Welcoming Refugees - Update Dec 2023

Nairn, Lara4 Dec, 2023General, 10am, Resonate, 8am0 comments

Welcoming Refugees - where are things up to?

At August's Annual Meeting, I shared a new and exciting initiative to help us achieve our key priority of Local Outreach.

Wellspring has been invited to join with other Hobart Anglican churches to assist refugee families settle in for their first 12 months in Tasmania. We have a concrete opportunity to share life with Jesus with some of the most vulnerable and needy.

Here is a summary of what's happened in the past few months:

A dozen Wellspring members expressed their support and passion to get behind this, with various networks and resources at their disposal.
Two Community Supporter Groups across four churches have formed, including me and three other Wellspring members. We’re called “Welcome to Hobart 1 & 2”, with a hands-on role to assist new arrivals with transitional housing, employment, education, healthcare, and so on.
CRSA (the organisation which matches refugee families with local CSGs) requires applications from these teams and its members: this comprehensive process is being completed currently. We will undertake training in February 2024, with UNHCR and CRSA arranging the matching process soon after.
With the current demand in refugee camps worldwide, it's likely that refugee families will potentially arrive during the first quarter of next year. How wonderful would it be to show up as a 'Welcome Party' at Hobart airport, meeting them with warmth and love as their first impression of Australia?
Finances will be centrally controlled through Anglican Health & Welfare, a Diocesan organisation led by a Board (of which I'm a member).
Wellspring's financial contribution will be drawn from an upcoming grant, to be applied for through the Diocesan New Ministry Development Fund. The two CSGs are considering several fundraising options also.
There are multiple ways that a church community can be involved (click here for such a partner organisation).

Please be praying! This is a bold new step for our church and there are many unknowns. But in our life with Jesus, we partner with Him for Spirit-anointed, Luke 4 ministry.

Rob Imberger.

Nomination Form - Parish Councillor and Warden 2023

Nairn, Lara16 Aug, 2023General, 10am, Resonate, 8am0 comments

Nominations for Parish Council 2023-2024 are open. They will close Sunday 20 August.

Download this form and use it to nominate for positions of:

Parish Councillor, Warden

Please return completed forms to the office no later than 20 August 2023.

Hard copy forms are available from church.

What are these roles?

A suitable Parish Council member represents the wider church, in particular their home congregation, and joins with the Rector in ensuring the affairs of the Parish are properly conducted. More importantly, a Parish Council member is committed to life with Jesus for themselves, as they demonstrate a passion for the vision and welfare of Wellspring.

A suitable Warden will fit the above description also, as well as having a greater degree of responsibility in the spiritual discernment and welfare of Wellspring Parish (our people and property).