From the Pen of the Executive Director

What does the message of Easter mean in our everyday lives? How does it relate to:

• The young mother seeking to raise 3 children (1 with a severe intellectual disability) after the father left them;
• A young man, only 22 years old, who has fathered 3 children, trying to keep off drugs, out of jail and trying to find work.

The Anglican Counselling Service staff play a small part in modelling the Easter message to these people. We can be used by God to change both behaviour and character, to help meet real needs. To work from the outside in and from the inside out to effect real change and to help people grow in greater Christlikeness.

To do the above, ACS needs to continue to train new counsellors who are Christians. Lois Reid College of Counselling Studies’ future is uncertain because of two things:

• The re-accreditation of the course by the NSW Department of Education and Training in process;
• Finances - an injection of finds (about $50 000) is needed to establish its short-term viability and be a platform for sustainable growth.

Please pray for the College at this crucial time in its development—that the course will be re-accredited and the finances will be available to ensure a viable future.

James 1:27 says: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Here is the core of counselling and what the Church is on about: we re involved in people—helping and developing personal holiness. By seeking to build people and reach out to make a difference, we become genuine people-helpers. By worshipping God in private and with other believers, we grow in holiness.

May you model the Easter message through your relationships in your family, church and community.

Lois Reid College of Counselling Studies

The documentation for re-accreditation has been re-submitted and we are waiting for their response (the first submission earlier this year came back with queries which we have answered).

The application, with supporting documents, comes to about 400 pages.

Hundreds of volunteer hours have gone into getting this document ready, and we would like to thank everyone involved in the process

Mental Health Matters

ACS has successfully hosted two Mental Health First Aid Courses this year. Mrs Fay Jackson of Open Minds Consultancy has facilitated the two-day courses at Warialda and in Tamworth. She also spoke at a community forum on Mental Health during each course. Due to the popularity of the course we are planning to host it in Quirindi and Narrabri in June.

20th Anniversary Matters

ACS is having its 20th anniversary in 2006. The Board has set up a sub-committee to organise celebrations: Wendy Long, Ruth Blakely and Carol Mackerras.

A dinner is being arranged at the Tamworth Community Centre on September 16 and they are looking at producing a book on the history of ACS and LRCCS: Stories from counsellors, friends, past students and staff are invited.

Email: friends@acsdarm.org.au

Snail-mail: Anniversary Committee

PO Box 3052

Tamworth 2340

Statistic Matters

Up to 7th April

Drought Counselling Programme:

48 clients: 149 hours of counselling in 135 sessions

Family Relationship Counselling

730 clients: 2391 hours of counselling in 2346 sessions

Family Relationship Education (Courses)

197 clients

Other (including external supervision and mediation—not funded)

21 clients: 36 hours in 31 sessions

Staff Matters

Mrs Cheryl Lalor has been appointed as a counsellor and educator in Tamworth to fill the position left vacant by Nancy Sayer. Cheryl is a teacher who completed an Advanced Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy. She is married to Steve (also a teacher) and they worship at the Oxley Vale Community (Anglican) Church in Tamworth. Cheryl commenced work on 3rd January, 2006.
 

We welcome Kate Green as the Indigenous Liaison Worker who will assist Jenny to make connections in the Coledale Community. Kate is married with a 7 year old daughter.
 

Suzanne Gallagher is volunteering to organise Brian’s filing and offers her expertise in public relations to ACS and LRCCS.
 

Sharon Kirk has commenced an Internship in Tamworth.
 

Carol Mackerras (ACS Finance Officer) has been appointed as Community Education Co-ordinator. Part of her new responsibilities will include ascertaining what courses our counsellors and educators are able to run, and looking to find out what courses the communities in the district would like run.
 

Voluntary Positions:

Architect—to draw up a plan for a preferred building in Tamworth
Business or Financial Advisor—to assist in drawing up a Business Plan for ACS
 

Course Matters

May

• Know Yourself in Gunnedah
• Anger Management in Gunnedah

June

• Skills for the Road Ahead in Tamworth

July

• Know Yourself in Narrabri
   

Prayer Matters

• The re-accreditation of the LRCCS degree
• The finances of LRCCS so that it will become viable and sustainable
• Location of suitable premises in Tamworth for the Counselling Centre, Administration and LRCCS

Praise Matters

• Give thanks for the ACS/LRCCS Retreat held at Copeton Dam
• For the success of the Mental Health First Aid courses and Forums
   

Anglican Counselling Service, Executive Director: Rev Brian Kirk

Lois Reid College of Counselling Studies, Principal: Jenny Regan

Financial Counsellor: Faith Boehm

Relationship Counsellors: Ruth, Donna, Libby, Catherine, Judy, Cheryl L, Caroly, Wendy, Ros, Lynn, Jenny M, Ran, Jenny R, Shirley, Betty

Other Staff: Cheryl C, Lois, Fran, Meryl, Carol, Elaine, James, Sharon, Joy, Kate

Volunteers: Barb, Colleen, Eleanor, Phyllis, Jane, Suzanne