Welcome back! In this edition of Chaplaincy Matters we’ve got lots of great stories, resources, and information for you to kick off Term 2 – plus some news about an exciting new partnership!
On May 8, the Federal Government will release its Budget and we will learn then what the next four years of funding will look like for the National School Chaplaincy Program.
For SU QLD, our goal is that every service has enough for one day of community service, regardless of the Budget announcement, but we do know that the Department of Education has planned to continue their funding for chaplaincy. Applications for this funding will be available to schools in Term 2.
Post May 8, SU QLD CEO Peter James will email LCCs with all the information from the Budget and its impact on the future of chaplaincy, whatever the outcome – none, less, the same, or more funding.
We will also be running LCC forums around Queensland in Term 2 so we can share with LCCs everything we know about the Budget announcement and what the processes are into the future.
At each forum, we will also show LCCs the new LCC Guidelines. Previously an overwhelming 87-page document, it is now an easy-to-navigate online resource, which would be particularly helpful for new LCC chairs and treasurers.
At forum, we will also have new Principal Packs and the new 2018 Chaplaincy Snapshot from data gathered last year, so we strongly encourage every LCC chair and treasurer to attend their local LCC forum. See the table below for dates and locations*.
Another event I encourage LCC members to attend is a presentation by ChildSafe, a children’s harm prevention charity with more than 10 years’ experience providing practical tools and training to help community organisations transition from policy to good practice and keep the children they care for safe.
In response to the Royal Commission Enquiry into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, ChildSafe is offering low-cost two-hour information sessions that will cover a summary of the Royal Commission report and recommendations, and an overview of the new 10 National Standards for Child Safe Organisations.
Tickets are available from Eventbrite or Facebook. For a full list of locations, head to the ChildSafe events page.
I hope you are all excited to celebrate your chaplain/s during Chappy Week, from May 20-27. We have included a link to a swag of resources to help you promote your events, as well as media guidelines, tips, and suggestions.
Thank you again for all your hard work and the vital support you are bringing to children, young people and their families in your local community.
Have a great term.
Jenni Dobbin, Direction of Field Services
Alpha – Tuesday, June 5, Alpha State School, 3.30pm
Atherton – Wednesday, June 13, location TBA, 6.30pm
Barcaldine – Wednesday, June 6, Barcaldine State School, 10.30am
Blackall – Tuesday, June 5, Blackall Uniting Church, 7pm
Bowen – Monday, May 21, location TBA, 4pm
Brisbane North – Wednesday, May 23, Somerset hills State School Library, 4pm
Brisbane South – Wednesday, May 9, Wynnum Baptist Church, 10.30am
Brisbane West – Tuesday, May 22, Village Avenue Community Church, 4pm
Bundaberg – Tuesday, May 15, Bundaberg Shire Council Civic Hall, 6.30am
Burdekin – Monday, May 21, Burdekin Community Church, 11am
Cabolture/Brisbane North – Wednesday, May 30, Hope Community Baptist Church, 11am
Cairns – Thursday, June 14, location TBA, 6.30pm
Callide/Dawson – Monday, June 4, Biloela State High School, 10am
CNQ remote LCCs – Wednesday, June 6, Zoom or conference phone, 4-5pm (option 1), or 7-8pm (option 2)
Chinchilla/West Downs, Maranoa – Friday, May 18, location TBA
Emerald – Tuesday, June 5, Emerald Anglican Church, 12pm
Gold Coast/Logan – Wednesday, May 16, Genesis Church Nerang
Innisfail – Friday, June 15, location TBA, 3.30pm
Ipswich – Thursday, May 17, location TBA
Longreach – Thursday, June 7, Longreach State High School, 7am
Mackay/Pioneer Valley – Tuesday, May 22, location TBA, 7am
Mareeba – Thursday, June 14, location TBA, 3.30pm
Pine Rivers – Thursday, May 24, Life Point Church, Rothwell, 4pm
Ravenshoe – Thursday, June 14, location TBA, 9am
Rockhampton – Tuesday, May 22, location TBA, 5pm
Sarina – Tuesday, May 22, location TBA, 10am
Townsville – Monday, May 21, Currajong State School
Tully – Friday, June 15, location TBA, 11am
* This list may not contain every LCC forum. Please contact your local FDM to your nearest forum details.