ucapastor NSW/ACT Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia

position available

2011-01-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

new training opportunities

2011-01-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

RAGE Facilitator Training (Friday 28 January at Parramatta) places available

Learn how to run ‘RAGE’ (Renavigating Anger and Guilty Emotions) a six session anger management course for kids aged between 11 and 17. RAGE is a strengths-based solution focused program that is hands on, practical and also fun for kids. It was originally created by Ken Nathan and Carol Musgrave whilst working at Richmond Community Services Inc. as a response to a need within the community to help workers deal with adolescent anger issues. This training was developed in partnership with the NSW Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women Nepean Region, Communities Division—NSW Dept of Community Services, and Richmond Community Services Inc. Family Support Program. The RAGE resource is reproduced with the kind permission of Richmond Community Services Inc.

Ken Nathan and Carol Musgrave were awarded a Certificate of Merit for RAGE in the 2009 Crime and Prevention Awards , a joint Australian Government, State and Territory initiative.

What to expect from the training:

· Discover the many faces of anger

· Discuss the 4T’s anger cycle

· Look at healthy expressions of anger

· Learn that guilt is an important part of the anger cycle and learn ways to deal with guilt

· Learn about the importance of relaxation, exercise and diet

· Work through and present sections of the manual

· Receive a facilitator’s manual

Who is the training for?

Workers who want to expand their group programs and workers, teachers, parents and carers

who want to improve their knowledge of anger and helping children deal with this emotion

more creatively and constructively.

RAGE is endorsed for professional development points by the NSW Institute of Teachers.

Cost:$198

MAAD – Managing Angry Adolescents Differently (Monday 31 January at Parramatta and also Friday 25 Feb at Parramatta) places available

(MAAD) Managing Angry Adolescents Differently is a one-day workshop created by Ken Nathan and Carol Musgrave to equip parents, carers, teachers or anyone working with angry adolescents with the skills to understand their anger and manage them proactively. It was created in response to requests from parents of teen participants of RAGE groups and service providers working with adolescents.

The MAAD workshop focuses on understanding the drivers of adolescent anger including brain development, attachment disruption and experiences of neglect and abuse; developing skills to engage at-risk adolescents effectively and manage challenging behaviours.

What to expect from the training:

Participants will gain an understanding of the following:

· Theoretical base for working with angry adolescents

· Understanding the adolescent brain

· Profiles of violent teens

· Features of violent adolescents

· Creative engagement

· Assessing risk

· De-escalation skills

· Skills to teach adolescents

· Self care

· Resources and Questions

Cost:$198

ADHD Facilitator Training (Fri 4 Feb at Parramatta) places available

This parenting education leadership course develops the essential skills, confidence and knowledge needed to facilitate the Parenting Children with AD/HD Program within the general community. Every participant receives a copy of the Parenting Children with AD/HD Facilitator’s Manual.

The training course will highlight the key information needed by facilitators for the course. Essential group leadership skills will also be explored and participants will have the opportunity to practice facilitating sections of the program and will receive feedback.

The ‘Parenting children with AD/HD Program’.

This eight-week parenting program, targets parents who have a child with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder. The sessions explore understanding AD/HD, managing behaviours, the management decision chart, preventing problems from arising, using special time, managing medication and dealing with schools.

Who is the training for:

Experienced caseworkers and workers involved in parent education.

Cost:$198

To Register:

To obtain a flyer or an application form for this or any other training, visit www.ifp.nsw.edu.au and follow the links to Professional Development and calendar, or email info@ifp.nsw.edu.au or call 02 8830 0755.

IFP Courses in January2011

Accidental Counsellor (Monday and Tuesday 24 and 25 January) Parramatta
RAGE Facilitator training (Friday 28 January) Parramatta
MAAD (Monday 31 January) Parramatta

February 2011

AD/HD Facilitator Training (Friday 4 Feb) Parramatta
Family Group Conferencing (7,8,9,10 Jan) Ballina/Grafton new dates due to floods
Working Therapeutically with Families After Separation – 6 day accredited (City) or 3hrs x 13 weeks accredited (Parramatta)
Working Therapeutically with Children After Separation – 3 hrs x 13 weeks accredited (Parramatta)
Suicide Prevention (Wed 9 Feb) at Parramatta
Clinical Supervision ( Tuesdays 8,15 and 22 Feb) at Parramatta
Keeping Children Safe ( Thurs/Fri 17 and 18 Feb) at Parramatta
MAAD (Fri 25 Feb) at Parramatta

March 2011

Father Inclusiveness in Family Services Wed 2 Mar) Campbelltown
Group Work with Children (Fri 4 Mar) Parramatta
Domestic Violence Awareness ( Mon 7 Mar) Parramatta
Strengths based Therapeutic Work with Children (Thurs 17 Mar) Parramatta
Accidental Counsellor (Mon / Tues 21 and 22 Mar) Campbelltown
Working with Men 1 day (Tues 22 Mar) Parramatta
Community Development: Theory and Practice (Mon/Tues 28 and 29 Mar) Parramatta
Couple Therapy (4 day non accredited) Tuesdays 29 Mar, 5 April, 3 and 10 May (Parramatta)
Working Therapeutically with Children After Separation 6 day accredited at Parramatta

Lyndall Linaker

Administration Officer

UnitingCare Institute of Family Practice

Level 6, 146 Marsden Street,

Parramatta NSW 2150

(02)8830 0755

llinaker@ifp.nsw.edu.au

This e-mail message (and attachments) is confidential, and / or privileged and is intended for the use of the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail you must not copy, distribute, take any action in reliance on it or disclose it to anyone. Any confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost by reason of mistaken delivery to you. UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families Services is not responsible for any information not related to the business of UnitingCare Children, Young People and Families Services. If you have received this e-mail in error please destroy the original and notify the sender. If you would like to be deleted from the mailing list then please reply to the email and type "remove" in the subject line.

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Jorge and next year

2010-11-14T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hi all
Some of you will know this piece of news but I thought I need to let you all know that as of the 1st of March 2011 I will no longer be in this placement - Ministry of Pastor Consultant. I have accepted a call to the Flying Patrol based out of Broken Hill (now with Frontier Services).
I am working furiously, yet steadily to ensure (as much as possible) that the pastor website is up to date and that all the documents and guides are correct and useful.

There will be more information about the final few pastor training sessions later on - and I will post some definite dates early in the new year.

Thank you all for your support of this great lay ministry - you may not have the vantage point that I have, but I can tell you that it is changing the way we think about the church and its leadership... :-)

If you want to know more about my new placement as the Flying Padre, or want to go up for a plane ride early net year (when I have my licence!!) then let me know.

Jorge

NSW/ACT Ministry of Pastor Website

2010-10-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hi all
The NSW/ACT Ministry of Pastor website has had some updates.
Check out the new presentations in the Other Resources page. These may help if you need to explain to someone or your congregation or Presbytery group about the Lay Specified Ministry of Pastor.
I will be updating and adding more of these presentations over the next 3 months - so be sure to keep checking out the webpage for new materials.
Also, you will notice on the blog page that a share this option has been enabled. Feel free to share something you this is share-able from the blog through your social networks.
Take care all

Jorge

Jump for Jesus Concert 2010

2010-10-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

JUMP FOR JESUS 2010"

Youth Concert

Uniting Business Network Luncheon

2010-09-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Uniting Business Network Luncheon

“Enhancing Spiritual, Professional and Business Growth”

The Uniting Business Network Luncheons provide people working in business, the opportunity in a friendly and supportive environment, to network, share your experiences and explore how spirituality impacts on us personally, our workplace and society.

