Western Sydney Regional Council

Annual Report for 2002

(A report from the Western Sydney Regional Council.)

• Charter
• Access
• Members
• Structure of Organisation
• Activities
• Aim
• Goals
• Resolutions Implemented
• Grants and Loans
• Other Matters

Charter

1. The Western Sydney Regional Council under the Regions Ordinance 1995 has continued its functions for another year since its last Report.

2. Following revised guidelines, the Council funds received from Synod were distributed to Parishes and other ministries in response to requests and plans and its own strategy. Over $531,000 was so allocated during 2001, and over $500,000 is being allocated during 2002.

3. A review of Ordinances and investigation of the Reclassification of Parish Units was conducted by the Property Ordinance & Legal (POL) Committee as required by Ordinance.

Access

4. The principal Office of the Council is located at the Anglican Church Office - (Bishop of Western Sydney) 191 Church Street, Parramatta 2150 (PO Box 1443 Parramatta 2124). Office hours are generally 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Telephone 02 9635.3186 or 9689.1475. Email: office@westernsydney.anglican.asn.au. The Regional Secretary is Mrs Carolyn Kowald.

5. The Council Secretary is Mrs Sharon Crocker, Telephone 9635.3186, and the Honorary Treasurer is Mrs Gwenda Williams.

Members

6. The following list are the members as at 31 December, 2001.

           Ex-officio 

           Bishop B F V King                                                                  Archdeacon K Allen
           
           Elected 

           Mr J Barnard (Windsor)                                                         Mr R Beer (Castle Hill)
           Canon J W South (Emu Plains)                                             Mr A Frank (Northmead)
           The Rev J Lowe (Doonside)                                                  Dr R James (Penrith)
           The Rev W Presbury (Glenbrook)                                        Mr D Lewarne (Parramatta)
           Canon D Mulready (Parramatta)                                         Mr A H Woodland(Parramatta)
           The Rev S Semenchuk (Woodville)                                      Mr W D Nicholson (Lalor Park)
           The Rev P Griffin (W'worthville)                                            Mr I Reynolds (Lalor Park)
           The Rev N Macken (Northmead)                                          Mrs G Williams
           The Rev G Bates (Wilberforce)                                             Mr J Wenman (Blue Mountains) 
 
By Appointment 

Mr M Purvis (Lidcombe/Berala)                                                        Mrs A Hughes (Glenbrook)

Structure of Organisation 

7. The following chart sets out the structure of the Council and its various committees. Click here to view the chart.

Activities

8. The Council meets at least bi-monthly with these committees and Special Ministry Operation Groups (SMOGS) meeting where possible between Council meetings.

9. Financial support was given to Parishes and other organisations in supporting workers. The practice in the past of continuing to give a gift to those candidates from the Region in fulltime training for ordained ministry has continued and many parishes are generous with their gifts.

10. Loans and grants for major maintenance needs were occasionally made.

11. Two supplements of "Link" were published as inclusions in the "Southern Cross" newspaper. Our editor received several positive follow up calls demonstrating the level of acceptance and interest.

Aim

12. To Support and Encourage Evangelism and Discipleship (SEED) to help achieve the Diocesan Mission.

Goals

Resourcing

13. Each Parish, Area Deanery and Special Ministry Organisational Group (SMOG) has developed a strategic ministry plan by the end of 2004.

14. By 2005 our region sends at least 40 people per year into training for fulltime ministry.

15. All under utilised Anglican property in our region be identified and released for mission activity by 2008.

16. Clergy and ministry staff have regularly upgrading of their practical and pastoral skills.

17. The training of lay persons in ministries including evangelism.

Planning

18. Each new housing development of 1,000 homes or more has an Anglican church with or without property planted before half of the intended houses are inhabited.

19. Each TAFE and University Campus in our region has at least 2-3 day per week coordinator and a weekly evangelistic bible ministry by 2006.

20. Every parish will have a youth group of at least 40 young people and a children's group of at least 60 children led by trained leaders by 2008.

21. Each ethnic and indigenous people group of 10,000 or more living in our region will have a dedicated pastor and church meeting weekly by 2010.

22. Encourage each parish, SMOG and chaplaincy to develop an additional centre of fellowship by 2004.

23. The Council has Strategies, Evaluations and consequences for these goals, affecting property, Ministry, Evangelism and Discipleship.

Resolutions Implemented

24. One of the major areas that is growing both in population and importance with the Western Region is the Rouse Hill/Kellyville Development area known as the North West Sector. The Council has developed over many years strategies to cope with this growth, discussing with DUAP, SASC, NSW Government, local clergy, shire councils, NCLS, etc. It hopes for widespread support trust and encouragement in the outworking of its plans.

25. Parish Consultations, and planning together by a cluster of parishes with common areas of concern, were implemented on a voluntary basis in order to help form 3 and 5 year strategies. Some 18 parishes have had or are currently involved in the consultative process.

Grants and Loans

26. The list of grants and loans made are included in the Annual Accounts tabled at Synod.

Other Matters

The Region continues to be active in the following areas -

(a) TAFE Chaplaincy. Rev Craig Blacket and helpers are encouraging congregations and people at most of our 10 Regional TAFE's. Small groups are meeting to share and have Bible study together.

(b) 12 Cross Cultural ministries are being held for Persians, Chinese, Turkish, Multi Cultural Bible Ministry, Sudanese, Filipino and Koreans.

(c) The work of Rev Neville Naden (now ordained) at Tregear is expanding as others in other geographical areas join the Indigenous Church.

(d) The Childrens' & Youth Committee has ideas worked out with the Anglican Youthworks organisation.

(e) A Regional Conference with nearly 200 attending last September discussed many Regional issues, especially the need for more resourcing.

(f) My Ministry Skills Workshops, Ministry Reflection Retreats and Ministry Reviews have continued for Clergy in the Region.

For and on behalf of the Western Sydney Regional Council.

BRIAN F V KING
Regional Bishop
May 2002