Parish Ministries and Activities

Licensed Lay Ministers

Megan Octigan, coordinates a weekly study group at Urunga and also teaches SRE at Urunga Primary School .

Dianne Neuman has a valuable ministry as a Pastoral Care Worker. She regularly visits residents at the Bellingen Masonic Village, conducting a service once a month. Dianne also visits elderly people at home and is a valued member of the Bellingen community.

Michael Summerill assists in the Pastoral Care Ministry of the Parish and regularly helps at the Raleigh Masonic Aged Care with day trips and ministry to the residents.

Waterfall Way Education Committee

Was a local ecumenical committee which was instrumental in establishing a part-time SRE teacher in the Bellingen and Dorrigo High Schools, commencing in 2015/6. They continued to oversee this ministry and raise funds for the paid teacher.

Sadly since 2021, there has been not enough interest from students and the Bellingen High School has not been able to timetable Scripture classes there. This is a prayer point for we hope there will be a positive turnaround and the classes resume to teach our young people about Jesus.

SRE is currently taught in the primary schools in the area by a band of dedicated Christians from most churches in Bellingen, Urunga, and Raleigh/Repton.

 

Other churches in the Bellinger:

There are Roman Catholic churches in both Bellingen and Urunga, as well as Uniting Churches in both towns. North Bellingen also has a church call ether “House of Hope ”. Together we all bring the gospel to the people of the Bellingen Shire.

Social Events

The parish organises a monthly social get together. These vary from lunch with friends, Coffee and Cake morning tea and other gatherings. Hospitality is valued in the parish and offers opportunity to bring friends and those who are isolated in the community.

 
 
 

Op Shops

There is a great team of volunteers working in the two Op Shops at Bellingen and Urunga. We are grateful for each person and the skills and dedication they bring. The consistent cheerful hospitality to those who enter the doors makes the whole Op Shop experience a welcoming ministry in the two towns which draw many tourists as well as locals. Meg’s Boutique, as the Bellingen Op Shop is known, lies proudly amid the trendy dress shops in downtown Bellingen.

More volunteers are always needed- contact the parish office if you are interested.

Chomp and Chat

This ministry is in recess as we assess the best way forward after Covid has interrupted what we do. It is run by Lesley Edwards who welcomes everyone for a meal and fellowship. Lesley and her helpers provide delicious meals for those in the Urunga church hall for those who are alone and in need of friendship. During 2019 they provided a total of 358 meals over a period of 44 weeks. Lesley’s extends hospitality to people in the community who are often overlooked or doing it tough. We are planning for safe ways to reopen it very soon.

 
 
 

Food Pantry

The food pantry assists over 200 clients. Last Christmas 32 hampers of food and toys were distributed to welfare recipients and the homeless throughout the Urunga area. Donations of fresh vegetables and other foodstuffs have helped supplement the stock and those involved are grateful to be able to display God’s love to all.

Future Ministry

We are aware of our limited resources but are grateful for each member of our Parish who freely devotes their gifts to enable us to continue to serve God through the Anglican Church in the Bellinger.  Along with our church services, SRE, Bibles study groups and partnerships with other organisations and churches we have been endeavouring to engage the community in our Christian witness. We look towards the possibility of Healing ministry, and the creative services in the near future. We continue to pray that the Lord will extend our vision and change our focus so that we can become a vibrant place in this community in which the Lord has placed us.