Orientation Agencies and the Uniting Church Last Updated: February 2016

About this pack UnitingCare in Australia Intro to Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) UCA Ethos / Values UCA Structure Committees and Boards Funding Opportunities Synod Departments UCVT Network / UCVT Unit Strategy 2

Welcome to UnitingCare Serving over 2 million Australians every year Active in 1,300 remote, regional and metropolitan communities (more locations than McDonalds) Employs more than 35,000 staff (comparable to Australia Post) Supported by more than 24,000 volunteers Annual expenditure of around $2.4 billion 3

Uniting Church in Australia The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) was officially formed on June 22, 1977 by the coming together of the Congregational Union of Australia, the Methodist Church of Australasia and the Presbyterian Church of Australia. The Basis of Union was approved by all churches coming into the Uniting Church, and describes an ecumenical vision of ever deeper unity with other Churches. 4

Uniting Church in Australia The Uniting Church is the third largest Christian denomination in Australia. It has around 2,500 congregations, 51 presbyteries and six synods. From 5-7 per cent of Uniting Church members worship in languages other than English, in 25 different language groupings plus various Aboriginal tribal languages. 5

UCA Ethos As an employer, we express the ethos of Christianity to love one another, to live justly and to seek the reconciliation and renewal of all creation by respecting ourselves and all whom we serve and employ. We strive to do so by: Being inclusive Acting and advocating for a just society Working for peace and justice in the world Having an openness to the wisdom of people of other faiths and views Implementing environmentally sustainable practices 6 %20and%20Values.pdf

UCA Values 7 Justice Inclusion Compassion Shared Leadership Respect Integrity Wise Stewardship Innovation

Church Structure The church is governed by a series of inter- related councils — local churches, regional presbyteries, state synods, and the national Assembly. Each council has its distinct tasks, and each council recognises the limits of its responsibilities in relation to other councils and gives heed to other councils of the church. 8

UCA Structure - Assembly The Assembly is the national council of the Uniting Church in Australia and has responsibility in matters of doctrine, worship, government and discipline. It sets national policy and promotes the Church's mission in the world. The Assembly also establishes standards of theological training and reception of ministers from other denominations, and pursues the goal of the worldwide union of all Christ's church. 9

UCA Structure - Synods 10 The 6 Synods have general oversight, direction and administration of the Church’s worship, witness and service within their bounds Synods exercise pastoral, executive, administrative and disciplinary responsibilities in relation to the Presbyteries within their bounds Synods also oversee theological colleges, schools and other institutions (including UnitingCare Agencies) within their bounds

UCA Structure - Presbyteries Presbyteries are regional councils that have oversight of congregations, ministry and programs within a region. The 8 Presbyteries in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania are: Gippsland, Loddon Mallee, North East Victoria, Port Phillip East, Port Phillip West, Tasmania, Western Victoria and Yarra Yarra. 11

UCA Structure - Congregations A Congregation is a group of people who meet regularly in a particular place for worship, witness and service. Members meet formally as a council of the church in a Congregational Meeting at least once a year to make significant decisions. Church Councils are elected by Congregations to meet more regularly and carry out responsibilities including oversight of ministers, managing property and financial resources, and pastoral care of members. Faith Communities are less structured groups who are also recognised by Presbyteries 12 Subscribe and log In for contact details:

Funding Opportunities Board of Mission and Resourcing (BOMAR) mission proposals are considered from different parts of the Uniting Church including UnitingCare Agencies. Proposals are accepted between April and July each year with the outcome advised in December. Successful proposals are often those that build partnerships between congregations and agencies and connect with people outside the church. The Share grants program distributes funds annually to UnitingCare and Uniting Church services to the community in Victoria and Tasmania. Applications open in February and close in March with funding delivered from July each year. Successful applications will restore life, joy and hope to people who are disadvantaged or in crisis

VicTas Synod Departments General Secretariat Funds Management Administration and Finance – Accounting Services – Information Technology Services – Property and Insurance Services – Synod Legal Services – Uniting Church Resources 14

VicTas Synod Departments People and Culture Communications and Media Services Uniting AgeWell Uniting Housing Victoria Centre for Theology and Ministry (CTM) Bethel Pastoral Centre Commission for Mission (CFM) 15

