ANGLICAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA DIOCESE OF GIPPSLAND 36" SYNOD SECOND SESSION 13 - 15 MAY 2014 Drouin, VIC Section 3 Diocesan Organisations - Reports ‘sued by the Registrar, Diocese of Gippsland, PO Box 928, Salo Vic 3863 Phone - (03) 5144 2044. Fax - (03) 5144 7183 Email registrar@gippsanglican org au Website - hito:/www.qippsangtican.org.au 21 April 2011SECTION THREE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF GIPPSLAND SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH SYNOD 2011 DROUIN, VIC DIOCESAN ORGANISATIONS — REPORTS TO SYNOD ‘Anam Cara Community Gippsland Australia Recovery — Commi sillo Gippsland _ san Mission Support Group cf Gippsland Grammar An Anglican Ministry | Mothers Union St Paul’s Cathedral Gippsland Anglican Aged St Paul's Anglican GrammarAnam Cara Community Report to Synod 2011 from Anne Turner (Soul carer) Since my last report to Synod in 2010, there have been significant changes and growth within the Community. About the Community, clarifying pereeptions Mission: The Anam Cara Community is a dispersed Christian contemplative community of prayer and support for the inner journey into God. Objectives * ‘The Anam Cara Community will serve God, the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland and the wider church by: © Forming a community of individuals (associates) who seck to live the contemplative life, in all its dimensions; © Providing resources for individuals, parishes and other groups to support the inner journey into God; © Being a community of prayer, worship, the Bible, reflection, discernment, justice and mutual support. Last year it came to our attention that there were some misunderstandings about the nature of the Anam Cara Community. ‘To address this, a definitive statement about the community was published which the Bishop forwarded to all Rectors and Parish Priests. We have also recently sent a copy to all parish secretaries for wider parish information, As well as this, publication, an article was written for Tae Gippsland Anglican, outlining our understanding of ourselves as a contemplative prayer community committed fo providing many and varied ways of making the inward journey, through prayer, study, reflection, silence and stillness, We draw the inspiration for our journeys from the Bible, the historic tradition, the crceds and other formularies of the church. Our commitment to the Diocesan mission statement and strategy of “making Jesus Christ known here and now through the inward journey and through the outward journey,” remains as a key part of our mission, We are not some “new age” movement, or only catering for those with a “mystical” bent, bul rooted and grounded in the traditions of the Christian church as well as being open and inelusive in exploring modern dimensions of faith and spirituality. The Anam Cara Community understands itself \o have a special ministry to those who feel distant from the church, or “on the outside”, and secks to provide a safe space for everyone to explore the inner journey. We understand that there will be some who continue to have questions or concerns, and we encourage them to speak with us in order to lear more about us, and perhaps “taste” part of our ministry. A decision was made at the end of 2010 that the leadership team would comprise one soul carer of the community, gatherers of meeting places and others with specific tasks to be known as “servant Icaders”.These leaders continue to meet bi-monthly to pray and work together for the good ordering of this dispersed community. We are pleased io have Associate, Archdeacon Heather Marten as our liaison with Senior Stat, thus keeping all community matters well accountable and keeping the Bishop and Senior Staff well informed.‘The Bishop continues to encourage us as a Community. This last year saw the beginni Meeting Place’ in the Diocese of Canberra - Goulburn, Bishop John liaised with Bishop Stuart Robinson who has enthusiastically embraced the concept of the Community and the leader the Rev’d Jeannette McHugh. Bishop Stuart sent out information to his clergy and an article will appear in the Tri-Diocesan newspaper of Canberra-Goulburn; Riverina and Bathurst got We continue to have several lone Associates around the country and one in London, This frail aged, faithful, lay Christian leadcr, finds great sustenance, spiritually, for her journey. through the Community publications and my regular letters. I have been encouraged to continue writing personal letters to Associates at particular times in their lives and journeys Communications A now brochure for “Seekers” was produced which gives basic information about the community — we have taken the liberty of providing each of you with a copy of this brochure. A more detailed publication for all Associates is in production. Our chief publication “Waterholes” continues to be edited by our web servant Colin ‘Thomby who is always looking for, and willing to receive contributions. We aim to have quarterly newsletters or more. For those without internet access hard copies are sent of all publications. The Community's web site (www.anameara-gippstand.org) continues to be well used and accessed, often bringing new Associates from other parts of Australia, and enquiries from across the world. Ministries Svery month around the different meeting places of the community, including A’Beckett Park, quict days were held, led by Associates using their particular gifts. This year's programme is well underway. These days are open to ALL whether associates or not. All days are advertised on the website www.anamcara-gippsland.org, in The Gippsland Anglican, and via email to associates. ‘As well as quiet days there are a growing number of small groups regularly meeting around the Diocese exploring different aspects of the inner journey. There are also regular occasions of contemplative style worship offered in different parishes. One new group this last year “The Circle of Friends,” a soul friendship group of ~differently-abled adults moots weekly in term time in Sale. As a community we are encouraging of individual parish days set aside for the inner journey and advertise them on our website along with the Abbey programme. It is good if we can know of special parish days so that we ean support and advertise Within the Community we have several trained Spiritual Directors/Companions/Soul carers, whose expertise and ministry is invaluable for those seeking a companion for their own journeys of faith, We encourage all Associates and others to have such a trusted spiritual companion. This ministry is specialised and the Servant Leaders recognise theneed for ongoing support and professional development for those engaged in this ministry ‘To this end, May 21st has been set aside for a day in conversation with Ms Cheryl Russell, the Director of Professional Standards within the Diocese, The Community also aims to provide ongoing supervision, support and ministry development for those engaged in the ministry of spiritual direction The Anam Cara Community continues to actively support the Abbey of St, Barnabas, and to this end has committed to leading two retreats this year. Jane Macqucen continues to act as the liaison scrvant leader with the Abbey and the Community will provide a “praying presence” at the Abbey from July 4th -16th. During this time the Dean will lead a quiet day. The end of year service is now well established in the Diocesan Diary on the Saturday immediately prior to Advent Sunday. Here we can come together as a Community, as we are able, to weleome new Associates and commission the servant leaders. This last year “symbols” of membership were set aside at the service and then distributed to the gathered Associates. As Associates renew their membership so they receive a symbol of membership. It was good to have Dean Don preside at the Eucharist and Vicar General Heather, in the Bishop’s absence, to preach and lead our time of thanksgiving and re~ commitment. All-costs are covered by the annual subscriptions, with a nominal contribution by participants of quiet days. Our treasurer, Kate Campbell, does a great job keeping the books and we are now in the habit of giving a substantial donation at the end of the financial year to a chosen “cause.” This last year $1000 went to the " Seeds of Peace Project” Rwanda just as the previous year a $1000 had been given to the Abbey of St. Barnabas at A’Beckett Park, Summary Atits heart the Anam Cara Community is one of deep prayer and as individuals and as a ‘community we hold the whole church in prayer as we continue our particular m providing opportunities to grow more and more into the image of Christ, our true head, and servant leader par excellence. INANCE REPORT from Treasurer Kate Campbell On the following page is the audited finaneial statement for the Community for the financial year cnding September 2010. Administration expenses are kept to a minimum and quiet day income is mostly on par with quict day expenses. has been encouraging to have some associates make personal donations to the Abbey of St Barabas through the community, adding to the donation from community funds the previous financial year ‘The donation to the Rwanda “Secds of Peace” project and offering financial support to the irele of Friends group were highlights.