top of page
MINISTER
minister@murrumbeenauniting.org.au
Andreana has a deep desire for Spirit-filled, inclusive communities that are full of life. She started at Murrumbeena Uniting in 2024, and prior to that has lived and worked in the Melbourne CBD alongside people experiencing homelessness and marginalisation, committed to the crafts of community development, community organising and fundraising. Andreana is a creative person who loves to write and, more recently, engage in theatre and comedy. She believes that we encounter God in each other when we are allowed to be our fullest, most embodied selves – so it is good to feel things in church (so radical!), and have a laugh too! Andreana would love to meet you and have a cuppa, and hear about the sparks of Spirit in your life…but also the places where it might feel difficult or dull. Whatever’s going on, it’s so important to connect.
Andreana is fully affirming of members of the LGBTIQ+ community, and is committed to work, worship and play that connects with the land we are on and its history.
​
Rev Andreana Reale
The Uniting Church is organised not by a hierarchy, but by groups of women and men, lay and ordained, consulting together, usually making decisions by consensus, in each area of the church’s life. The church is committed to being a series of inter-related councils — local churches, regional presbyteries, state synods, and the national Assembly. Each council has its distinct tasks, and each council recognises the limits of its responsibilities in relation to other councils. Hierarchy occurs when a group decides it knows what is best and has the power to impress that decision on others. The Uniting Church is committed to a more shared process … and realises the need to keep working at it.
​
Along with the minister, and ministry team, the Elders are called to share in the spiritual oversight of the congregation. They are responsible for building up the congregation in faith and love, sustaining its members in hope, and leading them into a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world. Elders can take on a number of different roles depending on the gifts and skills that they bring to Eldership. These can range from pastoral visitation and care to assisting in worship.
The Church Council is made up of members from the congregation who have been elected to this role and the ministry team. It is the responsibility of the Church Council to handle the day-to-day operations of the congregation. This can be anything, from setting worship times to praying, dreaming and scheming for the future of the congregation. The Church council also is responsible for setting the ministry and mission goals of the congregation. The Church Council also oversees the non-ordained staff and reports to the Presbytery on behalf of the congregation.
​
Alison Campbell Rate CHAIR OF CHURCH COUNCIL
Dave Crothers CHURCH COUNCILLOR
Warren Cramer CHURCH COUNCILLOR
Rachel Dart MINUTE SECRETARY • CHURCH COUNCILLOR
Sharon Pereira ELDER • CHURCH COUNCILLOR
Anne Don ELDER
Peter Barnes ELDER
Nick Dart ELDER
There are many communities that are run and coordinated through the people at Murrumbeena Uniting. Below are the large number of those people within our congregation.
​
Alison Campbell Rate MUSIC COORDINATOR
Anne Don CHURCH LENDING LIBRARY
Geoff Edwards FRIENDSHIP FELLAS/MEN'S GROUP
Glynis Ramsay CRAFT CIRCLE COORDINATOR
Kristen Tinkler COMMUNITY GARDEN
Marg Edwards LIFT/WOMEN'S GROUP
Staff
We have such a high number of people and programs that happen throughout the week at the church. Below are our staff members.
​
Sandra Tempes BOOKINGS OFFICER
Sue Sears OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Nell Potter COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
bottom of page