Welcome to BB Connex
18th April 2023
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 - 3rd May 2023
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Words from Ross
PROPERTY IS A TOOL
As Treasurer and Property officer it is appropriate I mention property, buildings, those beloved pews and all the ancillary items that go to make up worship and our church.
These things are great. They make us feel comfortable, safe and relaxed…a feeling that all is good when we come in here; of known stability in a changing world. There is nothing wrong with those feelings and indeed we need to have them at times. For to be constantly anxious is unhealthy: physically, mentally and spiritually.
When I wish to go from one place to another, I usually drive a car, and, from time to time, I get a new car. I grieve the old car going but look froward to the new one. It could be because it is more appropriate for my needs today or the old one just stopped going. One had total hail damage and was undrivable, but it was a tool and it needed to suit my needs. Tools are made for all kinds of purposes. We use a whisk to beat eggs, not a wooden stirring spoon. We use a hammer to drive a nail, not a screwdriver.
Our buildings are also tools. They need to suit our needs and be appropriate. Heavy pews may give way to individual chairs, sound desks to audio/visual systems or pulpits to lecterns. Sometimes the buildings are even whisks when we need a stirring spoon.
Comfort, security and tradition can become worship of the building when we should be seeking Christ. Think of what it took for the Israelites to move from the Temple to the Synagogues. God moved them to another country as slaves. There, they still worshiped God and found the building was not so important as seeking the heart of God. On their return Nehemiah led them to rebuild the walls first, all the while seeking God.
Buildings are important, especially when it rains, but could we be better off if we put less importance on them? Probably more than 70% of a Church Council’s time is spent on property. At MRC a lot of time is spent on property and the paperwork for leases, insurance, MDF and so on, is enormous. Where would the church be if that time was spent learning and talking to people about Jesus!?
While saying we love our church; we could divide that into 2 parts – we love the community, the people, and we love the building. I once helped a community of 15 people close their church. At the concluding service the place was packed with more than 150 people who saw it as their church but who had not been for 30 years. Some of the worshippers at the conclusion service lived 2 hours away but they still came. Unfortunately, in some cases, they were abusive toward us daring to close their church. They loved the building, but it was at the morning tea when the groups of people joined together and remembered their younger days that God could be seen.
The people are the church, not the building, we sing that, don’t we, but do we mean it when it matters? If we could learn to reach out with the love of God to our neighbour, whoever that is, with a love for them rather than a wish to grow to keep our church open, our churches would be full. When we act from a sense of scarcity, we show how little we have. When we offer from the abundance God has given us, people get to share in our overflow.
Although it is our task to give good stewardship to our Church property, we need to understand it is a tool to be used to empower us to share the love of God. When we do other than that because of our property, we need to consider if the tool we are using is the right one for the purpose.
So, our encouragement is to pick up a hammer to fix the lose nail, a whisk to scramble the eggs for the men’s breakfast and God’s love to reach out to the unchurched and share with them as if they owned your building too.
Ross Mackay
Treasurer and Property Officer
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PRESBYTERY & CONGREGATION
UPCOMING EVENTS
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The Darra Samoan Faith Community is closing
You are invited to join them in their final service, which will be 1pm on Sunday 30th April 2023.
The venue is Darra Vietnamese Uniting Church,
6-8 Lee Road, Darra
All are welcome
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Check in Monday 8th May 10.30am
Check Out Wednesday 10th May 1.30pm
Registration forms have been e-mailed; if you have not received, please contact Melloney
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Date Claimer
Presbytery Day Camp
June/July School Holidays 2023
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Prayer team being sought
Our Presbytery is looking at a church congregation plant in the Ripley area. I am being employed to do a bridgehead to this plant. This means we are looking at a business plan for this plant.
I believe that any movement of God needs to be grounded in prayer. I am seeking people who are prepared to be part of this prayer team. The Prayer team will meet monthly on zoom for 1 hour.
