Rev Dr Amelia Koh-Butler 
24 November 2022
 
​
To Eastwood Uniting Church Council and Eastwood Uniting Church Congregation
 
 
Dear Beloved Friends
 
I write to inform you that I have accepted a Call to be the Mission Secretary for Education and Empowerment with the Council for World Mission. I will commence on March 1, 2023, and will be based in Singapore, although the role will necessitate travel around the world for at least the next four years.
 
It has been a difficult decision to leave Eastwood, for you are a truly wonderful community and I have felt deeply privileged to have journeyed with you this last while. I came here to focus on change management and help you refocus on your named mission, to become a more multicultural church and more effectively reach the local evolving mixed-Asian-Australian community. Despite the challenges of COVID, we have risen to the tasks together.
 
With new preachers just commissioned, and more to come in the next couple of months, and an experienced and skilled team of lay and ordained ministry leaders, the awarding of the Growth Fund Grant, and with the prospect of two Mission-workers to start next year, this is the time to hand over to someone to take the next steps with you. I believe Eastwood is well set up to move confidently into the future. It also makes it amongst the most attractive of Placements for a Deacon or Minister of the Word. I am aware of several good people coming onto the list of ‘available’ ministry people. I am confident you will have some wonderful conversations and a number of possibilities will open up for you.
 
Yes – there is a lot of work to do – and you will all need to step up to fulfill God’s purposes for this community. I know God will bless you in each word and action you offer. God can take small things and turn them into miracles. There are so many among you who are ready to say YES to God. Don’t hold back. Get to know each other better and become God’s Team in this place.
 
My intention was to stay between 2 and 3 years. However, COVID accelerated some of the changes and the promise of Growth Fund for next year means that earlier next year will be a better time to seek a new Minister than later. This has certainly been a factor in my consideration of several international offers. The sense of call for me about the next phase of ministry is strong. Before coming to Eastwood, I was not really considering a Congregation as an option for me, but you have gifted me with so many things and relationships that I will treasure the rest of my life. There will be time over the next three months to talk of them, but I want to say to you all how very grateful I am for your ministry to me and the way you continue to shape my life and spirit.
 
My prayers for each of you will continue and I hope you will pray for me in this time of transition.
-Amelia Koh-Butler


For more about the appointment...

Wish your loved ones a Happy Christmas and help fight poverty in the process!
Proceeds from the cards will help where the need is greatest,
​supporting our partners to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
 
 Packs contain 8 cards of four great designs. $15 for a pack.
Note inside the cards:
"Wishing you the love, joy and hope of Christmas"
Contact Marion G to purchase, or order online https://everythingincommon.com.au/collections/all-products/products/christmas-card-pack

Click here for Eastwood Uniting Church's unique donation page
​

Everything in Common is UnitingWorld's gift catalogue. 
Each gift directly supports the project it represents, helping people overcome poverty through health, income and education opportunities.
Giving Everything in Common gifts to your loved ones this Christmas is a great way to make a difference in the world. The card at the left is one of many you can choose.
Christmas greeting cards available also.
UnitingWorld is the international aid and partnerships agency of the Uniting Church in Australia.
UnitingWorld collaborates with the global church to address the causes and consequences of poverty, injustice and violence. Because every person is beloved by God and invited to a life that is whole and hopeful.
 
Order online now at https://everythingincommon.com.au/
Or
See the cards and buy from the stall at the church on Sundays 11th and 18th December.

Safe Church Workshop Training
As the Uniting Church is in the process of updating their safe church training, we have found alternative workshop options with the Baptist church offered on Zoom or in person close by.
Workshops cost $25 and all require that you complete an online module ($10) before doing the workshop. https://creatingsafespaces.org.au/events/ is the link for dates, venues and bookings.
You are welcome to contact the office to check if your safe church training is up to date or if you need to update yours. If you are leading or volunteering with any church activities or groups, this training is required. 

​- The proposal from the Ministry Team to change the Sunday 9.30am worship service to 10.00am was deferred for further consultation and discussion with Congregation members.  Informal discussion at worship services will be undertaken, and input from Sunday School/Youth leaders, children and parents obtained. Communications will include explanation of the broader context for the proposal, and the anticipated benefits and difficulties of the proposed time change. If approved, sufficient time will be provided to ensure the Congregation is comfortable with any transition, and resources are available.
- An audit of the Lakeside Road property and report from Stephen Kemp on behalf of the Property Committee was circulated after the August meeting. It included recommendations for immediate action to address building maintenance issues. The work has commenced.  Stephen Kemp was thanked for his comprehensive audit and his diligence in ensuring the work is undertaken.
- The schedule for proposed services in December was endorsed, including a “Blue Christmas” service. Details on the church website.
- A Church Council Annual Report for 2022 will be prepared. Groups in the church are requested to submit 2022 annual reports by the end of January for presentation to a February Congregation Meeting.
- The Church Office will be closed from 23 December 2022 until 16 January 2023.
 
Next meeting Thursday 24th November.
 
If you have any comments/questions or issues you wish Church Council to address, please contact any member of the Council: Emma Jarvis (Chair), Janelle Dodd (Treasurer), Lesley Bradbury, John Brunton (Minutes), Jermaine Yan, Jason Masters, Kerry Springett, Mark Leal, Rev. Dr. Amelia Koh-Butler (Minister), Rev. Tennyson Chan (Community Minister), Linda Brunton (Congregation Chair).
 
Linda Brunton, Congregation Chair.

Meets 10.30am Saturday 5th November at Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, Sydney.
Coffee, tea and socialising from 10am.
Speaker: Cassie Watson
'Lewis in Letters' 
​no registration required - just turn up.

Lynda Cameron, from UCASE has made this request to 3 congregations, including Eastwood UC:
Australian Pollinator Week will be next month: Nov 12-20. I'm wondering whether there may be any bee-keepers in the UCASE congregations who may be interested in collaborating on a short article for Insights to promote awareness of the event and the critical importance of pollinators. It wouldn't be an onerous task for them. We'd discuss what information seems most pertinent to communicate to a wider audience, then I'd draft some words and they'd review and give feedback.
​I'd submit it to Insights on behalf of both of us (or all of us if there are multiple collaborators).
 More than 3/4 of our food crops are dependent on pollinators. I'd really like to raise awareness of the importance of these little creatures!
 Any interested bee-keepers can contact me directly via email. It wouldn't be an onerous task for them. We'd discuss what information seems most pertinent to communicate to a wider audience, then I'd draft some words and they'd review and give feedback. I'd submit it to Insights on behalf of both of us (or all of us if there are multiple collaborators).
 More than 3/4 of our food crops are dependent on pollinators. I'd really like to raise awareness of the importance of these little creatures!
 Any interested bee-keepers can contact me directly via email, lyndacameron.education@gmail.com