Future Directions

At its meeting on Wednesday 10^th September, the Church Council agreed by consensus to send 4 documents to the Congregation for your consideration:

1. Planning to Prosper 3. Church Council approved an extension of Rev. Frank’s Supply Ministry to end-June 2026. This had been provisionally approved by Presbytery.

2. Implementation Plan. This document builds on the Vision and Action Plan which the Congregation approved late last year. It gathers together many suggestions for Future ministry opportunities. The list needs to be refined, and eventually the remaining items need to be put in Priority order. This Plan will guide us over the next five years. It will also enable the new Grants Committee, convened by Brenda Stiff, to apply for Grants (Church and Government – all 3 levels).

3. Property Development & Funding of Ministry. The Congregation needs to make some vital decisions about its existing Property Developments, including 344 Ocean Beach Road at Umina and Tincknell Cottage at Kincumber. How do we fund these? Alongside this, how could we afford more than a half-time Minister or Pastor? We clearly need more ministry, particularly for pastoral care, but how will we pay for this? This document explores options. 

4. Future Directions Strategy. Items 2 and 3 are vital for our future. We need to make some informed decisions. This document outlines the Strategy approved by Church Council. It includes three key dates:

A. Church Meetings will happen on 28^th September at Umina and Kincumber. These are NOT formal Congregational Meetings. They are an opportunity to discuss the above documents and any other (local) matters. This will provide feedback and guidance to the October meeting of the Church Council.

B. Future Directions Gathering. This is an open meeting to discuss documents 2 and 3. It will (probably) be held at Kincumber on 11^th October at 9:30am. This Gathering will give us time to reflect on our Future together, to ask questions, etc. Information from this Gathering will inform the November meeting of the Church Council.

C. Congregational Meeting on 30^th November at Umina. At this meeting, the Congregation will decide on the Implementation Plan (including the Vision and Action Plan) and the Property Development and Funding of Ministry proposals. This will give the Grants Committee permission to lodge Grant Funding applications by mid-December.

Please pray that we may clearly discern God’s will through these documents.

With hope and joy,

Rev. Frank (Van Der Korput),

Supply Minister