where your treasure is, there your heart will be also You cannot serve both God and money! Matt 6:21 & 23

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3 Welcome Back in 2011, I posed the question to a forum of Ministers; What would you do if you had a million dollars to grow the church? There was a great discussion, and I shared my own dreams. I pondered it for quite a few weeks. Six months later I accepted a call to Redcliffe Uniting. Only then was it revealed to me that they had six months previously, received a bequest of three million dollars. Paul Clark (Rev) Wow. God was at work! What was then exciting theory became scary reality, because churches and money don t always mix! It can cause fights. It can cause you to take your eye off the ball. It was Jesus who said, where your treasure is, there your heart will be also You cannot serve both God and money! Matt 6:21 & 23 I m so pleased to say, Redcliffe Uniting have kept their eye on the ball from day one! They have seen all the bequests as a blessing from God, with which we can bless others. So began the Neil James Grant Bequest Fund, where a conscious decision was made to; Preserve the capital for lasting impact Reinvest a third of the return, to build the impact Use one third in the Parish to empower mission Give one third away to the local community, the wider Uniting Church, and across the world, to be the hands and feet of God.

4 Amazingly the fund has generated about half a million dollars since 2012 for the last two dot points above. We have supported; 20 Congregational projects 20 Community projects 30 other Uniting Churches 5 overseas activities You can read and hear some of their stories today. When God is doing something good, it grows. Other people have since left bequests to Redcliffe Uniting. This is so humbling. To be amidst such wonderful saints who wish to leave a legacy for good. We needed to honour them too. Thus today we launch the Redcliffe Uniting Community Fund, which incorporates all of these bequests with the same vision. We unveil an Honour Board to acknowledge those who have given. We seek to tell their stories, and to let our light shine so that many will give glory to our Father in Heaven. We commit ourselves to be good stewards of what we have received, that it might produce a harvest well into the future. Thank you for being here, and for being part of that journey! Serving on the Guiding Committee have been: Greg Adsett, David Brown, Deirdre McNeil, Mark Millard, Wendy Grummit [Presbytery], Rev Peter Armstrong [Synod]. Paul Clark Minister Redcliffe Uniting

5 Those who have given Neil James Grant Neil Grant died on the 21 st October 2010 leaving his entire estate to Redcliffe Uniting, where he had been an active member for many years. Neil was born in Ipswich on May 21 st 1938, the youngest of three boys. The family had no church links, but Neil was befriended by the local Methodist Minister who led him to Christ. Neil came to Woody Point with his parents and joined the Kate Street Congregational Church then Griffith Rd Congregation. Neil continued to serve the Church as Treasurer, Elder and Councillor, finally being made a Life Elder. Neil was a good athlete, representing Qld in schoolboys hockey, also playing tennis, table tennis and golf. He was a bookkeeper for the Agriculture Bank until it closed. Then in a clerical position with the Health Department, retiring early to pursue his interest on the Peninsula. Shortly after retirement he developed a Ross River like virus, which laid him low for 2 years. He then suffered a series of strokes and was in care for about 4 years until his death. Neil was active in the Masonic Lodge. He was initiated at Redcliffe passing through the various offices until he became the Worshipful Master. He also served as treasurer for many years. Neil was highly respected and was given the Grand Lodge Honours which truly demonstrated the esteem in which he was held..

6 Margaret Emlyn-Jones Following her marriage to Rev Lyn Emlyn-Jones, Margaret lived for many years in the Gilbert Islands where Lyn was a missionary with the London Missionary Society. Their three children - Christine, Mair, and Gareth were born during this time. On moving to Australia, Lyn was appointed to a co-operative parish in the Newcastle area. Following church union in 1977, they moved to Warwick Qld, where Lyn was minister of St Andrews Uniting Church. During this time Margaret did some relief English teaching at the Uniting Church s Scots-PGC Warwick Colleges. On retirement, they moved to the Sunshine Coast. After Lyn s sudden death, Margaret eventually moved to Margate and quickly became active in the Redcliffe Uniting Church. Her particular interest was Adult Fellowship and other Seniors Ministry where her pastoral care gifting was used to great advantage. She was elected as an Elder and was a member of the 8am Congregational Leadership Team. Because of the esteem in which Margaret was held, she was designated Emeritus Elder when she retired from active Eldership. Due to increasing frailty, Margaret eventually moved to Caboolture where her daughter Christine and son-in-law provided a granny flat for her final years.