Commission for Mission Units Cross Cultural Mission and Ministry Culture and Context – Disability Inclusion – School Liaison Justice and International Mission (JIM) SHARE Uniting Church Camping Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Responsible Travel UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania 16

UCVT Governance Framework The CFM Bi-Laws grant the CFM Board delegated oversight of UnitingCare Agencies The UCVT Unit Terms of Reference describe the operation of a Network link to UnitingCare Agencies UnitingCare Agencies operate within a model constitution

Synod Committees & Boards Standing Committee’s role is to ensure that the work of the Synod and the oversight that the Synod offers with regard to the Church’s worship, witness and service continues between ordinary meetings of the Synod itself. Membership of the Standing Committee consists of the Moderator, Ex-Moderator, the Moderator-Elect and the General Secretary as ex-officio members. In addition, up to 16 members of the Synod meeting are elected by the Synod. 18

Synod Committees & Boards The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Victoria) as constituted under The Uniting Church in Australia Act 1977 No & the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Tas.) as constituted under The Uniting Church in Australia Act 1977 No. 38 are the legal entities that hold all property and financial assets of the Uniting Church in each state (including those of UnitingCare Agencies). Each state Act refers to the constitution of the church. The Property Trust never acts without direct instruction of the Property Board (or in rare cases the Synod Standing Committee). 19

Commission for Mission (CFM) CFM is a body established by the Synod CFM is accountable to the Synod and its Standing Committee (as described in its bi- laws) CFM operates within the policies approved by Synod CFM facilitates the integration of the work of agencies within the life and mission of the church 20

Commission for Mission role CFM’s function is to exercise such roles of governance relating to oversight, insight and foresight that enable the mission of the Church to be carried out in a manner that is lawful and timely and accountable to the Synod through its Standing Committee and thus effect the operations of the various institutions (including UnitingCare Agencies) under the purview of the Commission for Mission. 21

UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania Our purpose is to address injustice, working together to overcome disadvantage and to strengthen communities. We are committed to collaborate, to form partnerships with interested parties and to use best practice. 22

UCVT Network The UCVT network is made up of 26 agencies of varying size and service complexity. These agencies have grown out of the particular responses of people in the Uniting Church to the need in their communities. The agencies form a strong, cohesive and innovative network. They continue to work to achieve the best possible outcomes for those they work with by providing leadership and proactive responses to community needs. 23

Key Office Locations 24

UCVT Network services include Early childhood Child, youth and family Youth and Youth Justice Emergency Relief & Financial Counselling Housing and Homelessness Indigenous Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees Disability Drug, alcohol and other addiction Problem gambling Mental Health Employment Support and Education Aged care 25

UCVT Unit The UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania Unit assists the Commission for Mission (CFM) Board to fulfil its purpose, functions and responsibilities in relation to the community services ministry (agencies) of the Uniting Church in Australia in Victoria and Tasmania consistent with the By-Laws and the Inter- related Model of Governance. 26

UCVT Unit Org Chart 27

UCVT Unit Team Members Vaso Howard Andrew Phillips Marie Howard Bessy Andriotis Dannie Dupleix 28 Tony Chapman Sofi Lawson

Network Contact Details 29

UCVT Unit Priorities and Projects 30 Results map

On the Way Together The UCA Synod of Victoria and Tasmania adopted four On the Way Together PRIORITIES in May, 2010 to provide a focus for the strategic directions of the Synod between 2011 and The four priorities are: – Discipleship – Leadership – Partnership – Risk-taking 31

Will advise the Church on its vision, plans and sustainability into the future Seeks to understand the purpose of the church in the 21 st Century and the changed and changing nature, shape and theologies of the church Process is prayerful, iterative, reflective, and participative Considerable engagement and consultation with the whole of the Church (including UnitingCare Agencies) 32 Major Strategic Review (MSR)

UnitingCare Network Project Key Task: Establish a single agency board Key Contacts – Gerry Mak (Program Director) – Bob Hodges (PCG Chair) Governance: 12 member Project Control Group (PCG) includes representatives of CFM, MSR, Standing Committee and Agency Boards NB: Agencies are to continue business as usual until further advice issued 33