Thursday 14^th Oct 2010

“FRESH EXPRESSIONS OF CHURCH”

Guest Speaker: NIALL REID

Moderator of the Uniting Church of Australia

Time: Lunch 12.15pm for 12.30 pm - 1.30pm

Venue: Australian Institute of Management

215 Pacific Highway, North Sydney

Cost: $20 cash/cheque for sandwich lunch & beverages

Nial will talk to us about his experience of spending time outside the Uniting Church community, in particular with the Sydney Alliance and will share his thoughts on what the future holds for the church and it’s unique calling.

Graduated LLB from Sydney University in 1979, practised law for a year, ordained in the Uniting Church in 1984 after which he served in St Paul’s Milngave, Scotland, the Mortdale Parish, North Belconnen and Wattle Park and Gordon before being inducted as Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia (Synod of NSW & the ACT) in October 2007. Niall has served in various roles in Presbytery, Synod and Assembly. Since 2001 he has led 5 groups of up to 50 people to build houses with the poor of Tijuana, Mexico.

In his time as Moderator Niall has conducted about 25 Grace Workshops across the Synod, led a number of retreats, has taken a keen interest in the possibility of developing “fresh expressions” of church in the Uniting Church context and promoted the Sydney Alliance as a significant vehicle for the church to give expression to its mission and develop its owns strength.

Your presence at the luncheon is much appreciated. Please RSVP to Charissa Suli, Co-ordinator, Uniting Business Network by 10am Mon 4^th Oct 2010 with a Yes or No for catering and seating purposes. My contact details Mob: 0427 939 170 or charissas@nsw.uca.org.au THANK YOU . . .

An Initiative of Sydney North Presbytery, Uniting Church in Australia

recommended course from IFP

2010-09-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend this one for all pastors and lay leaders

2010-09-13T20:30:00.001-07:00

Accidental Counsellor

(Tues and Wed 5 and 6 October at Wollongong FRC, 2/310 Crown Street)

This two-day workshop provides non-counsellors with basic skills to assist people dealing with difficult situations or who may be distressed or angry. It introduces a variety of methods, from non-judgmental listening to referral to appropriate agencies. It also explores issues participants may face when helping others.

What to expect from the training:

· A brief introduction to counseling theory

· How to identify a problem

· How to respond to difficult situations and/or strong emotions

· Roles that people play in difficult situations

· Core skills and strategies to promote change

· How to deal with particular personalities or scenarios

· When and how to refer

· How to maintain personal and professional boundaries

Who is this training for?

This course is for people with no counselling experience who may find from time to time they are required to deal with people facing difficult issues, people who are distressed or angry or people with challenging behaviours.

Testimonials from students

· “I think I am better equipped to deal with sensitive issues in an emphatic way.”

· “It will greatly assist my relationships with both clients & staff, increase my overall confidence & provide numerous strategies for dealing with difficult people.”

The trainer: Denise Warner Bachelor of Counselling. Diploma Individual, Couple and Family Therapy, Cert Holistic Counselling

Denise Warner is a Family Therapist with a Bachelors Degree in Counselling. She also holds a Diploma in Individual, Couple and Family Therapy and Certificates in Holistic Counselling. Denise also has completed a course in Clinical Supervision, the Certificate IV TAA and Working Therapeutically with Post-Separated Families and Working Therapeutically Children from Post-Separated Families. Denise has also run personal development courses with groups and individuals. Denise has been training with Unifam since 2006.

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Cost: $396 for 2 days

Developing Your Presence as a Group Leader

(Wed 20 Oct at October at Wollongong FRC, 2/310 Crown Street)

This workshop explores the belief systems and interpersonal communication needed by leaders to create vision, hope and a common purpose that unites the energy of the group members. The group leader’s subtle body language and self-presentation skills will be explored as they will impact on ultimate achievement of group member’s goals.

The workshop will discuss the following:

· Flexibility in leadership roles

· The key tasks/attitudinal responses that leaders need to attend to at the commencement of a group

· Self presentation as a leader

· Development of group leadership presence

Who should attend?

Workers who want to develop their group work and leadership skills in order to be more effective leaders.

The trainer: Andrew King B.A., M.Ed.Adult Ed

Andrew King has extensive experience in training and in working in clinical and community based group work settings. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts (Welfare Studies) and the Master of Education in Adult Education. Andrew King is the Men’s Services Manager for Mensline

Australia

(Crisis Support Services). He has also worked as the Training Manager for UnitingCare Institute of Family Practice and as the coordinator of UnitingCare Burnside's Fathers' Support Service. In addition Andrew holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Cost: $198 for 1 day

Upcoming IFP Courses

Community Development: Theory and Practice – Accredited (22 and 23 Sept at Gosford, and 21 and 22 Oct at Parramatta)
Working with Relationships - Accredited ( New Dates-26,27,28 Oct and 30 Nov 1,2 Dec)
Working with Men Accredited (New Dates- 23,24,25 Nov and 1,2,3 Feb 2011)
Effective Group Leadership – Accredited (5,6,7 Oct and 7,8,9 Dec)
Family Group Conferencing (18,19,25,26 Oct)
Domestic Violence Awareness (18 October)
Leaving Care and After Care (19 and 20 Oct)
Domestic and Family Violence –Accredited (18 and 25 October)
Foundations for Working Systemically (25 Oct)
Developing your presence as a Group Leader ( Wed 27 Oct)
Accidental Counsellor (1 and 2 Nov)
Effective Time Management (26 Oct and 9 Nov)
RAGE (11 Nov)
Group Work with Children 25 Nov)
Working with Men 1 day (29 November)
MAAD (6 Oct, 20 Oct and 10 Nov)
Clinical Supervision (9,16, 23 November)
Helping your Child with Primary School (7 Dec)
Helping your Child with Early Learning (8 Dec)

www.ifp.nsw.edu.au Email: info@ifp.nsw.edu.au or fax 9891 5675

Please email info@ifp.nsw.edu.au or phone 8830 0755 for information or to request a registration form. These courses will run several times and at different venues throughout 2010.

Lyndall Linaker

Administration Officer

UnitingCare Institute of Family Practice

Level 6, 146 Marsden Street,

Parramatta NSW 2150

(02)8830 0755

llinaker@ifp.nsw.edu.au

P please consider the environment before printing this email

An interesting course...

2010-09-13T18:04:00.001-07:00

Working with Men Accredited

(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 23, 24, 25 November 2010 and 1, 2, 3 February 2011

at Parramatta)

Nationally Recognised Training

Participants who successfully complete the assessments, receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment. (Provider no. 2697)

Units of Competency assessed in this course are:

CHCFAM409B Work with men

CHCFAM510B Work with separated fathers

CHCFAM411B Engage fathers into family based programs

CHCDFV301A Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

HLTHIR403B Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

(From Certificate IV in Relationship Education CHC42408)

The Working With Men Accredited Course develops a strong professional approach to community welfare/health workers who work with men and family relationship issues. The course combines theory and practice and focuses on the knowledge and skills that workers need when working with men, either individually or in groups.

What to expect from the training:

Exploring the social and emotional challenges that impact on men’s personal and family relationships

Exploring how power, violence and suicide affect men’s lives

The challenges men face in moving towards mutuality and equality in relationships

The changing male social and work-related roles

The diversity of men who experience different socio-cultural issues

Exploring the challenges when providing support services for men

Who is this training for?

