Welcome to BB Connex
21st November 2022
Welcome to BB Connex.
This is a means to stay connected through sharing resources, encouraging, supporting and praying for each other as a Presbytery.
Please e-mail Melloney by 10am every Thursday anything you would like to share.
Next BB Connex - 12th December 2022 |
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Words From David
For what may be my last contribution to the ‘lead’ piece for BB Connex – certainly in my present role – I thought that I might offer some reflections on my time as supply Ministry Resource Minister since the second half of 2020.
Following three months supplying as Presbytery Minister – from February to April 2020 – I began my present supply role on 1 August 2020 and have served continually in that role since then. I will, of course, following my re-election by the full Presbytery, continue in my role as Chair of the Mission Resource Committee of the Presbytery. The two roles, that of MRC Chair and that of MRM supply, have become lightly intertwined over the two years since the MRC was formed, and over the next couple of weeks or so I will – with quite a bit of ease, to be honest – un-intertwine (!) them in conversation with my successor in the MRM role (as a regular, that is non-supply, placement), the Rev Russell Reynoldson.
Much of the work that I have been involved in has been enjoyable (not everything is so, of course, but I’ll leave the details of that for my (to be) best-selling personal memoirs!), challenging and even exciting. The work of the Presbytery, and particularly of the MRC, in the sustainability and strategic locations area, has been particularly challenging and (I trust) fruitful for the work of the Kingdom and promises to be so in the future; not always easy or comfortable – no ministry task is so always – but challenging and fruitful in the best sense. I have valued so much being an ex officio member of both the Presbytery Standing Committee and the PRC (and will continue to be so on the former) and working there with faithful and trusted colleagues. I particularly acknowledge the comradeship and leadership of both Russell (PSC) and Marilyn (PRC). Working with fellow MRC members has also been (and promises to continue to be) a prized experience.
My work, with Presbytery colleagues, with the Sherwood UC leadership and congregation, the former Graceville UC leadership and congregation, and the Darra Vietnamese UC leadership and congregation have been significant parts of my work over the last two and half years, as has been that with the now amalgamated Ipswich leadership and congregation. I have worked closely with other congregations (if I try to name them all I will inevitably leave one or two out!) quite closely and have valued the ties made there.
Finally, to my Presbytery office team colleagues – latterly with David Fender (MRM Number 2!!!!) for a relatively short time of recent days, but for all of my time as supply MRM with Glen and Mel – it has been (and will continue to be) simply a great privilege and joy to work with you, not only as colleagues but as cherished and much treasured friends.
David Mackay-Rankin
21 November 2022
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Celebrating the life of Rev Peter Taubner
who passed away on 18th October
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Closure of Ministry Service at Ipswich UC for Rev Peter Arnett 30th October 2022
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We have decided to change the venue for the Women in Ministry lunch to Wild Canary, Brookfield Gardens from December onwards.
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A day to celebrate in the Uniting Church in Gatton - 9th October. Trevor Murry presented with 'The Uniting Church in Australia Moderator's Award",
11 new congregation members
and a recognition luncheon
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Pastor John Braithwaite and Rev Andrew Gunton led the Holy Communion Service during which eleven people were received as members of the Church. The service was followed by a ‘Recognition Luncheon’ where the congregation recognised the tireless work of five of their members. The luncheon was attended by nearly fifty Congregation members. Those recognised included Ellen and Graheme Kroll, Dawn Marsh, Stella and Trevor Murry.
Trevor Murry was also presented with ‘The Uniting Church in Australia Moderator’s Award 2022’. The UCA Moderator, Rev Andrew Gunton presented the award to Trevor. This award is one of six presented in Queensland each eighteen months. Trevor received his nomination for his tireless commitment both to the UCA and the Community over nearly fifty years. Trevor came from a local Gatton family. He attended Gatton Congregational Church, Sunday School, then youth group. He entered the Royal Australian Air Force and he married Stella Logan from Gatton. On their return from overseas deployment, they settled in Gatton with their family. Once again, they attended their local Church and when the Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches united, they continued their commitment to the new Church. Trevor was very active in the Gatton RSL Sub Branch and other local community groups. Trevor and Stella have now moved to Holland Park.
