As you know CCA runs Community Learning classes at church.
Community Learning is looking for a physically strong volunteer to help with setting up and packing up of heavy furniture, every Thursday during school term in 2023. The Thursday’s center’s activities have a lot of elderlies who are not able to help with tables and set up.
 
The role requires the following from 8:45 am to 9am and also from 2:55 pm to 3:10 pm every Thursday during school term starting from 9th February:

1. Set up tables and whiteboards in Main hall, downstairs Drummond Room and in upstairs rooms.
2. Set up laptops and projector in downstairs hall.
3. Set up sound equipment in upper hall.

Volunteers do not need technical expertise. It does not have to be the same person. If we can get a few people on a roster it will be less demanding.
Kind regards,
Kerrie Baguley 
Volunteer Coordinator
T: 9858 3222   

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...

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. 

Are coming to a house near you!
Small home meetings are an important part of the both Wesleyan and Presbyterian traditions. The COVID
isolations of recent years have shown how much we need to ‘meet together’.
The intention is to revive these groups in Eastwood Uniting. First, so FAQs:-

1. Who would I meet with?
Whomever you want to meet with. We expect that six to eight people might provide the best size, but that is
up to each group to decide. These groups would ideally be self-selecting. Talk about this with your friends,
people you trust with your confidences. There will be some backup help for those who have trouble finding
the ‘right’ group, but these will be only suggestions.

2. Where would we meet?
Wherever you want to. Ideally in a member’s home, for the sake of privacy, but some groups might like to
circulate by having a roster of different houses to meet in around a cycle.

3. How often would we meet?
As often as you want to. Some groups might be weekly, some fortnightly, some monthly. It’s up to the
members to decide for themselves.

4. When would we meet?
Whenever is most convenient. Some might meet in the evening, some during the daytime, some on
weekdays, some on weekends.

5. Who would be the leaders?
Whoever the group wants as leader. Some might agree on one leader, others might rotate the leadership.
Some might even ask for a ‘leader’ to be provided for a short initial period to help get over the start-up
period before they decide on this question.

6. What would we do?
Whatever the group wants. Some might prefer a formal Bible Study, some might prefer to work as a
support, prayer and discussion group, some might have a blend of both. We will have a wide range of
materials available to you as suggestions, whichever way you want to go; but no compulsion. We expect that
each group will evolve over time as the needs of the members change.

7. How long will these groups go for?

For as long as members want to continue turning up.

As you might have gathered by now, each group will be its own master. The church will serve as a resource,
not a commander. So talk to your friends about a system that suits you, or contact the office and we will
suggest a mix-and-match for you to consider.

- Preparations continuing for a Mainly Music Programme for pre-school children at the
church. Seven volunteers have been recruited to assist with the program, and training will
begin soon. A trial will begin in October.
- Presentation of preliminary results from the congregation survey to consider a change of
time for the 9.30am worship service to 10am. Further action required includes
announcements and discussion at each worship service, distribution of survey to members
who attend each service and input from Sunday School teachers and parents.
- An application for financial assistance from the Synod Growth Fund for new initiatives at
EUC was reviewed and approved for submission to Presbytery.
- The Synod Congregation Compliance Checklist and Survey was completed and
submitted at the meeting. Discussion identified several policies and procedures that
require review and updating, which will occur over the next few months.

Next meeting Thursday 22 nd September.
​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.