Dear GUC Congregation
Church Council met on 22 October 2020. There have been many matters to attend to in the last few months, requiring lengthy discussions. Your Church Council members have been doing our best to weigh the considerations of each matter and make decisions with care for all members of our congregation.
At this month’s meeting, Church Council heard about some of Darren’s recent work. With Aimee Kent from Kippax Uniting, Darren has been leading some well-attended outdoor nature services for families. Church Council supports Darren continuing to seek to engage families who have not felt able to return to our Covid impacted services. Darren has also been working with the Salvation Army to plan one or more joint Christmas services.
There are plans underway for an anniversary service in February 2021 to commemorate 10 years since our building opening and 25 years since the forming of the Gungahlin Uniting Church.
Liz Warren has stepped down from the music coordination role. Liz has done a huge amount of work for many years behind the scenes in addition to her frequent piano playing for services. Church Council want to thank Liz for her long and faithful service, always undertaken with patience, humility, and good humour.
Church Council decided that we will move into weekly worship services at our building starting in November.
Our AGM will be held after the service on November 8th. This is a meeting where we will elect new Church Council members for 2021 and hear how our very capable treasurer, Narelle Dodd, is steering us through the financial challenges ensuing from Covid19. There are copies available of our 2020 annual report, prepared by Bruce Warren.
Existing Church Council members, Matt Grudnoff, Jack Barnard and Kat McIver were elected for two years and will be continuing in 2021. Existing members, Narelle Dodd, Bruce Warren and Jemimah “JJ” Hamilton have been re-nominated. In addition, there are new nominees: Lyn Butson, Jenelle Martin, Elizabeth Phythian. Church Council considered the impact of Covid on our nomination and voting process and decided not to introduce any unnecessary changes to the system. However, if you are unable to attend the AGM in person, but you want to participate in the vote for church council members, please contact Margaret Reeson (6262 3677/0404 148 201) or Church Council Chair Matt Grudnoff (0402 483 782). They will be able to arrange an absentee vote.
The Working Group proposed by mediator Terence Corkin to manage recent conflict issues has been set up with Terence as Chair. The other members are: Matt Grudnoff, Chris Dodd, Margaret Reeson, Shirley Williams, Janelle Martin and JJ Hamilton. We are thankful to each of these people for stepping up to help in this challenging task. Church Council debated several options regarding the release of Terence Corkin’s mediation report, with regards to limiting any further conflict or harm to the congregation. It was decided that printed copies of the report will be made available to members of the congregation who would like one.
Church Council has received requests from Canberra Presbytery on behalf of the Salim (Korean speaking) Uniting Church group, currently meeting in a home in Gungahlin, to use our premises; Church Council has been exploring a possible mutual arrangement and considering the implications. Church Council regularly receives requests for hall hire, hire of car park space and approaches from other congregations seeking a worship space. Each request is considered by Church Council.
Church Council also oversees the maintenance of the building. We agreed to the working Bee at the church for 31st October. We have, so far not been able to find a roof repairer willing and able to attend to various issues requiring fixing on our roof.
Church Council is also arranging a plan for the unlikely event that an outbreak of Covid19 occurs within our own community.
These are just some of the issues that were addressed in the last month by your Church Council. Thank you for your understanding as we manage the many issues on your behalf.
Yours in Christ
Jack Barnard
Secretary
Gungahlin Uniting Church Council.