MANNING  CONGREGATION

Manning Uniting Church (MUC) is a dynamic and active church located in the Manning Valley of the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. The MUC is active in the Taree, Old Bar, Cundletown and Tinonee areas within the valley.

The MUC is a church that has been hard at work seeking the renewing touch of God: as individuals, as a church community, and as part of the wider community. It has its own website at http://www.manning.unitingchurch.org.au.

Its Core Identity Statement sets out those things that are at the heart of all that this congregation seeks to be and do.

Our Core Identity:

	Core Value:	Connecting God, Church, Society and all Creation.
	Bedrock Belief:	Gathering with one another and others to inspire, encourage, advocate and grow the connections.
	Motivating Vision:	Growing life transforming connections within ourselves, others and all creation.
	Key Mission:	Giving of ourselves, our time, energy and resources to extend the connections.

Leadership and governance

A new structure has been developed for the leadership of the Church. A church council provides oversight and direction, seeking the will of God for the church. Much of the business of the church is handled by four mission teams:

• Leadership Development, Education & Training Team;
• Pastoral Care Team;
• Worship Team; and
• Admin., Finance & Property Team.

Small groups

MUC is a small groups church: its ministry and activities are based on small groups. It has a diverse and wide range of small groups covering many ages, needs and interests — study and discussion groups, social support groups, a men’s breakfast group, a single social group, and a very active adult fellowship.

Youth and Families

There are playgroups for 0 to 5 year olds, Christian Endeavour for Primary aged youth, and an ‘events’ approach to high-school-aged young people. Support groups for mums and dads are also being developed.

Conference Centre and meeting rooms

The church’s Ministry Centre complex is centrally located and surrounded by parking spots. The congregation sees it as part of their ministry to support community groups and organizations through the provision of low-cost meeting rooms and conference facilities. As a result, the centre is a very busy place with hundreds of people there each week through its use by a wide variety of community, service, and commercial organisations.

The congregation is also implementing an arrangement with UnitingCare for the former church building at Cundletown to be used for respite day care for seniors. It is hoped this joint ministry will develop further in future.

Red Dove Coffee Shop

The coffee shop in the ministry centre operates Monday to Friday and has become well known as a peaceful space to come, relax, and have a talk in the middle of the week.

Interaction with the community

Church members connect with and serve the wider community in a variety of ways, including working in our Red Dove Coffee Shop, assisting with meals on wheels, being active supporters of the Leprosy Mission, and sponsoring a community kitchen. The church also operates a food bank, offering emergency help.