11th December, 2025 Church Council Meeting Update
The Council reflected on the Ministry and Mission activities of the last two months (both one-off events and our regular activities) including:
- Completion of a full year of Small Group Studies
- Trial of Easy English Worship
- Commencement of Sunday Bible Study “When God Moved into the Neighbourhood”
- Granny Smith festival
- Live Streaming Site for the UCAN Cop30 Prayer Service
- Special services including Uniting World and Blue Christmas
Easy English Service
It was reported that the trial of the Easy English Service during November and December has been a success. It will recommence on 9th February, 2026 and run for the first Term with a review to be held at the end of the Term. A big thankyou to the volunteers who have assisted in making this trial a success.
NREMA Grant – Young Adult Worker
The working group to appoint a part time Young Adult Resource has proceeded to advertising and has received four applications. A shortlist will be developed following preliminary conversations with the applicants.
The appointment of a part time Young Families worker has been put on hold and will follow.
Other Matters
-The Council Confirmed its approval for the Baptism of Austin Murgatroyd on Sunday 14th December, 2025
- Additional fundraising for Uniting World Disaster Relief Programs has reached over $3,000. This fundraising sits outside the Annual Budget and has a target of $5,000.
- The Annual Church Health Report required by Presbytery has been lodged.
- A Survey of those attending the 8am Service has been completed. It showed a general level of satisfaction with the service and strong support for its diversity, informality, interactivity and acceptance of each other.
- A Joint Community Engagement Event with CCA is being planned for March 2026. Further details will be advised in due course.
Working Groups
The activities of the working groups established to initiate and implement activities were reviewed and discussed.
Important upcoming dates for the calendar are:
- Potluck Lunch Sunday 14th December,2025
- Pastoral Carers meeting Monday 22nd December at 5pm
- Christmas Eve Service at 7pm
- Christmas Day Service at 9.30am
- Lunar New Year mid February 2026
Sunflower AI
Sunflower AI is a new translation App that allows immediate in person translation in multiple languages. It allows users to hear or read in their preferred language and can be used in Church Services and other gatherings. Further discussions will be held with Sunflower AI and if appropriate the Council has given approval to proceed with a trial in early 2026.
Jermaine Yan
You will be aware that Jermaine will become a candidate for Minister of the Word next year and as such must step down from has position as a Member of the Church Council.
We are especially grateful for Jermaine’s faithful service as a Member of the Council and we wish him well as he steps into his new calling.
Annual Leave
Note that Seung Jae will be on Annual leave from 5th-18th January, 2026.
Next Church Council meeting Saturday 31st January,2026.
Church Council members: Phil Looby (Chair), Janelle Dodd (Treasurer), Lesley Bradbury, Kerrie Springett, Jermaine Yan, Mark Leal, Wynne Cheng, Rev Kiduk Hwang, John Brunton (Minutes), Michelle Loxton, Rev Seung Jae Yeon (Ministry team leader), and Rev Marion Gledhill
Phil Looby, Council Chair
The Council reflected on the Ministry and Mission activities of the last two months (both one-off events and our regular activities) including:
- Completion of a full year of Small Group Studies
- Trial of Easy English Worship
- Commencement of Sunday Bible Study “When God Moved into the Neighbourhood”
- Granny Smith festival
- Live Streaming Site for the UCAN Cop30 Prayer Service
- Special services including Uniting World and Blue Christmas
Easy English Service
It was reported that the trial of the Easy English Service during November and December has been a success. It will recommence on 9th February, 2026 and run for the first Term with a review to be held at the end of the Term. A big thankyou to the volunteers who have assisted in making this trial a success.
NREMA Grant – Young Adult Worker
The working group to appoint a part time Young Adult Resource has proceeded to advertising and has received four applications. A shortlist will be developed following preliminary conversations with the applicants.
The appointment of a part time Young Families worker has been put on hold and will follow.
Other Matters
-The Council Confirmed its approval for the Baptism of Austin Murgatroyd on Sunday 14th December, 2025
- Additional fundraising for Uniting World Disaster Relief Programs has reached over $3,000. This fundraising sits outside the Annual Budget and has a target of $5,000.
- The Annual Church Health Report required by Presbytery has been lodged.
- A Survey of those attending the 8am Service has been completed. It showed a general level of satisfaction with the service and strong support for its diversity, informality, interactivity and acceptance of each other.
- A Joint Community Engagement Event with CCA is being planned for March 2026. Further details will be advised in due course.
Working Groups
The activities of the working groups established to initiate and implement activities were reviewed and discussed.
Important upcoming dates for the calendar are:
- Potluck Lunch Sunday 14th December,2025
- Pastoral Carers meeting Monday 22nd December at 5pm
- Christmas Eve Service at 7pm
- Christmas Day Service at 9.30am
- Lunar New Year mid February 2026
Sunflower AI
Sunflower AI is a new translation App that allows immediate in person translation in multiple languages. It allows users to hear or read in their preferred language and can be used in Church Services and other gatherings. Further discussions will be held with Sunflower AI and if appropriate the Council has given approval to proceed with a trial in early 2026.
Jermaine Yan
You will be aware that Jermaine will become a candidate for Minister of the Word next year and as such must step down from has position as a Member of the Church Council.
We are especially grateful for Jermaine’s faithful service as a Member of the Council and we wish him well as he steps into his new calling.
Annual Leave
Note that Seung Jae will be on Annual leave from 5th-18th January, 2026.
Next Church Council meeting Saturday 31st January,2026.
Church Council members: Phil Looby (Chair), Janelle Dodd (Treasurer), Lesley Bradbury, Kerrie Springett, Jermaine Yan, Mark Leal, Wynne Cheng, Rev Kiduk Hwang, John Brunton (Minutes), Michelle Loxton, Rev Seung Jae Yeon (Ministry team leader), and Rev Marion Gledhill
Phil Looby, Council Chair
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