CONGREGATION PROFILE

Uniting Church in Australia N o r t h e r n S y n o d

1

CONGREGATION PROFILE

Congregation

Presbytery

Palmerston Uniting

Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia

In situations where congregations are clustered or linked in respect of a proposed placement, list the relevant congregations below: (When completing information electronically, please use the tab key to get to the next line).

1 CONGREGATION PROFILE

Pages 2-4 approved by the respective Church Council:

Name of Congregation Date 1 Palmerston 21 May 2020

2

Profile (pages 2-6) approved by Presbytery (PRC)

Approval to fill placement granted by Placements Committee

2 PURPOSE

This profile should be prepared by the Congregation(s) and Presbytery in consultation and can be used:

• as a record of mission planning; and

• as an evaluation of congregation programs

It is also specifically designed to assist the placement process. Congregations are encouraged to update their profile regularly.

3 CONTENTS

• Section 1: Congregation – to be completed for each congregation in the placement (please photocopy sufficient copies for your requirements).

• Section 2: Joint Congregations – to be completed if more than one congregation in the placement.

• Section 3: Description of ministry – to be completed for both single and joint congregations.

• Section 4: Priorities in Ministry – this section contains a list of mission and pastoral activities which are also listed on Minister’s Personal profiles. Please photocopy the page to complete this section for each congregation.

• Section 5: Presbytery – to be completed by Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee.

4 ENCLOSURES

List all the documents attached to the profile:

• Social Profile Data

• Floor plan of residence

• Copy of 2019 Financial Statement. Note: The 2019 end of year financial result shows a deficit of $21,764. Due to internal transfers Palmerston Uniting congregation had a positive balance of $9000 in May 2020.

…………………………………………………………………

FOR OFFICEUSE ONLY Date of receipt:

Placements Congregation Profile, Revised May 2021 2

SECTION 1

Congregation Palmerston Uniting Church

Profile approved by Church Council on 21 May 2020

5 NATURE OF COMMUNITY

5.1 Total population of the community in which the

congregation worships/serves 37,862 (excludes the Darwin Rural Area)

5.2 From the 2016 census: No. of UCA people 1,050 (3.1%)

5.3 The population of the community is: Stable Growing Declining

(please circle or bold as appropriate) Changing in composition Culturally mixed

6 STATISTICS (DURING THE LAST 2 YEARS)

Confirmed members 60 Baptisms 4

Baptised members 60 Confirmations 1

Members in Association 5 Transfers in 9

Adherents 5 Transfers out 5

No. of elders 9 Marriages 0

No. of Church Council

Members 9 Funerals 1

Frequency of Meetings Every 2 months

6.1 The Congregation is:

(please circle or bold as appropriate)

Stable Growing(slowly ) Declining

Changing in composition Culturally mixed

7 MISSION CONTEXT

7.1 Please list the major characteristics of the particular community within which the congregation

has its mission.

1 Multicultural with a significant percentage on welfare

2 Large military presence

3 High percentage of Asian and Indigenous peoples

7.2 Please list any major institutions in which the congregation has specific ministry and mission

(eg prisons, tertiary education, hospitals, aged care etc) and indicate the nature of the ministry.

Institution Nature of Ministry

Royal Darwin Hospital & Palmerston Regional

Hospital Chaplaincy

Terrace Gardens Aged Care (ARRCS) Congregation members involved, visiting church

service

Somerville Community Services Active partnership including Sunday worship and

supporting Somerville community activities


7.3 Please provide details of schools in which the congregation exercises ministry.

Primary Secondary

Number of schools Nil Nil

7.4 Please provide any comments relating to these ministries.

Our hospital and aged care ministries and our relationship with Somerville are longstanding. Our

congregation continues to see ministry in these areas as our calling through which we serve God and

our community. Similarly, our Op Shop is strongly supported by our congregation as we see this as a

much needed ministry which we undertake in support of those with economic hardship.

