"DISCOVER CHURCH" - A 100,000 word web site.
AN INTERESTING WORLD RESEARCH STUDY OF EVERY CHURCH IN ONE SAMPLE CITY, FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SEE INFORMATION ABOUT CHURCH.
Un To Uz
*** - Three asterisks means it's the most important sentence
to read.
** - Means it's quite important.
* - Means it's interesting.
ABOUT THE UNITING CHURCH:
IMPORTANT FACT TO REMEMBER: THE UNITING CHURCH WAS FORMED 22nd of June 1977
FROM METHODIST, CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCHES AND SOME PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
REGARDING NEWTOWN UNITING:
THREE CHURCHES FORM INTO ONE 6 MAY 2001. THE NEWTOWN UNITING (IN RUSSEL ST)
AND THE SCOTTS UNITING (STEPHEN ST) AND THE WESTBROOK UNITING (12ppl) NO LONGER
EXIST AND WERE FORMED INTO ONE CHURCH CALLED RUSSEL ST UNITING 6 MAY 2001.
RANGEVILLE is listed under Rangeville since it's split from the Uniting Church.
UNITING CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA
1. 42 PEOPLE. (49 in 23 June 02)
2. 120 chairs.
3. More relaxed version of UCA people.
4. Socio- Economic Status: Medium low.
5. 8 kids out of 39.
6. 0-16yo 8kids;
7. 11 men, 23 women.
8. -.
9. Quite a few very late.
*10. There is a moderately large aged care home attached to this facility.
11. 2/7/00 10 mins 9.15am.
12. -.
13. 10am, 8.30am.
14. Rev Les Comollatti. Rev Pat Darby retired circa end 2001.
15. Bit coldish, bit dark, a bit old.
*16. Baptists tend to be evangelical and Uniting tend to have caring ministries
like Lifeline, Blue nurses, Foster homes etc..
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel south along Hume St, turn left or east into Spring
St and it's on the right 100 metres before Ramsay St.
1. # of people: 54 at 10/9/00. 34 at 3/9/00 (down due to Armaeus.)
33 at 23 June 02.
2. Empty chairs: 135 chairs/ 80 spare.
3. Type of person: All ages. Most are not "Garden Settlement" residents.
4. Socio- Economic Status: Middle.
5. Kids: 18,10.
6. Ages: 25-40yo.
7. Men: 10
8. Offering: Not given.
9. Late arrivals: Two.
*10. Interesting info: This is on a large parcel of land of some 14 buildings
making "Toowoomba Garden Settlement" which includes a dementia unit,
blue nurses, care for Mongoloid challenged adults.
11. Date & Time spent: 10/9/00 8.15am-10.30am. 3/9/00 7.50am-10am
12. When service finished: 9.40am.
13. This & other service times: 8.30am. 10am.
*14. Preacher: Rev Les Comollatti came from Rockhampton South in September
of 2001. Was Rev Pat (female 55yo) Darby. (Pat also used to serve at Darling
Downs Correctional Centre (the old Westbrook Prison) 10/9/2000)
15. Feeling: Nice, warm. Building bit old, few talk to you.
16. Their belief: Not Charismatic but open. Generally, not a very Charismatic
church but are quite alive as have many meetings on through week.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel south along Hume St, turn left or east into Spring
St and it's on the right 100 meters before Ramsay St
Rangeville - see RANGEVILLE COMMUNITY CHURCH under "R".
*1. Number of people: 72 (Note: That there were 111 people
when it was ONE service on the 5 Aug 03. There were 136 for the two services.
72 (at 8am) + 64 (at 10am) = 136.) (There are 1- 2 Sudanese here, which is indicative
of the Sudanese mixing into many Toowoomba churches across the board.)
2. Number of chairs: 156.
3. Type of person: -.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Lower-Medium.
5. Amount of kids: 8 kids 0- 15yo.
6. Ages of people: 12 people were 15- 60yo. Some families. Half of church is
older.
7. Men: -.
***8. Weekly offering published: $1533 weekly average for
the month of June 01. However, it was said from the pulpit "Could we please
watch our offerings as since Resolution 84 was passed (concerning gay clergy
being allowed to minister), the offering has dropped $300 a week."
