By Andrew Humphries
As a member of the Burwood Heights congregation since the Uniting Church formed in 1977, Len Trotter has a wealth of information on its history, people and achievements.
Len may also be a master of understatement when he describes the congregation as being a generous one in terms of its missional work.
In fact, the congregation last year directed a quarter of its large income to mission and service giving, while also giving generously to a number of Uniting Church appeals and related entities.
“We’ve got a pretty good congregation here, and we would get about 80-90 people for most services,” says Len, who is treasurer and also a member of the Mission and Outreach Committee.
“We’re an ageing congregation, we welcome anyone, and we are always looking at ways to get young people along.”
Anyone taking up Len’s invitation can be confident they will be joining a congregation which lives out the ethos of Faithful Giving on a daily basis.
In short, mission and outreach form a major part of what makes the congregation such a generous one.
“We contribute almost 30 per cent of our income towards mission and service,” Len says.
“Our Mission and Outreach Committee has a strong policy of giving to the Synod itself, but also one of giving to local, national and international causes.”
Among the beneficiaries is a mental health ministry set up by the Yarra Yarra Presbytery, to which the Burwood Heights congregation contributes $4000 a year.
“We feel it’s important to be able to offer this financial support,” Len says.
“A lot of people might be struggling for different reasons, so we think it’s a very important ministry.”
At a local level, the Burwood Heights congregation is also a strong supporter of Uniting Emergency Relief in East Burwood, run by Uniting VicTas, which offers a range of services to people in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Congregation members also volunteer at the op shop run by the Forest Hill Uniting Church congregation, with money raised there also being donated to Uniting Emergency Relief.
At the relief centre in East Burwood, a range of services and programs are provided to individuals and families experiencing hardship.
“In these uncertain times, our emergency relief service at 220 Burwood Highway is there to provide much-needed assistance including food and material aid, so people can access basic essentials as quickly as possible,” says Danni Harrison, Team Leader-Parenting Skills and Development at Uniting VicTas.
“We can also assist with a no-interest loan application if a person is eligible, which they can then use to pay bills or other living expenses.
“Requests for assistance across our emergency relief programs have increased by more than 70 per cent over the past 12 months.
“People are coming to us who can’t afford to get by and with the rising cost of living many are not able to get through, from week to week, because it’s such a struggle.
“We’re seeing people we’ve never seen before and who have never had to reach out for help before.
“Many of the people we see can’t afford to put food on the table, or can’t afford to put the heating on to keep warm.
“We appreciate any donations of food and the ongoing support of our congregations, which allows us to continue helping those who need it most.”
Burwood Heights congregation members reached out to support the people of Tonga following the tsunami which devastated the country in 2022.
The emergency relief services at East Burwood are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8.30am to 12.30pm, and on Tuesdays from 8.30am to 2pm.
The same building, at 220 Burwood Highway, is also used by Uniting AgeWell as a centre for providing social support, including day activities and outings.
The Burwood Heights congregation is also prominent in a missional sense at an international level, never more so than in the financial support it was able to provide to the people of Tonga following the devastating tsunami which hit the country in January 2022.
The congregation also assists the aid organisation Possible Dreams International in southern Africa, donates to assist the work of UnitingWorld, and is a supporter of Frontier Services.
Possible Dreams International partners with rural and remote communities in Swaziland, to empower families and individuals living with extreme poverty, malnutrition and endemic disease.
Emergency relief offers medical care, food and housing for people, while sustainable development solutions, including water access, agricultural support and micro-enterprise projects, are undertaken.
Another outreach program started by the congregation is the ECOS program, or English Conversation for Overseas Students, in which volunteers offer practice for people seeking to improve their English-speaking skills.
It is attended by students or graduates of universities such as the nearby Deakin University, visitors on a working holiday in Australia, and permanent residents.
The program is conducted in an informal and friendly atmosphere, recognising that most who attend are a long way from the support of family and friends.
Among the congregation going above and beyond is Jan Wiffin, who makes jam to be sold as part of fundraisers for worthy causes.
“Jan actually gets up at 3am some mornings to make her jam, and that’s a pretty special commitment,” Len says.
“I asked her once why she did it and she simply said, ‘well, I can’t sleep so I get up and make jam’.
“Jan is always at one of our fundraisers with her jam and her efforts are much appreciated.”
With so much happening, it’s no surprise that Len is proud of being part of such a committed congregation.
“All in all, we’re a pretty generous mob,” he says.
“If something comes up and an appeal is being organised, we’ll normally contribute to that.
“If anything needs to be done, there is always someone ready to put their hand up.
“Everyone pitches in.”
Your FAITHFUL GIVING supports the wider church by funding grants; training for ministry candidates and local leaders, Presbytery Ministers and ministry; Crosslight, websites and e-news; resources to assist in worship, witness and service; Narana; equipping Leadership for Mission (eLM); providing services to help meet obligations to keep our people and properties safe; and supporting church communities in rural and remote regions.
