Gungahlin Uniting Church

Welcoming of the stranger. Inclusive of all people. Sharing the faith journey together. Informal and friendly Christian community..

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Church Council Report – November 29

December 2, 2021 by Darren Wright

Outcomes of Church Council (CC) meeting of 29 November 2021

The current and new CC members met on 29 November with the following outcomes:

  • The new executive for 2022 were chosen:
    • Bronwyn Asquith and Jenelle Martin will co-chair the Council.  
    • The new Secretary is Bruce Warren
    • John McKenzie has agreed to become Treasurer.
  • CC agreed to the baptisms of Elijah and Esther King and Elly Lee and Johnno Jun’s daughter Ita 
  • The National Church Life Survey (NCLS) will be conducted during February 2022
  • CC will approach members of the congregation to become trained as “Presiders” over communion and baptism where a minister is not available
  • Church services over Christmas will be held Christmas Eve (evening), Christmas Day and Boxing Day
  • There will be no increase in hall hire fees for 2022 at this time
  • CC decided to rent the manse out while we await a new minister
  • The Church Profile has been progressed.  Members of the congregation will be approached to form the Joint Nominating Committee to select a new minister
  • CC agreed for Matt Grudnoff to approach possible supply ministers
  • The Pastoral Care Committee noted that they had received an overwhelming response from the congregation to participate in pastoral care.  Possible pastoral care coordinators will now be approached.
  • CC decided to continue streaming services.  We will, however, need to purchase new equipment, as the current camera belongs to Darren.  Advice to be sought on appropriate technology. 

Community Garden

At the recent AGM, CC agreed to come back to the congregation on the proposed community garden after:

  • Other possible partners such as Canberra City Care were approached; and 
  • Advice was sought from COGS whether or not GUC/the food pantry could have a plot within the garden.  

CC agreed that GUC will continue to explore the setting up of a community garden with Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS).  

  • While Canberra City Care were approached, they do not have a community garden.  Their pantry garden model may be a possible alternative should we ultimately be unsuccessful in setting up a community garden.
  • COGS agreed to GUC/the food pantry becoming a member of the community garden and having a plot.  This means GUC will have genuine mission opportunities; there will be real potential for the Food Pantry/GUC to be part of the garden community; to develop relationships with other garden members; and for greater synergies with and opportunities for the Pantry and GUC
  • COGS is currently arranging to meet with the ACT government to explore grant opportunities.
  • CC did not consider GUC had the resources or volunteer base to set up a community garden itself.  Previous attempts by Ministers had been unsuccessful.

CC also agreed that in the event that COGS is unable to set up a garden, they will explore:

  • alternative ways to lift GUCs profile in the community
  • other options to better utilise our land, for example a pantry garden; regeneration of the land etc

Filed Under: Church Council

Community Prayers – November 26, 2021

November 24, 2021 by Darren Wright

Local

We continue to hold the family and friends of Ranjini in our prayers, we pray for warm memories, loving stories and hearts full of love.

We pray for all going through cancer at this time. For those coming out of treatment and the people unsure what the next step may be. For those who are exhausted, frustrated and over it as well as those who are entering treatment. For those journeying with a loved one through treatment and those who have only just found out that someone they love has cancer.

We pray for all the teachers as they come to the end of an exhausting term, for all the reports they’re writing and the coming weeks as the year comes to an end. We give thanks for our teachers and praise for their passion and calling.

We pray for all the churches in Gungahlin as we journey towards the manger, may this season be one of renewed passion, hope and joy.

Regional

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for Crookwell Uniting Church, we pray

  • Pray for the church council of Crookwell
  • Pray for the children of Crookwell, including members ofthe playgroup community.
  • Prayer for ongoing conversations about future use ofproperty and resources at Crookwell
  • Prayer for Rev Daniel Mossfield as he works with the leadership of Crookwell and Goulburn Uniting Churches.
  • Pray for the upcoming season of Advent – may it be atime of regeneration and renewal.

National

We join with the National Assembly of the UCA as we pray for

  • Those whose homes are not safe places and who live in fear of gender-based violence. May they find spaces of safety, support, healing, and strength. 
  • Members of Parliament as they consider the Religious Discrimination Bill. We pray for thoughtful discernment and respectful conversation that is mindful of the rights of all people to be free from discrimination. 
  • Conversations taking place across the Church as part of the Act2 project. May we discern the leading of the Spirit as we look to the future.

