Parish Council Update - March 2023

Bible Reading

Mark 6:7-11, 30-31, Acts 6:1-4

After welcoming Michael Gold to the team this year, (welcome Michael!), we turned to God's word and looked at the fast and furious first mission of Jesus' disciples in Mark, followed by the large growth of the church in Acts and the considered and careful planning that the apostles undertook to establish the church. As we are currently in mission mode and growing, we need to be thoughtful and considered in planning as the apostles - prepare for the growth that may be ahead, under God. This is especially important as we are in...

The Year of Evangelism

Our Evangelistic start to the year has seen wonderful growth across our church. With attendance growing to new heights now at Ermington and Eastwood, we will spend a significant amount of time in our Parish Council meetings this year planning the years ahead as we move towards...

Vision 2030!

If we continue on the same trajectory of growth, we should expect that by the year 2030, we will have an average Sunday attendance of 900 people. This is a conservative figure and follows our growth trajectory over the past 7 years. However, this presents us with an urgent need to begin to plan ahead with big and small things. Therefore, we will be taking time over the next few months to formulate a plan across our sites and congregations to allow for larger gatherings, more gatherings, and possible church plants and for expanding and training our leadership base.

Please pray with us as we plan for the next 7 years of growth, as well as develop a strategic investment and financial plan to allow us to complete the larger building work of stage 2 at Eastwood whilst also considering the future major building needs at Ermington.

Stay tuned for what is ahead - we have some exciting planning to do together!

We paused to pray for this task ahead of us, thankful for how God has led us to this place and provided us with so much for which to be thankful.

Works report

Ermington:

The new kitchen is complete with just two doors now required for the cupboards.

2 new hot water systems have been installed (at no cost due to a government program) in the Recotry and the new church kitchen.

A Development Application is being prepared for Parramatta Council for a new shade shelter over the new playground (funded by a State government grant)

Air conditioning is now scheduled to be installed in the main church meeting area as well as the intended creche/childcare room. Finances have been generously provided by St Mark's members.

Eastwood:

The tender documents for the detention tank and the car park completion are almost ready to go out.

An old sewer line will be replaced tomorrow (Wednesday) following several blockages after the connection of the new toilets. The old pipe sections were not fit for purpose and will be replaced in one day.

Bells (Eastwood): We continue working on submitting the Development Application for Ryde Council.

Finances

Last year finished at 97.8% of the budget - a wonderful result from the generosity of our whole church family.

This 2023 budget includes a 12% increase from last year.

Details for online banking can be found on our website here: Giving page

Budget summary 2023 - February year to date:

• Income required:
  Year to date: $152,699
  Weekly: $17,196
• Current offertory:
  Year to date: $143,405
  Weekly: $15,934
• Shortfall: $9,293
  The current offertory is 93.9% of the budget.

Prayer

The meeting finished in prayer at 9:45 pm.