Passing on the Baton

With this issue of the Real Australian the Society sees the creation of a new map that represents so much more. Over recent months the Society has started assisting many parishes across Australia where clergy and volunteers visit local state schools to teach Religious Education. Many are involved in sharing the Christian Faith, its stories and values to a younger generation. Some volunteers in remote areas travel significant distances at their own cost and some of them are the wives of farmers already struggling to make a living on the land so their sacrifice is significant.

Ballarat 13 Warrnambool 14 Glenelg- Wanmom 15 West Wimmera 16 Warracknabeal 17 Stawell 18 Ballan-Bungaree Bendigo 19 St Arnaud 20 Charlton-Donald 21 Swan Hill 22 Kyabram 23 Mooroopna 24 Woodend Wangaratta 25 Kilmore 26 Alexandra 27 Numurkah- Nathalia 28 Cobram 29 Yackandandah 30 Corryong Riverina 31 Denilquin 32 Berrigan 33 Lockhart 34 Griffith 35 Ariah Park 36 Lake Cargelligo Canberra -Goulburn 37 Crookwell

Bathurst 38 North Forbes 39 Eugowra 40 Gulgong 41 Gilgandra 42 Warren 43 Nyngan 44 Bourke   Armidale 45 Tambar Springs 46 Cockburn Valley 47 Walcha 48 Uralla 49 Manilla 50 Boggabri 51 Guyra 52 Ashford 53 Warialda 54 Mungindi

Mooroopna RE

Already we are hearing of the opportunities and fruit that arise from this ministry. Paul Spackman in Geraldton had the opportunity to show students just how awful the crucifixion was and how much Jesus endured and suffered for us. In Griffith the Cathedral ran a special Easter Service for 350 kids from the local schools teaching them about the events of the first Easter and their significance. In Stawell some of the students were involved in a Palm Sunday re-enactment and for Trevor Bell at Kyabram, CRE is the favourite part of the week for many in his Grade 3/4 classes. Nola Cox in Lockhart was part of an ecumenical Easter service held in the school during Holy Week at which students were involved in a re-enactment of the Last Supper and foot washing ceremony In communities like Tambar Springs this is an opportune time to speak to and teach children about the Christian Faith before they move on to other places as they grow up and their educational needs change. In many of the places clergy and volunteers have been blessed with ample opportunity provided by willing Principals and staff.

There will now be a page of the prayer notes dedicated to praying for those who are involved with Religious Education who are being supported by BCA. In praying for these people and this ministry, we are praying for and investing in the future of the church and its witness in rural Australia and beyond. The Society is looking forward to hearing more stories of hope and of growth from these parishes and to receiving ongoing support from folk across Australia so that this ministry can continue in the years ahead.