Digest of Presbytery Meeting Held November 19th Uniting Church Wangaratta

Worship was led by Rev Christine Thomson who based her reflection on John 18:33-37.
Christine reminded us of the forthcoming season of Advent - an opportunity for reflection,
for new growth and new insights into our faith.
 Telling the Story
- Corowa Congregation - Graham Brown shared some of the history of Corowa and the UCA
there. Some of the activities highlighted included monthly film nights with other Congregations, the
development of the Community Garden in conjunction with other community groups. The first
Sunday in December worship is held in the Community Garden this year's theme - the three lettuces
( let us ...)! Members of the congregation provide tea/coffee at the Court House for all involved
when it is in session. There are many joint ventures with other churches including an ecumenical
prayer group.
- UnitingCare Goulburn NE - CEO Kevin Klose spoke of the work of this Agency. They have a
budget of $5 million and a staff of 70. They engage the services of several other organisations as
well as providing opportunities for volunteers. Among other things they are involved in Aged Care,
Well Being - Preventative Action, Respite Care, Disability Services and Counselling - Financial,
General, Gambling and Grief and Loss. He spoke of the opportunity for Agencies to work with
congregations in a very competitive environment.
- Elections - a written ballot was held for all Office-Bearers except Treasurer - all those nominated
were elected. Commissioning will take place at February Presbytery Meeting. No nominations for
Secretary.
- Special Discussions – The Strategy team led a discussion based on a paper prepared by Wendie
Wilkie - previously circulated - Resource Ministry and Other Strategies. Members were asked
several questions. You are encouraged to discuss these in your congregations and send responses to
Wendie Wilkie or Richard Franklin.
 What would your congregation like to do if you had $50,000 - $100,000 to spend on a new
project?
 What are the opportunities in this Presbytery for new forms of resource ministry to be
developed?
 What new forms of worship and gathering as Christian communities are we growing/could
we grow in this Presbytery?
 What opportunities are there for work to be done with younger generations across the
Presbytery?
 What are the opportunities for entrepreneurial use of the property for resourcing mission and
ministry in the long term in the Presbytery?
- Live-Streaming: Jeff Dunn ( Synod IT), Sadie, Wayne NATR arranged to live stream the
Presbytery meeting to Brian Spencer in Waranga. Jeff spoke of the work Synod IT is doing in
relation to Video-Conferencing across the Church, UnitingCare, Aged Care with a view to reducing
travel time and costs of people attending meetings, increase productivity, improve communication
and support environmental initiatives. A steering committee has been established - NATR favours
the use of the product Vidyo. Jeff also spoke of the Data Warehouse Project and progress with the
system to produce NOD - National On-Line Data for UCA.
-Notices:
 Induction of Rev Berlin Guerrero Dec 10th 7:30pm Emmanuel UCA Wodonga West
 Bible Study DVD - "Walking Together" - available from Assembly Website
 "Uniting Women" Conference - Adelaide 28 April - 1 May 2016 - Registrations Open
- Wandi Grants: Corryong UCA - $600
Shepparton - $1200
UnitingCare Wodonga - $478
-New Code of Ethics for Lay Leaders
 - Digest prepared by Helen Collins