3rd October Church Council Meeting Update
1. The building fire safety upgrades have been completed and the compliance certificate obtained.
2. The amplifier in the foyer has been replaced and the system is operating satisfactorily.
3. Jermaine Yan provided a report regarding a Chinese calligraphy and painting workshop held on Saturday, 14th September, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at (EUC) that was co-hosted with a Mum's group. The workshop was open to the public, and 16 children from 15 families, representing various communities, participated. Some EUC members assisted by serving coffee, tea, and snacks, and also engaged in conversations with the parents during their free time. The parents responded positively, and the Mum's group expressed interest in co-hosting future activities with EUC, identifying Saturday as a suitable time to engage with young families from the community.
This was an important project which should be supported again. It was noted that responses regarding the limitations of activities being conducted during the week is consistent with feedback from other sources. In future the focus should be conducting such activities on weekends.
4. The Congregation’s endorsement of the Ongoing Mission Plan 2025-2029 is the catalyst for proceeding to implement its proposals. Based on consultations conducted during preparation of the Mission Plan there is momentum within the Congregation to proceed immediately with some projects and activities.
As there are many initiatives in the Plan consideration was given to establishing priorities. Members had expressed desire for more opportunities to connect with other members in various forums. Suggestions were for small groups, social gatherings, and Bible studies. The central message was to “Connect”.
The Granny Smith Festival and the Christmas period were identified as times to pursue projects for people to ‘connect’ as part of a coordinated programme, in which all members can participate during the remainder of 2024.
In November/December the general theme is to ‘connect with Christmas.’ At the centre of this period, a combined worship service and community meal will be held on 15 December. Prior to this, advent Bible studies will be conducted in different languages and at various times.
5. The focus on ‘CONNECTION’ will continue into 2025. While the initial intention is for members to better connect with each other, during 2025 the focus will extend to connecting with more people outside the congregation. A program of church activities for 2025 will be developed to promote spiritual growth and social connections.
6. It was decided to initiate action to apply to Uniting Church NSW Synod for a NREMA (Non Real Estate Mission Activity) grant to utilise EUC property sale proceeds to employ 2 part time resource workers. As identified in the Mission Plan, one worker to be focussed on instituting and directing gatherings, and the outreach worker to be focussed on creating outside connections. Both positions will be directed towards people in the first third of life. Some flexibility is expected regarding the number of hours to be worked, based on available grant funds and the circumstances of potential workers.
Next meeting 5th December 7pm at the church.
Linda Brunton, Congregation Chair.
1. The building fire safety upgrades have been completed and the compliance certificate obtained.
2. The amplifier in the foyer has been replaced and the system is operating satisfactorily.
3. Jermaine Yan provided a report regarding a Chinese calligraphy and painting workshop held on Saturday, 14th September, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at (EUC) that was co-hosted with a Mum's group. The workshop was open to the public, and 16 children from 15 families, representing various communities, participated. Some EUC members assisted by serving coffee, tea, and snacks, and also engaged in conversations with the parents during their free time. The parents responded positively, and the Mum's group expressed interest in co-hosting future activities with EUC, identifying Saturday as a suitable time to engage with young families from the community.
This was an important project which should be supported again. It was noted that responses regarding the limitations of activities being conducted during the week is consistent with feedback from other sources. In future the focus should be conducting such activities on weekends.
4. The Congregation’s endorsement of the Ongoing Mission Plan 2025-2029 is the catalyst for proceeding to implement its proposals. Based on consultations conducted during preparation of the Mission Plan there is momentum within the Congregation to proceed immediately with some projects and activities.
As there are many initiatives in the Plan consideration was given to establishing priorities. Members had expressed desire for more opportunities to connect with other members in various forums. Suggestions were for small groups, social gatherings, and Bible studies. The central message was to “Connect”.
The Granny Smith Festival and the Christmas period were identified as times to pursue projects for people to ‘connect’ as part of a coordinated programme, in which all members can participate during the remainder of 2024.
In November/December the general theme is to ‘connect with Christmas.’ At the centre of this period, a combined worship service and community meal will be held on 15 December. Prior to this, advent Bible studies will be conducted in different languages and at various times.
5. The focus on ‘CONNECTION’ will continue into 2025. While the initial intention is for members to better connect with each other, during 2025 the focus will extend to connecting with more people outside the congregation. A program of church activities for 2025 will be developed to promote spiritual growth and social connections.
6. It was decided to initiate action to apply to Uniting Church NSW Synod for a NREMA (Non Real Estate Mission Activity) grant to utilise EUC property sale proceeds to employ 2 part time resource workers. As identified in the Mission Plan, one worker to be focussed on instituting and directing gatherings, and the outreach worker to be focussed on creating outside connections. Both positions will be directed towards people in the first third of life. Some flexibility is expected regarding the number of hours to be worked, based on available grant funds and the circumstances of potential workers.
Next meeting 5th December 7pm at the church.
Linda Brunton, Congregation Chair.
Granny Smith Festival on 19 October 2024
Tea/coffee will be served at 9am-12noon and 1pm-4pm in piazza; BBQ from 5.30pm in the grass area. Come and be part of the fun.
Eastwood Uniting Church Ongoing Mission Plan for 2025-2029 and
Congregational Meeting 15 September 2024
The draft Eastwood Uniting Church Ongoing Mission Plan for 2025-2029 was endorsed by Church Council on
1 August 2024, to initiate discussion and enable deliberations regarding the future mission and ministry of the Congregation. During August a summary of the document was translated into Chinese and Korean languages to ensure all members of the Congregation can actively participate in this process. On the 8th September 2024 Church Council facilitated discussion sessions following the 9.30am Worship service where questions were answered and any further contributions considered. Church Council finalised a revised draft document that was adopted at a Congregation meeting on 15th September 2024.
Click here to view the draft document.
Click here for the minutes of the Congregational Meeting
1 August 2024, to initiate discussion and enable deliberations regarding the future mission and ministry of the Congregation. During August a summary of the document was translated into Chinese and Korean languages to ensure all members of the Congregation can actively participate in this process. On the 8th September 2024 Church Council facilitated discussion sessions following the 9.30am Worship service where questions were answered and any further contributions considered. Church Council finalised a revised draft document that was adopted at a Congregation meeting on 15th September 2024.
Click here to view the draft document.
Click here for the minutes of the Congregational Meeting
UCASE : Uniting Church Action for Society and Environment
UCASE is a small group of Uniting Church people in this area who are people concerned about issues of social justice. Several people from Eastwood UC belong to UCASE. Others are from Epping and West Epping Uniting churches.
UCASE stands for Uniting Church Action for Society and Environment.
The three ‘focus issues’ for UCASE are Refugees and people seeking asylum; Indigenous reconciliation; Climate change.
We meet by Zoom every 3 months. We keep in touch by email and have a Facebook page.
In late January we met with the local Federal MP, Jerome Laxale, at Epping UC, to discuss with him our current concerns about our 3 focus issues.
We welcome more people from Eastwood Uniting Church to join us.
Let me know if you would like to be part of the next meeting and I can arrange for you to receive the Zoom link.
Marion G
UCASE stands for Uniting Church Action for Society and Environment.
The three ‘focus issues’ for UCASE are Refugees and people seeking asylum; Indigenous reconciliation; Climate change.
We meet by Zoom every 3 months. We keep in touch by email and have a Facebook page.
In late January we met with the local Federal MP, Jerome Laxale, at Epping UC, to discuss with him our current concerns about our 3 focus issues.
We welcome more people from Eastwood Uniting Church to join us.
Let me know if you would like to be part of the next meeting and I can arrange for you to receive the Zoom link.
Marion G