Let us pray. You are here, Lord Jesus, within us and amongst us as we gather together. And I pray you will be here in these words I speak this morning.
So it has been suggested by a member of council that the AGM should take place in the church each year instead of a church service. He reminds us that in the Uniting Church our meetings and our life and work are also worship not just church services. I whole heartedly agree. As does the council. None the less we think that the Sunday morning service is important to people as well. So, we came up with a compromise that instead of a sermon I would share my report. In this way we bring the work of the church into our worship.
Our reading today from Acts also paints us a picture of the early church living out their faith and worship by gathering together for teaching, communion and prayer but also through their life together and service to others. Let us keep this in our minds as we reflect on our life together as a church community.
So here is a summary of my report. It would be too long to share it all so please do still have a read if you have not already.
Sunday morning worship:
Sunday worship continues to be a great source of joy. I really feel the presence of the Spirit amongst us when we gather and I get a LOT of feedback from visitors about the uniqueness of this community. I have continued to learn and grow as we have made our way through the church year and I hope and pray that God has been speaking to the congregation through our services and series.
These services only happen because so many people are willing to share their God given gifts with this community.
So thanks to the drivers, the tech team, the musicians, those who pray, read, welcome, serve morning tea and all who have preached and lead services.
In my report I do name everyone. Time does not permit me to do that now. There a lot of people helping out and I am so grateful. There are a small number of people who are on multiple rosters and serving pretty much every week. And yet we still really do struggle to get everything done.
I know everyone is so busy and so I do loathe asking you for one more thing and if you really cannot we get it. But our commissioning service today reminds us that there is no gift without its corresponding service. And so if you are not currently involved please let me know what your gifts are and how you might yet be able to serve. For most people getting involved actually becomes joyful and fulfilling.
Young People:
Our young people continue to bless us with their presence and with the different ways they are beginning to serve. God has much to teach us through them.
We have a number of activities happening for our children and young people including high school bible study, CC’s Friday night youth group and our two programs on Sunday morning. All these programs continue to grow in numbers but also in the depth of relationships and faith.
It is wonderful to have Mikaila who has been overseeing this ministry to young people this year. She has written a report. Mel Q has also written a report on the kid’s church program. She continues to lead Godly Play with this age group with great skill.
Last year we had another ecumenical youth evening. Ralph and Shanon came and led music and Shanon shared a testimony. There was also an ecumenical youth camp at Ross River organised by Mel in her Scripture Union role with leaders from the local churches.
We also had the joy of baptising Jemima in May this year.
Please continue to pray for our kid’s ministry leaders and the faith of our children and young people.
Bible Studies and other small groups:
In 2024 and 2025 there were 2 adult bible studies which meet fortnightly. The leaders of these groups have written fuller reports but my thanks to them. It is a wonderful thing to be able to explore the bible and the life of faith together in these groups.
Church Camp:
The church camps in 2024 and in 2025 were wonderful community events. So grateful to Katherine who looked after the catering this year and to Sarah who organised a super fun talent show and to the Basil, Mel and Jesse whose band played for us around the campfire.
Church Council:
Sam has written the church council report but I do want to thank the council for their wisdom and leadership in this church. A big thing for the council as you know are all the conversation around the CBD revitalisation and we will be discussing this more at the meeting.
Staff:
Farewelling Sondra last year was a challenge for us and I really did not know how we would get by without her. But God has indeed provided for us. I am so grateful to Mikaila for firstly coming on as admin and children and youth coordinator and now stepping into a Period of Discernment and the community engagement worker.
Also, I am grateful to Teresa for coming on as Op Shop coordinator. It is not an easy time with the move still to happen so we thank Teresa for her flexibility through all this. I am no longer committing to dates but the new Op Shop is on the way and we look forward to moving in when it’s ready. We continue to welcome people in the old one.
It has taken some time for us all to get used to these new roles and who is doing what. But we are working really hard and well together now.
Benjamin continues in his role as Frontier Services Bush Chaplain and we again thank Benj for all the support he offers to the congregation. I cannot say enough how critical his support is.
Community services:
The ASUC continues to be part of the ecumenical roster to conduct services in the prison, at the hospital chapel and during Lent. Together we wrote a letter to the NT government expressing our concern about the state of our prisons.
We also conducted our yearly carols service at Old Timers.
Sarah continues to lead a weekly chapel service at St Philip’s and it is joy to speak at that on occasions. Thanks to Joel on guitar I have also been teaching them some of our action songs and they seem to really love it.
Op Shop, Adelaide House and community events.
This church is not just what happens on a Sunday morning or in our groups but also what happens during the week at the Op Shop and Adelaide House and the many, many events that take place in the buildings and on the lawns. Mikaila and Teresa have written a fuller report on these activities but my profound thank all those who volunteer here during the week.
The Meeting Place Foundation (ASMPF):
We again thank ASMPF for their ongoing support with the costs of running the church bus and with the provision of foodbank vouchers.
And finally, ASMPF has provided the funding for the mapping project. I have spoken at length now about this project but if you missed it and want to know more there is information on the website and the maps are in Adeliade House if you want to see them.
NRCC, ITECA and Spirit Journey’s:
Ben wrapped up as support worker for the NRCC in the past year but David Young came on this year. Hopefully he will make a report on the work of the NRCC. The connection between the churches at Apatula and on the APY lands and the ASUC I think enriches us all.
Last year ITECA held its final workshop in November. After over 10 years of offering theological workshops to Indigenous students in Alice Springs the decision was made to wind down this work. A number of the organisations and churches involved were no longer able to sustain it. It is sad this work has come to an end but we give thanks for the many and varied workshops ITECA was able to provide in this time.
Spirit Journey’s also had its last journey in this past year. Due to health reason’s John is no longer able to lead these journeys. Again, while it is sad that these have come to an end, we give thanks for all the many people who came and whose perspectives were deeply changed after.
Uniting Church
This year I have again had the opportunity to contribute to the wider work of the church. I am a member of Presbytery Standing Committee, I wrote a piece for With Love to the World and I am mentoring one of the POD candidates from Darwin.
Farewells:
Very sadly in this last year the church lost four significant women – Laurel Butcher, Robbie Olmhus, Mavis and Antonia. Again I have written at length in my report about the service of these women to the church. We really were so blessed by God to have them amongst us.
I also led the funeral service for Alex Coppock. Alex was not a member of the congregation but was well known by the community and had a lot of connections to the church. As a child he stayed with his mother in Adelaide House and in Harry Griffiths House when he was attending school.
The Uniting Church in this place has always been bigger than just this building and Sunday morning.
Final thanks:
So thank you, thank you, thank you again to everyone who participates in the life of this congregation. Please know I give thanks and pray for you all the time.
May we continue to be a place devoted the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
