, with a second Congregational meeting on 30th November. In addition, “Church Meetings” will be held at both Umina and Kincumber in March and September. These will be an opportunity to talk about local concerns.
4. The Church Council Executive will clarify our Workplace Health and Safety requirements.
5. A new “Welcome Booklet” is being produced.
6. We received my (Rev. Frank’s) monthly Supply Minister’s report.
7. We received the Treasurer’s report and Budget. Our Treasurer Margaret Gregory will present the Budget at the Annual meeting.
8. The Connecting with God Mission Team will meet on 6th June to plan Worship from July onwards.
9. We received the Connecting with the Community Mission Team report and the report from Donna Knee, our Family and Community Worker. Donna will liaise with ALDI Umina about collecting surplus food once per week. A Biggest Morning Tea will be held on 19th June at and after the BeeBay Playgroup.
10. The Supporting and Resourcing Mission Team (SRMT) presented its report, including the Umina Property report, Kincumber Property report, and Property Development Committee report. At Synod and Presbytery’s recommendation we will move our electricity supply to Shell Energy. The Team will explore the implications of selling one of the two Manse properties. This should provide funds to cover Property expenses and hence release funds for ongoing Ministry and Mission. The Team has been liaising with different parties concerning 344 Ocean Beach Road. Brenda Stiff will report on this through Dove Tales. The Team has also applied for Grant funding for Live Streaming at Kincumber and for money to upgrade Tincknell/Frost Cottage at Kincumber. We are waiting for news.
11. The Connecting with Each Other Mission Team continues to support people, including those unable to worship on Sunday mornings.
12. The Technology Working Group reported that, following training, all of our electronic records will be moved to Synod’s SharePoint site from June onwards. Further training in websites will also happen in June. Our aim is to have up-to-date websites for Central Coast South, Umina UCA, Kincumber UCA, the Kincumber Op Shop as well as a Central Coast Playgroups site.
13. The Executive has been tasked with producing a five-year plan based on our Vision and Action Plan.
14. Our Church Safety Officers Teresa Read and Doug Fletcher continue to remind Church Council of its Safe Church responsibilities.
On Wednesday (21st) Chairperson Doug Fletcher and I met at Gosford UCA as members of a new Collaborative Leadership Group. This has been created by Cobie Vermeulen who works for Uniting. The aim is to build bridges between Uniting (and its Agencies) and the Uniting Church Congregations on the Central Coast.
You may not be aware that all Ministers/Pastors, and Lay people authorised to conduct the Sacraments, are required to do two Ethical Ministry training sessions per year. I will be doing this on Wednesday 28th and then sharing lunch with my Central Coast colleagues.
As we consider the work of the Church Council and its Executive, and my role as Supply Minister, let us not forget our key verse from Jeremiah 31:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
With hope and joy,
Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput), Supply Minister