Parish Council Update - February 2023

Bible Reading

Mark 4:35-41. We began our meeting by reminding each other of the amazing things that God has done among us over the past 12 months. Then we stopped to pray and give thanks, remembering our God is powerful and able to do all things.

Year of Evangelism

Our launch is on Sunday and we will be sharing opportunities and training that is happening in the term ahead.

Youth Ministry position (P/T)

Our aim is to reach $40,000 in pledges for this new part-time position. We are currently at $16,800. The search continues for the right person to fill this position so please continue in prayer.

Works report

Ermington:

Unfortunately, we had news this week that we were unsuccessful with the major application to the government West Invest grant. The application was for nearly $10M and would have allowed a full site redevelopment. Sadly, this is not to be at this stage. HOWEVER, we are very thankful that through the process we have been able to not only plan a full site development but have also been able to collect and process a large amount of data on the demographics for Melrose Park, Ermington and Rydalmere and prioritise the needs of the community and church. Although we will not have as many financial resources as the grant may have provided, we are still very well placed to begin with smaller steps to improve the resources at Ermington for the community and for the gospel. Please pray as we do this together!

The playground has been completed and we are currently working on a DA for the construction of s shade shelter (which is being funded with a state government grant of $28,527).

The main kitchen is almost complete with a few finishing touches to be completed.

New hot water heaters have been provided in the Rectory and the church kitchen at no cost under a government scheme.

The Ermington car park will receive further attention now as well as the planting of some shrubs along the new fence line.

Eastwood:

We are awaiting some structural engineering designs for the underground detention tank and are preparing tender documents for the car park and tank.

Bells (Eastwood): Financial gifts towards this work are encouraged. We are currently working on submitting the DA to 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.

Our current giving for January is at 95.5% of the budget.

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

Budget summary 2022 January - December:

• Income required:
  Year to date: $830,680
  Weekly: $15,973
• Current offertory:
  Year to date: $811,917
  Weekly: $15,614
• Shortfall: $18,683
  The offertory for the full year was 97.8% of the budget.

Budget summary 2023 - January year to date:

• Income required:
  Year to date: $78,762
  Weekly: $17,196
• Current offertory:
  Year to date: $75,188
  Weekly: $15,038
• Shortfall: $3,574
  The current offertory is 95.5% of the budget.

Ermington Update

Andrew Glover joined us to share some details about the exciting work that God is doing at St Mark's. There have been many changes and challenges but the gospel is front and centre and is continuing to make a great impact in Ermington through the ministry of St Mark's. Attendances are slowly increasing and there are now around 45 regular attendees across the two services. Andrew expressed the thankfulness of all at St Mark's for the partnership with St Phil's. Special note was also made of the contributions of David Smith, David Mayes, and many others for their work on site improvements and maintenance over the past 2 years of partnership. May we continue to grow together as one Parish through God's grace. Andrew encouraged us to pray particularly for St Mark's for:

• Evangelism and follow up
• those who are unwell, elderly, tired
• more new people to join us!

Prayer

The meeting finished in prayer at 9:45 pm.