Recent News. Date: 13 and 16 December 2013 Celebrations at Labertouche

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Ronald Hill
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Recent News Date: 8 February 2014 The Presbytery of Gippsland s first Presbytery in Council meeting for 2014 was held on Saturday 8th February 2014 at the Traralgon Uniting Church.

1 Recent News Date: 8 February 2014 The Presbytery of Gippsland s first Presbytery in Council meeting for 2014 was held on Saturday 8th February 2014 at the Traralgon Uniting Church. A news sheet titled What Happened at Presbytery? appears below and provides an overview (including photos) of what took place at that gathering. Date: 13 and 16 December 2013 Celebrations at Labertouche On 6th December 2013 the new multi-purpose building at Labertouche was opened by Christine Nixon. Soon after, on 13th December, local MLA Gary Blackwood opened the new Labertouche Men s Shed. Nearly five years after the Black Saturday bushfires devastated the region, these opening celebrations recalled the long journey of recovery for this community; and gave thanks for the many people who had given much along the way. The ladies made a banner Our Labertouche and food, warm welcomes, congratulations and prayers were shared. Growth Corridor Minister Rev. Alan Mathews was invited to offer a reflection at each occasion as he has travelled with the community as it has rebuilt and recovered. Alan reminded those gathered that "people recover best when they manage their own recovery" and named the interactions between himself and the community as God moments, and in the words of the Growth Corridor Ministry Vision they have been: Meeting on holy ground: building bridges to life.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct 2013 A free-to-enter Images of Spring art exhibition, with 100 works of art including paintings, photographs, drawings, sculpture and embroidery was held at Drouin in the Uniting

The variety of art and diversity of media and styles made for a visually stimulating exhibition.

2 Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct 2013 A free-to-enter Images of Spring art exhibition, with 100 works of art including paintings, photographs, drawings, sculpture and embroidery was held at Drouin in the Uniting Church hall on the weekend of 26th and 27th October. It was one of many events in the annual Gardivalia Festival. The variety of art and diversity of media and styles made for a visually stimulating exhibition. Images of Spring was an initiative of our Growth Corridor Minister, Alan Mathews, helped by members of the Drouin-Bunyip UC Camera Group Jan, Margaret, Kerry and Fred. There were opportunities for: artists to exhibit and sell their art; conversation about the works of art; growing relationships between the community, artists and church folk; the Spirit of God to move; and children to make a mini garden, decorate produce or display a photograph. Food and hospitality provided by ladies of the parish gave opportunities for leisurely conversation in the same space as the exhibition. As the artists collected their works, they were thankful for what we had done.

Saturday 19 October 2013 The final Rural Ministry Field Day for 2013 was held at St Luke s Morwell recently on the theme Church in the Community, with keynote speaker Rev. Alan Mathews.

These included: Arts programs with local schools, congregations and other community groups, Bushfire recovery at places like Labertouche, Men s Shed developments, and more.

3 Saturday 19 October 2013 The final Rural Ministry Field Day for 2013 was held at St Luke s Morwell recently on the theme Church in the Community, with keynote speaker Rev. Alan Mathews. Alan has a community ministry in the growth corridor between Pakenham and Warragul and he shared some of the many opportunities this ministry placement creates for him to engage in local communities. These included: Arts programs with local schools, congregations and other community groups, Bushfire recovery at places like Labertouche, Men s Shed developments, and more. Sunday 12th October 2013 At the Boolarra Cooperating church on Sunday 12 October, Robern Lubawski was commissioned as a Lay Preacher. Local minister Rev. Brenda Burney led the service with Presbytery Minister Rev. Philip Liebelt leading the commissioning. Brenda and Philip are pictured here with Robern after the service.

Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October 2013 The Luke s Arts Festival was held at St Luke s Morwell during the first weekend of Mental Health Week. The festival was opened by ABC presenter Celine Foenander.

There were a number of activities and performances over the weekend including More Than Opera in the Chapel and the local drumming circle and other local musicians and singers in The Marquee.

4 Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October 2013 The Luke s Arts Festival was held at St Luke s Morwell during the first weekend of Mental Health Week. The festival was opened by ABC presenter Celine Foenander. There was an art exhibition judged by Sharon Anderson (local artist and art teacher) and Maya Fraser, an arts therapist who has worked 7 years in the community based Mental Health sector. There were a number of activities and performances over the weekend including More Than Opera in the Chapel and the local drumming circle and other local musicians and singers in The Marquee. More Than Opera is a not for profit organisation with an emphasis on Youth. Berry Street now run a jewellery making and photography class at St Luke s and some of their work also featured in the festival. Sunday 29 September 2013 More new lay preachers On Sunday 29th September at the Lang Lang UCA, Rev. Philip Liebelt commissioned Lyn Kelly as a Lay Preacher in the Presbytery of Gippsland. Recently commissioned Lay Preacher Wendy McDonald had the pleasure of

Mark held three forums, at Warragul and Leongatha on Thursday 12th September and at Sale on Friday 13th September.