7.5 Please provide details of worship Service and Activities

Average

attendance Time of service Frequency Style of Service

1 38 9:00am Weekly Varied

7.6 Please list groups, eg home fellowship, bible study, children’s groups etc.

Name Frequency Average

attendance

Leadership

Minister/Other

1 Women’s

Fellowship Monthly 10 Various Members

2 Men’s Pub Night Monthly 8 Elder

3 Art Group Weekly 12 Elder

4 Bible Study Weekly 7 Pastor

8 MISSION DIRECTIONS

8.1 Please list significant achievements and/or events in the past three years.

1 Twice monthly Op Shop Outreach – affordable household goods and clothing

2 Weekly use of Church buildings by community groups, eg Messy Bubs, Dementia Support

3 Commenced Art Group

4 Support for Somerville Gift Wrapping and Christmas Hampers

5 Samaritan’s Purse Gift Boxes

6 Financial support annually to Somerville, Riyala and Coordinate

7 Installation of solar panels to provide an income stream to support ministry 8 . Conduct of weekly worship and provision of pastoral care for worshippers and community

members.


8.2 Please list any goals which have been adopted by the congregation for the next three to five

years.

1

Continue and further develop our worship program involving congregational members

2 Continue and expand our Pastoral Care Network

3 Develop Church property in partnership with Somerville Community Services

4 Look for opportunities with other relationships, Presbytery and other congregations

5 Continue Op Shop as an outreach to the less privileged members of our community, involving

volunteer community members with different cross cultural backgrounds

6 Church office on Church site to be a visible presence, open on weekdays

8.3 What are the distinctive characteristics of this congregation?

Friendly, welcoming, caring group of committed Christians responding to local needs with a special relationship with Indigenous people from Arnhem Land, especially people from Milingimbi. Our congregation is open to and is further exploring use of the resources we have, eg our land, with Somerville Community Services as a ministry that grows Christ’s presence in our local community.

Placements Congregation Profile 5

SECTION 3

9 DESCRIPTION OF MINISTRY

9.1 Please list names and designations of ministerial team – specified ministries (Minister of the

Word, Deacon, Deaconess, Lay Pastor, Youth Worker)

1 Pastor Richard Telfer

9.2 Please provide the names and designations of other employed persons.

Name Designation

Nil.

9.3 Are job descriptions of the above positions (other employed persons) available?

N/A.

9.4 What is the location of the Church office?

At the Church, 1 Bonson Terrace Moulden NT, 0832

9.5 What is the location of the Minister’s study/office? (residence, church, other – please specify).

At the Minister’s residence and at the Church.

9.6 The congregation is seeking a replacement placement

Yes.

9.7 If a replacement is indicated, who is being replaced?

Replace Pastor Richard Telfer.

9.8 The congregation is seeking a full-time placement.

We are seeking a full-time placement being 0.5 PUC congregation and 0.5 Somerville funded. As this

would be a joint placement SCS has the option of withdrawing from the joint placement if the ministry

incumbent is not suited to meeting the needs of SCS.

9.9 What are the principal responsibilities which the proposed minister might be expected to

exercise?

1 Share in worship leading with members of the congregation, preach, lead Holy Communion,

Bible Study, baptisms, weddings and funerals.

2 Oversee and co-ordinate Pastoral Care implementation.

3 Provide guidance and work with the Church Council to continue outreach ministry in this needy

community. Through the above to build the congregation.

4 Undertake chaplaincy duties as determined by SCS within the SCS 0.5 part of the placement.

9.10 Please provide the date at which the current placement becomes vacant or an addition/new

placement may commence.


A matter for the Presbytery, possibly May 2020. PUC would prefer May so the ministry may

commence.


SECTION 4

10.1 PRIORITY IN MINISTRY CONGREGATION(S)

As your congregation(s) contemplate future ministry, please consider the priorities that have been

adopted and the gifts and skills you will be seeking.

Below are 21 ministry, mission and pastoral activities which are also listed on Personal Profiles

with space for you to list up to three additional “skills”.

Please list the level of priority (H=high, M = medium and L = low) that your congregation seeks

from a minister. Please limit high priority (H) to no more than five activities.