This training is for experienced practitioners/workers who work with male clients. It requires a workplace project to be completed for accreditation purposes.

Testimonials from students

Greater knowledge & skills in workshop with separated fathers which will improve outcomes for the clients.

It mad e me look at how my general counselling qualifications & skills need to be adapted to working with men specifically.

I will now increase & slow down engagement, ask fewer questions, more empathic reflection.

It will impact on the way I work with men on a deficit strengths way.

I will have and understanding of how men view support workers and how I can work with them.

The trainer: Andrew King B.A., M.Ed.Adult Ed

Andrew King has extensive experience in training and in working in clinical and community based group work settings. Until recently he was the coordinator of UnitingCare Burnside's Fathers' Support Service. In addition Andrew holds a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.

Cost: $1164

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Upcoming IFP Courses

Effective Time Management (15 Sept and 9 Nov)
Working with Men 1 day (29 November)
Domestic Violence Awareness (18 October)
Domestic and Family Violence –Accredited (18 and 25 October)
Family Group Conferencing (18,19,25,26 Oct)
Accidental Counsellor (5,6 Oct)
Foundations for Working Systemically (25 Oct)
Community Development: Theory and Practice – Accredited (21 and 22 Oct)
Working with Relationships - Accredited ( New Dates-26,27,28 Oct and 30 Nov 1,2 Dec)
Clinical Supervision (9,16, 23 November)
Effective Group Leadership – Accredited (5-7 Oct and 7-9 Dec)
Developing your presence as a Group Leader ( Wed 27 Oct)
Leaving Care and After Care (19 and 20 Oct)
RAGE ( 24 Sept, 29 Oct and 15 Nov)
MAAD (6 Oct, 20 Oct and 10 Nov)

www.ifp.nsw.edu.au Email: info@ifp.nsw.edu.au or fax 9891 5675

Please email info@ifp.nsw.edu.au or phone 8830 0755 for information or to request a registration form. These courses will run several times and at different venues throughout 2010.

Another resource / seminar for you...

2010-09-07T17:38:00.001-07:00

A Conversation With Michael Kirby (Former Chief Justice of the High Court)

2010-08-24T21:44:00.001-07:00

A Conversation With Michael Kirby (Former Chief Justice of the High Court)

will be held at Parramatta Campus (University of Western Sydney).

This will be an informal conversation about his life, his Christian faith and the law.

All are invited ......

Wednesday 1st September

Parramatta, Building EB G.02

1pm to 3pm (Note change of time from 12pm to 2pm as previously advertised).

During his thirteen years as a High Court judge, Michael Kirby AC approached the law with compassion and thoughtfulness. A founding member of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy and a human rights advocate, his contributions to Australian society were recognised in 1991, when he was made a Companion to the Order of Australia.

Bring your lunch, leave when you must. Light refreshments available. Parking costs $6.

See what your church is doing at the university. For more information: Christine Gapes (Uniting Church Chaplain at UWS), c.gapes@uws.edu.au, 0422498371.

2010-08-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Global Poverty Project

2010-08-09T21:56:00.001-07:00

Position Vacant:Papua New Guinea Programs Coordinator

2010-08-09T21:50:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon,

We are currently accepting applications for a new staff member to join the growing Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld as Papua New Guinea Programs Coordinator.

A full position description is available from our website: http://www.unitingworld.org.au/participate/positions-vacant/

Please distribute this throughout your networks as you are able.

Applications close Monday August 23, 2010

Thanks,

Tom Ganderton

Communications and Fundraising Coordinator | UnitingWorld

PO Box A2266, Sydney South, NSW 1235

Phone: +61 2 8267 4232

Fax: +61 2 9262 7936

Email: tomg@unitingworld.org.au

Web: www.unitingworld.org.au

www.facebook.com/UnitingWorld | www.twitter.com/UnitingWorld

Church Solidarity | Relief & Development | Peacemaking | Experience Programs

P Think before you print! Please consider the environment.

Job Vacancies

2010-08-09T21:44:00.001-07:00

Job Vacancies

Do you want to help make a difference to the lives of Aboriginal

and Islander people through working with a local ministry team?

Do you want more than just a job but a calling for Indigenous

ministry support?

If so, then we have two exciting vacancies for committed individuals.

For more information or to apply please click on the respective job descriptions below.

1. Ministry Resource Worker (Mornington Island)


Mornington Island Dancer

Calvary Presbytery is seeking a Minister or

Layperson for Mornington Island.

The person is required to have good

pastoral skills together with a holistic

community development capacity.

The position requires good communication

and organizational support/admin capabilities.

It is open for either married or single persons

to apply based on one of

Australia

's most scenic islands.
Job Description

2. National Resource Officer

(Townsville)

The National Resource Officer is responsible for supporting the National

Administrator in developing and maintaining a cohesive and effective

approach to the task of achieving the vision and goals of the UAICC

as set out in the Constitution of the UAICC. He/She will work closely

with the regional offices of the Congress to support and implement their plans.
Job Description

We would appreciate you forwarding these job
vacancies onto those that may be interested.

Our Mission: "The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian

Congress is made up of ordinary people who do extraordinary

things with God promoting the wellbeing of Indigenous

Australians through: Holistic Evangelism,

Justice, Transformation and Empowerment."

P Please consider the environment before printing

Website update

2010-08-05T01:09:00.000-07:00

Hello all
The NSW/ACT ministry of Pastor website has been updated.
I have placed the revised core competencies online there and have also uploaded some of the Ministry of Pastor Conference 2.0 presentations, including the opening worship and general session. You can access these session from the "other resources selection on the right hand menu
I will load more as they become available.

Grace and peace

Jorge

Core competencies updated by MEC

2010-08-04T22:49:00.001-07:00

Hello all

Just a quick note to let you know that the core competencies have been updated by the MEC and have now been released for wider consumption :-)

The revised core competencies are now available for download from the NSW/ACT ministry of pastor website (www.ucapastor.org) along with a helpful document outlining the performance criteria.

The main change has occurred in core competency 2, element 7 - dealing with mandatory reporting and child protection

This change is very important for all you pastor competency assessors out there, so don't forget to download it and replace your old copy!

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Transforming Practices Seminars and Courses

2010-07-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in becoming a Pastoral Supervisor?

Transforming Practices Inc.

in conjunction with ASCCANZ

(Association of Supervision, Coaching and Consultancy in Australia and New Zealand)

offers a training programme towards accreditation as a Pastoral Supervisor.

Before admission to training as a Pastoral Supervisor applicants are required to have:

1. At least 5 years ministerial/work practice in a pastoral or professional

workplace

2. At least 3 years supervision of their ministry/work practice with a

qualified and accredited professional/pastoral supervisor.

3. Completed their Portfolio of Learning.

Portfolio of Learning Seminar

Tuesday September 7, 2010 10 - 4 p.m.

Transforming Practices Inc.

29 Oxford Street, Epping

Cost: $300.00

(The workshop cost includes support in preparing the Portfolio of Learning for 6 months from the date of the workshop.)

Registrations close September 1, 2010

For full details of the training programme visit the website www.transformingpractices.com.au or ring Alex Nelson 0430369945 or Eveline Crotty 0418230402

We acknowledge the Dharug & Guring-gai people – the traditional owners of the land.

Gathering Place: 29 Oxford Street, Epping.

News on Pastors

2010-07-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hello all

Just wanted to let you know of a good feature article on Pastors which is in the latest edition of Insights.

