Fresh Expressions and Community Activities

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With the complexities of 21st Century living comes the challenge for the church to be relevant and connected to those around them. Many are asking the question, “How can we offer effective ministry where we are?”

Mission in today's communities is challenging due to the variety of cultures and backgrounds that influence people's attitudes to faith and life.

Congregations need support to decide who God is calling them to be in mission  with and how to be church for the unchurched. Fresh Expressions of church may take various forms and includes community activities which we have been compiling  into a DATABASE for networking purposes. Check the list to see if your groups are included. Contact us to add your activities. You can obtain more details about these groups by contacting the Rural Office or Ross Neville.

One community group that is increasing the awareness of fitness and health is 'Heart & Soul' run by Dapto Uniting Church. They run a weekly 2 hour session. The first hour is for the gentle exercise program while the second hour involves a healthy morning tea, a short Bible message and discussions on various, wide-ranging, holistic health issues. The team leader (Janet Hyam, a qualified group exercise leader) now organises and runs the fitness activities each week, while other team members are on a roster to provide a healthy morning tea and a short Bible message. The rest of the time is for the discussion on health issues, often with visiting speakers. If your congregation is interested in starting a similar group Janet is happy to assist and can offer helpful advice.

Funding Sources

Finding Money for Mission.

A guide to sources of funding for new congregations and faith communities.

Click Money for Mission

 

The Synod Mission Resource Fund (SMRF) annually distributes one third of the Uniting Church NSW Synod's budget to new and innovative forms of ministry. It may be possible for your congregation, presbytery or other Uniting Church body to access some of these funds.

 

The New Mission Gatherings Seed Fund is a sub category of the SMRF. This fund offers grants of up to

$5 000 (up to $10 000 under certain conditions) primarily towards the establishment and support of new initiatives and faith communities.

There are four rounds of funding per year, so it is possible to apply for funds throughout the year.