1 Pastoral visitation of hospitals and other institutions H

2 Systematic visitation, along with elders, of the congregation L

3 Counselling, based on specific training L

4 Leadership of worship and Preaching H

5 Sharing faith in Christ and assisting others also to share faith in Christ M

6 Working within the community as well as the Church on social justice analysis and

advocacy issues M

7 Relating to the needs of children (under 12) L

8 Relating to the needs of young people L

9 Working with community and church members in establishing networks and self help

groups for community development M

10 Caring for marginalised people – including pastoral care, advocacy and liaison with

relevant agencies H

11 An involvement in ecumenical activities and programs of mission education and social

justice from a local and global perspective L

12 Developing covenantal understanding and relationships with indigenous people H

13 Developing multicultural understandings, relationships and ministry M

14 Engaging in new service and mission initiatives beyond traditional structures M

15 Nurturing people in their Christian faith and spiritual development H

16 Developing outreach with young people in schools and institutions L

17 Fostering Religious Education (RE) in schools L

18 Fostering congregational mission and development M

19 Helping people in communication and problem solving within groups and personal

relationships M

20 Knowledge of church finance and administrative procedures L

PLEASE ADD ANY OTHER RELEVANT GIFTS AND SKILLS

21

22

23

10.2 Which category(ies) of specified ministry is sought for this placement? Please insert an “X”

in the appropriate box.

Minister of the Word X Youth Worker

Deacon Lay Pastor

10.3 What are the reasons for this choice?

The skill set required to undertake sections 9.9 and 10.1 requires the services of an Ordained, or about

to be Ordained, Minister.


SECTION 5

Congregation

Presbytery

Palmerston Uniting

Pilgrim Presbytery of Northern Australia

11.1 Does the Presbytery support the mission directions identified by the congregation for the

next 3 to 5 years? Yes.

Presbytery comment: The Profile presents a fair representation of the views of the congregation.

The mission directions are also a realistic match with the ministry priorities identified in the Profile. The

congregation strongly supports mission through its Op Shop and connections with Somerville and other

agencies. They seek a minister who through worship, pastoral care, and Bible Study, will build up the

members for their own service to others.

11.2 What does the Presbytery consider to be the mission opportunities for the congregation in

the next 3 to 5 years?

In addition to those listed, Pilgrim Presbytery endorses the vision of the congregation to:

• Develop closer relationships with Aboriginal people and their leadership in worship

• Seek to connect with young families, children, and youth and support them both within and

beyond the worship life of the congregation

• Work towards the possibility of a full-time ministry placement

11.3 Does Presbytery comment on the above differ at any point from the congregation comment in

this profile? Yes.

Pilgrim Presbytery supports the close relationship with Somerville and the potential for a ministry agent

to undertake full-time ministry based on 0.5 Palmerston UC and 0.5 Somerville chaplaincy. However,

for the purposes of this profile the presbytery’s priority is for a minister suitable to the congregation and

who may be able to share in the growth of the congregation towards an increasing budget provision for

ministry in its own right.

We would suggest that if the right minister for the congregation is also suitable to Somerville, that has

added benefits; but that the JNC process is focused on meeting the needs of Palmerston UC.

11.4 Does the Presbytery consider that the congregation should proceed to a new placement at this

time? Yes.

Presbytery comment: Strongly support this.

11.5 For which of the following ministries does the Presbytery consider that the position is suitable?

(Please insert an “X” in the appropriate box).

Minister of the Word X Youth Worker

Deacon Pastor

Please provide reasons for this choice: We endorse the Profile’s conclusion that the skill set and

ministry priorities support this choice.

11.6 Is this position suitable for the placement of an Ordinand? Yes.

Please provide reasons for this choice: There are strong and experienced leaders in the

congregation who would be able to mentor an Ordinand well in a Phase 3 placement


11.7 Is Priority Placement recommended? No.

Please provide reasons for this choice: At the current time we are hopeful that an appropriate

Minister can be found through the normal processes of the church.

11.8 Does the Presbytery consider that any changes to placement responsibilities or relationships

are required at this time? No. (But see above comment at 11.3)

11.9 Please provide the date of the most recent Presbytery inspection of the residence

April 2020

11.10 Is the Presbytery satisfied that adequate and appropriate accommodation will be available,

having regard to the Synod requirements for ministers’ residences? Yes / No.