You can see the online version at

http://insights.uca.org.au/2010/07july/ministry-of-pastor.html

Don't forget the Ministry of Pastor Conference on the 20th and 21st July at the Centre for Ministry, North Parramatta. If you have not registered yet, you need to do so ASAP! Email me on jorger@nsw.uca.org.au with your name and contact details.

Grace and Peace

Jorge

seminar resource

2010-05-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Hello all

Just wanted to pass on this information. Transforming practices run a number of excellent and information seminars and perhaps you (or you know of someone) who may be interested.

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Transforming Practices Inc.
A group of autonomous practitioners who foster personal and social transformation
through their skills and experience in adult education, mediation, spiritual direction,
counselling and pastoral and professional supervision.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advanced Notice for Suicide Awareness Workshop

· Transforming Practices is seeking expressions of interests for those who would like to attend a day workshop that would help pastoral carers and practicioners work with the complex and tragic issues surrounding suicide. The workshop would seek to to use the insights and experience of participants alongside best practices recommended by mental health workers to help individuals and communities care with reflective intentional strategies and practices.

· The date proposed is Tuesday 8^th June 2010 from 10am to 4pm.

· Cost is estimated to be around $150 per participant.

· Attendance will count towards Professional Development and Training for Supervisors and Training Supervisors

It you are interested in attending, could you please indicate by return email ASAP to help us determine whether the workshop is viable. Also please let us know if there are particular aspects of Suicide Awareness that you would like covered in such a workshop.

Please note that further information will be forwarded to enable participants to register for the workshop if and when it goes ahead.

Rennie Schmid
Secretary
Transforming Practices Inc,
m: 0407 745 616
e: renschmid@gmail.com

Transforming Practices Inc: www.transformingpractices.com.au

An historic day! First NSW/ACT UnitingCare Chaplain commissioned as a Pastor

2010-05-02T03:16:00.001-07:00

Today marks an historic day in the life of the Ministry of Pastor in our Synod.
At 2pm this afternoon at Beecroft UCA, Trevor Scott, Pastor (Chaplain in UnitingCare Ageing) was commissioned into the Lay Specified Ministry of Pastor! He is the first pastor for Uniting Care Ageing, and all signs are that there are many more to come!
Well over 50 people attended the service including groups representing Trevor's various church and ministry connections.

The Presbyteries of Ku-ring-gai and Sydney North were also represented at the service, demonstrating the appropriate and integral link between Synod placements and the Presbytery/ies in which the ministry is exercised.
Congratulations again to Trevor, and may God bless him as he continues to serve and love the people in his care.

Pastoral Counselling Institute (PCI) offers Scholarships for Pastors

2010-04-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

Pastoral Counselling Institute (PCI) offers Scholarships for Pastors

I am excited to announce that the Pastoral Counselling Institute (PCI) will be offering full scholarships (for PCI fees)* to all pastors to do their Pastoral Counselling courses.

If you are a pastor or are in the process of becoming recognised as a pastor, please contact Jorge Rebolledo (Ministry of Pastor Consultant) on (02) 88388916 / jorger@nsw.uca.org.au, or PCI directly on (02)9683 3664 or pciuca@ihug.com.au for more information.

This is a great opportunity for all people in the Specified Ministry of Pastor as the training is VETAB accredited and well recognised throughout Australia and the Uniting Church. See the PCI website for more details about the pastoral counselling courses - www.pastoralcounselling.org

For more information on the Lay Specified Ministry of Pastor, please visit the NSW/ACT Synod Ministry of Pastor website - www.ucapastor.org or contact Jorge Rebolledo on (02) 88388916 or jorger@nsw.uca.org.au

Please feel free to pass on this information to any of your pastors or people who may be in the process of becoming a pastor.

Rev. Jorge Rebolledo

Ministry of Pastor Consultant

BOE

* please note that a VETAB registration fee of $500 will still apply if a VETAB award is required

Resource update

2010-04-05T18:10:00.001-07:00

Hello all

I wanted to tell you about a great little book I picked up recently.

It is called "Pastoral Care to the Aged: A handbook for Visitors" - Morehouse, Harrisburg London. It is by a Dr. Neville Kirkwood.

The book is a very much "nuts and bolts" guide to visiting the aged in a variety of different settings. It does however also provide a good overview of the ageing process including the challenges of dementia.

Not having much experience with pastoral care of the elderly, I found this tiny book a real gem.

I hope you have all had a great Easter. Don't forget to include our Synod gathering (starts this Friday night) in your prayers this week!

Grace and Peace

Jorge

What makes a Good City? Seminar at UTC

2010-03-30T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hello all
Just wanted to pass on to you the advert for a seminar at UTC on What makes for a Good City, with Chris Baker.
Please refer to the attached for more information. The seminar is at the Centre for Ministry on the 10th May this year.

Latest Pastor Commissioned

2010-03-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Hello all

Just a quick note to tell you about (Pastor) Kaye Lewis (Freshwater UCA, Sydney North Presbytery) who was commissioned this past Sunday into the Lay Specified Ministry of Pastor in that place. Kaye is the second Pastor to be commissioned in Sydney North Presbytery. The first one was Bradon French earlier this year.

The service was wonderful and the joy and energy of all who attended was great to see! It was also fantastic to see so many of our ecumenical friends there representing their various churches - all who have some ministry connection with Kaye and her work in the community.

Kaye has been in ministry for quite a number of years and Sunday's service was a recognition of God's call on her life to serve in that capacity.

Congratulations Kaye!

Jorge

Lay Ministry Inservice 2010

2010-03-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

Transformers is an event designed for lay workers in the Uniting Church in Australia to:

explore their own potential as people who are involved in transforming communities;
fulfill the Formation and Continuing Education requirements of their positions;
network with others undertaking similar roles;
develop and hone ministry skills and competencies;
reflect on Christian vocation and active discipleship;
alongside Ordained Ministers with a particular focus on ministry with children & families, youth and/or young adults.

Ministry of Pastor Conference 2010

2010-03-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hello all

Just wanted to remind you of the 2010 Ministry of Pastor conference which will be held at the Centre for Ministry - 16 Masons Drive, North Parramatta on the 20th and 21st July this year.

Please email me for more information and registration details.

Feel free to forward this information to anyone you think would benefit from coming to the conference.

This year it will focus on General competencies, Lay education and Training, and formation for the lay specified ministry of pastor. There will also be sessions on Portfolio development, and FAQs.

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Lent Event

2010-02-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

Hello all
I am sure you are all working on Lent things so I thought I would encourage you (if you have not already done so) look at the Lent Event resources.
There are resources for adults, children and youth; liturgies and power points for use.

The resources are quite good and can be found at www.lentevent.com

Talk to you all soon

Jorge

An interesting read

2010-01-03T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hello all

Happy new year to everyone on the list!

Just wanted to tell you about a book which I have just finished reading and would like to commend to you. It is an old one from the Alban Institute called "Spiritual Wholeness for Clergy: A new psychology of intimacy with God, self and others". Please don't be put off by the word "clergy" in the title. It is a book which is about intimacy with God, ourselves and others around us for people in ministry - ordained and lay, ministers and pastors.

I found the book to be an easy read, not hard to navigate and quite accessible in writing style. The authors (Donald Hands and Wayne Fehr) are practitioners themselves and the book talks about the many pitfalls and psychological challenges that face those of us in ministry. Albeit the substance of the book is based on the author's clinical research of clergy and religious who have come to them with burnout and addictive behaviours (like working too hard and too long! - I think they call that the messiah complex... mmm ), it did help raise some awareness in me about these things and I have already found it useful in my dealings with other people in ministry.

