Western Sydney Regional Council Annual Report 1998
Charter
1. The name of the Regional Council was changed to Western Sydney Regional Council from 1 January 1998 under the Regions Ordinance 1995.
2. Synod Grants - During 1997, the Council distributed funds received from Synod. (Other amounts for ministry and ministry students came from our resources). Revised guidelines were adopted and all 1998 submissions for grants were assessed under the new guidelines.
3. Review of Ordinances and the Reclassification of Parish Units - the Ordinance Review and Legal (ORL) Committee met as required.
Access
4. The principal office of the Council is located at the Anglican Church Office (Bishop of Parramatta - Bishop of Western Sydney), 191 Church Street, Parramatta 2150 (PO Box 1443 Parramatta 2124). Office hours are generally 8.30 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Telephone (02) 9635 3186.
5. The Hon Secretary is Mr A.H. (Tony) Woodland - telephone (02) 9636 2556 who became acting Treasurer, after the resignation part way through the year of Mr Graeme Marks.
Members
6. The following are the members as at 30 June 1998.
Bishop B.F.V. King Mr J. Barnard
Archdeacon A.F. Donohoo Mr R. Beer
Canon J.W. South Mr A. Frank
Canon P.S. Kemp Dr R. James
The Rev W. Presbury Mr D. Lewarne
The Rev J. Reid Mr A.H. Woodhouse
The Rev S. Semenchuk Mr W.D. Nicholson
The Rev R. Sewell Mr I. Reynolds
The Rev N. Macken Mrs R. Smitherman
The Rev G. Bates Mr J. Wenman
Structure of Organisation
7. The following chart sets out the structure of the Council and its various committees.
WSRC
Committees Task Forces
•Executive •TAFE
•ORAL •Uni Chaplains
•Funding •Cross Cultural Ministry
•Communication •Aboriginal Work
•Ministry •North West Sector
•Property •Aged Care
Activities
8. The Council meets at least bi-monthly with its committees, Task Forces and Special Ministry Operations Groups (SMOGs) meeting as required between Council meetings.
9. Financial support was given to parishes and other organisations to assist with stipends. The past practice of giving a gift to those candidates from the Region in fulltime training for ordained ministry has continued and many parishes were generous with their gifts.
10. Loans and grants for major maintenance needs were also made.
11. Two editions of "Link" were published as supplements in Southern Cross Newspaper. Our editor received several positive follow up calls demonstrating the level of acceptance and interest.
12. The vigorous effort by the Ministry Sub-committee preparing the way for the commencement of the TAFE chaplaincy has borne fruit. Craig Blackett has completed his first full year and is now involved in encouraging the Western Region congregations in prayer support for TAFE Bible Workshops held in 1997 at Granville TAFE. The Council is encouraging the extension of this form of evangelism with Craig now working in partnership with Blacktown and Seven Hills parishes to establish a TAFE Bible Workshop at Blacktown TAFE. It is expected this will be followed by approaches to assist already established Christian meetings at Nepean, Baulkham Hills and Lidcombe TAFE's.
13. In 1998 the aim is to consolidate and extend Cross Cultural contacts. The Diocesan Director of Cross Cultural Ministry and his team are giving assistance in that area of ministry.
14. A small group meets as a SMOG to keep in touch with the developing areas of the Region, especially the North West Sector.
15. A photographic record of our Parish properties has been compiled as the first step to having local information in the Regional Office.
Financial Results
16. A summary of activity in this area is as follows -
Receipts $
Cash at Bank & Invest Jan 1997 216,488
Synod Allocation 520,000
Donations to Candidates Ass 6,347
Interest and Other Income 24,000
Payments
Grants paid 1996 535,668
Gifts to Candidates 3,800
Other Expenses 23,996
Cash at Bank 31/12/97 203,461
For and on behalf of the Western Sydney Regional Council.
BRIAN KING
Regional Bishop
14 August 1998