7 Jim Hooper Born at Clayfield Private Hospital 14 November His early years were lived in Cribb Island. Jim was at the age of 10 when his family moved to Lower Nudgee. At a Mission as a teenager, he made a personal commitment to serve Christ. He loved to sing and was a member of the church choir. He worked on his father s farm. It was a hard life with no electricity, telephone, town water or a car. He married Margery Brand in They lived on the farm at Cribb Island, Nudgee, growing bananas, grapes, watermelons, rockmelons, cauliflowers, tomatoes, pumpkins. He used to plough with a horse. Jim and Margery were Sunday School Superintendents for many years. They enjoyed being Camp Parents for Church Camps. The Government bought the farms in Nudgee for the extension of the Brisbane Airport. Jim and family moved to Redcliffe in He took the truck to Woody Point and was able to use it to take rubbish to the tip for people. He created vegetable and flower gardens at the home and nearby neighbours. After moving to Woody Point, Jim and Margery were members of the Margate Methodist Church and later Redcliffe Uniting. He served on the Blue Nursing Committee for many years. Jim & Margery attended Adult Fellowship. He also created gardens in the grounds of the new Redcliffe Uniting Church and tended them for many years. He was also a member of the Probus Club. A special ministry was his flower arrangements for the Church. He also loved writing poetry which many people appreciated. Jim reached the grand old age of 101 before his passing in 2015.

8 Mercia Mead Mercia Lily Wieland was born on 30 September She had a tough childhood, but did well to become a school teacher. She taught at Rathdownie and Haystack. While still young she had a car accident, injured her back and had to give up teaching. She found work with Vic Mead who had a Planning & Building Business. Mercia was his right had lady in the office for 40 years. She ran a Christian Endeavour group at The Gap Methodist Church, where Vic s daughter was a member. Mercia suffered at various times from Bipolar. She was usually a gracious, cultured person but when the black-dog bit she could be quite terse and uncouth! But Vic knew how to tame the black dog. Eventually, Mercia needed to care for her elderly mother. Upon retirement Vic Mead s health was failing badly. Unfortunately, his wife left so, finding himself in a bind, he turned to Mercia for help. Mercia nursed and cared for Vic. They both got so sick at one stage and ended up in the Wesley Hospital together. Since they were together, they were discharged to the same nursing home! So Vic proposed to her. Mercia was very happy, confiding that she had always loved him, but had never let on. Tragically, they were only married 9 months when Vic passed away. Mercia was well enough to move to Peninsula Park Retirement Estate and joined Redcliffe Uniting. She really loved coming to church. She paid for the fans in the rear of the church. But soon her health deteriorated and ended up in a wheel chair. She still came to worship and was known as an evangelist in the nursing home! She wanted people to know she was a Christian and invited residents to join her in worship. She even organised Hairy to visit Beringa Street. If Hairy works with the children, he ll work in the nursing home, she reasoned.

