THE ANGLICAN OUTBACK
FUND
(National Home
Mission Fund)
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NEWSLETTER 3 BUSHFIRE APPEAL 2009 31 MARCH 2009
WONDERFUL RESPONSE
Anglican parishes, schools,
organisations and individuals have given to
date $208,000 to the National Home Mission Fund Bushfire Appeal 2009.
This is a wonderful response. The purpose of the appeal is to ensure that
bushfire affected people and communities are going to receive on-going ministry
and care as re-building lives, properties and facilities gets underway. Thank
you to all who have supported the Bushfire Appeal to date.
SHARING THE HARDSHIP
Many of the donations sent
to the National Home Mission Fund Bushfire Appeal 2009 have come from people
also experiencing disaster themselves. Many of the donations have come from
people experiencing flooding in
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS
The first distribution of
Appeal funds is about to be made through the Dioceses where the terrible
bushfires occurred.
SYMBOL OF HOPE
One of the first signs of
re-growth and recovery in some of the burnt out areas was the flowering of the
“Belladonna Lily” or “Amaryllis.” The Belladonna Lily, a tough plant
with a pink flower on a tall stem, has been adopted as a symbol of hope and new
life in a number of the areas devastated by the February fires.
CARING FOR COMMUNITIES
We will endeavour to bring
you stories of ways in which the Church is responding to the needs in bush fire
affected areas as re-building commences. One early story is from the Diocese of
Bendigo. It is the story of “Our Place.”
“OUR PLACE”
Fifty homes were destroyed
by fires in
SUPPORTED BY PRAYER
Services remembering the
victims of bushfires, those who lost their lives, survivors, communities
affected, and for giving thanks for the great work of the men and women of the
emergency services, have been held across the nation. The National Home Mission
Fund has received a number of copies of Orders of Services keeping us informed.
One of the services was held in the Townsville Civic Theatre, where people
gathered to pray for those affected by the dual disasters of fire and flood. The
people present wrote their prayers by hand at the service and have forwarded
their thoughtful and helpful prayers in book form.
REVISED TOLL OF LIVES LOST
The number of people who
lost their lives in the Victorian bushfires has been revised from an earlier
estimate of 210 to 173 at the time of writing.
“For
those who lost their lives – for those who have lost loved ones or friends –
Lord show us your mercy and grant us your
salvation.” (From an
Ecumenical Prayer Service for the Bushfire Disaster)
WRITING RECEIPTS
The huge task of writing
receipts for over 600 donations to date has been the work of Peter Shepherd –
book keeper for the National Home Mission Fund also known as the Anglican
Outback Fund. Thank you, Peter.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY
For those donating to the
National Home Mission Fund Bushfire Appeal 2009 by electronic transfer to the
following account:
Westpac Anglican Diocese of
BSB – 033 009
Account Number 00-0155
It is important to advise
Peter Shepherd of the details by emailing these to:
DONATIONS
Donations may also be sent
to:
The National Home
c/- The Anglican Centre
The
NHMF Bushfire Appeal 2009 is the official appeal of the
vicargeneral@bendigoanglican.org.au
(B) stonebgo@bigpond.net.au (H)