In this time I will let you know what has been happening in the month before and points of prayer in the month to come
If you are interested in being part of a prayer team please contact me on 0412 209 737
Rev Russell Reynoldson
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Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Meetings 2023
Saturday 15th July - 9am - 3pm - Venue TBC
Saturday 18th November 9am - 3pm - Venue TBC
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F.A.S.T. FIRST AID
Every Month at the
Bremer Brisbane Presbytery office
Date: Wednesday 26th April
Time: 9am - 11am
Date: Thursday 11th May
Time: 9am - 11am
Date: Tuesday 16th May
Time: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Venue: Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Office
Address: 13 William Street, Goodna
F.A.S.T. First Aid are offering UCA a small discount. To book a course and take advantage of the discount, e-mail Melloney to receive a code.
- CPR Refresher
- Provide First Aid (this includes CPR)
- Provide First Aid in an education and care setting (this includes CPR)
After you have e-mailed Melloney and received the code, please book through the website HERE and enter the code at the payment page.
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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.
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SAFE CHURCH INFORMATION REQUEST
A friendly reminder that this information required by the Presbytery office is now OVER-DUE
As per the e-mail, each congregation needs to please provide the following documents:
- A register of workers/volunteers (Blue Card register)
- A copy of church council’s minute adopting the Safe Ministry with Children Policy
- A copy of a Risk Assessment/Safe Programs Planning Tool for a Church program or activity
- A copy of Breach Register
If you have any concerns or questions in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact the Bremer Brisbane Presbytery office or the Safe Church Assurance and Support Officer, Lynde Davy
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the safety of our children.
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Commissioning of Holly Barnes at Chapel Hill UC
5th February 2023
Holly pictured with Glen Schweitzer and Karen Ross
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Commissioning of Raine (Karien) Semaia at Indooroopilly UC
19th February 2023
Raine pictured with Philip and Edwin Tomane
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Commissioning of Emily Abernathy at St Lucia UC
19th March 2023
Emily pictured with Glen Schweitzer and Mandy Smith
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Commissioning of Jason Brown at Toowong UC
26th March 2023
Jason pictured with Glen Schweitzer
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Do you know an Organist?
Harrisville UC are seeking someone to play the organ on the 3rd Sunday of each month. If you can help, please contact Melloney
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PRAYER FOR RENEWAL
Join the movement to pray monthly for renewal for our mission and church.
A monthly Tuesday night call (7pm - 8pm) with others across the state and nation to share our heart for restoration of ourselves, our congregations, our mission and our world.
Email Mandy Smith to be added to the mailing list to receive a monthly email with times and more information.
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Women in Ministry Gathering
Please contact Jan Whyte 0411 114 948
or e-mail: chair@bremerbrisbane.org.au
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Safe Ministry with Children (Congregation)
Face to Face - Modules 1 & 2 for congregations
(Lay preachers, church council etc)
Saturday 20th - May 9am - 12 noon BBP Office
(13 William Street, Goodna)
If you need help with Refresher on-line Training, please drop in at 12 noon
Sunday 21st May Time TBC Toowong
(82 Sherwood Road, Toowong)
Wednesday 16th August - 6.30pm - via zoom
Saturday 4th November - 9am - 12 noon BBP Office
(13 William Street, Goodna)
Register Here
If you completed SMC training 2 years ago and are due for your
SMC Refresher and don't require assistance, please see below:
edUCate
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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MORETON RIVERS PRESBYTERY
TRAINING DATES: Some Times to be Confirmed
Tuesday 9 May | 7pm Albert St UC --> Modules 1 & 2
Wednesday 10 May | 7pm Albert St UC -->Modules 3 - 5 (church council only)
Saturday 15 July Caboolture Region Uniting Church --> Modules 1 & 2 and 3 - 5 (church council members only)
Saturday 26 August | 9am - 12pm | Aspley UC --> Modules 1 & 2
For any enquiries, please contact Mia Blake (adminsupport@mrpres.org.au) |
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NEW INFORMATION
Safe Church training for Ministry Agents
We have been doing some configurations in edUCate to make sure that the Safe Church training requirements in the Safe Church Training Procedure are reflected in the configuration of edUCate.