9 Jean McClintock Marion Jean McClintock was born on Anzac Day The day was special to her with her father having fought at Gallipoli with his four brothers, one of whom never came home. He husband also fighting during WWII while they were courting. Jean grew up in Gympie on a bean and banana farm, the youngest of three. She was called Jean as her older brother couldn t pronounce Marion, so Jean it was. She studied to become a teacher after winning a prestigious scholarship and taught in many small schools. She met Ron, and the courted by writing letters while he served in the war. On his return they married. She put her brains to doing the books for the pineapple business in Dagun, running a household, and supporting the local church and school. She had three children, Noela, Beth and Don. She was secretary of the Methodist Ladies Guild, taught Sunday School. Jean became the matriarch of the McClintock clan. She got everyone organised and made sure they were punctual. Her hospitality was legendary, to stranger and friend. She was often in the kitchen on holidays while others were on the beach, but she would have it no other way. Eventually the family moved to a new farm in Kallangur and in new house. Sadly Ron passed away soon after this move. Jean got heavily involved in Redcliffe Uniting; prayer meetings, singing, bible study, adult fellowship. She also greatly loved and enjoyed her grandchildren. After a number of years unable to be active in the church she passed away on the 27 December 2015.

10 Rev Margaret Mills Margaret was born 2 September 1932 to Harold and Peggy Mills. Wonderful parents who set her on the life of faith. Marg trained as a nurse in Brisbane where she met Bill a Presbyterian theological student. He said of her, Heaven preserve me from a woman who talks so much! They were married and moved to Boonah where Jo and Stephen were born. Little Stephen was killed in a car accident and Marg seriously injured. Despite this tragedy life went on and Susan, then David were added to the family. Bill became an Army Chaplain and the family lived in Malaysia for two years where Katherine was born. Returning to Sydney Bill was posted to Vietnam, and upon his return was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Margaret returned to nursing, to make ends meet. Bill died in Margaret was 38, with four children under 14. Margaret stoically relocated the family to Brisbane near extended family and completed an Arts Degree in In 1982 Jo was widowed and returned to the family home with Stephen - 5 months. The same year Margaret entered Trinity College to train as a Deaconess later becoming a Minister. She served in Balmoral, then at Logan as a Blue Nursing Chaplain. Shortly after she arrived she became the only minister in the parish and single-handedly held the parish together through 15 turbulent months. She then retired, continuing to serve until at 78yrs she retired to Redcliffe. Here Margaret became a valued member of Redcliffe Uniting until her death and return to Bill in 2016.

11 Jane Jenny O Keefe Jenny was born in Thangool on 15 August 1926 the 6 th child of George and Alice Simmons. The family ran a dairy farm and Jenny was educated at Thangool School. Jenny was married to Dan O'Keeffe for 30 years. It was a relationship that bore no children but endured through drought, isolation, and never-ending struggle. It would have continued but for Dan s unexpected death on the 13 July Dan and Jenny lived at Chinchilla before acquiring a property at Neebine, between Cunnamulla and St George. It was tough mulga country which bred tough people. Dan and Jenny's toughness, work ethic, reliability and honesty made them many friends in the area. They obtained a contract to deliver the Sunday Mail newspaper throughout the area which required them to drive to Brisbane on Saturday, deliver papers overnight, arriving home lunch on Sunday. They then repeated this process all week! Without good neighbours who agisted sheep on their land, they would have lost the property. Neighbours confirm Dan and Jenny, despite their lack, were never lacking in generosity and hospitality. After Dan s death, Jenny moved to Redcliffe and purchased her beloved 42A Ewen Street Margate. She suffered another tragedy in the death of her sister Phyllis with whom she was going to live. Notwithstanding the tragedies of her life, she always maintained a faith in God and this was shown through her generous bequest in her will. She moved to the North Lakes Retirement Resort then Burpengary Gardens before her passing.

12 Those who have received 2012 Ministries of Redcliffe Uniting - $39,000 Christmas Lights engaging community, building community spirit and building profile. Projection upgrade to improve worship experience. Portable Sound System to enable Puppet Shows in schools, impacting 3,000+ children each year. Festival Presence enabling us to have a presence at various community festivals where we give out water/ sunscreen and provide a baby change space. Art in Worship Genesis to Jesus Art project. Engaging artists in the church and community to produce 48 artworks through Genesis to Jesus, with an exhibition and book [available today.] Giving from the Heart A partnership with school chaplains providing them with funds to be used to provide essential school items books, shoes, uniforms for struggling families.

