PARISH OF NUMURKAH-NATHALIA

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD IN THE HAMON PARISH CENTRE, NUMURKAH.

THURSDAY 15th AUGUST 2013.

1. 1.            Welcome and Opening:

Rev. Sally Boothey opened the meeting with a prayer at 8.05pm

 2.            Present:

Rev Sally Boothey, Judy James, Bev Leaf, Rob Elliott, Mary Muntz, Merle Cobbledick, Ron Cobbledick, Keith Schier, Wendy Watson, Bev Patrick, Win Knight, Robyn Pendlebury, Margaret Mitchell, Carol Lugg, Lou Hamon.

 3.            Apologies: Heather & John Stammers.

 4.       Confirmation of Minutes:

            MOTION: “That the Minutes of the Parish Council held 18th July 2013, be confirmed as a                      true and correct record.”

Moved: Ron Cobbledick.                    Seconded: Win Knight.                                 Carried.

 5.        Business arising from previous minutes:

 5.1. Holy Trinity ceiling painting. Keith Schier reported painting completed with Wayne Gwin doing more than he quoted for. Wayne was amicable and easy to get on with. Pleased with the result.

5.2. Discretionary account balance donation to Hospital. Deferred until Bishop present, as funds came from a Bishop’s Appeal.

5.3. Smart meter installation. St George’s, Parish Centre complete, Holy Trinity requires Powercor on site to isolate fuses before the installation of the smart meter.

5.4. St George’s thurible and bowl and castor polished.

5.6. Thomas Merton studies presented by Fr. Rob Whalley were excellent and well received with some of the participants from other denominations.

 6.       Correspondence:

Inwards:

 6.1.    Bishop: Resignation of Very Rev’d Michael O’Brien.

6.2.    Registrar: New diocese website.

6.3.    Registrar: Protocol for complaints and misconduct against Church volunteers.

6.4.    Cathedral College: Vista.

6.5.    Actforpeace: Syria Crisis Appeal.

6.6.    Powercor: Installation of smart meter Holy Trinity 15th August 9am.

6.7.    Bible Society.

 Outwards:

 6.8.   Registrar: Insurance details.

6.9.   Registrar: Rector’s travel allowance.

6.10. Powercor with contact details for smart meter installation.

 MOTION: “That the correspondence inwards be accepted and outwards adopted”.

Moved: Mary Muntz.                   Seconded: Bev. Patrick.                                          Carried.

 7.         Rectors Report:

      Written Report tabled and discussed.

                       

            During the past month, I attended the annual Diocesan Conference which had the theme ‘ministry’. The three guest presenters were Rev’ds Ray Cleary, Craig D’Alton and Gary Bouma and each had something worthwhile and helpful to say.

            Gary Bouma is an author and Professor of Sociology at Monash University. He is also UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations – Asia Pacific. His input was mainly statistical and showed, what we probably know, that regular Sunday church attendance is declining for most Anglican churches and the age profile of those who say they’re Anglican (from census figures) doesn’t reflect the age profile of the population. He also said that ‘atheists’ were declining, but ‘no religions’ were up a bit. Reflecting Australia’s diverse population, the proportion of non-Christian religious observers was increasing. Of the Christian churches, the Roman Catholics are in the healthiest state with regards numbers and age profile and the Anglicans are second – so – no real surprises, a bit depressing, but not devastating!

            Ray Cleary is Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral and lectures at Trinity Theological College on social, ethical, justice and economic issues. He is past CEO of Anglicare Australia. He spoke of the engagement of the church with the wider community, and particularly how helpful, or otherwise, the parish model was to this ministry. He was (in my opinion) not saying anything new, but was speaking with an understanding of circumstances for city and suburban parishes. Aspects of what he said were not relevant for country parishes and, from all three speakers, there was little appreciation of the distances and serious financial constraints in dioceses such as Wangaratta.

            Craig D’Alton was most enthusiastic about being a priest in the Anglican Church today, describing it as the ‘best job’. He was also positive about the importance of church buildings as signposts of active Christianity in a community. He spoke about the building as the ‘face to the world‘ and highlighted, with examples, the importance of giving adequate thought and resources to the accessibility, comfort and visual appeal of our churches. Contrary to the recommendations of other church thinkers, he did not see selling off church buildings as a good idea and he believed the parish model was the best way to connect at a local level. It is generally agreed, however, that some diocesan centralisation with financial administration, insurances, legal oversight and resource sharing is best practice. The conference attendees participated in a survey which is part of a thesis on ‘local churches’ which Craig is doing and the survey results will be given to the bishop. Attendees expressed a desire to hear more of Craig’s work at another suitable time.