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
**10. Any other interesting information: This church used to be called
Newtown Uniting and is in the same building but Scotts Uniting at Stephen and
West St and Westbrook Uniting have been closed and have successfully merged
here. However, not everybody wanted it and their newsletter 27 May 2001 said
that a number of people have written requesting transfers of membership. The
church rented out the old Stephens and West St premises to West AOG as if it's
sold they will not get any money then. However, time and again these ex-Uniting
buildings always do indeed get sold, in about 4 to 6 years.
11. Time there AND date of visit: 9.00am - 12.00am on 14 Sep 03. 6 May 2001
at first day of having combined churches into one there were 200 people and
visitors present. 27 May 2001 97 people; 111 people which includes the 19 kids
in Sunday School on 5 Aug 01, 10mins.
12. Length of service: Allow 1.5 hours if a Christening Sunday or 1 hour 15
mins if not. Cup of tea served after service.
13. This and other service times: 8.00am, 10am, 5pm. (About 17 extra people
were with the Christening of a baby today. About every 3 weeks there is a Christening.)
**14. Preacher: Rev David Ellis (from St George UCA previously, arrived
here early 2003, David spent his school years living in Gympie & then trained
2 years in Electronic Engineering at USQ not completing the degree. Prior to
entering ministry he worked for Ergon Energy / SWQEB.) Also, lay, with stipend
(paid) Youth Pastor Andrew Fox has gone to Kawana Waters, Sunshine Coast Nov
2002.
***15. Feeling of building: They bought some 10 acres of
land on the corner of BOUNDARY AND HURSELEY RD as of December 2002 (South West
corner.) Their name may change from Russel Uniting to West Uniting. Current
church has nice old shiny pews, new carpet, new glass in foyer, halogen lights.
**16. Estimate style of belief: Most are non-charismatic, traditional.
"Ministry Team Member" David Ellis said he reads EMU notices but is
not a member of the evangelical movement within the Uniting church (EMU) saying
"I do not feel comfortable with EMU's promotion of "Celibacy prior
to marriage and faithfulness within marriage as even though I believe in that,
I do not see a spouse has a right to abuse within the marriage." When asked
about David's views to gay clergy he replied "Gay people need to repent
just like any other sinner." Also through other reports, David is quoted
as having held a strong stand against homosexuality within the Uniting church.
David goes to CLN. David's original church was Methodist and then Uniting. The
manse is now used as an office. David has his own house in Toowoomba city.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel towards city, turn west (Oakey side) up Russel
St, is on the left before Holberton St.
23. HOW MUCH CHURCH IS OPEN TO WIDER CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Moderately high.
*24. Unusual things about worship: Note: There was one hymn sung here. Most
songs are the older chorus style like "As the deer pants for the water."
There is NO repeating of dialogue back and forth between minister and parishioners.
Worship and sermon is the same for the two morning services.
37. Intention to build: Yes.
38. Estimate percentage church owned / rented?: 100% owned.
39. Estimate age of building: 1940/70.
1. Number of people: 64.
2. Number of chairs: 156.
3. Type of person: -.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Lower-Medium.
5. Amount of kids: 9 kids 0- 15yo.
6. Ages of people: 28 people were 0- 60yo.
7. 25% or fourteen are men (Minus the children.)
8. Weekly offering published: -.
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
10. Any other interesting information: -.
11. Time there AND date of visit: 9.00am - 12.00am on 14 Sep 03.
12. Length of service: Allow 1.5 hours if a Christening Sunday or 1 hour 15
mins if not. Cup of tea served after service.
13. This and other service times: 10.00am, 8am, 5pm.
14. Preacher: Rev David Ellis.
15. Feeling of building: -.
***16. Estimate style of belief: David and his wife Jeanette
do speak in tongues along with some other enthusiastic members like Peter Hall.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel towards city, turn west (Oakey side) up Russel
St, is on the left before Holberton St.
5pm RUSSEL ST UNITING. Address: Russel St near Holberton
St.
