What’s been happening in BCA
Gary and Nikki Alexander at Kununurra have their hands full as they prepare for the birth of their first child, due the 31st of July.
They have come up with several new ways to minister to the people of Kununurra including a marriage challenge course and by selling coffee at the local market.
Gary is able to bring a commercial coffee machine down to the Kununurra markets and sell coffee and homemade muffins while sharing information about Church services and Jesus with locals and tourists – it’s a great way to connect with the local community!
2011 has seen significant change in the attitudes at Kununurra – Gary and Nikki are enjoying the fresh changes and positive attitudes developing in the Church community. They are building strong relationships with the people in the congregation.
There has been a lot going on in Kingston and Southern Tasmania over the last little while; Meredith Campbell has been busy with several different ministries over the last few months. She has recently (April 25th) had a gap year student from the Church Army called Maie come to help and share in the ministry. Meredith has also seen the doors open for some different ministry opportunities through art, community events and horse ministry.
The art group of which Meredith is a part saw 13 of their pieces based around the Easter narrative sell and allowed them to help raise some money. The art group has allowed for Meredith's ministry to expand as she has met several interesting people with differeing views and beliefs, some have heard very little of the gospel message which has allowed for Meredith to share with them.
Meredith and Maie were able to be involved in ministry at a vaulting (gymnastics on horse back) camp which Meredith described as a very special time.
Reverend Helen Chick at Central Malee was privilieged to be involved in an Anzac Day Service at Patchewollock where 100+ people of all ages gathered. Helen was invited to be the guest speaker and was able to share War snapshots and pray for everyone.
The Easter weekend at Lightning Ridge was a hit with tourists and local families. The Good Friday and Easter Sunday services were attended by lots of visitors to the town and also saw several new local families come along.
The big attraction was the Lightning Ridge wheelie bin races. The wheelie bin race is a great way for Reverend Mike Keith and the Church to get involved with the community and promote Jesus name. The Church enetered several of the wheelie bin races taking two victories with the 'junior Jesus' bin and a 2nd place with the 'grown-ups' bin. They were able to promote the name of Jesus and give out some Bibles, books and tracts and were able to talk to a few people about the Lord.
Peter and Joy Palmer have embarked on a new mission. Peter will be working as a Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) Chaplain to people working in the mines. The Palmers will make the move to Adelaide on the 13th of June and begin work as soon as they are able.
After having successfully served in Coober Pedy for the last few years, it was time for Peter, Joy and the family to move on. The position at Coober Pedy will be taken on by a locum in Don and Helen Wilson. They served a locum period in Coober Pedy around ten years ago and already know some of the locals.
Healthy Soul Ministries at Blackwater has had some exciting news as Captains Stuart and Katherine Haynes received a grant for a huge playground to be put in recently. The Haynes are now in the process of starting a new playgroup for the kids in Blackwater.
Gilgandra has seen a lot happening lately with a great holiday programme that was put on by Deep Creek Anglican Church from Melbourne. A team from Deep Creek Church put on a holiday programme in Gilgandra at the Aboriginal Church.
Rich Lanham and his wife Julie who are actively involved with BCA were able to be involved in getting the team there and took part in the running of the holiday programme.
They were also blessed recently by a visit from Shell Harbour Anglican School who undertook the Duke of Edinburgh challenge with the Dusty Boots programme. The group painted the Lanham’s house which Rich described simply as ‘amazing.’
The Weickhardt's at Strathfieldsaye have started a new FamilyChurch service. It will run once a month at Strathfieldsaye Uniting Church at 5pm on a Saturday evening. The first one was held on Easter Saturday (April 23rd) and was a great success.