From the Pen of the Executive Director

Welcome to another year.  May the blessing of God be with each of you.

I recently read a book I found on the bookshelf in the kitchen at Kitchener St called "The possibilities of Prayer" by E M Bounds.  It was a book that recharged my spirit and my faith.  On page 126 he wrote

The service of prayer is not a mere rite, a ceremony through which we go, a sort of performance.  Prayer is going to God for something needed and desired.  Prayer is simply asking God to do for us what He has promised us He will do if we ask Him.  The answer is a part of prayer, and is God's part of it.

God is more ready, more willing and more anxious to give the answer than man is to give the asking.  The possibilities of prayer lie in the ability of God to give large things.

God's only condition and limitation of prayer is found in the character of the one who prays.

God hears our prayers and answers them but why does God answer them sometimes the way we ask, or why does he sometimes seem to take so long?  We could say that God is not restricted by our time frame, but are the answers restricted because of our character?  Is there unconfessed sin in our lives?  Do we truly desire what God desires?  Are we filled with God's Spirit and desire to be like Christ?

I know that we'll never be perfect this side of heaven but Paul the apostle encourages us to imitate Christ, to be like him, 'to put off the old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.' (Eph 4:22-24)

If we want to see God answer our prayers for our families, our communities, the church and even the Anglican Counselling Service, let us be in character and behaviour, the sort of people God desires.

p41...Prayer affects men by affecting God.  Prayer moves men because it moves God to move men.  Prayer influences men by influencing God to influence them.  Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.

Staff Matters

Lois Reid has resigned as Manager of ADACTS.  She will be continuing to tutor student counsellors, assisting in the running of ADACTS, and managing the library.  Lois started the Counselling Service in 1986 with a staff of one, and has watched over the service as it has grown and matured.

Jenny Regan has resigned as Manager of Community Education, and taken on ADACTS.

We are currently without a Community Education coordinator, so Brian Kirk is adding that to his responsibilities.

Chris Shelton has resigned as receptionist at the Ebsworth St premises in Tamworth.  Cheryl Cottrell is the new receptionist-in-training.

Judy James is taking 3 months off from the middle of March.  Ruth Blakely will be taking over as the Tamworth centre coordinator from March 10.

DCC (Diocesan Counselling Committee) has resolved to change its name to the Anglican Counselling Service Board (ACSB) which reflects its changing and expanding role, especially in training counsellors.

The Administration and Training Centre has moved.  The Kitchener St facilities have  been sold, and new premises purchased at 88 Bridge St (next to the pink sewing machine shop, across from Shoppingworld).  The mailing address hasn't changed, but we do have a new set of phone numbers.

Administration : (02) 6762 5740

Director of Training : (02) 6762 5210

Fax for Administration and Training : (02) 6762 5740

Money Matters

A fundraising dinner has been organised by the DCC.  It will be held on Saturday, May 24 at the Tamworth Community Centre.  Shirley Sinclair has been invited to be the guest speaker.

We have received generous donations from St Peter's Cathedral in Armidale, St Mark's Chapel at UNE, and other individuals in the last few months.  Thank you to all who support us financially and in prayer.

Late last year, the Prime Minister, in a visit to our region, promised $2 million for personal counselling due to the drought.  We have been allocated about $80 000 of this for free counselling, to be given to people impacted by the drought.

An advertising programme has been initiated on NBN television.  One ad promoting the general counselling services of ACS, while a second will highlight the Life Skills Courses and the Diploma of Counselling Studies.  The  funding for this comes from money allocated for 'set up' costs in the drought counselling funding.

Because of changes in staffing, we are praying for another $50 000 per year to employ a new manager.  We have someone willing to take on the responsibility, but due to the lack of funds they cannot be employed at this time.

We were unsuccessful in our submission for Primary Dispute Resolution funding, mentioned in the last newsletter.

A preliminary budget has been prepared for the 2003-04 financial year.  Under current funding, we would end up $168 000 behind.  If we received equitable funding, we would be in the black.  Please pray that the Federal Government will be open to our needs as it consider the next budget.

Praise Matters

• Rain

• Drought counselling funding

• That God does provide for us in staff and finances

• ADACTS - the Armidale Diocese Anglican Counselling Training Service, has an Academic Board set up, we have our own little university starting up

Prayer Matters

• Rain - and for those who are being seriously affected by the drought, and now floods

• DCC - the Diocesan Counselling Committee, in its role as overseers of the Anglican Counselling Service

• Finances - for the Federal Government in its budget deliberation

• Staff health

• Christian staff - to fill holes

• That we love one another as Christ loved us

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Send mail to eservice@acsdarm.org.au with questions or comments about this web site.  For general enquiries see the Contact Information.
Last modified: 13 May, 2008