What a pleasure it was to gather for the Presbytery in Council meeting at St. David’s Parkdale on 17th August!

Rev Mike You opened, conveying to us the imperative from the 17th Assembly: weave threads of love across all cultures and boundaries. I imagine weaving at its most joyous and productive as an inherently communal activity.

We set to work first in prayer and worship, before hearing news of the Assembly presented by Ennis Macleod, Rev Jay Robinson, and Rev Anneke Oppewal, including the induction of Rev Charisse Suli as President, and a report on Assembly’s Act2 strategy. Rev Duncan
Turuva reported about the honour he felt at being a member of Congress at Assembly.

Neville Bion then spoke about the assistance he offers congregations with Essential Safety Measures and property safety, an obligation we owe to the communities to which we belong.

Rev Anneke Oppewal discussed the launch of TEAM-ing with Life, which you can read about in more detail on page nine, and Rev Robin Yang updated us on upcoming Safe Church workshops.

After a delicious morning tea, it was time to focus on two particular threads, with the introduction of
one new, and the reiteration of our esteem for one vibrant thread already featured in our cloth.

As Dr Daniel Sihombing’s ministry formation period comes to a close, the Presbytery voted joyfully in support of his ordination and enjoyed a Q&A about his life in faith, which has taken him from Indonesia to Australia, from political journalism to theology, and into a deep appreciation of the values and vibrance laid out in the Basis of Union.

Next, the continuation and renewal of Rev Anneke Oppewal’s commission as Presbytery Minister, Pastoral enthusiastically endorsed by vote, and we celebrated with one last prayer together, and a benediction with Presbytery Chair David Higham.

The hard work of ministry seems so much lighter on crisp mornings like these, when we all linger for a last hug and cheerfully toot our car- horns as we leave. We’re working at this weaving business together, and it’s God’s cloth that we’re creating, not our own.

(sourced from Newsbeat, written by Naomi Cardwell, Presbytery Communications Officer)