Dandenong Hindi Fellowship

 History

Trinity Uniting Church Dandenong is the home of an anglo-speaking  multi-cultural congregation, the Fijian Congregation of Lewe Tolu Vakalou and a Cook Island Congregation also use the facilities. The English-speaking congregation has a number of members who are Fijian-Indian. In 2005, one of these ladies who has a pastoral heart was nominated by a number of members of the Congregation to be an Elder and in discussion with the Minister it became obvious that her heart was specifically focussed on the care of the Fijian-Indian people.

 

A goal of the Trinity Congregation was the establishment of some small groups and she was assured of any encouragement that the Trinity congregation would give if a small group were to be established by this group of members. A few months later she suggested that there was some support by the Fijian-Indian community for the formation of a bhajan group which would provide the focus for the singing of hymns in Hindi along with some time for prayer and devotional reflection. The Church Council of Trinity received this request and whole-heartedly supported the formation of the Dandenong Hindi Fellowship.

 

Shiu and Sunita Lal were appointed the founding leaders, Harry Mudliar was appointed Secretary and Simon Charan the Treasurer with the Minister of the Trinity Church, Rev. Graeme Sutton, providing leadership and guidance. It was also decided that the Fellowship would meet on the first Sunday of each month, (except January) in order that Fijian-Indians could attend any other services, whether other Christian churches or other Hindi-speaking Fellowships.

 

In 2007, Padre Graeme and Simon Charan represented the Fellowship at the 9th Bienniel International Consultation of Hindi-speaking Fellowships held at Dilkusha, Fiji. At this Consultation, it was agreed that the 10th Consultation to be held in 2009 would be held in Melbourne and the Fellowships of Blackburn North and Dandenong be asked to work together to undertake the organisation of the Consultation.

 

The Dandenong Fellowship appointed the following representatives to this joint Task Group: Rev Graeme Sutton, Rev Dhirendra Nayrayan, Mrs Sunita Lal, Mrs Helen Prasad, Mr Simon Chand, Mrs Saras Sundaresan.

 

Current situation

  • Shiu Lal as leader became quite unwell in July 2007 and is still not well enough to take up again his role as leader, despite his desire to do so eventually.
  • Simon Charan has stepped into this role and his contribution and energy are greatly valued.
  • Harry Mudliar has not been able to continue in his role of Secretary
  • Many different people have become to come to the Fellowship. Numbers have ranged from 20-80 across the many ages from young children, teenagers, young adults and older people.
  • There is a core group of regulars and others who are intermittent.
  • Most of the regulars are actively involved in other Christian churches.
  • There are a number who are not Christian or who are active Hindu
  • The Fellowship has grown from its origins as a Bhajan singing group.  

Consequently, there is now a need for a Leadership Structure

 

A Way Forward

 

That a Leadership Group of seven be formed:

            President of the Fellowship - Minister of Trinity UC Dandenong as Padre

            Leader of the Fellowship - Chairperson

Secretary

            Treasurer

            3 Christian Lay Leaders elected by the Fellowship

 

Meetings:

The Leadership Group meet regularly every 2 months at 2-30pm prior to the Fellowship meeting

 

Role of the Leadership Group:

To reach out to others in the Fijian Hindi community to invite and incorporate them into the group

               To be a pastoral contact and carer of members

               To provide spiritual oversight

Assist with the conduct of the worship and other activities of the Fellowship

   To provide a focus for fundraising

   Provide public relations/be ambassadors of the Fellowship (eg radio etc)

  

Role of the Padre/President

A link between the Fellowship and Trinity Uniting Church – the Fellowship is a program under the oversight of Trinity who is its sponsor and, through this relationship, the UCA is able to provide the legal protection, insurance and indemnity to the Fellowship.

               Conducts the Leadership Group as its Chairperson

               Leads the AGM which will be held every November

Conduct the Sacraments as needed according to the rites of the Uniting Church of which the Fellowship is a part or give authority for these to be conducted by someone else.

               Attend Hindi worship whenever possible.

 

 

 

Role of the Leader

Preferably to be a member of Trinity UC so that a strong relationship between the Fellowship and the Congregation is maintained.

               Take responsibility for the day to day organisation of the fellowship

               Arrange for speakers

 

Role of the Music Leader  (currently Rattan)

               The following question needs to be asked of the Fellowship:

Does the Fellowship want someone, currently Rattan, to teach  musical instruments on a regular basis of a Sunday afternoon?

On the basis of thE response to this a decision then will need to be made as to whether the financial contribution continues if there are no students.

 

Finances

              1.       An offering is made at each meeting of the Fellowship;

                        This is to be dispersed as follows:

                                    To the musical director

                                    20% of each offering is made to trinity

Some is to be sued for purchase of instruments, music, books etc

The remainder is placed in consolidated revenue for annual distribution by the Fellowship

 

2.              That a bank account be opened with 3 signatories – The Padre/ President, The Leader and the Treasurer with any two to sign.

 

3.              Fundraising events

·        are activities conducted in order to support the mission and ministry of the Methodist Church of Fiji, specifically through the sister church of the Fellowship at Ba

·        And also in support of other charitable activities which may be held in partnership with other bodies and agreed on by the Fellowship

           

The Leadership Team will determine this annual distribution and recommendations made to the Fellowship at the AGM in November and prayers and blessings of these gifts made at the Birthday meeting in December each year.

 

 

Suggested recommendation to the fellowship

  1. That the principles addressed in this paper be adopted
  2. That Mrs Sunita Lal be the Chairperson of the Fellowship:
  3. That Mr Simon Charan be the Treasurer
  4. That nominations be sought from the fellowship for a Secretatry
  5. That nominations for the three Christian Lay Leaders be sought and that the names of James Suresh, Gittan and Helen be offered to the Fellowship for possible election.

             

 

Send mail to Due to spam no email with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 TRINITY & LEWE TOLV VAKALOU UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA
Last modified: 06/11/10 ,Privacy policy statement