Dear Wesley Members,
The Church Council met on Tuesday last and I bring to your attention some of the business we
dealt with and some of the decisions taken.
Office Bearers. Council received with gratitude the offers of Susan Akhurst and Robert James to
be Secretary and Treasurer respectively. At the Finance AGM on October 31st we will be
recommending to the Congregation that these appointments be confirmed.
Generous Gifts. We acknowledge with thanks a bequest of $10,000 from the Estate of the late
Colin and Jessie Terry, both much loved members of Wesley. We have also received two
anonymous donations which will see the installation of a handrail at the steps leading down to
National Circuit, and in the Sydney Street Manse, new curtains and rejuvenated gardens.
Such generosity assists our Budget position. Again, we thank those who have changed from
offering envelopes to bank transfer. Knowledge of regular payments does help our Treasurer.
Music. Three decisions were taken.
(i) Following a most satisfactory probation period, Jade McFaul was appointed Choir Conductor.
Congratulations, Jade.
(ii) Elijah Lim has been appointed to a six-month contract as Church Organist. Originally from
Perth, Elijah began his church music journey as a chorister, then Organ Scholar at St George’s
Cathedral under the renowned Joseph Nolan. He has worked as a church musician in Perth,
Melbourne and Sydney. He moved to Canberra in April to join the staff of Moulis Legal as an
international trade lawyer. He will take up his duties on September 1st. He has worshipped
with us already, and is looking forward to joining us. I know he will receive a warm welcome.
(iii) Music Coordinator. This new role will absorb many of the administrative aspects of the
former Director of Music position. However, this new role will also include responsibility for
supporting Contemporary Worship, something that had not been done previously. We will
advertise this position and seek to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Mission Planning Morning: Draft Report. This arrived in time for our meeting, with members
being able to give their initial reactions. In the first instance, it was decided to provide all Elders
with a copy, and from the Church Council, the ministers and two members (including chair of
Elders) undertook to examine the Draft Report in detail. Members of the congregation are
welcome to request a copy from the Church Office. Our suggested amendments will be sent to
Cameron Eccleston, the facilitator, to include in the final version. He will then visit us, postlockdown,
to assist the congregation to act on the outcomes of our work of discernment.
Parish Life. Council heard reports of successful initiatives going on, often in the background,
providing practical ministry to a range of people. Examples are: regular gatherings of a growing
young adult cohort hosted at the Wylie St Manse; a similar gathering there of young families; the
transformation of the old St Aidan’s buildings for use by Rise Sanctuary and Events.
We agreed to take part in the National Church Life Survey, a useful tool for ongoing mission
planning; to trial one morning tea between the two services from September 5th; to delegate to
the ministers a pattern for when and how Communion is celebrated from September.
It was a very full meeting, and I am grateful to all Council members for their contributions made
at the meting and in the life of Wesley.
I indicated to the Council, that with the appointments of a new Secretary and a new Treasurer,
and with stability in the Music Ministry leadership, I would be relinquishing the Chair at the
AGM in February.
Graeme Brown, Chair – August 13th, 2021
