Welcoming Refugees - Update Dec 2023

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.

The Voice to Parliament - resources

This article was published as part of Wellspring's September 8th Newsletter. In no particular order, the resources Rob referred to can be accessed below:
 

 

--

The Voice to Parliament referendum will be held on October 14th. Australians will be asked whether we approve an amendment to our Constitution, to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by establishing a Voice to Parliament. (The federal governments website provides a useful overview of what that means). Most of us will have received paperwork, read commentary, and perhaps already formed a view that amounts to a Yes or No.

Like many contemporary issues, the bible does not comment on this Voice, therefore there cannot be a categorically Christian way to vote. But, as with every other matter the bible does not specifically address, Christians are wise to employ their reason and conscience, seeking the Spirits illumination.

As your Pastor, I want to be upfront with the Wellspring community and indicate Ill be voting Yes. You will need to research, think, and discern about these issues for yourselves. If you dont know, dont vote No: please find out more and pray.

Here are a few convictions driving my intention to vote Yes:

  1. God made and owns our land Australia, including everyone in it: therefore, what is done by and to Australians matters to Him. The Uluru Statement from the Heart, from which The Voice originated, is essentially one big appeal for white Australia to listen. I believe the permanence of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in our Constitution, often cited as a negative, is a much-needed corrective for peoples who have been historically marginalised, mistreated, and sinned against.
  2. Jesus gospel is as big a solution as our sin-problem. When the problem is reduced to my sin between me and God, the solution is as private: 'Jesus died so I am forgiven and go to heaven'. The effect of the solution is also small-scale: 'I can overcome my personal sins'. When the problem is broadened to 'Sin has tainted everyone and everything', the solution is likewise wide-ranging: Jesus has come to restore whats broken and resurrect whats dead, inside me and around me. The effect of this solution is personal and social. Political decisions, including about The Voice, can be part of the outworking of Jesus justice-producing gospel.
  3. Christians should be the best at reconciliation. If we have experienced forgiveness and welcome from God through Christ, we can apply that to our human relationships, perhaps especially the complex ones. In what I think is a gracious way, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are inviting Australians into renewed relationship with this Voice, where listening and speaking play their parts.
  4. Not perfect is our default setting until Jesus return. I dont believe flaws in The Voice model are reason enough to deny its passage. Political solutions only partially fix spiritual problems, but the fixes remain worthwhile where we are able to make them.

Ive been reading and reflecting about The Voice for some time and have compiled the above resources from a variety of viewpoints which may help as you continue considering. One timely opportunity is to attend Dr. Michael Guerzonis workshop at the upcoming Bishops Training Event.

Some of us may be alarmed by how polarised the wider debate has become, which is sure to increase in the coming weeks. Lets be praying that honour, integrity, and good listening characterise the Churchs witness especially.

If desired, I invite you to contact me to explore things further.

Your brother in Christ,


Rob Imberger

Synod 2023 Report

See attached report from Richard Lord at the recent synod meeting.

AGM 2023 Documents

Our AGM is going to be held Sunday August 27 at 2pm. 

Attend in person or watch (without participating) via zoom.

Zoom link is here

Meeting ID: 893 4997 0758
Passcode: 310794

 

All documents you require before the day can be found here. 

1. Minutes from our 2022 AGM

2. Agenda for 2023 AGM

3. Ministry Reports

4. Governance Reports

5. Audited Financials 2022-2023

6. Budget 2023-2024

 

If you are unable to make the meeting and would like to register an apology please email Lara admin@wellspring.org.au. 

If you have any questions about the above reports feel free to contact the report writer direct or email Lara admin@wellspring.org.au.

Nomination Form - Parish Councillor and Warden 2023

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).