The training procedure has the following requirements for all Ministry Agents:
Module 1 - every 2 years
Module 2 & 3 – Every year
Module 7 - Responding to a person of concern - every two years
Module 12 - Providing safe online ministry - every 2 years
Module 13 - Practicing Shared Guardianship (Preventing Abuse) - every 2 years
You may have received a notification from edUCate to inform you that you have been enrolled in these modules if you have not completed them in edUCate in the past. If you need help getting into edUCate to see your current completion status, please contact learning@ucaqld.com.au.
Thank you in anticipation, and please let us know if you need any further information by contacting learning@ucaqld.com.au.
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“Through Uniting in Prayer, we want every part of our Church to be joined together in prayer for one another and our life together,” said Rev Hollis.
As whole-of-Church discernment about the future of the Uniting Church continues through the Act2 Project, Uniting in Prayer is an opportunity to come together in thanksgiving and hope to pray and seek the leading of the Spirit.
For 26 days we’ll be sharing prayers from across our Church, gathering for prayer and inviting Uniting Church communities to pray for each other.
“At the heart of the Act2 Project is prayer, for the leading of the Holy Spirit as together we seek to discern the shape of our life together,” said Act2 Project Lead Andrew Johnson.
“At the heart of this year we are inviting everyone that calls the Uniting Church home to enter into a time of prayer. Prayer is a simple yet powerful act.”
“In this time we will remember our past, recognise our present reality and with hopeful expectation listen attentively to Spirit's leading for our future.”
Save the dates in your personal and church calendars and speak with others in your community about how you might take part.
Resources will be available on 17 April. These will include daily prayers for the 26 days, weekly theological reflections and intergenerational resources for use in worship and at home.
You can register your community now to get updates as soon as they’re available.
HERE
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DATE CLAIMER:
Moderator’s Convocation 2023
'Fit your oxygen mask first’
An opportunity for those in Specified Ministry in the UCA to gather in community and be encouraged in their call.
The Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod recognises the importance of providing a safe and productive working environment, and that mental health is vital to being able to effectively serve those in your workplace or community. “Fit your oxygen mask first” aims to provide Ministry Agents with tools to address their own health first effectively equipping them to provide adequate care for others.
Venue:Brisbane (TBA)
Dates/Times: Wednesday 14 June 10:00am – 8:00pm (approx.)
Thursday 15 June 9:00am – 2:30pm (approx.)
Cost: There will be a cost per ticket - TBA
Registrations will be open in a few weeks’ time, so please keep an eye on your emails for the registration link and further information
If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Vanessa Van Der Rhede @ events@ucaqld.com.au
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Hall Hire Insurance update
The United Church in Australia Queensland Synod (UCAQ) has traditionally obtained public liability insurance to help congregations arrange the hire of their premises for special family events where the individual did not have access to their insurance coverage and is a supporter of that congregation. Our current policy is due to expire on June 30, and regrettably, our brokers have been unable to obtain renewal terms in the current format from any insurer. For more information and some possible alternatives, please follow this link. You can read the full memo from the Group Insurance team here.
Don't hesitate to contact the insurance team at ucinsurance@ucaqld.com.au
or 0408 157 792
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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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Register for the event by Tuesday, July 4, at the NCLP website.
For registration inquiries,
email events@ucaqld.com.au to reach Vanessa Van Der Rhede.
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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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Blue Care 70th Anniversary
Thanks to those who have volunteered to be their local champion for anniversary celebrations.
Planning is already underway for the festivities throughout the year.
If you would like to put your name forward to be your local champion, please contact Sheri Holland for further information and support.
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Bremer Brisbane Presbytery Office Bearers
contact details:
Presbytery Minister
Rev Glen Schweitzer - 0410 595 454
Mission Resource Minister 1 & Ripley Community Minister
Rev Russell Reynoldson - 0412 209 737
Presbytery Chair
Rev Jan Whyte - 0411 114 948
Presbytery Secretary
Ms Gemma Ward - 0458 094 711
PRC Chair
Rev Gerda Olafsen - 0477 662 237
MRC Chair
Rev Dr David Mackay-Rankin - 0432 341 816
Office Manager
Melloney Braithwaite - 0413 667 671
Treasurer
Rev Ross Mackay - 0432 681 362
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