We support the Flying Padre Program of the Uniting Church in place of our previous rural ministry project with Coonamble.

The Flying Padre, Rev John Blair, visits stations and towns including Ivanhoe, Wilcannia, Tilpa, Tibooburra and Menindee in the Far North west of NSW in his Cessna 182, bringing pastoral care to isolated people. This ministry is especially important now as the current drought is causing so much suffering and hardship.

We have enjoyed the visits from John Blair and his wife, Becky to Gordon when they have met some of our people over morning tea, and later addressed the Church Council.

The "Flying Padre Support Group" meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 12 noon. The purpose of the group is to pray for the work of the Flying Padre, to keep the congregation informed, to generate ideas for our support of this ministry, organise fund raising, and to encourage all members of the congregation to participate in this effort. The group also offers the benefits of small discipleship groups for its members - fellowship, support and growth in faith. Special thanks should go to Elizabeth Forsyth for helping to start this group.

Some Prayer Points

• Pray for those who are working so hard in drought conditions. The hardest part is yet to come. People are putting some of their stock down if animals cannot keep up with mustering or other stresses.
• Pray for wisdom for those responsible for distributing money, including the churches contribution.
• Pray for the health, including mental health, and mutual support of people in the outback.
• Pray for health, support and safety for John and Becky as they minister to the people of the outback.

How you can be involved

• Communicating with isolated or lonely individuals. This is something everyone can do, from children to grandparents. If you would like to be linked with a "pen-friend", please put your name on the list outside the office. We will call on you if the details of a suitable person are sent to us.
• Contribute to a fund for "Little Luxuries" to be given to people on the stations-little extras that they might have to forgo during the drought. It is better to send money than goods, as the money spent in the town helps everyone. There will be a box for contributions outside the office on Sundays. We are not asking for large gifts, just the equivalent of something like a special cake of soap, a box of chocolates or a magazine. This fund is in addition to the church contribution.
• There has been a request from Synod for city churches to sponsor barbecues in rural communities to help people to get together to support each other in this difficult time. John Blair is hoping to have at least four such barbecues - calling them "Precipitation Picnics"! - in his area and our "Little Luxuries" fund could also contribute to this.
• Offers of accommodation for people who may have to come to Sydney for medical appointments, business appointments etc. Please put your name on the list outside the office if you are willing to be called upon to take care of someone in this way.