From the Pen of the Executive Director

As I reflect upon our world situation, I am reminded of the book of Ecclesiastes.  Just like Chapter 7:1-14, many people (especially the youth) have a disillusioned view of life.  There is a sense of hopelessness that pervades many lives.  What do we say to such people?

We listen, we hear what they are saying and we encourage them from God's word.  Human beings and their culture may change but the word of God stands forever.  Ecclesiastes talks about the value of a friend (4:9-16); judgment and the future belonging to God (3:16-22); we need to take life as it comes (9:1-12); and the value of diligence (11:1-6).  It finishes in 12:11 with "The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings that are given by one shepherd."  Jesus is the "good shepherd" who came that "they may have life, and have it abundantly"! (John 10:10).  When many followers were deserting Jesus, he asked his disciples if they wanted to leave also.  Peter responded "Lord, to whom can we go?  You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

In Jesus, the Son of God, there is hope for all who believe and trust in him.

I am keenly aware the impact the drought is having on many communities.  I participated in three information evenings recently with CentreLink, Rural Financial Counsellors and Department of Agriculture as a resource and support to drought affected farmers.

A full submission has been forwarded to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy recently, hoping to conduct a programme in our region over the next 2+ years.

Money Matters

SYNOD has been very supportive with a motion endorsing the work of ACS and asking the Diocesan Council to look at ways of supporting us in our current financial constraints.

The Family Services Australia conference Brian Kirk attended in Darwin has been of great benefit.  Mark Friedman (USA) spoke on Results and Accountability, and provided good models for evaluating agency programmes, and for developing budgets and producing submissions for funding.

One immediate result of this conference has been a letter to the Department of Family and Community Services pointing out the disparity between the funding we are receiving and funding of similar organisations with FRSP funding.  Copies of this letter have gone to Federal and State MPs hoping to gain support.

The Fairfax Foundation submission was successful and $31 000 was received to assist the work of ADACTS via a new copier and library resources.  The credit for the successful submission belongs to Lois Reid and Jenny Regan.

The final submission for Primary Dispute Resolution funding for the next three years has been sent.  Further, the Agency has been asked to supply a full submission to the Regional Health Services programme for communities with populations less than 5 000 people.  This is in response to the original submission earlier this year.

We received a donation of $1 000 from the West Tamworth Leagues Club acknowledging the work we do with clients who have addiction.

DCC have agreed to a Fundraising Dinner in Tamworth in 2003.

Praise Matters

The Higher Education Board will be recommending that ADACTS be accredited to confer a Diploma of Counselling Studies from January 2003.  Further, that ADACTS, subject to meeting certain conditions first, be allowed to confer and Undergraduate Degree. This may happen, God willing, from January 2004.

Lois Reid and Jenny Regan have done tremendous work in getting the submission together.  They worked long hours, travelled many kilometres, made many phone calls and increased their stress level quotient.  I am very grateful for these two ladies and their contribution to ACS and ADACTS.

Prayer Matters

• Wisdom - for Brian in his management of ACS
• Rain - and for those who are being seriously affected by the drought
• Finances - that the inequity of Government funding will be corrected in response to representations
• Submissions - that the assessing committees will look favourably upon them
• Christian staff - to fill holes

Staff Matters

A sad note for the Agency - Carolyn Duncan has tendered her resignation.  Her efficiency, expertise and patience have been appreciated by many, and she will be missed.  A farewell lunch was held on November 22, her last official day at work.

Carolyn's replacement (-in-training still) is Meryl Gowing.  Meryl started on November 15, and had 4 days with Carolyn to learn everything possible before Carolyn left.

Pray for Carolyn in her retirement, and Meryl as she tries to fill Carolyn's chair.

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Last modified: 13 May, 2008