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Tasmanian Anglican

November 2002

 

 

 

 

 

ACT

from Alan Bulmer

 

 

What comes to your mind when you see these three letters? The Australian Capital Territory? The fifth Book of the New Testament?

Or maybe the letter from Dr Louise Wells and leaflets about the Margaret Allwright Foundation and ACT have been circulated in your Parish? If so, you will know that ACT stands for Anglican Chaplaincy Tasmania, the Diocesan Organisation that ensures pastoral care for those in hospital, aged care facilities or prison.

ACT has Chaplains in the Royal Hobart Hospital (including the Whittle Ward - Palliative Care), the Launceston General Hospital, the Northwest Regional and Private Hospitals as well as at St Luke's, St Vincent's and the Manor in Launceston. There are also Chaplains at Risdon Prison and the Mersey Community Hospital.

It can be very frightening to find yourself in any of these places, away from home and loved ones. The staff also find themselves in need of pastoral care, as their work can be stressful. Family members also need pastoral care. Chaplains are available to help in these situations.

Many volunteers and others throughout the Diocese are available to pastorally care for others. To do this they need training and ongoing support. ACT provides all this and more through its C.P.E. (Clinical Pastoral Education) courses.

Of course, this all takes money.

To date the Diocese has not had to contribute funds for this ministry. Anglican Health and Welfare has contributed major funds each year but with low interest rates and other calls on its funds, the Board of ACT cannot rely solely on those funds.

The Board of ACT, under the leadership of Dr Louise Wells, has members from throughout the Diocese, elected by Synod as the Board comes under a special Synod Ordinance.

Margaret Allwright was well known through her nursing career and her involvement in many Diocesan organisations. For many years she was an active member of the ACT Board. In her memory the Margaret Allwright Foundation has been established by the Board to provide funds for its work.

Support

Funds can also be contributed through the ACT leaflet available throughout the Diocese. Tax deductibility is allowable on some of these contributions.

Above all, please pray for the Board of ACT and the Chaplains in its care. It can often be a lonely and isolating experience for them: we need to support them, especially with our prayers. These chaplains cannot possibly get to see everyone who is admitted to hospital so they rely on others to let them know when a person would like a visit.

Click here to contact a chaplain.