I commend it to you...

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-14T19:17:00.000-08:00

Hello all once more - and probably for the final time this year. Just wanted to make you aware of a few things for next year.

Formation: all pastors are required to undertake a min of 50 hours of ministry formation every year. You can do this in various ways and your Presbytery (being the body responsible for it) should be able to give you some options. However there are some other options for you. The one I am particularly wanting to reference here is the ELM Lay Inservice. IN 2010 it will be the week of the 24th May at Bathurst (CSU campus). This week will give you just over 40 hours of the required 50 but it will also help Pastors connect with others in lay ministry, network, share and pray together.
Please visit the ELM website (www.elm.org.au) for more information and registration.

Ministry of Pastor Conference: you should place in your diary the Ministry of Pastor conference which will run on the 20th and 21st of July 2010. This conference will be concentrating on formation and General Competency training. Please email me for more information in the new year and to register.

The Ministry of Pastor website: Now I know that I keep going on about the website but it really is a good source of information re pastor things, including up-to-date guides, resource downloads and more. You can visit the website at (www.ucapastor.org )

Our first Pathway B Pastor: I am very exciting to announce that the first person to apply for pastor recognition under Regulation 2.14.6[b] AKA "pathway B" has just completed all requirements. Congratulations to Ros Neville! well done and may God continue to bless Ros as he continues to discern God's will in his life.

I hope you all have a very blessed Christmas and a new year full of hope, joy, peace and love

Jorge

A very usefull course

2009-11-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

Hello all
Just wanted to alert you to a couple of very useful and worthwhile courses for ministry practice and reflection.

The Urban Ministry Movement—Sydney
Pastoral Practice in Diverse Contexts:
Transforming People and Communities

PROGRAMME DATES FOR 2010

PROGRAMME I: February 22 – June 21, 2010
(Level 1) Group work day - Monday 9-4 p.m.
+
120 hrs pastoral placement

Applications close November 30, 2009

PROGRAMME II ( Programme 1 is a pre-requisite for Programme II)

August – December, 2010 (4 sets of 4 days)

Applications close May 30, 2010

For full details please of the programme go to

www.ummsydney.com.au
or ring

Eveline Crotty rsm on 02 83992312 or 0418230402

Ministry of Pastor Website Update

2009-10-25T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hi all
Sorry for the silence! I have been on leave and ended up in hospital for a couple of days last week - some very angry stomach bug I think, but doctors are doing checks now just in case it is more serious :-)

I wanted to let you all know that the Ministry of Pastor website (http://www.ucapastor.org) has been updated with the latest versions of the presbytery and congregation guides and checklists. There is also the new and approved Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice on the site - fresh from Assembly!

Please take a look at these as the documents are very useful and will safe all of us lots of time when we come to employing people and journeying with them through the pastor process.

More later...

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Ministry of Pastor Competency Update

2009-09-27T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hello all
Just a quick post to let you know that the General Competencies have been released and are available for download from the ministry of pastor website - http://www.ucapastor.org

If you need any help with assessing these please let me know...

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Resource for Pastors

2009-08-23T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hello all again
Do you do kid's talks at church? More than likely we all have had to or have to give talks to children during services and then go on and talk to the adults. I don't know about you, but in most of the places in which I have preached to adults, they seem to respond much better to the kids talk! I guess we are all just a bunch of big kids at some level.
One of the things which fascinates me about preparing children's talks is that normally it takes more of my mental energy to do that than to write a sermon for grown ups. My mind has to think differently, I have even gone to point of experimenting with thinking kinetically by kneeling down to the level at which the kids will be, which for those of you who know me personally will no doubt remember is not that far down to the floor anyway!

All this been said, I am always on the look out for good resources for kids talks that often turn into kids and adults talks, and I have two websites for you to consider.

LostSheep.com.au
This site contains some of the best stories I have seen online. The stories come ready as flash files to use on your pc or mac and they come with the story, instructions and some useful recommendations in PDF. You can download them for a small amount of money direct from the website. You can also order them. You can also buy the books - yes real paper and bound etc, books if you wish.
Go to http:www.loastsheep.com.au

Sermon4Kids. com
This is the other site which I have found to be really useful is a US based site which happens to follow the lectionary (lucky its common!). It gives a full kid's service outline, often provides powerpoints, songs, mp3 recordings, and a worship bulletin which is basically all the cross words, pictures, find-a-word etc in one place. They are all available for download free of charge although you can make a donation to help keep the site runninng if you like.
There is also a Spanish option :-)
The goal of Sermons4Kids is to help those who are in children's ministry or who may work with children in Christian schools or organizations. It is Baptist and is sometimes a little too evangelical for my liking, but I really appreciate the resource it provides.

Go to http://www.sermons4kids.com/

'till next post

Jorge

Competency Training

2009-08-23T17:51:00.000-07:00

Hello all
Two weeks ago I ran the first of a number of competency assessor training courses here in Sydney at the Centre for Ministry.
There were 10 people participating including representatives from QLD Synod and the Synod of WA. We had a great time and judging by the evaluations the course hit the mark so to speak.
We will be running the course again in NSW - probably twice before the year ends. I am currently negotiating times and places and will post some more information soon.

The first version of the NSW/ACT Ministry of Pastor assessor handbook is now also avaialble for free download from the website:
http://www.elm.org.au/how-do-i-assess-competencies/ if you would like to have the resource.

Sometime in the new year we will also have a secured area for assesors which will contain more resources, guides and helpful information relating to assessing competencies - both core and general. In fact, the idea is to build a resource server/archive with assessments, methods, simulations, etc which will be developed by assessors for the use of the entire church in this area.

'till next time

Grace and Peace

Jorge

New Course for you to consider

2009-08-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

Increasingly lay people are at the fore-front of leadership in the Uniting Church. However leadership is not always easy, especially if it involves change or growing something new, particularly alongside other things in life. At the same time many are discovering that they can make a difference and the potential they have.

The Leadership Institute, in partnership with the School for Continuing Education, offers the following opportunity to explore these issues, coming up soon:

(1) When ‘steady as it goes’ isn’t enough: Growing leadership capacity for new directions

A two-day workshop for all those who exercise leadership…or want to make a difference wherever they are

Exercising leadership for change is fundamentally different to simply managing what is. It is often far from straightforward, but it is possible to develop new priorities or initiatives and take them forward in positive ways.

This two-day workshop, on 24th and 25th September and involving Peter and Sue Kaldor, Robert McFarlane and Amanda Howard, will be fun, challenging, practical and positive as we explore:

§ What it means to exercise effective leadership in times of change
§ Balancing risk and safety, and anxiety about change
§ Harnessing the leadership strengths and capacities of your group or team
§ Practical tools to get from here to there
§ The importance of strong personal foundations.

The workshop is for anyone seeking to make difference, wherever they are, in a church, group or in the wider community. People from any background are welcome.

The sessions will run from 9am - 5pm each day at the Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive North Parramatta

For more information, or to register please contact 0425314863 or leadershipin@nsw.uca.org.au.

It will be a great opportunity to interact with a wide range of people thinking about leadership in this time, and to learn from each other.

This workshop will help you to see clearly and act wisely in response to what is happening around you. It will be beneficial to both individuals, and to groups who may wish to come and explore these issues together. We hope you will go away with a greater understanding of yourself and how to be more intentional and effective in what you do.

