Let Grace Flow

Sydney Anglicans have always had an obsession with God’s grace. It’s one of the things that makes us different – even the way we do aid.

We’re moved by the extravagance of God in Jesus. That’s why, this year, the Archbishop of Sydney’s Appeals Unit becomes Anglican Aid.

We still have our three funds: Community Care Fund; Overseas Relief and Aid Fund; and Overseas Ministry Fund but they will know be known as:

• Anglican Aid – Community Care

• Anglican Aid – Overseas Development; and

• Anglican Aid – Overseas Ministry.

Update on Victorian Bushfire Funds

In 2009 the generous members of the Sydney Diocese donated $575,000 towards those affected by the devastating February 09 bushfires in Victoria.
The funds were allocated by the Diocese of Melbourne with most of the money being used to fund chaplains and community support workers to provide pastoral care to those people whose homes, communities and in some cases family, had been destroyed in the fire.

ACCESS ministries were one organisation that received our funds and they have reported back that their chaplains have been able to provide pastoral care to students, parents and staff of the school communities in the Kinglake and Whittlesea area. They attended and facilitated many memorial services as well as 12 month anniversaries. Chaplains have journeyed beside many families, school staff and students as they have grieved over the losses faced during this time, losses being that of friends, family members, property, pets, all their possessions, work, schools and the in pouring of goodwill from outsiders to these tightly woven communities which was sometimes confronting.

The process of grieving will take a long time, particularly when many families are still struggling to rebuild, many still living in caravans or with friends. It will take many, many years for some individuals to move to a place of ‘normality’. The work of the Chaplains will continue and will be required for some time yet.

Glebe Assistance and Partnership Program

Glebe Assistance and Partnership Program is based on a partnership model. This means that we aim to empower our clients to make choices that allow them to move beyond their crisis.

Mary (not her real name) first came into our centre feeling as if she had nowhere else to turn. She was very embarrassed about having to seek financial assistance and felt that she had little “dignity left”. Mary had a large electricity bill that she was seeking assistance with, however, at our first meeting Mary expressed that her financial difficulties was only one the many things ‘on her mind’. She said that over the past year she had become increasingly depressed and was feeling “hopeless”, she was finding it difficult to manage financially on her Centrelink payments and was drinking alcohol “more and more to cope”.

In her first appointment it was explained to Mary how GAPP works. The partnership aspect was also explained and she said that she really wanted to find a job and work in a partnership with us to help achieve this. Mary was given assistance with her electricity bill and after a discussion about her living arrangements; we filled out an application form for the Department of Housing, and proceeded to write a budget together. Mary agreed not to drink until she came back for her appointment the following week.

During her second appointment Mary said that she was not confident about “how to get a part-time job”. We talked about the type of work she would like to do and wrote a Resume for her to forward to a number of prospective businesses in the industry of her interest.

At our third and final appointment, Mary had a job interview for two days later. Mary had also received confirmation that she was on the Department of Housing’s waiting list for priority housing. Mary also said that she had only “had two glasses of wine” on Friday night and felt “totally in control of her drinking”. She said that she no longer felt depressed; however, she was very nervous about her interview as she felt that she did not “interview well”. We practiced some interview skills together and she left feeling very excited.

The next week Mary dropped by the centre to say that she had a part time job and was totally “on-top of my finances”. She said that she felt the best she had in ages and felt ‘capable’ for the first time in years.

Riverwood Lunch & Leisure Club

In reporting back to us for the 2009 year the Coordinator advises us that the group continues to function well and to operate in the way it was originally set up. The target group are those people living in the Riverwood and the surrounding area who live with a mental illness and who would benefit from social contact. The group’s primary purpose is to provide an accepting, safe, friendly, non-judgemental environment where group members are able to socialise, access community resources and enjoy an inexpensive meal with tea and coffee.
The group has continued to access the church bus, and with the support of our volunteer drivers, we are able to use it for outings and our monthly picnic/BBQ. Our program includes train trips, ferry trips, walks, game days, craft, cooking demos, guest speakers, movie days and celebrations of Birthdays, festivals and special events. In this way we propose to help individuals expand their world-view, gain access to community resources, and facilitate a much needed social support network all in a safe and harmonious environment.

CCDP has been funding this project for a number of years.

Peter Singer - Whose Song Sheet Is He Singing From?

David Mansfield was the speaker at our second breakfast meeting on 9 March 2010 and spoke on Peter Singer’s latest book “The Life You Can Save”. David began his talk with three questions: Who Is Peter Singer? What Does He Believe And Teach? and Why Bother With Him? The rest of his talk was addressing these issues and ended up saying “For very different reasons and from a very different songbook, we may find ourselves singing the same song as Peter Singer in saying that 24,000 children dying from preventable causes is a social evil we just cannot turn a blind eye to anymore.”

If you are interested in receiving a copy of David’s talk please email enquiries@abau.org.au.

The next breakfast meeting is on 23 March 2010 at St Andrew’s House and the speaker is Alfred Olwa, Dean of the School of Theology and Divinity at the Ugandan Christian University. His topic is Islam or Christianity, the Battle for Ugandan Hearts and Minds. RSVP by 19 March on enquiries@abau.org.au.

Relocation to the City

Our team has now relocated to St Andrew’s House in the city. Our new address is: PO Box Q190, QVB Post Office NSW 1230 and the new telephone number is 9284 1406. The email address stays the same.

Wishing a Joyful 2010

As the new year starts we have a moment to pause and reflect on what the last year has been. Like most years 2009 has had its ups and downs. On the up side David was appointed as Director and has been able to visit many Anglican parishes to talk about our work. On the down side our donations have dropped which means that we are not be able to fund as many activities as we would like. 2010 will be another interesting year full of challenges as well as opportunities. We are pleased that Bettina will be joining us as our Donor Relations Officer and it is likely that we will be moving into St Andrew’s House in the centre of Sydney. All positive!

From the staff (Suzanne, David, Joanna and Bettina) we wish all our supporters a joyful New Year.