History:
The Mitchell River Uniting Parish (MRUP) was instituted in January 2005 after the Gippsland Lakes Cluster ceased. This was in part a response to a review of ministry in East Gippsland as a whole, and it was determined that new boundaries were needed to suit new placements and mission needs in the more remote areas. The MRUP basically covers the same area, and responsibilities, as the old Bairnsdale Parish prior to 1999.

Context:
The MRUP comprises of the Uniting Church congregations of Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Mitchell Valley (Lindenow) and Fernbank. They are the congregations on and near the beautiful Mitchell River in East Gippsland.

Structure:
The MRUP supports as much autonomy as possible and so supports Church Councils and Elders Councils in Bairnsdale and Paynesville. The congregations of Mitchell Valley and Fernbank are under the pastoral and financial auspices of the Bairnsdale Church Council. The respective Church Councils have the responsibility of managing the life and mission of their particular congregation.

The Minister and Lay Pastor attend all Council meetings and support the mission activities of each congregation with the respective Elders and councilors.

Role of Ministry Team
The Ministry Team comprises a Minister of the Word and a Lay Pastor (0.5). The Minister is based in Bairnsdale. The Team focus their leadership and activity under three principal headings:

1. Engagement: Recognising and connecting with God's activity in people's lives and the wider community.
    
2. Formation/training: Growing people and community through personal development, spiritual formation, planning, visioning, recruiting and training and by encouraging reflection on God's activity in our lives and community.
    
3. Worship: Celebrating God's activity in our lives and the community.
   

In summary: Engagement, formation/training and worship are about people celebrating, recognising and connecting with God's activity, growing people and community nurturing, enriching and transforming life and culture.
 

Responsibilities of the Ministry Team:

• Actively participate as members of the leadership group comprising representatives of each Church Council.
   
• Work closely with Church Councils and task groups, encouraging growth in personal development and spiritual formation.
   
• Work closely with Church Councils and task groups, encouraging with the local context and reflection on such engagement.
   
• In consultation with Church Councils and/or task groups, identify and respond to need for formation, development and encouragement of lay ministry.
   
• Lead and guide the development of an innovative, dynamic and participatory worship life providing congregations with opportunity to hear God's Word and to celebrate God's activity in their lives and the local context.
   
• Make provision for adequate pastoral care to leadership of congregations a priority, promoting spiritual growth and a deepening sense of community within and beyond the church.
   
• Respond to requests for pastoral care in crisis situations.
   
• Conduct or arrange for the conduct, of pastoral services - e.g. weddings, funerals, etc.
   
• Maintain contact with other Uniting Church congregations in the region through participation in the Eastern Mission Area Development Group and Presbytery activity and with the wider church through ecumenical gatherings, particularly at the local level.
   
• Exercise commitment to team ministry. Meet weekly as a team for theological reflection, planning, formation and personal development.
   
• Ensure continued personal spiritual formation and professional development by intentionally seeking out opportunities for training, further education and retreat.