| Support to the Community |
We Offer Manna Balm And Time (WOMBAT) Wombat is an anagram from We Offer Manna, Balm And Time. This is a group of people who meet monthly, work tirelessly, give generously and offer help in a wide area of need to any in the parish family and beyond. There is a special ministry to the newcomer, the refugee and asylum seeker. Stocking and servicing the parish pantry provides material aid for those who come seeking. Members undergo planned training offered by the Immigration Department to make refugee workers more culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of non English speaking and/or traumatised persons. Emergency Relief (ER) This ministry started in the early 1990’s, after many calls for help from very stressed members of the wider community. We put a workable plan into action. We approached parishioners for financial donations to buy groceries, and we also asked for donations of groceries each week. They supported this ministry very well! Emergency relief is an operational part of Wombat that continues to the present day. (Refer separate heading for Wombat) Current demands require a roster for two people for each day operating from the Parish Centre, from 9.30am till 12.00 noon< four days a week. Burnie Brae Burnie Brae ministry continues the first Tuesday of each month (excluding November - Melbourne Cup Day). Usually around 14 people join in the devotional service. Devotions are conducted lasting for approx. 20 - 30 minutes after conclusion of morning tea, with a hymn, a reading from the bible, responses from the service sheet and a short address. The Christmas concert each year, is greatly enjoyed by members, staff and visitors. Many thanks to all who continue to help out. It is most important we offer these devotions to let the people know that although they are not able to attend their parish church, we are still interested in their spiritual welfare and care enough to visit them monthly. School Chaplaincy All Saints' Parish supports the School Chaplain at Craigslea High School in a most valuable ministry to the School Community. Many other Churches support the Chaplain. Several parishioners are active in fundraising and offering support in other ways as needed. Religous Education in Schools (RE) Craigslea State Primary School opened in 1972, and in 1977 Religious Education Teachers were welcomed into the school on a weekly basis. This was the result of the local clerics’ meeting and mapping an ecumenical programme. During the past twenty seven years All Saints has been represented at the school for the majority of time. Methods and the approach to teaching have changed over the years, but it is still regarded as a pleasure and a privilege, to relate to the children the wonder of the Christian story.
At All Saints, we support Church Aid fundraising through a ‘box’ system of donations. BCA ministers in such diverse places as the Furneaux Islands, Winton, Coober Pedy and Kunnanurra to name a handful of BCA centres. Projects include: Drought Aid, Nungalinga College in Darwin, the Hostel for college students in Broken Hill, and nursing including dialysis treatment on Groote Island. In fact anywhere that loneliness and need arise in the Outback, BCA endeavours to be Jesus’ hands and feet! If you would like to be part of his vital ministry, please see Gwen MacKinnon for a “box”! Bush Ministry Fund This is similar to BCA above, however, it relates to bush Parishes only within the Diocese of Brisbane whereas BCA is a National body. Spiritus (formerly Anglicare) This is the social welfare ministry arm of the Brisbane Anglican Diocese. Details are available on the Diocesan website. Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child is but one of the many projects undertaken by Samaritans Purse to help children in need. It is a unique annual project whereby shoeboxes are packed with gifts and given to little ones who have known so much pain and sorrow. These gifts show the children that someone cares. The boxes go to many countries that have been torn apart by civil war and whose people are suffering poverty, despair and loss of loved ones for many of the children are abandoned or orphaned. Most times this shoebox, filled with gifts, is the only present a child receives throughout a year and their faces reflect excitement and smiles as they open their boxes. Each year All Saints packs around seventy boxes and receives donations as well to this cause. It is a wonderful effort by all involved and we all thank you all for your support and for contributing to the happiness of many children. Special thanks goes to the women who collected and covered boxes and to those who helped sort and pack many others. They work efficiently and enthusiastically and as a result do a great job as well as sharing a morning of lovely fellowship. Missions An important part of our Parish Budget is allocated to support our Anglican Board of Missions in spreading the Gospel and caring for communities in need. At present our support is focussed on a mission to aboriginal people in Alice Springs. There are other mission agencies such as Anglicord and Anglican Aid Abroad which we support as they do specific work for people in times of crisis, such as natural distater relief. |
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