1. Number of people: Fifteen.
2. Number of chairs: 171.
3. Type of person: -.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Lower-Medium.
5. Amount of kids: Two.
6. Ages of people: Mostly 30-50yo.
7. 50% are men -checked. (Minus the children.)
8. Weekly offering published: -.
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
***10. Any other interesting information: The Worship
here is excellent and is one of the best small church Sunday night services
you can go to.
11. Time there AND date of visit: 5pm-5.25pm 23 Sep 2001 and 3 other times.
12. Length of service: Allow 1 hour.
13. This and other service times: 5pm, 9.00am.
14. Preacher: Rev David Ellis.
15. Feeling of building: Warm.
16. Estimate style of belief: Essentially non-charismatic, traditional. 17.
Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel towards city, turn west (Oakey side) up Russel
St, is on the left before Holberton St.
1. Number of people: 64.
2. Number of chairs: 176.
3. Type of person: -.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Low -medium.
5. Amount of kids: Has 2 young families.
6. Ages of people: Mostly older.
7. Fifteen are men.
8. Weekly offering published: Budget $2000 weekly 7/5/00 $1697; 14/5 $1951.
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
***10. Any other interesting information: This church
got burnt down a few years ago and is now restored immaculately with white vinyl
cushioned pews.
11. Time there AND date of visit: 9am-9.05am 28/5/00.
12. Length of service: Allow about 1.5 hours.
13. This and other service times: 8.45am.
14. Preacher: Rev Andrew Gillies arrived early 2008, rough date of birth 1967 or 41yo in 2008.) Rev Bryan Gilmour preached 22 July 2007 (Completed Short term of appointment at Wakatipu, Central Otago Presbytery, March 31, 2002, pastor of Logan Uniting Church, Moderator of the Queensland Synod 1991-1992 Rev Bryan Gilmour.) Rev Peter Banney was retiring 28/5/00.
15. Feeling of building: Historic.
16. Estimate style of belief: Essentially non-Charismatic traditionalists.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Must travel south along Neil St from Margaret St, turn
1st right.
1. Number of people: 49. (45 people 2 May 2004)
2. Number of chairs: 80.
3. Type of person: -.
4. Socio-Economic Status: Medium.
5. Amount of kids: One. (5 kids 11yo-16yo 2 May 2004, no Sunday School that
day.)
6. Ages of people: Four were 40+, the rest older.
7. 25% are men, thirteen men.
8. Weekly offering published: -.
9. Lateness of people getting to church: -.
*10. Any other interesting information: Wilsonton in 2001 chose not to join
the merger of Newtown Uniting and St Stephens Uniting which made up the new
congregation called "Russel St Uniting". This is the first report
that is a good clear 3 months down the track of the merger. Have been to Wilsonton
before and there are very clearly more people than last year (and not less)
which means church mergers can have a win-win situation. A few families had
gone from Russel to Wilsonton.
11. Time there AND date of visit: 5 August 2001 10.05am-07am. 2 May 2004 9.05am
- 10.30am.
12. Length of service: Allow 1hr 20m.
13. This and other service times: 9am. 5pm 2nd Sunday of each month.
14. Preacher: Andrew Bell is the "Lay Youth and Family Leader"
which is a 75% paid position as of July 2004. In May 2004, Andrew was married
to Naomi in 2004 and is completing his Doctorate and thesis in "blue bottle
nose dolphins." He will then study theology. Jean Sizer was a paid Lay
leader within the Uniting Church in several Queensland country churhes. Jean
Sizer has a non-paid "Pastoral Care" position. She has worked as a
Nurse at St Andrews Hospital etc..
* Rev Paul Jensen, Chairperson from the Downs
Presbytery preached 2 May 2004. Wilsonton once had Ps Herman Ruyters from Rangeville
Uniting preach there along with many other preachers which have been booked
for a year straight. In 2 May 2004 they raised a point whether they should employ
Andrew Bell on 75% instead of 50% as their titled "Youth & Family Minister".
Andrew Bell has no formal theological qualifications and is employed under the
"Social and Community Wage Award." However, when the church board
approached the Uniting Church to increase the wage of Andrew Bell, they were
told he needed to be employed under a "proper Minister's award", which
is considerably higher than the "Social and Community Wage Award."