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore

We give thanks for:

  • Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical churches and councils of churches in Malaysia and Singapore which have witnessed to the gospel and ministered to groups who are discriminated against and marginalized
  • economic developments that have enhanced the standard of living for many
  • policies and practices that seek to sustain the environment and its resources
  • those who have sought to further ethnic and religious harmony.

We pray for:

  • more just, participatory and democratic rule
  • locally-determined economic development that lessens inequalities and protects natural resources
  • greater ethnic and religious understanding and cooperation
  • the forging of national identities and visions that genuinely include all the diverse people in these countries.

We continue praying with the World Council of Churches by joining in their Prayer Cycle

Filed Under: Prayers

Community Prayers – November 19, 2021

November 19, 2021 by Darren Wright

Local

This week we pray for the family and friends of Ranjini Rebera, we give thanks for all she has meant to us, for all the time we’ve shared with her and for her ministry. We mourn her loss and hold her family in our prayers this week.

We continue to pray for all who are mourning the loss of a loved one.

We pray for our new Church Council and give thanks for their leadership. We hold Sue, Lynne, Jenelle, Bruce, John, Elizabeth and Bronwyn in our prayers as we ask for you to continue to work through them and in their leadership this year.

We pray for out Boys Brigade and Girls Brigade, we give thanks for their ministry.

Regional

We join in prayer with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for Canberra City Uniting Church

  • Prayer for returning to in-person gatherings.
  • For a successful Vision 2021 process with members toassist with determining our future, particularly in theareas of property, worship and mission.
  • That the Early Morning Centre’s customers appreciatethe care provided and interact well with the Centre’sneighbours.
  • For university students undergoing exams and workingout what the next steps are if they are coming to an endof their studies.
  • Prayer for both ministers in preparation for Advent forcontinued energy and creativity.

National

We join with the Assembly of the UCA as we pray for:

  • Those impacted by and responding to a COVID-19 cluster in the Northern Territory. We pray those who need it have access to healthcare and vaccines.
  • Our partners in Indonesia, GMIH, who are gathered for their 5th Annual Assembly meeting in Ternate, North Maluku. 
  • Conversations taking place across the Church as part of the Act2 project. May we discern the leading of the Spirit as we look to the future.

World

We join in prayer with the World Council of Churches as we pray for East Timor (Timor Leste), Indonesia, Philippines

We are thankful for:

  • the vital witness of churches in this region
  • the diversity of ethnicities, cultures and religious beliefs, and especially those in Indonesia who have built bridges between them
  • those who have resisted bravely and worked for human rights, justice, peace and reconciliation, especially the National Council of Churches in the Philippines
  • those who protest exploitative mining, deforestation and other environmental damage.

We pray for:

  • governments in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Timor Leste, that they will eradicate corruption, establish justice and peace, and work effectively for the wellbeing of all their people
  • victims of violence, torture, drug and human trafficking, and human rights violations, that those responsible might be held accountable
  • all those affected by earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters, and for the rebuilding of communities afterwards
  • ecumenical and interfaith cooperation to bring justice, peace and sustainability to these lands.

Continue praying with the WCC by engaging with their weekly prayer resources here.https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/prayer-cycle/east-timor-timor-leste-indonesia-philippines

Filed Under: Prayers

GUC Community Prayer – November 12, 2021

November 11, 2021 by Darren Wright

Local

We continue to pray for people who are experiencing cancer treatment, we pray for hope, health, supportive health professionals and for your presence throughout the treatment. We hold their support networks in our prayers also.

We pray for people in our community who are grieving, this week we pray for those who have said goodbye to a parent and we hold them and their families in our prayers this week.

We pray for our AGM and give thanks for those who have accepted the call to sit on our Church Council this year. We pray that they are open to your guidance, call, mission and gospel as they lead the community at Gungahlin.

We give thanks for the reopening of the Food Pantry this week and for the volunteers who bring it to life each week.

Regional

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for Wesley Uniting Church Forrest in particular we pray for;

  • a safe return to in-person worship in November, and for our leaders, choir, musicians, and support volunteers adapting to the changing circumstances
  • a safe return to in-person gatherings for our groups and facility hirers
  • the continuing repair work to buildings following February 2020 hailstorm damage.
  • our mission development work with support of Presbytery and UME, continuing into early 2022
  • the Wesley Music Foundation, Wesley Music Centre, and the Wesley Music Scholars adapting creatively with plans for end of year concerts and events

National

We join with the National Assembly of the UCA as we pray for

  • Members of the Assembly Standing Committee who will meet this weekend to continue their ongoing work.
  • New President of the National Council of Churches in Australia Reverend John Gilmore as he offers national ecumenical leadership. We give thanks for the faithful service of outgoing President Bishop Philip Huggins.
  • Rural and remote communities as borders re-open after months of lockdown. We pray people have access to vaccines and healthcare and we pray for the work of our Bush Chaplains in supporting those communities.