Country Christianity

2009-07-28T16:07:00.001-07:00

Hello all
I have just come back from a fantastic 4 days in the Riverina, visiting Narrandera, Young, Harden and Hillston. I have never experienced the sort of hospitality that was offered to me in these places. It was truly amazing how people who did't know me from a bar of soap (so to speak!) embraced me as their friend and brother in Christ. Wow!
Interestingly I have also been reading Diana Butler Bass' book on Christian practices and so the practice of hospitality was in the fore of my thinking.
The hospitality Jesus and the apostles lived and taught was in my opinion one of risk and complete openess - a scary thing indeed. Yet, why is it that when we come across this sort of hospitatlity it surprises us? Without going into the shoulds and woulds of this argument, should not this Christian Practice be a given and common place in all our communities?
Just some pastor thoughts...

Grace and Peace

Jorge

link to fishpond

2009-07-28T15:29:00.001-07:00

www.fishpond.com.au

Resources

2009-07-28T15:19:00.001-07:00

Sorry for not keeping this one up to date, but here is one which I think is a great resource for out there who need to be preaching and teaching on a regular basis.

The new Interpretation Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a great release from Westminster John Knox press (2009. I have Luke, John and Matthew and so far they are proving to be a very valuable resource. As far as commentaries go, this set is one of the best I have seen in that they are written with the preacher and teacher in mind. I do commend them to you, and they are very inexpensive (on special I think) at fishpond.com (where I got mine), but they are available now from all Christian book sellers.

Grace and Peace

Jorge

General Competencies and Assembly

2009-07-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Hello all again

Just a quick note re the General Competencies. The last meeting of the MEC approved the General Competencies with some minor changes and I have it on very good advise that they will be available for us all to see and use very soon. I will be showing a draft set of these competencies at the assessor training course next week.

As far as Assembly goes, pastors only came up once or twice and really only once in any substantial form. It seems that we are all just getting on with it across Australia! One of the good things that came from the discussions is the feeling that this new lay ministry has the energy and potential to really change the way we have been doing things up until now. Opportunities abound in my mind - I am really excited at the possibilities!
More later...

Jorge

reminder competency assessor training

2009-07-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hello all
just a reminder of the core competency assessor training next week (Thursday 6th and Friday 7th)

PLACE: Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive North Parramatta
ROOM: G2
TIME: 9am â€“ 5pm on Thursday; 9am â€“ 5pm on Friday
REGISTRATION: register ASAP!
COST: Free

The second one will be in Griffith or Dubbo (place and time yet to be determined)

Don't miss out on this one if you are in Sydney.

See you there

Jorge

Core Competency Assessor Training

2009-06-23T22:45:00.000-07:00

Hello all

Just a quick one to announce that the first of two Ministry of Pastor core competency assessor training sessions for this year is now open for registrations!

This first one is in Sydney (at the Centre for Ministry).
DATE: 6th and 7th August 2009
PLACE: Centre for Ministry, 16 Masons Drive North Parramatta
ROOM: G2
TIME: 9am â€“ 5pm on Thursday; 9am â€“ 5pm on Friday
REGISTRATION: register by the 17th July 2009
COST: Free

The second one will be in Griffith (place and time yet to be determined)

The Assessor Training is for any Synod employee or Presbytery person (who has been asked by the Presbytery to be the assessor for the ministry of pastor process in that Presbytery), and will seek to cover the following:

Day 1
The basics of Competency Based Assessment *
Forms of Assessment
Diagnostic Assessment
Formative Assessment
Summative Assessment
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Principles of Assessment *
Fairness
Validity
Reliability
Flexibility
Principles for Reviewing Evidence for Assessment
Validity
Sufficiency
Currency
Authenticity
Our Recognition Framework
What are we assessing?
How do we assess it?

Day 2
Summary of Core Competencies
Summary of General Competencies
Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning
Assessing Evidence for RPL
Direct Evidence.
Indirect Evidence.
Supplementary Evidence.
Cross Cultural Considerations
RPL Assessment Cycle
Planning for Assessment/ Preparation
Assessment Records and reporting
What next?
Mentoring and your first solo assessment

The Training is FREE of charge and morning, afternoon teas and lunch will be provided.
However, there are only 20 places in this course and there is pre-reading,
so please register by the 17th July 2009.

Prior knowledge of competency based education and training is not required.

What will you get out of this course?
At the end of this course you will be able to:

Â· Identify the difference between knowledge and skills assessment

Â· Conduct assessment of the core competencies required under the regulations for the Lay Specified ministry of pastor

Â· help others in assessing for the core competencies

Â· assess for the general competencies

Â· produce learning contracts/agreements for general competencies and continuing professional education for Pastors

If you already hold a Certificate IV in Assessment and Training, you may receive exemptions from some sessions.

To register please email me with the following details:

Â· Name

Â· Address

Â· Contact phone number

Â· Presbytery or Synod Body you are with

Â· Any dietary requirements

Or call me on 0433739105 or 02 88388916 for more information

If you are from outside Sydney and you need financial assistance to get to the course, please let me know as there are limited funds for this which I am more than happy to use!

Grace and Peace

Jorge

New Resource

2009-06-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hello all
I am writing to you from not so sunny QLD at the moment from the National Lay Educators conference which is the first stop before Ballina and Lismore. This is the final day and so far we have talked about theology of ministry, ordination and pastors (education, competencies, articulation!).
Two of the great resources which we have been introduced to have been put together/facilitated by Duncan MacLeod (QLD Synod) in association with various groups (TEAR Australia, Bible Society QLD).
I write a brief introduction to them here:

o ‘Faith stories’ – an 8-session group-based course on faith sharing by Graham Beattie and Duncan Macleod. These would be great to use by groups who have signed up for ‘Jesus, all about life’. Contact the QLD Synod or Duncan for more information and ordering.
o ‘Plan Be’ – a contemporary faith-engaging resource based on engaging with the Beatitudes, using material by Dave Andrews and DVD community stories collected by the Queensland Synod. The videos are all on You-Tube and can be seen and downloaded from:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C777C983E2B89795&search_query=andrewlorien

We had a look at these and think they are excellent resources - I am going to purchase a set of the "Plan Be" resources and use it in the Bible Study I belong to in my congregation.

I commend them to you!

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Book give away winner

2009-05-12T02:58:00.000-07:00

Hello all
Just to let you know that the book has been "won".
Keep watching the blog for more resources in the coming weeks!

Jorge

Don't forget the free give-away in the last post!

2009-05-11T01:35:00.001-07:00

New Resource & Give AWAY!

2009-05-10T17:39:00.001-07:00

Hello all
I hope you have all been well, pastoring along with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

This post is to introduce you to a set of very valuable studies written by one of my favourite Latin American authors (who was recently featured on this blog), Justo Gonzales (by the way he is the youngest person to receive a PhD in Historical Theology from Yale!).
Have you been caught out with little time to prepare a bible study and have gone hurridly searching (far and wide) for a pre-prepared one, only to discover that you either don't have it, or the ones you do have are not exactly what you were thinking? Well, I have! Especially in a busy placement which keeps one's diary and agenda very full, and then on top of all that exercising further ministry as a Pastor (or Lay Pastor) in the wider church...

Well... here is an option for you!

Justo has written a number of studies in his "Three months with..." series. They were originally written in Spanish back in the late nineties, but he has reworked them and they have been translated into English.
The studies available cover all the Gospels, Acts (he calls this one "three months in the Spirit"), some of the Pauline corpus, and Revelation...