Elaine Horrocks
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PRESBYTERY & CONGREGATION UPCOMING EVENTS
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Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Meetings 2023
Saturday 4th March 9am - 3pm - Venue TBC
Saturday 15th July - 9am - 3pm - Venue TBC
Saturday 18th November 9am - 3pm - Venue TBC
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Safe Ministry with Children (Congregation)
Face to Face - Modules 1 & 2 for congregations
(Lay preachers, church council etc)
Saturday 18th February 9am - 12 noon
Saturday 20th May 9am - 12 noon
Wednesday 16th August - 6.30pm - via zoom
Saturday 4th November 9am - 12 noon
Venue - Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Office
13 William Street, Goodna
Register Here
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If you completed SMC training 2 years ago and are due for your refresher
and don't require assistance, please see below:
edUCate
NEW ON LINE LEARNING PLATFORM
At the bottom of the Safe Ministry With Children page (on the synod website) is a link to the new online learning platform – edUCate https://educate.ucaqld.com.au/login/
The Learning Team can provide assistance to log in or access an online account on edUCate.
The contact details for edUCate support:
learning@ucaqld.com.au or 07 3377 9990
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Safe Church
New Safe Church Training Procedure
and Training Schedule
The Queensland Synod remains committed to providing a safe Church for everyone. Regular attendance at training assists us in maintaining an open and aware culture of safety. The Safe Ministry with Children (SMC) training is being reviewed to incorporate feedback, increase accessibility, and align with the National Curriculum being released by the National Safe Church Unit. The changes to the training schedule will mainly affect all people in child-related roles, including lay preachers and ministry agents. Please transition across to the new training schedule by the end of 2023. A copy of the new Safe Church Training Procedure with a Training Matrix is available from the Synod Learning Team.
Please direct all training enquiries, including enquiries about online training, to the Learning Team on 07 3377 9990 or learning@ucaqld.com.au.
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Trinity College Short Courses
Trinity love to put on events and courses that are topical and timely, relevant and life-giving.
Trinity hope their short courses, preaching and worship conference and art-filled Fridays will fill your tank and inspire a desire for more!
As promised they've also added in details of upcoming Open Days, the perfect opportunity for you to get a taste of Trinity.
CLICK HERE
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Advent and Christmas materials to share
JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY TO JOY!
The rest of the Journey to Joy Advent and Christmas resources are slightly delayed, but we wanted to give you a draft sample at this stage so that you can see what is included and start to think about how you will use it in your context now.
Included here is:
Journey to Joy Worship Planning resource (Draft Sample) - A collaborative team has created these resources from across the Qld Synod of the Uniting Church to help congregations, communities, and families celebrate Advent together intergenerationally. It contains bible readings, themes and suggestions for prayers, videos, and activities to do in worship to assist with weekly worship preparation for the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. There is also an Advent Candle Litany and suggestions for a Blue Christmas/ Solace/ Thanksgiving and Remembering Service.
These resources are connected thematically with the Journey to Joy Countdown to Christmas, Advent and Christmas Reflections to enable ongoing engagement for congregation members, families, and people in your community over this Advent and Christmas season. These additional resources include 15-character reflections (three for each week's theme), topics and questions for discussion for small groups, families, or individuals to engage with. These reflections invite the participant to explore a character connected with the Advent story, how their own story might connect, and some challenges connected with the weekly theme. They are designed to invite conversation, connection, and creativity across generations by providing opportunities to share and hear each other's stories and engage in activities together to explore God's big story.
If you have questions about how to use or print the materials, please get in touch with Jess Pinkerton at jessica.pinkerton@ucaqld.com.au.
