From the Pen of the Executive Director

Bertrand Russell, an atheist, wrote:

Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless.

Rick Warren, pastor of the Saddleback Community Church in USA, wrote in his book The Purpose Driven Life:

The purpose of our life is far greater than your own personal fulfilment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.  If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God.  You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.

Focussing on ourselves will never reveal our life's purpose.  Paul the apostle wrote in Colossians 1:16

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

We will never discover life's meaning by looking in ourselves.  We must start with God (Job 12:10).  It is only in God that we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning , our purpose, our significance and our destiny.  If we want to know the purpose of an electrical appliance in our homes and how to use it, we go to the maker's manual.  To discover your and my purpose in life, we turn to the maker's manual, the Bible (Ephesians 1:11).

Warren ways the above results in three insights:

1. You discover your identity and purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ;
2. God was thinking of you long before you were born'
3. The purpose of your life fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity.

He concludes by saying:

Without God, life makes no sense.

Question to consider: 

In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

Staff Matters

• Mrs Carol Mackerras from Quirindi has been appointed the new accounts officer.  She is working out of our Administration office in Tamworth, and is fitting in well.

• Our new Financial Counsellor is Mrs Faith Boehm.  Faith is being funded by the Department of Fair Trading to provide free financial counselling.  She is working in Armidale and Tamworth, with her appointments being handled through the Tamworth Counselling office [(02) 6765 25247].  When in Tamworth Faith works out of the Administration office.

• Please pray for our staff as they travel.  Some of our counsellors travel regularly around the region.  Betty Yeaman (Supervision Manager and counsellor) recently had an accident outside Bundarra.  Praise God that she was not injured, but the car wasn't too healthy. Pray especially for Allan Every, Drought Support Worker, as he travels the district, and Faith as she goes to Armidale each week from Tamworth.

• The ACS Board has been re-elected.  Rev Graham Farley has stepped down as the Chair having held this position since the inception of the Anglican Counselling Service.  The election for the new board took place during the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Armidale which was held from 24-26 September.  The new Chair is Rev Paul McFarlane, the Anglican minister in Manilla.

• As part of Ag-Quip, Allan, Jenny Regan (LRCCS Principal and counsellor) and Rev Brian Kirk (Executive Director) represented ACS as part of the Life-Quip tent.  The time proved useful, with a Suicide Workshop being held in Boggabri able to be promoted.

• This workshop, run by Jenny Regan and Ruth Blakely (counsellor in Tamworth) was well attended.  They were assisted by a local doctor and a mental health worker from Narrabri.  The positive feedback suggested that many found it helpful.

• Judy James (counsellor) visited Baradine over 6 weeks to provide counselling services at the request of the parish.

• Former counsellor Dr Eleanor Knox was married on August 14 to Theo Longmire.  The bride was attended by Mrs Carolyn Duncan, Brian's former assistant.  The wedding was written up in the Northern Daily Leader, the Tamworth Times and The Link.  One headline was "You're never too young".

Money Matters

• Some of you may have heard of the break in at the Tamworth Counselling Centre.  One of the new computers was stolen and extensive damage was done to 2 windows and a door, breaking a dead-lock.  The cost of repairs and replacement of the equipment should be covered by insurance.

• The ACS Board held a fundraising dinner in Moree on Saturday August 28, where Christine Brain spoke on the Importance of the Family.  Over $1200 was raised.  Many thanks to Wendy Long and Ran and Jenny Mitchell for organising the dinner with the help of their supportive team.

• The Federal Government has announced a 30% increase in base funding for the programme under which we are funded.  With this increase we will be able to pay full award entitlements to all staff.

Praise Matters

• Rain ... Yah!!!

• the 30% increase from the Federal Government

• For the successful presentation of ACS' work at a national conference in Sydney

• For the 95% of clients who said they were 'helped' by ACS staff

Prayer Matters

• Rain ... Please!!!

• That our continuing submissions for funding be looked upon favourable

• Safe travel for staff and Board

• The new ACS Board, meeting on November 5

• Carol and Faith in their new jobs

• Pray for protection from the evil one - particularly the staff who are currently counselling clients involved in Satanic worship

• For more students to train as counsellors

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Last modified: 13 May, 2008