The studies use a modified liberation hermeneutic - based on the three mediations of a liberation theology (sociological - look; hermeneutical - judge; pastoral - act") he seeks to present us with an "invitation to study and adventure". He mixes some of these up a bit, for example in practice combining the sociological and hermeneutical to some extent (and this is probably because of his methodist theological background).

Anyway a fantastic resource for you which I recommend strongly.

In FACT - I have one copy of "Three Months with Revelation" to GIVE AWAY to the first person to email me at jorger@nsw.uca.org.au with their name, address (for posting) and the words "Justo Gonzalez book give away" in the subject of the email! Serious - use it for yourself or give it away as a gift!

All of these study books are available through Fishpond.com just enter "Justo" in the search box below for a listing of all his books including these studies

Grace and peace everyone!

www.fishpond.com.au

What is an appropriate position for the Minsitry of Pastor

2009-04-27T17:38:00.001-07:00

Hello all
Over the last few weeks we have been working quite hard on some of the challenges inherent in assessing if a ministry location and position is appropriate for the exercise of the ministry of Pastor.
A proposal will be sent to the next Standing Committee of Synod for discussion and approval regarding what we as NSW/ACT Synod consider to be appropriate positions and ministry locations interms of what the ministry agent is actually to do in that place.
Essentially positions which are ones of pastoral leadership will be the ones which are being recommended. These would be those much like the old Category 3 positions -which inclyded Lay Pastor, Accredited Youth Worker etc.
The proposal is seeking to address the challenges in interpretation of regulation 2.14.2 from our Synod's perspective and also to take into consideration the way in which we as a Church have understood and articulated specified ministry in and through our theological and ministry documents.
Once the proposal has gone through standing committee I will post the agreed to proposal on this website and on the ministry of Pastor (NSW/ACT) site for your information.

Jorge

This week's resource...

2009-04-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone
This week I have to recommend to you one of the best books I have read on the Apostles Creed. It is "The Apostles' Creed for Today" by Justo Gonzales (one of my favourite Latin American authors). It is published by Westminster John Knox Press. It is part of the "For Today Series" which includes The Beatitudes for Today, The Lord's Prayer for Today and The Ten Commandments for Today.

This book is written with both elegance and understanding taking us through the background, history, theology and contemporary interpretation of each section of the Creed. If you are like me and often struggle with certain parts of the Creed, I have to say that this book will be of benefit for you. Justo takes the Creed and examines each sentence in terms of background, history and theology and then adds some reflections for what meaning this sentence may have for us today.
Another very nice addition to this book are the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. The questions are good ones seeking to encourage discussion and so would be excellent for small group work. I am thinking of using it in my small group bible studies.
The Uniting Church's Basis of Union claims its connection to the one holy catholic and apostolic church in part through her acceptance of the Creeds. It is, in my opinion emphatically important for us as ministry agents to not only read and study the Creeds but to understand them in ways which can bring meaning to others around us in this present age of scientific knowledge.

I recommend this book to you!

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Resource for the Week...

2009-04-13T18:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay folks. Easter was quite busy for us at the Rebolledo household with preaching and other church things, not to mention the family!

But this week I would like to recommend to you a book I have been reading by M. Craig Barnes who is the Robert Meneilly Professor of Leadership and Ministry at Pittsburg Theological Seminary.
It is called "The Pastor as minor Poet: Texts and subtexts in the ministerial life" (Eerdmans, 2009)

This book is about the expectation on Pastors to be multi-tasking, all knowing, wise individuals who are always there to help and have the answers to everything! Perhaps this sounds familiar to you!!!
The book itself (from the cover) "calls pastors to search for a deeper understanding of what they see - both in the text of Scripture and in the text of their parish"

Essentially it is an exploration into the role of a person in ministry - the role which Barnes contends is about having poetic vision and been able to help people gain entry into the poetry of their own lives.

The last couple of chapters I do admit I found a little dull, but the first part of the book is excellent reading in this area.

I do recommend it to you!

It is avialable through fishpond if you want to get it.

Grace and Peace

Jorge

This week's resource for Pastors

2009-03-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hello all again
I hope you have all have a good weekend.
I have been looking into and using the new Assembly released resources that help people prepare for the core competency assessment.
These are Orientation to the Basis of Union: A resource for Pastors and other ministers, and Orientation to the Code of Ethics and Ministry Practice in the Uniting Church in Australia: Resource for Pastors and other Ministers.

These two resources were much needed as people seek to prepare, at least in terms of their knowledge, for demonstrating the core competencies for the ministry of Pastor. They are written in a study guide format with questions and answers to help the student throught the learning process.
Some of the Basis of Union sections do seem a little simplistic but remember that this is one resource out of many that one could use, and indeed the author mentions a great number of other books and articles and strongly suggests the reader goes beyond the text in front of them.
Both resource books provide the basic and required knowldge for anyone to undertake a core competency assessment. But please note that these are not the core competency assessments - even though there are test questions in them. In fact they both correctly point out that the assessment is the responsibility of the Presbytery and that these books could be used as resources for one's preperation for core competency assessment.
Overall they are both a good basis for study in these areas and we here in NSW/ACT, along with ELM will be using them together with Dutney's latest book "Introducing the Uniting Church" and Rob Boss' material (copyright to Pilgrim Learning Community) "The Uniting Church: What is it all about", along with invaluable sections from the Secretariat's Sexual Misconduct Awareness Training (Meg Herbert) to ensure that anyone who completes the Living Values course (available through ELM) will not only have the opportunity to attain all the required knowledge for the assessment, but will also have the opportunity to be assessed for the core competencies afterwards. In particular (but not limited to this)the course along with the assessment option will be helpful for the people who come into the ministry of Pastor through what we are calling "path b" which refers to regulation 2.14.6b:
"2.14.6 A person may make application for the ministry of Pastor by:
(b) offering to serve the church in an approved placement, through a written application to the Synod"

These resources are available through mediacom.

Until next week!

Jorge

book of the week

2009-03-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

I thought it may be interesting to start to place resources online here on the blog which we may find helpful in both the implementation and resourcing of the ministry of Pastor.
So I would like to start with a book of the week post for this week...

This week its Andrew Dutney's "Introducing the Uniting Church in Australia", Uniting Church Press, 2008 (available from MediaCom

This book has 7 very useful chapters:
1. What were they thinking
2. Family Traits
3. It's all about mission
4. Gifts and Ministries for Mission
5. A Pilgrim people, organised
6. An Emblem
7. What are you thinking?

This book is a very clear and succint summation of many of Andrew's works on the Basis of Union. In a very easy to access, conversational style, he once again brings us to the depth of meaning in the history of the Basis of Union, the spirit of unity and courage out of which it was born, and the spirit of adventure and mission which it contains and compels us forward.
It is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to know more about the Uniting Churh and the Basis of Union, and definately would recommend it for use in training for people who are needing to demonstrate the core competencies in the ministry of Pastor.
I will be using it along with ELM in the ELM course (for ministry of Pastor training) Living Values.

Until next time...

Ministry of Pastor Handbook NSW/ACT update

2009-03-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hello all
The updated ministry of Pastor Handbook (NSW/ACT) is now available for download from www.ucapastor.org
It has grown in pages and includes the following updates:
- FAQs
- Core Competency update
- extra resources and templates
- additions from Assembly (from the conference)
- updated guieds with checklists

Please download it and pass on this information to all for whom this is relevant.

