Whitehorse Congregation
Ministry TeamIn December 2020, our Presbytery of Yarra Yarra formally provided recognition of the Whitehorse Cluster, including approval of a MOU between the three congregations. Link to Cluster Info, pending an anticipated amalgamation to one congregation.
Presbytery also determined that all ministers would be called to "Whitehorse", per the Regional (Church) Council, and not to any existing congregation. The first Inductions of ministers, on 1 April 2021, brought this new arrangement into reality. From 1 January 2023, a new "Whitehorse" congregation was born, amalgamating all the previous congregations of the temporary cluster. Children's MinistryWe are committed to including children in worship, as well as nurturing them toward a mature adult faith. Using story-telling, multi-media, singing and the involvement of the whole congregation, time is set aside in each service for engagement with the Scriptural message. We continues to explore ways to enable children and teens to participate more fully in the Sunday service and life of our community.
The Young Adult Ministry's engagement with the children and teens - especially including them with their annual community food collection for Centre 81's FoodBank - is a very successful joint venture. Young Adults MinistryWe are truly blessed by a vibrant group of young adults (from many suburbs and other churches) who meet about one evening per month; to study Scripture, discuss life and the world, pray, chat, laugh, and share meals together. They aim to balance studying Scripture with examining social justice issues, as well as actively participating or organising various fundraising and volunteering.
They are often known as the Monday Night Group. Pastoral MinistryPastoral Partners / Care programs provide pastoral care and support to all members of the congregation, through regular informal contact or in response to specific needs.
When ordained ministry are required, cases are escalated to the Whitehorse Ministry Team. |
COVID-19 ChangesDue to the COVID-19 pandemic, we deliver Worship Resources every week to all our members via email. We support the remaining handful of households without internet via letterbox drop or by post.
A partnership with 'Cheltenham-Mentone Uniting Church' media resulted in producing sing-along lyric videos (hymn lyrics and music) for use with the worship resources and in streamed services. We grew from monthly video recordings to weekly livestream Worship Services, via our YouTube Channel, for all our members unable to meet in person due to lockdowns, health issues and or physical restrictions. We also upgraded our website to provide many more helpful resources during the COVID-19 pandemic times. Centre 81Centre 81 is a drop-in centre located at 81 Doncaster East Road, on the north-western corner of our Mitcham venue property, and is open selected weekday mornings, including a FoodBank.
This outreach mission / ministry centre opened in May 1989 and has been offering companionship, referrals, and food parcels for those in need for more than 33 years. For further details, click here Op ShopThe Op Shop is a mission-focussed activity of the congregation, located on the south-west corner of our Forest Hill venue property, with all proceeds going towards worthy causes and charities, such as to FoodBanks and other services for those in need.
For further details, click here |