I write this just after Share Sunday, celebrating the community work of Uniting Church agencies, congregations and parish missions.
When you read this, your congregation may well have been hearing Bible readings from the letter of James over the last month.
James famously talks about faith being seen in action for good for those in need.
One of the ways that the Church does that is through care for vulnerable children.
During September I will have attended a special ceremony to dedicate a plaque, situated at the Sale Uniting Church, celebrating the almost 1000 boys who lived at Kilmany Park Farm Home between 1925 and 1977.
Situated just outside Sale, the Kilmany Park Farm Home was established by the Presbyterian Church in 1924.
It had a capacity of 45 beds, and catered for boys aged between 10 and 16, training the children in farm work.
The wording on the plaque was written by former residents of the home, working with the Uniting Heritage service team.
It includes the acknowledgement that we remember each of the boys, particularly those who died before their time.
May they not be forgotten.
In offering support to vulnerable children, the Church has learnt the high level of care that is required to ensure safety and security for children for whom we have responsibility.
This is our highest duty.
After the closure of Kilmany Park, other forms of group family care homes were established.
When the site of Kilmany Park was sold in the 1990s, a Trust was established from which various related projects have continued to be funded.
I was delighted recently to be part of the approval process for a significant new initiative, drawing on the proceeds of this Trust.
Uniting VicTas is preparing to establish a house to run an early intervention service for young people experiencing family conflict, called ‘Ruby’s Reunification Program’.
Ruby’s will provide a voluntary therapeutic residential and counselling service, to provide a safe place for young people to stay while they and their families work towards reunification.
Whole-of-family counselling and support will be a key element of the care provided.
This program will accommodate young people (aged 12 to 17) who are experiencing family conflict and are at risk of homelessness, and who need a safe place to stay in the short term.
The house will include four bedrooms for young people, staff facilities, a counselling room and some shared spaces, and will be located in one of the areas that Uniting has identified as most requiring priority.
Ruby’s Reunification Program has been running successfully in South Australia since 1993, having been established by Uniting Communities there, and now receiving funding from the South Australian Government.
There is a strong evidence base to show how Ruby’s reduces pressure on acute services and is able to support the majority of the young people who have participated to reunify with family.
It is important to be able to put resources into such valuable programs as this, and I’m very glad that Uniting is able to draw together the resources to launch this program well.
May this be an example of the commitment of the whole Church to faith which is seen in our actions for good, and our commitment to well supported care for vulnerable young people.
Rev David Fotheringham
Moderator