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Attention all First Aid Officers
A First Aid officer needs to be available to provide immediate assistance to an injured or ill person. To provide first aid to a child or young person under 18, the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 requires a First Aid Officer to hold a current Blue Card. Apply for a Blue Card or contact Blue Card Services.
For information on first aid courses, don't hesitate to contact the team by sending an email to health.safety@ucaqld.com.au.
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New Forms from Blue Card Services
Blue Cards, Recordkeeping and new National Checks and Information Sharing
Maintaining up-to-date Blue Card records helps keep children safe. Accurate recordkeeping is an essential step in safeguarding children and vulnerable people. A congregation management systemis available to support congregations with recordkeeping. The Blue Card Services portal is available for use by congregations to maintain accurate Blue Card records. Recent changes will allow Blue Card Services access to a central database that records adverse interstate Working With Children Check (WWCC) decisions (a Blue Card ‘negative notice’) and allow information sharing with other WWCC agencies in Australia. A fact sheet Upcoming changes to the blue card system provide more information about how these changes will affect blue card holders, applicants and employer organisations. More information about recordkeeping is available on the website. Contact Lynde Davy at safechurch@ucaqld.com.au or 07 3377 9983. For more information about the Blue Card Services organisation portal, contact Blue Card Services on 1800 113 611 or 07 3211 6999.
Please let us know how we can work together better to ensure everyone can connect, contribute and belong.
Contact Lynde Davy at safechurch@ucaqld.com.au or call 07 3377 9983.
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Laidley Uniting Church Children & Young Families Worker
The Laidley Uniting Church is seeking to employ a part time Children and Young Families Worker (16 hours per week). The person will be willing to accept the values of the Uniting Church and a personal Christian commitment is a legitimate requirement. A full job description is available upon request. Phone enquiries 0467 066 194.
Please send applications and resume to minister@laidleyunitingchurch.org.au or post to
45 Patrick Street, Laidley, QLD, 4341 by 30/11/2022
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The Wesley Hospital is putting the call out to find a group of very special people, to provide companionship to patients in their final days and moments.
To find out more and apply: myuniting.care/compassionatecompanion
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The Uniting Church has welcomed new recommendations for the National Redress Scheme after a two year independent review found rapid reforms were needed to ensure the Scheme remains accessible, efficient and survivor centred.
https://ucaredress.org.au/news/
UCA Redress Ltd and the NSCU work closely to ensure learnings from the past inform contemporary practice, communication and strategy.
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Project Plenty videos as discussion starters
Project Plenty seeks to support and resource the priority directions which the whole UCA has identified for its life across Qld in the coming years. Those directions gather around four pillars – discipleship, transforming communities, fit for purpose, and life together (one church).
Videos are being produced which share what is already happening across the church, to stimulate imagination in other contexts. Check out this growing video collection grouped around the four themes. Could you play one in worship, or at Church Council, or in home groups, as a catalyst for thinking about new possibilities in your space?
Join the Plenty Facebook group.
Read Uniting News.
Email the Plenty team at projectplenty@ucaqld.com.au.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) update
For the latest COVID-19 updates and resources, visit the Synod website.
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Online worship services
Here is a list of Queensland Uniting Church congregations who are live streaming. For suggested changes or corrections to this list, please email the Mission Engagement Team.
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Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Contact Details:
Presbytery Minister
Rev Glen Schweitzer - 0410 595 454
Mission Resource Minister 1
Rev Dr David Mackay-Rankin - 0432 341 816
Mission Resource Minister 2
Rev David Fender
0413 314 995
Presbytery Chair
Rev Russell Reynoldson - 0429 472 567
Presbytery Secretary
Ms Gemma Ward - 0458 094 711
PRC Chair
Dr Marilyn Healy - 0411 418 599
Presbytery Office Manager
Melloney Braithwaite - 0413 667 671
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Glen will be on leave
from 21st November to 5th December
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