MINISTRY NEWS

The final countdown; sugar and spice and all things youth; sing-song Sundays; focusing our vision; so long, farewell; how, what, Y, when?

Confirmation 2008

Our Year 9s are in the final phase of preparation for their Confirmation (on November 22). A series of events involving the young people, their mentors and their parents have been scheduled for the period leading up to the service. We are encouraging the young people to use a variety of media in their faith statements, so this year's Confirmation service will have some new and different elements.

Youth and Family Ministry in 2009

Matt Olson has been working with the Student Action Leadership Team (SALT) and the Child, Youth and Family Ministry (CYFM) Team towards a new plan for youth ministry in 2009. Key elements of this are:

• ? H2H theme events on Sunday mornings (twice a month during term time), offered parallel to Year 10-12 gatherings.
• > Regular involvement of youth in the 9am Sunday services.
• > Monthly Sunday morning Year 10/11 student and mentor gatherings, with a focus on pilgrimage.
• > Year 12 planning and preparation for a mission trip.
• > Monthly parent class offerings on Sunday mornings.
• > Monthly Friday night in-home small group gatherings for high school age youth.
• > A monthly Friday night Big Fellowship event for all youth.

Our CYFM Team has discussed the need for an intentional faith formation pathway which carries young people forward in learning and practicing the faith from Year 7 to Year 12 and beyond, eliminating the ministry gap that is typically there in the post-confirmation period. The changes in mind for 2009 are a movement in this direction.

Child and Family Ministry in 2009

Keren Loffler has also been re­thinking our children's ministry in conjunction with the CYFM Team. The Faith Inkubators BibleSong materials will be used next year. On the third Sunday afternoon of each month a new theme will be introduced, following a community lunch. On the other Sunday mornings of the month the BibleSong theme will be further explored and developed in the usual between-services timeslot. Elements from the BibleSong themes (music, artwork, skits etc.) will be incorporated in the Family Services, to be held on the third Sunday of each month at 11am (a shift from 9am on the second Sunday). A series of Milestone Ministry events will also be held throughout the year on Sunday mornings, with giftings and blessings occurring in the Family Services.

Communications Team

This new team is warming to their task of supporting the congregation in working the Vision 2012 outcomes through every aspect of our life together. They have begun by mapping the congregation's current programs across the five ministry areas of worship, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and outreach. How does what we currently do match with our newly adopted core values and vision? The team will conduct a 'gap' analysis as well as work with ministry partners to see how current ministries fit in with our vision.

Mission Team

The team thanks Bernard Chan for his passionate contribution to St Paul's focus on mission since it's beginning. Bernard and Diana are moving back to Singapore, for the short term at least. As a result of this and other factors, we are unable to move on the trip to Thailand at this point. Bernard's experience of overseas mission trips has been invaluable, and we are thankful that he will continue to lend an organisational hand from Singapore. However, there are other foundations that need to be laid at our end before we send the first team overseas. Please pray for the Mission Team as they refocus. Consider whether God is calling you to support the work of the team into 2009.

Young Adult Ministry Team

This team consists of a number of interested staff, together with Geoff Miller. Its role is to provide opportunities where the voice of young adults can be heard, and to work through ways that we can better serve this sector of our congregation, as well as provide meaningful ways in which they can serve God with their unique gifts and passions. If you are interested in what we're doing, and want to play a part in growing this ministry, please come along to a discussion and meal after the evening service on Sunday November 9. Thanks to all those who attended the forum and lunch on Sunday September 21.