13 Community Groups - $15,500 Chameleon House Who provide supported accommodation for at risk young people. Sponsorship of their vehicle expenses. ROPE Disability Service. New audio-visual equipment for their enjoyment. Deception Bay Men s Shed To help with the building of the men s shed. Giving from the Heart A partnership with the Dept of Communities where we provide household items for families on the edge, that encourages and empowers them. The annual Puppet Tour to Redcliffe, Deception Bay and North Lakes schools has connected to over 15,000 students.

14 2013 Ministries of Redcliffe Uniting - $37,697 Christmas Lights Giving from the Heart Chaplaincy. Art in Worship Marked Art project. Engaging artists in the church and community to produce various artworks on the Book of Mark (Bible), an exhibition and book [available today.] RnB Music establish a music appreciation group for children under 5 and their parent/carer. Servicing the community. El Shaddai establishing a foodbank ministry in partnership with Margate Baptist Church. Term 4 Mission Pro-active promotion of church, activities and events in the community. Pastoral Care, Senior s Pastor Resourcing a new position at RUC to coordinate and empower pastoral care and ministry among the retired. Community Groups - $10,734 Giving from the Heart With the Dept of Communities. Azure Blue Large print hymn books for their chapel services. Redcliffe Zonta For emergency packs to those escaping domestic violence. Deadlee Maarders Indigenous rite of passage girls camp. Community Christmas Lunch Helping to provide Christmas lunch to around 300 of the most vulnerable in our community. Wider Uniting Church - $46,000 Bundaberg Uniting Flood recovery. Mooloolaba Uniting Expand their community Op Shop. Kangaroo Point Uniting Freezer for their soup kitchen. Park Uniting Freezer for their soup kitchen. Kawana Waters Uniting To employ a Youth & Families worker. Bulimba Uniting Funds to expand playgroup ministry. Ipswich Uniting Funds to expand children s ministry.

15 Forest Lake Uniting Funds to begin children s ministry. Mt Louisa Uniting Funds to finalise kitchen upgrade. Overseas Ministries - $10,000 Nikles Family Working in China on strengthening marriages. Sheahan Family Ministry in Kyrgyzstan. Community Christmas Lunch held in conjunction with Moreton Bay Regional Industry and Tourism, and Moreton Bay Council, feeds 300+ people on Christmas Day.

16 2014 Ministries of Redcliffe Uniting - $34,275 Christmas Lights Giving from the Heart Chaplaincy. Term 3 Mission Pastoral Care, Seniors Pastor Art in Worship Art Acts project. Engaging artists in the church and community to produce various artworks on the Book of Acts (Bible), with an exhibition. Community Groups - $10,250 The renovation of the Dept of Community, Child Safety and Disability Services Interview Rooms was an amazing and very appreciated project. Dept of Communities Children Interview Room renovations. Giving from the Heart Dept of Communities. Community Christmas Lunch.

17 Wider Uniting Church - $18,900 Banora Point Uniting Starting Mainly Music and Messy Church. Forest Lake Uniting Fencing for Community Garden. Kingaroy Uniting New stove and range hood for meals ministry. Longreach Uniting Upgrade of sound equipment. Aboriginal & TICLD Youth to Summer Madness camp. Caloundra Uniting BELLS church plant. Overseas Ministries - $10,000 Nikles Family In China. Sheahan Family In Kyrgyzstan. The Art competitions held at Redcliffe Uniting Produced some amazing works of art. Parables of the Sower by Lisa Van Nunen.