If no, what steps are being taken to remedy the situation?

The manse is adequate and appropriate; but it is currently occupied by another ministry agent of the

Synod. Negotiation about accommodation needs would form part of the ministry conversation.

11.11 Is the Presbytery satisfied that adequate financial support for the placement and other

congregation expenses will be available:

The placement is Full time across Palmerston UCA and Somerville Community Services. 0.5 of the

Stipend is from the Congregation and 0.5 of the stipend is from Sommerville Community Services

Please list any grants applied for or approved: N/A

11.12 If neither option in 11.11 is indicated above, please elaborate: N/A

11.13 Does the Presbytery wish to make any additional comments?

Palmerston is a congregation in good heart and strong commitment to mission and service in an area of

significant need and growth possibilities. Previous ministers have experienced the warmth and support

of the congregation and appreciated the opportunities to share with others in ministry together.

11.14 Please advise the earliest date at which the placement may become effective

1 August 2020

11.15 Please provide contact details of the Presbytery Representatives on the Joint Nominating

Committee (please note that the first named person is the JNC Chairperson):

Name: Rev Tony Goodluck Phone 0439 854 147

Address:

Postcode

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Name: Judy Chesson Phone 0409 099 743

mailto:[email protected]



Address:

Postcode

Email: Judy Chesson [email protected]

11.16 Date of Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee meeting

28 July 2020

11.17 Date on which this form is forwarded to Synod:

This form is to be signed by the Chairperson or Secretary of the Pastoral Relations Committee:

Signed:

Please print name: Rev Helen Paine

Date:



Palmerston Social Profile Data, 2016 Census In Palmerston:

• 70.6% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were Philippines 4.1%, England

2.5%, New Zealand 2.4%, India 1.6% and South Africa 0.6%.

• of people aged 15 years and over, 43.9% were married and 11.2% were either divorced or separated.

• of people aged 15 years and over, 42.9% of people were in a registered marriage and 20.0% were in a de facto

marriage.

• 34.2% of people were attending an educational institution. Of these, 30.4% were in primary school, 18.4% in

secondary school and 16.1% in a tertiary or technical institution.

• the most common responses for religion in Palmerston were No Religion 35.3%, Catholic 22.8%, Not stated

11.8%, Anglican 9.5% and Uniting Church 3.1%. In Palmerston Christianity was the largest religious group

reported overall (53.1%)

• there were 18,219 people who reported being in the labour force in the week before Census night in Palmerston

Of these 71.1% were employed full time, 17.8% were employed part-time and 5.1% were unemployed.

• the most common occupations included Technicians and Trades Workers 18.5%, Clerical and Administrative

Workers 16.7%, Community and Personal Service Workers 14.2%, Professionals 13.8%, and Managers 10.5%.

• of the employed people 6.5% worked in State Government Administration. Other major industries of employment

included Defence 6.4%, Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction 2.7%, Primary Education 2.6% and

Supermarket and Grocery Stores 2.4%.

• of people aged 15 years and over, 70.0% did unpaid domestic work in the week before the Census. During the

two weeks before the Census, 34.2% provided care for children and 7.9% assisted family members or others due

to a disability, long term illness or problems related to old age. In the year before the Census, 15.9% of people did

voluntary work through an organisation or a group.

• 19.9% of single parents were male and 80.1% were female.

• of couple families with children, 39.4% had both partners employed full-time, 1.8% had both employed part-time

and 17.7% had one employed full-time and the other part-time.

• of occupied private dwellings, 75.0% were separate houses, 10.5% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses,

townhouses etc, 14.3% were flat or apartments and 0.1% were other dwellings.

• 9.9% of households had a weekly household income of less than $650 and 29.6% of households had a weekly

income of more than $3000.

• 85.3% of households had at least one person access the internet from the dwelling. This could have been

through a desktop/laptop computer, mobile or smart phone, tablet, music or video player, gaming console, smart

TV or any other device.


PUC 2019 Financial Summary


Documents

CONGREGATION PROFILE