Vol 27 No 7 Anglican News August 2010 The Newspaper of the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn 3800 copies every month FREE Belonging before believing forc (focus on re- adults they met in the shopping storing community) precinct of Belconnen after offer- ing them a coffee and chat. Judy builds connections said she has never had a young in Belconnen person turn her down! After the initial contact, team by Sylvia Hitchick members begin journeying along- A pioneering ministry ven- side the people they meet with ture taking the saving message each week as part of forc and of Jesus into the streets and building community through shopping centre of Belconnen social networks. in Canberra’s northwest region Judy told Anglican News of is starting to impact the lives of some of the people she has met: some of the young adults living ‘Tracy’ is 23 and met Judy in and working in the area. a café where she works. Sharing Former Synergy Youth min- over a coffee later she revealed COFFEE AND CHRISTIAN FAITH: Judy Kocho Douglas and her ‘focus on restoring ister Judy Kocho Douglas began her struggle overcoming wounds communities’ team have found that taking their faith into the streets and coffee shops of Belconnen this exciting adventure about of a diffi cult childhood. She ap- has led to real connections with young people in desperate need of friendship and community. a year ago, heading a team of preciated someone to talk to. four young adults. They realised She said she knows there to talk to,” Judy said. “So he services to the community of meeting of connection with the that the greatest need among the is a God, but no one has ever dropped into the café and found Belconnen through Belconnen new and growing faith commu- young adults in Canberra was the connected her to Jesus in her himself talking to a member of Community Services, spending nity as it is a very accessible and opportunity for real and caring 23 years. She has now become the team, which was just what a couple of volunteer hours on non-confrontational setting for community that could enable part of the new forc commu- he needed.” Saturdays mowing lawns and unchurched young adults. them to meet Jesus. nity and has already offered Some other new members of removing rubbish for disadvan- On the alternate fortnight, The approach has been care- her home as a meeting place. forc have said that they never taged people. Judy and her team the team members will meet in a fully low key, firstly building ‘James’ is a young adult have conversations even with have involved the new members private home for ongoing disci- the team into a community with whose life consisted of work and their friends that are so caring of forc in this service which she pleship and training. weekly meetings consisting of computer gaming. He met Judy and have such a positive focus. said has obvious benefi ts for the The core team has grown to team-building, prayer and disci- when she visited him but had “The focus of forc is to show givers as well as the receivers. six volunteers who share in the pling in available spaces includ- a very anti-Christian response Jesus to this generation and wel- The support that the team has ministry in their spare time. But ing homes and coffee shops. As initially on that fi rst visit. come them into a safe and genu- received from locals has been the costs in both time and money they set the vision of reaching the However by the second visit ine community,” Judy explained. amazing, especially from the of establishing a new ministry unchurched young adults in Bel- he wanted to know all about the “Sociologists have found this owners of Beppes Coffee shop and caring for others are con- connen and surrounds - people forc community because he rec- generation of young adults have in Belconnen Market who have siderable. who need to feel connected - the ognised he needed a community a need to belong before believing allowed them to use this as a base After the end of this year (18 team members developed an ap- to connect with and to have a and forc allows them to belong for coffee and cake interactions months into the project) they will proach of gently “showing them sense of belonging. somewhere without having to on an individual and group basis. be struggling to continue the res- what Jesus people do”. “Another guy had just come commit to believing anything till The team is now hoping to toration work they have begun. As a team and individually, out of Rehab and after attending they are ready. ” move into the coffee shop every they began by listening to young a funeral, just needed someone The forc group also offers fortnight for a weeknight evening (continued on page 2) alsoalso inin thisthis issue:issue: Bishop’s Gap Bishop of Bunbury Mission-shaped ministry Year launched installed ... page 3 training ... page 5 ... page 16 Page 2 Anglican News August 2010 THE BISHOP’S COLUMN Sources of hope in the people of God Beloved in Christ, community with diligence and agents of reconciliation and light. ticipation in Mission Shaped I was addressing a gathering fl air and who makes no secret of And daily I see the evidence and Bishop Ministry will, please God, adorn recently – the Farleigh Leader- her faith in Christ; the nursing hear the reports of how seriously what the Lord is already doing in ship Institute – and a delegate home volunteer who reads to we take this our vocation. As Stuart our midst. asked me a perceptive question, and prays with his peers (who are we are being conformed to the Finally, thank you for your “Bishop, as you refl ect on your often very frail and very alone); image of Christ so others are be- Robinson prayers for the Rudd family in diocese in particular, and the the Religious Education teacher ing transformed by our life and this time of transition and dis- Anglican church more generally, who assiduously prepares and witness. You can see why I am cernment. Do also uphold our what gives you hope?”. presents her lessons each week – so hopeful! Prime Minister, Ms Gillard, be- I was able to respond al- this woman is loved by children In the light of what the Lord is report that my colleagues, The fore the Lord. Hers is an onerous most reflexively, “the people and staff alike. doing in our midst may I encour- Reverend Wayne Brighton and and diffi cult task. May God grant through whom Jesus is building age to you to pray for and invite Bishop Trevor, are offering the her wisdom and courage. his church.” your friends and colleagues to new Mission Shaped Ministry For Jesus, I explained that I dream of a I dream of a Back to Church Sunday – August training course over three week- diocese where individuals and diocese where 29, 2010? The theme is ‘Come ends. We are the fi rst diocese to communities are transformed as you are’. A simple step-by- use these materials (in Australia) by Jesus’ love - and I cited some individuals and step tool for making contact with and I do hope that the up-take will examples of transformation as communities are people has already been sent out be signifi cant. +Stuart Canberra and they came to mind: the inmate transformed by to parishes (and is reproduced on Details of the course – to be Goulburn. in one of our prisons who is be- Jesus’ love our website). held at St. Mary-in-the-Valley, ing used by God as an agent of I do hope you will fi nd this Tuggeranong (July 31, September grace and peace; the doctor who material encouraging and instruc- 3, and October 16) are available is providing long-term accom- tive. Bishop Trevor is coordi- on the diocesan website www. modation to ex-offenders and in Yes, the people of the diocese nating the program and we are anglicancg.org.au (or contact so doing is modelling the love of of Canberra and Goulburn fi ll me delighted with the interest to date. Wayne at wayne.brighton@ Anglican News Christ to men in crisis; the Mem- with hope. Individually and as a anglicancg.org.au). ber of Parliament who serves her body we have been set apart as I am also very pleased to A ground-swell of lay par- The newspaper of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn Editor: Lewis Hitchick Belonging comes before believing Address: PO Box 23 Bathurst (continued from page 1) month, their impact on this group model. wants to be in relationship with NSW 2795 Judy pointed out that pio- of society would see ongoing Topics discussed as a faith each of us. neering new ministry in new fruit. community are many and varied Restoring relational com- Phone: (02) 6331 1722 communities of faith takes time The generation that Judy depending on the needs of the munity to those who have lost 0427 373 446 before it becomes established and and her team are trying to young adults but have encom- it, is what the Kingdom of God Email: the forc project will need support reach is not necessarily geo- passed from ethical shopping to has always been about – com- anglican.news coping with addictions and family munity building, genuine com- in prayer and money to be able graphically connected, but is @bathurstanglican.org.au to develop beyond the end of very aware of social online tensions, to name a few.