ON THE WAY TOGETHER - COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE
As a taste of things to come the four Uniting churches in Mannigham held a combined service at TUC
on Sunday 6th September. There were no other morning services on the day, and the Templestowe church
was "packed to the rafters"on this occasion. Despite many having to leave after the service to attend Fathers'
Day functions, a large crowd remained to enjoy fellowship over morning tea.
TUC Congregation have requested the other Congregations to work towards having combined services on
a monthly basis in future.
ON THE WAY TOGETHER - DISCOVERY DAY
A discovery day afternoon tea was held as a Combined Manningham Uniting Churches function at Doncaster
East Uniting Church on Sunday 30 August.
ON THE WAY TOGETHER - SHARED MINISTRY PROPOSAL
TUC Congregation have requested the MCLT to come up with a concrete proposal for shared Ministry by the
end of 2009, for implementation in 2010.
ON THE WAY TOGETHER –REPORT FROM THE MANNINGHAM (UNITING) CHURCHES
LEADERSHIP TEAM (MCLT)
The Manningham Churches Leadership Team is currently addressing the topic of Team Ministry as it could
apply across the four Manningham Uniting Churches (Doncaster East, Pilgrim, Templestowe and Warrandyte).
There has been considerable activity in recent weeks in the congregations. Pilgrim Uniting Church led the way
with a Congregational Consultation on 19 April which gave overwhelming support to an increase in sharing
between congregations, with Ministers appointed to a Manningham team and network and shared between
congregations rather than appointed to individual congregations.
At the consultation members were asked to consider five options on ministry. The options ranged from
maintaining the status quo, i.e. four separate churches with limited collaboration, to working towards
amalgamation and appointing a multi-faceted ministry team. These same options were presented to the
Congregations of Doncaster East and Templestowe on Sunday 14 June.
Responses to the options were similar across the three congregations.
- There was no support for maintaining the status quo.
- There was strong support for ordained Ministers and lay workers being appointed to a Manningham
ministry team and shared between congregations.
Doncaster East Church Council has advised the MCLT that it is of the opinion that the Doncaster East
Congregation favours option 4 (“Ministers and Lay Workers appointed to Manningham Ministry team and
shared between congregations”) and that it is moving towards a shared vision as a single faith community.
The Congregation also wishes to explore further options of shared ministry and joint mission activities.
A congregational meeting on 19 July will consider the Council’s proposals.
The Doncaster East Council has reaffirmed their core mission activities as Children and Families, Youth and
Young Adults ministries. The recent appointment of Lucas Taylor as a full-time minister in these areas has
provided tangible affirmation of this statement. In the spirit of shared ministry, Lucas’ appointment is seen as
the start of a ministry which will range across the Manningham congregations and community.
This will influence the shape of possible future ministry teams.
Discussions on the future of shared ministry across the congregations are continuing.
Team members Andrew Boyle, John Hyne, Jan Serpell, and Melinda Hume-Cook would be happy to discuss
any aspect of the discussions held between the churches, and receive comments on future ministry structures.
Suggestions for common activities between the congregations would also be welcome.
John Hyne - 29 June 2009
FORUM ON SHARED MINISTRY SUNDAY 14 JUNE
We held a discussion on the topic of Shared Ministry after the service on Sunday 14 June. We are moving
towards closer co-operationwith the other Uniting church congregations in Manningham in several areas, including
combined worship services. One of the most important, and exciting, areas of co-operation is that of shared ministry
wherein we would share our resources in ministry (both ordained and lay) among the congregations.
Our discussions covered this sharing in various aspects, including:
- In considering collaboration of the Uniting Churches across Manningham, what should Templestowe's
preferred position be on ministry?
- If a shared ministry team were formed across the Manningham Uniting Churches what roles and skills should
the team comprise?
- If combined services were to be held more frequently between Uniting Churches in Manningham,
How often should they be held?
Where should they be held?
Should these be additional to existing services or take the place of existing services?
- In a re-configured Uniting Church in Manningham how should a mission thrust be discerned and structured?
The forum gave us an opportunity to explore the idea of shared ministry, and to ask questions and voice our hopes
and concerns about this aspect of our future.
HISTORY
At a Dinner meeting held at Doncaster Uniting Church in August 2008, representatives of four Uniting Churches in
the Manningham area resolved to form a small team to discuss the future coming together of our congregations.
The team includes the Minister and three lay members from each of the four churches, and met for the first time
on Wednesday 8 October at Pilgrim Uniting Church in Doncaster.
Templestowe Uniting Church Council has endorsed the terms of reference of the group.
The team reported back to a Dinner meeting at Templestowe Uniting Church on 28 October, met on 13 November
and 11 December and continues to meet regularly.
Jjoint dinners between the four Manningham Uniting Churches have indicated that there is
a great deal of good will between our churches and a sense of urgency amongst all to address the issues facing us.
Over that year there has been a movement of the spirit urging us to explore the life and future of the Uniting Church
in Manningham.
It is clear that a "business as usual" approach will see a very depleted Uniting Church presence in Manningham.
We can choose to continue as we are or we can endeavour to come to grips with what is happening and what a new
future might look like.
On Sunday 14 September 2008 TUC members were invited to a lunch and forum on the theme of On the Way Together:
Exploring Our Future. The purpose of the forum was to prepare ourselves to listen to and support each other
during our journey into the future.
Terms of Reference
The following are a draft set of Terms of Reference for the Manningham Churches Leadership Team
1. Represent the four Uniting Church congregations within the City of Manningham to explore how best to
work together as a single faith community, Christ centered and mission focused. (Subsequent deletion).
2. With the four congregations seek to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit in shaping the future directions
of the Manningham, churches and be open to new ideas and different ways of being ‘Church’
3. Meet on a regular basis, hold open and frank discussions and maintain accurate documents of the meeting
outcomes.
4. Review the programs and activities of the four churches to encourage the wise use of our combined resources.
5. Maintain a close working relationship with the Church Councils representing the four Manningham Churches
and report outcomes to the congregations on a regular basis.
6. Develop and vigorously promote a joint vision and strategic plan for the Manningham churches.
7. Keep Presbytery and the Grove Uniting Church (which has a covenant relationship with Pilgrim UC) informed
of the progress and approved outcomes of the meetings.
MANNINGHAM CHURCHES LEADERSHIP TEAM (MCLT).
In uncertain times, Uniting Churches in Manningham work towards
a shared vision for a bright future.
On four occasions in 2008, representatives from the four Uniting Churches in the City of Manningham met together
over dinner to get to know each other and to share information about activities; to provide encouragement; to voice
concerns about the future and to hear from other churches about the successful sharing of resources, ministry and
mission.
The group, which is quite large, suggested that a smaller group, a Think Tank or Leadership Team of four members
(including the minister) be nominated from each congregation, to meet on a regular basis, to explore how best to work together in the future. The Terms of Reference for the Manningham Churches Leadership Team (the name will no doubt change) is in the process of being endorsed by each Church Council and each congregation.
This small group will work on two levels
1. Nuts and Bolts. A number of surveys are being completed at the moment. These will provide a range of
information, including the number and type of worship services conducted by each congregation , the number and type
of groups and activities, physical, financial and human resources, liabilities and concerns for the future.
2. Develop a vision or concept plan for a re-energised, vibrant and relevant Uniting Church presence in the
City of Manningham, focused on ministry and mission.
Working alongside congregations and the larger dinner group, the Leadership Team will “seek to discern the guidance
of the Holy Spirit in shaping the future directions of the Manningham churches and be open to new ideas and different
ways of being church.”
To be successful in its exploration, visioning and discernment, the group needs the prayers and support of the
Templestowe, Warrandyte, Doncaster East and Pilgrim congregations throughout the journey.
To celebrate the beginning of the advent season and the beginning of a new and vital partnership, the four congregations
shared a rousing carols service at Templestowe Uniting Church on Sunday, 7th December 2008.
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