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Tasmanian Anglican

March 2005

 

 

 

 

 


The Backyard Angels new trailer - What a gift!

 


Backyard Angels (visionary) co-ordinator Steve East (centre) thanks the team behind the new mission initiative.

 

Backyard Angels

 

 

Backyard Angels is a mission initiative of the West Tamar Parish, liaising with other caring agencies and individuals to help people who need their yards cleaned and mowed.

Backyard Angels was launched (appropriately) in the backyard of the West Tamar Parish Church on 10 February with a buffet dinner and encouraging speeches by Kerry Finch MLC and Bishop John Harrower. Both these men have been supportive over the lead-up period as the co-ordinator (and visionary) Steve East worked with the committee to put everything into place.

We hope that the elderly, infirm, those released from hospital (in fact anyone with an urgent need) will find this service useful. Parishioners see this as a way of linking up with people in the parish and helping both practically and by building new friendships.

Overwhelmingly supportive

As with all rural parishes, community is vitally important, and the community has been overwhelmingly supportive in very practical ways:

  • Businesses donated steel, axles, and building skills to create a tandem trailer valued at approximately $3000...as a gift.
  • Individuals outside the church paid for the trailer's roadworthiness survey and registration. Other businesses painted it and did the sign writing.
  • Equipment was donated or purchased at discount prices.
  • On the evening of the launch the local Lions Club meeting made a donation of $500 towards a chain saw.
  • TAFE Forestry are donating safety courses so that one or two people can be properly accredited.
  • A Ministry Support Grant of $3000 over two years will help with the running costs and purchase of some equipment.
Not impossible

The service was up and running before the launch when a couple of people were helped after damaging winds swept through the area.

The Parish believes that this initiative is a sound, practical way of linking the Gospel with the needs of people. We do it in the name of Christ and as an expression of his love. Barry Easther (Mayor of West Tamar and parishioner) expressed his support at the launch.

It is not impossible to put new mission initiatives into place, but what is needed is a visionary, a supportive leadership group, and a community which relates to what is being done.