JourneyOnline
The President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Dr Andrew Dutney, has asked church members to continue to pray for and support those facing losses from bushfires.
"Dozens of homes and a life have been lost in New South Wales and Victoria, along with thousands of hectares of farming land and many livestock," said Dr Dutney.
More than 50 homes were lost in Coonabarabran in January in a large fire that burned through thousands of hectares of the Warrumbungle National Park.
In Victoria a man died, and a number of homes were lost in Gippsland.
The Uniting Church in Tasmania continues to assist relief and recovery efforts from damaging fires.
Rev Rob Buchan of Moree Uniting Church was the first disaster chaplain on the scene at the Coonabarabran fires.
He was later joined by Rev Gareth Thomas-Burchill (Dubbo Uniting Church) and Rev Glen Renton (Thornleigh Hillcrest Uniting Church), who provided peer support.
"You sit with people as they deal with their state of shock, hear their stories, and counsel them as they go through stages of grief," said Mr Buchan, who has ministered to people in both floods and fires in his region within the last 12 months.
"We also act as a conduit for people with the relief agencies."
In all, disaster chaplains had around 400 conversations with people at evacuation and recovery centres in Coonabarabran.
Rev Bob Rutherford of Goonellabah was team leader of the chaplains, while rural chaplain Rev Julie Greig and Rev David Riethmuller (Rooty Hill Uniting Church) acted as coordinators.
Rev Dr Stephen Robinson of the NSW-ACT Synod has been coordinating the NSW Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network since its formation in 2009.
"Coming alongside people, with other agencies, chaplains are exercising an extraordinary 'ministry of presence'. Every one of them has spoken of the privilege and blessing which is shared in these difficult times," said Dr Robinson.
At Coonabarabran, nine disaster recovery chaplains from five different denominations worked side by side over two weeks.
"On behalf of the Assembly I want to pass on our special thanks to our disaster chaplains and others involved in disaster relief for the work they have done this summer," said Dr Dutney, who reminded church members of the importance of giving generously.
"The Uniting Church is there for communities as they face their crises, and we will be there for them as they rebuild too.
"I urge church members to give generously to Synod appeals or to the National Disaster Relief Fund."
To donate to the National Disaster Relief Fund call 1800 772 851 or go to www.assembly.uca.org.au/donate. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Photo : Coonabarabran chaplains. Photo courtesy of the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly
