MINISTRY NEWS

Time swap with District; digging workshops; chewing up the coffee hour; the marks of growth; ringing in the new; and how to sneak in late

St Paul's – District partnership in Child, Youth and Family Ministry

Over the past 18 months, the Victorian District leaders have been in discussion with the leadership of our congregation about the future of the District consultancy support for congregations in the area of child, youth and family ministry (provided through Pastor Andrew before he came to St Paul's). The outcome of these discussions has been the establishment of a halftime District Child, Youth and Family Ministry Facilitator position, with St Paul's staff (and Pastor Greg, in particular) to provide ongoing direction, mentoring and support for the incumbent. In return for the commitment of resources by St Paul's in support of this ministry role, three hours per week of the position will be devoted to involvement in the child and family ministry of our congregation. The position is currently being advertised, with an appointment likely to be made by midAugust.

More opportunities for Digging Deeper

The first of the series of five repeated Digging Deeper workshops on personal Bible reading was held on June 29. The next two dates are Sundays, August 10 and August 24. Take advantage of this opportunity to become more familiar with the Bible and how to use it in your daily life.

In addition, the construction of the additional children's ministry rooms downstairs will free up space upstairs for adult learning on Sunday mornings. To begin with, Pastor Greg is planning to offer a four-session study on some of the parables of Jesus at 10.20–10.55am on these dates: August 24, August 31, September 14, and September 21. Watch for more information about this and other Sunday morning growth opportunities.

Going for G.R.O.W.T.H.

The St Paul's purpose statement says In Christ we gather, grow, and go. So what does it mean for us to "grow"? Our Church Council and staff have been recently reading and discussing the writings of American Lutheran Pastor Mike Foss. Pastor Mike explains that according to the New Testament, growing disciples of Jesus exhibit six "marks of discipleship" that reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in and through them. An acrostic of the word GROWTH sums up the six "marks":

Growing in God's Word

Relating to other Christians

Offering time, talents, and treasures to God's mission

Worshipping regularly

Talking to God in prayer

Helping others through acts of service

The follow-up course to Learning Christ is being redesigned to focus on these practices of faith, and will now be called G.R.O.W.T.H. in Christ. We will be looking at ways to give the six marks greater emphasis in our membership preparation, and at developing a series of six workshops that can be offered for all members to attend over time.

New members

The following 21 people became full or guest members of our congregation on July 20: Mike and Chris Cunningham; Ric, Janice, Brittany and Stephanie Witham; Arpit and Hettal Gamit (guest members); Pinkle, Sushmai, Palin and Pearl Naik (guest members); Kathy, Alistair, Duncan, Cameron and Katrina Mildred; Barry and Heather Schuller; Daniel Benjamin; and Andy Wong. This brings our new member intake over the 18-24 months to about 85. Please make an effort to look out for these people, get to know them, and make them feel very welcome. We thank God for their faith and for the blessings they bring to us through their participation.

Changes in worship

Worship Team have made a number of changes designed to improve both the flow of worship and our worship environment. You will have noticed that the announcements have been moved to the beginning of the service, after the welcome. The team believes that this will let our worship flow, and place the 'business' of church before worship begins.

As you walk in the church, you also have observed that the pew alongside the sound deck has been removed, together with the chairs in front. This space has been designated for the use of those in wheelchairs. (If the initial period proves to be successful, we'll have the solid-backed pew cut down to length for the sound and overhead desks.) We've also removed the signs on the rear pews on the left of the church that said 'Reserved for those with children.' Children participate much better in worship if they can see, so we would encourage parents to sit closer to the front. We would ask that members sit closer to the front so that the rear pews can be kept free for latecomers.

Pastors Andrew Brook and Greg Priebbenow