15. Feeling of building: Good.
*16. Estimate style of belief: Essentially non-Charismatic but keeping in
mind the background of the Uniting church is strongly evangelical having been
borne out of the Presbyterian and Methodist religions. At a congregational meeting
it was led of me to believe that when people were asked what the vision of Wilsonton
Uniting should be, the chairperson had said "Does the vision of Wilsonton
Uniting include ministry for homosexuals? - Absolutely!" Maybe it was co-incidence
4 people then walked out. (Uniting Church's own research has found that
there is not the commonly held belief that 10% of Australians are homosexual
but only between one and three percent are homosexual. Being a conservative
city, Toowoomba having 1% with even less who actually go to church.
17. Dress code so as not to stand out: Casual to smart.
18. How to get there: Travel to corner of North and Tor St.
19. (Note) Acceptance in church as a visitor: OK.
20. People who talked to me after the service: None, I introduced myself.
21. Length of time they talked: Much.
22. How soon do visitors get talked to after service?: Did not, I did.
23. (Note) How much church is open to wider Christian community: Moderately.
24. Unusual things about worship: Their hymn book has songs from Darlene Zschech,
Sharney Russel.
25. (Note) Emphasis of ministry: None particular.
26. Famous business people: -.
27. Famous people: Met an original 90yo "Digger". Amazing story of
WW2digger Alan Lynn.
28. Knowable songs: Some modern, mostly hymns.
29. Quality of sound system/ loudness: Meek.
30. Quality of preaching generally: Every week they have someone different and
the diversity has been very pleasing to members.
31. Meaningfulness/ depth of preaching: OK.
32. Enjoyment/ lightness of preaching: OK.
33. Impact/ deepness/ enjoyment of worship: OK.
34. Amount of home groups: Have Bible Study groups Tuesday AM.
35. How to access home groups: Call # in newsletter.
36. Friendliness of home groups: n/a
37. Intention to build: None.
38. Estimate percentage church owned / rented?: Wholly owned.
39. Estimate age of building: 40.
40. Dowdiness of building outside: Driveway poor with crusher dust, general
exterior of 40yo small churches is difficult to improve.
41. Inside?: OK.
42. Have sister churches where? Tara Uniting is close to them. They sent them
$300 in 2001 to help.
43. Sunday School availability: No, On Mondays 3.30pm-5pm there is a Kids Club
of 17 children which is $2 with crafts etc..
44. Ages availability: Primary.
45. % kids attend: All.
46. Noise of kids at back: OK.
**47. Where is bible college? Available every capital city. Brisbane College
of Theology/ School of Theology Griffith University doing a Bachelor of Arts
with a Bachelor of Theology. Externally program available through Coolamon college
in Certificate, Diploma, Degree level done at different days at St Francis Anglican,
Banyo Catholic and Trinity Uniting.
48. Where do kids school? n/a.
49. How many missionaries do they support: -.
50. What cost? -.
51. What is average they give to missions: -.
52. What is average they give to local poor? 1 lady.
53. International poor? Support St Marys India, hope to do more overseas giving.
54. Other emphasis on giving: -.
55. Per head total giving: Not in newsletter.
56. Extent of other church programs: Wednesdays have bowls and cards.
57. Pastor receive stipend? No Pastor is here now due to separating themselves
from their parish.
58. How much? Uniting church Pastors normally are on a package of $43,000.
59. Qualifications of Pastor: Visiting preachers are often lay.
60. Estimated of parishioners complaints: Some left as they didn't like being
separated from their Parish.
61. Estimated ability to resolve parishioners complaints: It was a very tough
time for all but it has settled largely 4 months after event.
62. Cost of visiting preachers paid: None are paid to date, only if travelling
in.
**63. Things church is doing to be part of wider community: They help
a Chaplain financially and are on committee. They rent their hall to Gamblers
Anonymous once a week and this has been doubled to twice a week in 2001 due
to too many people. This also is in line with Salvation Army research which
was reported on the news Aug 2001 of a 40% increase in addictions. Their Kids
Club is open to wider community and the poor is helped there.
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