5 presenting Lyn with her new Lay Preacher s badge. Philip has commissioned a number of new Lay Preachers across the Presbytery recently. Friday 13 September 2013 Recently, Mark Porter (Synod s OH&S Officer) returned to Gippsland. Mark held three forums, at Warragul and Leongatha on Thursday 12th September and at Sale on Friday 13th September. These forums provided a valuable opportunity to ask Mark specific questions about issues with church buildings following Mark s earlier visits and subsequent reports. It was also a great opportunity to see items such as door plungers, step edgings, RCD devices and obtain purchase advice and recommendations. Those who attended found these forums most helpful and informative. Mark Porter leads the session at Sale on Friday 13/9/13. September 2013 Sale Men's Shed Friday 6

6 On Friday 6th September the Sale Men s Shed was officially opened. Rev Tim Angus welcomed everyone and introduced special guests and visitors. Two former coordinators of the shed, Peter Stanfield and David Lancey briefly told of their experiences with the shed. Peter said it s gratifying to see the plans and the new shed come together. David spoke of the variety of activities available through the shed and thanked donors and supporters. MP Darren Chester officially opened the shed and everyone enjoyed a barbeque lunch afterwards. Sunday 11 August 2013 Celebrations at Orbost on Sunday 11th August a special service was held at St Andrews UCA Orbost to celebrate 25 years since Rev. Rowena Harris was ordained. The service was led by Presbytery Minister Admin Pastor Wendy McDonald on the theme of faith. During the service church council chairperson Stan Weatherall made a presentation to Rowena and Cate Tregellas from Mallacoota spoke of Rowena s community work and pastoral care. Rowena was ordained in Brisbane and has ministered in many congregations and settings. Her hopes for the next 25 years are to continue on with joy and hope. Rowena noted we currently live in a community that rarely values church attendance and organised religion, but is her experience we still have a hankering to reflect upon values, meaning and spirituality. Rowena saw it as a challenge to help the community deal with these issues.

7 Sunday 18 August 2013 New lay preachers Rev. Philip Liebelt, Presbytery Minister Mission & Education recently commissioned Deana Board of St David s Yarragon Uniting Church as a Lay Preacher in the Presbytery of Gippsland. Pastor Wendy McDonald was also commissioned as a Lay Preacher at the Warragul Uniting Church on Sunday 8th September. Deana and Wendy are two of a number of lay preachers that Philip will be commissioning across Gippsland in the next few weeks. Rural Field Day Pastoral Care and Spirituality - A rural field day on Pastoral Care and Spirituality was held at Churchill Cooperating Church on Saturday 31st August. The day was organised by the Education Committee of the Presbytery of Gippsland. Keynote speaker was former UCA President Rev. Alistair McRae. Alistair also led a workshop on Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People. Other workshops included Pastoral Encounters finding our place in them led by Rev. Tim Angus (Presbytery Minister Pastoral Care), Mindfulness led by Rev. Dr. Pene Brook, former chaplain at Monash University Gippsland, but now at Overnewton Anglican College, Pastoral Visitation by Rev. Heather Thomas, Anglican Chaplain at Fulham Correctional Centre Sale. The Presbytery News can be found by opening the publications below. Mustard Seeds is the Presbytery newsletter. The latest edition of Mustard Seeds for August 2013 is now available see below. You can see the latest news from the Presbytery Meeting held Saturday 3 August See What Happened at Presbytery in Council on 3 August 2013 which you can find below. If you have any good news stories from your congregation that might be included here please contact the Presbytery Minister Administration. What Happened at Presbytery in Council on 8th Feb 2014 What happened at Presbytery in Council on 9th Nov 2013

8 Gippsland Presbytery Newsletter - August 2013 What Happened at Presbytery on 3rd August 2013

BEING A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH: A Study for Church Councils

Suggested time 1 ½ hours BEING A MULTICULTURAL CHURCH: A Study for Church Councils Aim: Encourage church councils to put in place an intentional multicultural ministry policy. Step 1 Recalling the vision