Grace and Peace

Jorge

Scripture teaching and the ministry of Pastor

2009-03-05T14:59:00.000-08:00

hello all
I have had some conversations with the SRE people here in the NSW/ACT Synod and I think we have a way forward with respect to the ministry of Pastor. below is the latest FAQ addition which explains what needs to be done in the case of an SRE position which may need to come under the minsitry of Pastor:

10. Do teachers in UCA schools have to come under the ministry of Pastor regulations?

When we talk about teachers in UCA Schools with respect to the Ministry of Pastor, we must focus on what they are teaching and not just that they are teaching. This means that teachers who are primarily teaching NSW Board of Education subjects, would NOT come under the ministry of Pastor regulations as they are not teaching the beliefs and practices of the UCA.

Teachers who are primarily teaching General Religious Education (GRE) would also NOT come under the ministry of Pastor as they are not teaching the beliefs and practices of the UCA in particular.

When it comes to Special Religious Education (SRE) when group teaching happens (what is normally referred to as Joint Denominational Scripture) then this would NOT come under the ministry of Pastor.

However, when the teaching is not ecumenical or within the above mentioned joint Denominational Scripture structure, and especially when the scripture class is designated as Uniting Church Scripture, then Presbytery will need to consider the position description and ministry location for its appropriateness for the exercise of the ministry of Pastor. This is because in these cases there is a higher possibility that the person who is teaching would be teaching the beliefs and practices of the UCA.

2009-02-24T20:37:00.001-08:00

Teaching in Unting Church Schools

2009-02-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hello all
One of the big questions at the conference was about if teachers in UCA Schools would come under the ministry of Pastor. I am happy for this blog to discuss this, but I wanted here to provide what we have decided and where we are up to...

1. When we talk about teachers in UCA Schools with respect to the Ministry of Pastor, we must focus on what they are teaching and not just that they are teaching. This means that teachers who are primarily teaching NSW Board of Education subjects, would NOT come under the ministry of Pastor regulations as they are not teaching the beliefs and practices of the UCA.
2. Also, teachers who are primarily teaching General Religious Education (GRE) would NOT come under the ministry of Pastor as they are not teaching the beliefs and practices of the UCA in particular.
3. When it comes to Special Religious Education (SRE) we are still working on it with the Board of Education (UCA NSW/ACT Synod) and the Ministry of Pastor Committee. Please do not make any decisions on SRE until we have done the work and reported back with some guidance.

Comments are appreciated!

Jorge

Ministry of Pastor Conference

2009-02-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

Hello all
A very tired Jorge writing to you about the very successful Ministry of Pastor conference.

The conference gathered around 90 people on day one and we did hit 80 on the second day, so the attendance was great. All presbyteries were represented, the Synod and Assembly, UnitingCare and a number of other Synods from around Australia.

As an outcome of the conference, a whole lot of new FAQs will be placed on the ministry of Pastor webpage soon and changes will be made (and posted on the website) to the guides and the new ministry of Pastor handbook. This is one of the things I wanted to come out of the conference.

More blogs soon

Jorge

FAQs

2009-01-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

Hi there everyone
As I travel around the presbyteries and congregations, the more people I talk to, the more questions come up!
So, I have been developing a list of FAQs which will be posted on the website www.ucapastor.org and will form the FAQ section in the handbook.
It would be great if we could use this blog thread to discover some other questions which could be included... so I copy below some of the most FAQs I have so far. If you have a question, post it here so that we can discuss it and possibly include it in the FAQ sections.

Thanks everyone!
_______________________

Do I have to send all position descriptions via the Presbytery? No. According to Regulation 2.14.3 you need only send a Position Description to Presbytery if the position contains one or more of the tasks identified in Regulation 2.14.2
Do positions that are bona fide short term appointments of 12 months or less come under the ministry of Pastor Regulations? No. Any position that is for 12 months or less and that has no possibility of continuing (written or implied) would not come under the ministry of Pastor Regulations.
Do these regulations apply to existing employees in continuing employment prior to 1 January 2009? No. The ministry of Pastor Regulations only apply to eligible positions which commence after the 1st January 2009.
Do these regulations apply to all employees in eligible positions from 1 January 2009? Yes. As long as the Presbytery has designated the position location as appropriate for the exercise of the ministry of Pastor.
In what ministry context do these regulations apply?

Welcome

2009-01-08T01:28:00.000-08:00

This is it! The new blog for the ministry of Pastor for NSW/ACT. Welcome.
Here is where I will be keeping all you bloggers up to date with the process and happennings of the ministry of Pastor things.

ucapastor NSW/ACT Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia

position available

new training opportunities

Jorge and next year

NSW/ACT Ministry of Pastor Website

Jump for Jesus Concert 2010

Uniting Business Network Luncheon

Uniting Business Network Luncheon

“Enhancing Spiritual, Professional and Business Growth”

Thursday 14th Oct 2010

recommended course from IFP

I highly recommend this one for all pastors and lay leaders

An interesting course...

Another resource / seminar for you...

A Conversation With Michael Kirby (Former Chief Justice of the High Court)

Global Poverty Project

Position Vacant:Papua New Guinea Programs Coordinator

Applications close Monday August 23, 2010

Job Vacancies

Job Vacancies

Do you want to help make a difference to the lives of Aboriginal

and Islander people through working with a local ministry team?

Do you want more than just a job but a calling for Indigenous

ministry support?

If so, then we have two exciting vacancies for committed individuals.

1. Ministry Resource Worker (Mornington Island)

Mornington Island Dancer

2. National Resource Officer

(Townsville)

We would appreciate you forwarding these job vacancies onto those that may be interested.

Our Mission: "The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian

Congress is made up of ordinary people who do extraordinary

things with God promoting the wellbeing of Indigenous

Australians through: Holistic Evangelism,

Justice, Transformation and Empowerment."

Website update

Core competencies updated by MEC

Transforming Practices Seminars and Courses

News on Pastors

seminar resource

An historic day! First NSW/ACT UnitingCare Chaplain commissioned as a Pastor

Pastoral Counselling Institute (PCI) offers Scholarships for Pastors

Resource update

What makes a Good City? Seminar at UTC

Hello allJust wanted to pass on to you the advert for a seminar at UTC on What makes for a Good City, with Chris Baker.Please refer to the attached for more information. The seminar is at the Centre for Ministry on the 10th May this year.

Latest Pastor Commissioned

Lay Ministry Inservice 2010

Ministry of Pastor Conference 2010

Lent Event

An interesting read

Merry Christmas!

A very usefull course

Ministry of Pastor Website Update

Ministry of Pastor Competency Update

Resource for Pastors

Competency Training

New Course for you to consider

Country Christianity

link to fishpond

Resources

General Competencies and Assembly

reminder competency assessor training

Core Competency Assessor Training

New Resource

Book give away winner

Don't forget the free give-away in the last post!

New Resource & Give AWAY!

What is an appropriate position for the Minsitry of Pastor

This week's resource...

Resource for the Week...

This week's resource for Pastors

book of the week

Ministry of Pastor Handbook NSW/ACT update

Scripture teaching and the ministry of Pastor

Teaching in Unting Church Schools

Ministry of Pastor Conference

FAQs

Welcome

Thursday 14^th Oct 2010

We would appreciate you forwarding these job
vacancies onto those that may be interested.

Hello all
Just wanted to pass on to you the advert for a seminar at UTC on What makes for a Good City, with Chris Baker.
Please refer to the attached for more information. The seminar is at the Centre for Ministry on the 10th May this year.