            The Thomas Merton studies have now concluded and Rob Whalley is happy to offer others in the future. The ‘Living the Questions’ studies, which have been occurring at Holy Trinity each fortnight will now resume at St George’s on the first and third Wednesdays at 7.00 pm. An ecumenical Advent study will be offered through the Interchurch Council.

            The Stewardship Program for 2013 is now complete. It was deliberately ‘low key’ as most worshipping parishioners will be aware of circumstances, expectations and their own financial capacity. Sort of ‘preaching to the converted’! But it is a good thing to intentionally and prayerfully assess our stewardship commitments from time to time, and a year’s commitment is achievable for most people.

            Services at Pioneer’s Lodge, Barwo Homestead, Karinya and Banawah have continued and I have visited some Anglicans on the roll who are unable to come to church. It is good to put faces to names. My thanks to Bev Patrick and to Merle Cobbledick who have helped to bring my copies of the Parish Roll up to date.

  MOTION: “That the Rector’s Report be received”.

Moved:  Rev’d. Sally Boothey.                              Seconded: Carol Lugg.                                Carried.

 8.                     Financial Report:

Cheque Account                                         $     993.17

Investment. Account                                   $  17078.99

St George’s ladies Guild                             $      957.39

Holy Trinity Ladies Guild                            $    3531.77

Holy Trinity Mother’s Union                                   $      334.05

Holy Trinity Strawberry Festival                 $    1498.45

Holy Trinity Diocese Wang.                       $      181.87

Betty Daniel Scholarship Term Deposit   $    8186.56

Offertory                                                         $    4778.05

Accounts Payable                                       $    4311.36

 MOTION: “That the financial report be received and accounts passed for payment”

Moved: Wendy Watson.                  Seconded: Keith Schier.                             Carried.

 9.       GST Business:

             9.1.      Catering: Library talking books 25th July, Funeral O. Kelly 15th August.

            9.2.     Hall Hire: Funeral O. Kelly 15th August, Orana Day Care.

            9.3.      Funerals:

            9.4       Fundraising:  St George’s Street Stall.

              MOTION: “That the fundraising activities be Input Taxed”.

          Moved: Lou Hamon.              Seconded: Robyn Pendlebury.                              Carried.

    10.       Warden’s Reports:

                 St. George’s: 10.1. Parking at rear of Parish Centre. Will be grassed and mown.

                                          10.2. Organ service undertaken.

                                          10.3. Thurible and chains and brass bowl and castor have been polished.

                                 Holy Trinity:     10.4. Painting of Church ceiling completed. (see report above.)

                                            10.5. Worshipping with Uniting Church this Sunday.

                                            10.6. Tree stump grubbed and cleaned up.

                                            10.7. Strawberry Festival meeting 1st September.

                                            10.8. Frank Moor bequest to be used for hall hire for Strawberry Festival. A  family member consulted.

 MOTION: “That the Frank Moor Bequest be utilised for hall hire for the Strawberry Festival”

Moved: Keith Schier.                       Seconded: Ron Cobbledick.                                              Carried.

              11.      Other Reports:

                       11.1 Holy Trinity Ladies Guild: Met this Monday. Bank balance was $3532.77. Less  $1000.00 donated to Parish Council. $1000 set aside for M.U. Birthday celebrations. Barwo  on 16th. Ragg Denn booked for April 28th next year. A raffle will be held prior to the day.

 

                      11.2. Mother’s Union. Plans underway for the 75th Birthday on 10th September. Invitations  have been sent. Sate M.U. Conference on Monday.

                      11.3. St George’s Ladies Guild. Funeral catering Thursday and Monday.

                       MOTION: “That the Reports be received”

                      Moved: Judith James.                     Seconded: Merle Cobbledick                                   Carried.

                      12.      General Business:

                                   1. Noted Merv McDonald had passed away.

                   

Next Meeting: Thursday 19th SEPTEMBER 2013 – HOLY TRINITY, NATHALIA.

      Meeting closed with the grace at 8.50 pm.

Minutes confirmed…………………………………………….         Date………………………………….