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia

We are thankful for:

  • the beauty of the land and waters of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, and the special relationship that people enjoy with the natural environment
  • the identities and cultural practices that indigenous peoples long have maintained, and for their increasing political voice
  • how the people have welcomed new immigrants
  • how churches have witnessed and worked together ecumenically, especially amid challenges of apathy in highly secularized societies.

We pray for:

  • churches to have the imagination, skills and energy to build bridges of understanding in increasingly multireligious and multicultural contexts 
  • those who work tirelessly on issues of justice for the poor, the marginalized and the dispossessed, especially indigenous peoples
  • those seeking refuge and a new life in these countries, and those supporting and providing for them
  • careful preservation of the fragile land, sea, and resources.

We continue to pray with the WCC through the WCC Prayer Cycle

Filed Under: Prayers

Community Prayers – 5 November 2021

November 4, 2021 by Darren Wright

Local

We give thanks for those who have served on the Church Council for the last year, for our Chair, Treasurer and Secretaries, Matt, Narelle, Jack and JJ. For their faith and their leadership .

We pray for the people who have been nominated to serve on Church Council for the coming year, as we come towards our AGM we pray they feel uplifted and encouraged by the way the community has supported them.

We pray for the congregation of Gungahlin Uniting Church, may we be supportive, encouraging and uplifting to our next Church Council. May we find ways to listen to their leadership, support them in time of hardship and edited by the new things God will do through us and through the ministry and leadership of the Church Council.

Regional

We join with the Canberra Region Presbytery as we pray for…

  • students among us who are preparing for or underway in their final year 12 exams, in the different systems of the ACT and NSW.
  • university students who are completing exams and assignments – and celebrate with those for whom these will mark the end of a course of study.
  • our university chaplaincy programs, especially as they minister to stressed or struggling students at this time.
  • the families, friends and congregations of our students – we ask God to be with them as they support their students in their studies.
  • teachers and lecturers as they mark and support their students in completing their studies.

National

We join with the National Assembly of the UCA as we pray for

  • Those involved in the search and rescue of Cleo Smith. We give thanks for her safe return to her family.
  • The COP26 meeting as it continues. We pray for the world leaders and those involved in negotiations to be courageous, for more ambitious targets to emerge and for actions to back the pledges and promises.
  • For the Uniting Church as we consider together how our identity and foundations are guiding us into a faithful future.

World

We join with the World Council of Churches as we pray for Angola, Mozambique

We are thankful for:

  • the rich natural resources in these countries, which God intends for the good of all
  • the positive developments experienced since years of civil war
  • village committees that seek to protect livelihoods and food security of the poor
  • how the Lutheran World Federation and partners have pursued land rights in Mozambique. 

We pray for:

  • better sanitation, health services, and protection of the environment in these lands
  • a healing of the lingering scars and memories from colonization and civil wars
  • protection of the land rights of the people
  • governments that are transparent and further the good of all the people, rather than being captive to foreign and business interests.

We continue to pray with the WCC through the WCC Prayer Cycle

Filed Under: Prayers

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About GUC

We are a community on a journey, we’ve grown from a small faith community planted in Ngunnawal in the early years of Gungahlin’s development to a thriving inclusive, intergenerational & multicultural community. As Gungahlin has grown we have seen a lot of change.

We are an open and inclusive community, everyone is welcome to use their gifts in worship, prayer, leadership, hospitality and teaching.

Find out more…

Worship With Us

Every Sunday, 9:30am
Gungahlin Uniting Church and Community Centre
108 The Valley Avenue
Gungahlin, ACT, 2913

Worship is for all ages, (0 to 93!) and seeks to be meaningful in different ways for us all.

In Jesus Christ we see how he drew near to each and all and so we hope our worship expresses this nearness too.

Find out more…

Finding us

We worship at the Gungahlin Uniting Church & Community Centre.
Find us on Google Maps here

Car
Free parking is available in our on-site car park.

Light Rail
We are less than a 5 minute walk from the Gungahlin Place Light Rail Station.

Bus
The ACT has a number of bus options for people travelling around, or to Gungahlin. Timetables available here.

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