18 2015 Ministries of Redcliffe Uniting - $48,063 Christmas Lights Giving from the Heart Chaplaincy. Pastoral Care, Seniors Pastor Festival Presence Australia s biggest Bush dance Fundraiser for Scripture Union Chaplaincy. Billycart Racing Redcliffe Festival. Community Garden Birth a Community Garden Group. Chicken Coup To enhance playgroup ministry. Community Groups - $3,360 Giving from the Heart Dept of Communities. Community Christmas Lunch. Wider Uniting Church - $32,200 B.E.L.L.S. Caloundra Uniting Church plant. Dayboro Uniting Community Drop-in Centre Co-ordinator. Deception Bay Uniting Sewing machines/bicycle outreach. Faith Works Uniting Mainly Music Program. Peachester Uniting Resources for local Carol Service. Granite Uniting Hospitality to dance class families. Innisfail Uniting Three Messy Church events. Jandowae Uniting Disability ramp for hall. Kangaroo Point Uniting New stove to provide free meals. Leichhardt Patrol Gas field support ministry. North Lakes Uniting Audio visual equipment in new church building. Palmwoods Uniting Water supply to Community Garden. Park Uniting Instruments for youth band. Wulguru Uniting Phone, internet connection for cancer support ministry. Wesley Hospital Perinatal Bereavement Support Program.

19 Overseas Ministries - $15,000 Vanuatu Cyclone Relief through Uniting World. Nikles Family In China. Sheahan Family In Kyrgyzstan. Australia s Biggest Bush Dance, in conjunction with Scripture Union and MBRIT raised over $5,000 for Chaplaincy in this district.

20 2016 Ministries of Redcliffe Uniting - $31,250 Christmas Lights Giving from the Heart Dept of Communities. Pastoral Care, Seniors Pastor Children & Families Ministry Playgroup to 5 days a week. Playgroup development Facilities upgrade to allow playgroup to multiply to five days. Community Garden Birth a Community Garden Group. Chicken Coup To enhance playgroup ministry. Coffee Machine Grinder To birth a Barista Coffee Ministry. Celebration Dinner An event to celebrate the work of God through our many volunteers. Solar System Loan Loan to RUC to install solar. Community Groups - $16,550 Giving from the Heart Chaplaincy. Azure Blue Recreation equipment. Redcliffe Dementia Services Dementia friendly Redcliffe Book. El Shaddai Foodbank Replace broken shelves and purchase cash register. Kidney Support Network Resources for supporting kidney patients. Redcliffe & District Cardiac Support Ass Blood pressure machine. Moreton Bay Community Legal Service Extend opening hours. Rotary Club of KippaRing Furniture for Dept of Communities. Rotary Club of Redcliffe Sunrise Books for at risk families. Cancer Council Redcliffe Tea Cosy fundraising event. Friends of the Redcliffe Botanic Gardens Native Bee hive.

21 Wider Uniting Church - $5,000 Forest Lakes Uniting Covering their interest for new church and community facilities. Overseas Ministries - $5,000 Nikles Family In China. Forest Lake Uniting have been able to build stages 1 and 2 of their church plant with our help.

22 You can join us Become a Donor Anyone can add to the legacy of the Redcliffe Uniting Community Fund. Donations of $2,000 and over can be made to the fund by individuals and groups. We will keep you informed of the actions and activities of the group and invite you to key events. If you have had a loved one pass away recently, you can make a donation to the fund of $2,000 and over, and we will add their name to our memorial in the foyer of the church. Their story becomes part of this legacy for God s work in and beyond Redcliffe. If you leave a portion of your estate for the beneficial use of Redcliffe Uniting Church of $2,000 or over, we will add your name to the Honour Board as a benefactor of the fund. Your story also joins in the legacy of the fund. When you are getting your Will drafted include the below paragraph. It is important to leave the wording as is and insert the amount you want to leave for God to use at Redcliffe Uniting. I GIVE DEVISE AND BEQUEATH the sum of.. to THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA PROPERTY TRUST (Q.) for the general work and activities of the Redcliffe Uniting Church of The Uniting Church in Australia provided that should that work or activity of the said Church have ceased prior to my death or thereafter cease, the said sum shall be used in such other manner as determined by The Uniting Church Foundation. Please contact us if you require more information. 1 Richens St, Redcliffe 4020 Ph (07) redcliffeuc@dovenetq.net.au

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