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The Anglican Parish of Christ Church Brunswick |
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The Anglican Parish of Christ Church Brunswick |
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Brunswick
The local parish of Brunswick contains much need - homeless, needy, drug addicted, mentally ill, and others; all these live in and pass through Brunswick.
Christ Church, and the vicarage, in particular, faces a steady stream of people in need. Through the efforts and generosity of the parishioners, Christ Church provides a food cupboard and freezer which contain supplies of dry goods and frozen meals suitable for individuals and families from a variety of ethnic and social backgrounds. In addition, assistance with immediate refreshment, transportation and referral to suitable accommodation and other professional services are all part of the daily life of the vicarage family.
The Christ Church Op Shop also has a variety of material items which can be called on for people in particular need.
Counterpoint
Counterpoint Young Women's Refuge is a refuge for women aged 16-19. It is specifically for young women who are survivors of sexual assault. Supported by Anglicare Australia, at this time it is the only refuge of its type in Victoria. Those who come to the refuge can stay for a maximum of ten weeks, during which time they receive counselling and support, and are taught a variety of life skills to enable them to move into more independent accommodation. There is also a focus on developing creative skills as a means of self-expression.
Christ Church supports the work of Counterpoint. We regularly supply gift packs of luxury items for personal care to the young women in the refuge. As the staff of Counterpoint point out, these tokens of personal recognition and acknowledgement of innate worth and beauty are enormously helpful in the re-establishment of self-esteem. For many who come to the refuge, these small material signs are often the first of their kind for these women, and provide an indicator that they are valued, respected and loved.
If you need to contact Counterpoint:
Counterpoint Young Women's Refuge,
PO Box 214,
North Carlton,
Victoria, 3054.
Telephone: 9482 4940
Papua New Guinea
Christ Church has a long association with mission activity in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Dioceses of Aipo Rongo, Port Moresby and Dogura. Most recently, Damien Farrer, a parishioner of Christ Church, served in a missionary capacity at the Holy Name School in Dogura for several years in the 1990s. Read more about Christ Church and PNG.
Refugees and Sudan
In recent years, Christ Church has contributed to the spiritual, social and material well-being of a number of Sudanese refugee families living together in Melbourne. Victims of the civil war in Sudan, these widows, their children and orphaned children, displaced from their homeland, have migrated from refugee camps in Uganda to reclaim their lives and find a secure future, where, as Christians, they can joyfully proclaim their faith without fear of persecution or intimidation.
Anglican Aid Abroad
Anglican Aid Abroad (known also as the Missionaries of Saint Andrew) is a Brisbane-based organisation providing aid in many places around the world. AAA uses local Anglican churches and religious orders to disburse funds provided to it. It has a policy of not deducting administration costs from overseas gifts - 100% of what is given reaches people in need.
Christ Church has long supported this worthy aid organisation. Many individual parishioners are regular financial donors. Anglican Aid Abroad can be contacted as follows:
Anglican Aid Abroad,
PO Box 27,
Morningside,
Queensland, 4170.
Telephone and fax: (07) 3399 4129
Fundraising
Christ Church undertakes many activities throughout the year to raise funds for mission and outreach activity, including special efforts such as trivia nights, book fairs, occasional stalls, etc.
From time-to-time, the parish holds targeted fundraising and consciousness raising activities over a prolonged period (e.g. a year or two). The Leprosy Mission is one such organisation which has benefited recently in this manner.
Christ Church supports and encourages support of local, national and overseas aid agencies.
If you wish to assist the mission and outreach activities of Christ Church, please contact Christ Church in person, by mail or telephone, or by email (ccb@vicnet.net.au), indicating how you wish to assist or to where you wish your material or financial assistance to be directed. Your contribution will be most gratefully received.
Additional Sources of Information and Assistance
