A.G.M. Reports

The A.S.U.o.C. Spiritualist Church at Bowral closed for some months due to various and unforseen circumstances. Rev. Minister Richard and Assistant Minister Helen have recently re-opened as the Southern Highlands Spiritual and Healing Centre meeting on the first Sunday of the month. We wish them well.

We receive quite a few enquiries regarding ordination, but as I have mentioned before most do not want to put in the time and effort that the A.S.U.o.C. requires and I am sure many of them choose the quick option that is available from various sources. The reason we require that our aspiring Reverends take 12 months running their own church, with the help of a mentor church, is to show that they are serious about the decision to serve in that capacity. For many it seems appealing to be “up the front” chairing the service without understanding the responsibility of the position and the impact it can have on their personal life. We hold the sacrament of Ordination in the highest esteem. For this reason we give as much support as we can to those who aspire to this position. I have had an enquiry as to why an interview with the College is necessary before Ordination. The reason is so we can, in a relaxed, informal way, make sure that the minister understands the commitment they are about to make and that their family also understands and is supportive. I am aware that the process has changed somewhat from how it used to be but this change was necessary to give credibility to the process of Ordination through the A.S.U.o.C. and to give adequate preparation to those aspiring to this position.

Rev. Minister Rossco and myself presented a mediumship training course at the Penrith Church. This ran for 5 Saturdays and was well attended. Most of those who attended all sessions have now had experience working the platform.

I have also taken on the challenge to be webmaster/mistress/person. This was a first for me and something I am totally enjoying. I am still learning, so hope everyone will be patient. I have added quite a few new pages including – Coming Events, E Books to download, Membership Form, Ordination, Training Application, Frequently asked Questions, Churches and Groups as well as information on out search for Spiritualist of the Year. I am now receiving requests from churches to include their information. This is open to all members of the fraternity. Under the Privacy Act I can only do this with their permission.

As I mentioned previously 2009 was a year of dramatic change for me due to the death of my husband before Christmas, so if I have overlooked returning phone calls or answering emails, I do apologise, but hope you understand. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have given me their support and condolences.

Chair A.S.U.o.C. Spiritualist College

SECRETARY'S REPORT.

Well this year certainly went ZOOM, ZOOM.

Just a few words on the responsibility of taking on a voluntary position with the Management Comm8ittee. We have had a major disappointment this last year with one of our Committee members and I feel it is necessary to say it does take commitment and dedication to the job and to the Members and indeed to the Management Committee itself, so if you are up to it please step forward and take up a position with the Committee. You will find many rewards in store for you.

MEMBERSHIP has stayed fairly stable this year and the committee looks forward to reviewing the new members and welcoming the members who are renewing with us for 2010.

INSURANCE - Public Liability only - Members have all gained a no-claim status! 2010 will see a change in Insurance Company under the Brokerage of AON Risk Services Aust. Ltd.

The new Management Committee will make the decision at its first meeting after the A.G.M. this Saturday 6th March.

The timing of this change over was not well done by AON as we were only givenn 3 weeks notice before the A.G.M. that the previous Insurers would no longer be available. Hopefully we can look forward to a renewed compatible communication with the new AON representative, Gynesh Mistry after a meeting early February 2010 between Gynesh Mistry, the Secretary Rev. Patti Thompson and Ordinary Committee Member Rev. Ross Hutchison.

Thank you for your attention.
Rev. Min. Batty Thompson

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN SPIRITUALIST UNION OF CHURCHES 21ST MARCH, 2009.

COLLEGE REPORT 2009

The last year has been productive and has brought change. We now have new minister’s stoles and new ordination certificates have been designed. Each ASUoC Ordained Minister received a handbook of services, photo i.d. cards and a disk of ASUoC certificates pertaining to the services they facilitate.

I am updating the information for Ordained Ministers on spiritualism and comparative religions. Rev. Min. Richard Milne has proof read the information to be included in the and has offered his assistance in compiling this.

Helen Milne was appointed as Assistant Minister of the ASU Spiritualist Church of Bowral. Richard Mile of the Spiritualist Church of Bowral completed his training and was ordained on the third anniversary of the Church opening. The ordination service was well received by the large congregation, many of whom had never attended a spiritualist service before. Unfortunately, due to unforseen events, the church is in recess.

Despite some serious health issues Lorraine Simpson from the Parramatta church completed her training and was ordained in the presence of a large congregation.

Both services were videoed by Rev. Min. Ross Hutchison and will be used for training purposes.

Judith Jackson from the Mintana Church in Queensland completed her training and was ordained by the Rev. Joan Miller under the authority of the ASUoC.

It is always a pleasure for me to be part of this simple yet sacred ceremony – a commitment and a rite of passage.

I would like to congratulate our new ministers and welcome them into the fraternity.

The ASU Spiritualist Church of Dalmeny has been closed by the minister and her committee and they are no longer members of the ASUoC. We have had continuing issues with the running of this church and even though members of the ASUoC committee visited and offered help, these issues were not resolved.

I have facilitated mediumship training courses at the Penrith Church which were well attended. The next series of training in mediumship will commence on the 25^th April for 3 consecutive Saturdays at the Penrith Church.

Website.

The ASUoC website has been expanded to include upcoming events and is open to all members of the fraternity. Details regarding ordination are included as well as the application form for training. Membership application form and insurance application form are both on the website.

I look forward to another productive year.

Rev. Min. Barbara Moxham. J.P.

Chair of the ASUoC College.

SECRETARY’S REPORT 2009

2008 was a very fast year – changes within the Management Committee and changes in the paperwork involved with membership and Public Liability Insurance. A very big change also with the name of our organisation.

New Membership Certificates were issued to all financial members. There were a few holdups with the printing of these Certificates but by the end of October/early November all members had their Certificates. A change in design and colours used so giving the Union of Churches a new look on Letterheads, Website and Ordained Minister’s Stoles.

The Management Committee also decided to dispense with the Membership card as it was felt that as it was not aligned with any discounts at retail outlets there was not a real need for this item. It was also somewhat costly to produce.

Membership Renewals are coming in “fast and furious” as the saying goes. We now have a new account executive as our contact with our Insurance Broker, AON Risk Services Australia – Gynesh Mistry, who has been extremely helpful. The insurance fees are the same as for 2008. Members would have received a fee schedule with their Membership and Public Liability Insurance forms.

Thank you for your attention,

Rev. Min. Patti Thompson.

Secretary