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April Newsletter 2005
Editorial:
There was a time when you could trust the printed word in the daily
newspaper , expect objective reporting on the TV news and trust the
promises of politicians made during elections. Unfortunately those
days are long gone. The only thing, apart from the footy results, I
believe in the daily papers now is the price and the date. Even the
former is subject to change.
The values of honesty and integrity which were a backbone of our
relationships with one another are only so if they happen to fit in
with our personal agenda. The spin doctors tell us we have never been
better off. What a load of bulldust! Maybe if you're on the right
side of $60,000 a year income and well established in your own home
with a rewarding job and a minimum of personal problems you may be
living a fulfilling life. However, if you're one of the "battler's"
trying to live on the pension, the dole and/or a wage just above the
poverty line the claim to a good life is lamentable and ludicrous.
There is a continual struggle to put food on the table, keep the kids
clothed, pay the rent and the utility bills. For those who require
a car for work or to get the kids about, the latest petrol prices are
the last straw. The GST was the panacea to solve all our problems
but this looks increasingly shaky and other taxes eat into our useable
income. Add to this the chaos that is daily reported in the media as
to our hospitals, schools, and there is little wonder that there is
an increasing anger building towards all levels of government.
More and more people are feeling powerless and increased apathy and
cynicism towards government and people in authority increases the
frustration and anger many feel. However, today if you challenge the
values underpinning our current society you are labelled as a "trendy
lefty or do-gooder" or part of the "religious right." As a pastor
this makes my life interesting.
However, whichever way you look at it there are a set of core values
that have been the basis of our society over the years and have been
valued by the majority of our society. Moral honesty, integrity,
being faithful to your personal commitments, your employer, giving
others a fair go, showing compassion to the less fortunate and
honouring the family as a basic unit of our society have given many
a focus and purpose to exist. Most of these have risen out of the
teachings of Jesus and have become the basics on which our society
operates. If we disregard these values we return to the law of the
jungle where the fittest survive and the poor and infirm are regarded
as inferior. Those who are different are put aside economically to
live outside, unseen by the affluent and self centred people who
exercise power in our communities.
This is the reality of the world in which we live. We can as
individuals accept this as "our lot" thankful of the handouts from a
disinterested government or we can demand more. It is time to
speak out. Let people know how you feel! Others probably feel the
same way! Use your phone to tell them how you feel! Councillors,
politicians and ultimately governments respond to people power that is
focused on issues. We have many! Housing, detention centres, high
youth unemployment, lack of jobs for the unskilled, inadequacies in
our hospitals and schools and the list goes on.
As Christians we are reminded continually in scripture of the need to
reach out beyond our Christian gatherings and express the love of
Jesus to our community. Let us extend our boundaries to all who are
in need. There is a great need beyond our church walls and a
relevant church will find ways to meet the immediate needs of the local
community that in so many cases is calling out for spiritual as well as
economic revival. 2005 the opportunities are endless and the
Christian has a significant role to play in reaffirming the important
values that characterise our nation.
Pastor Max Walker. CEO.
CORNERSTONE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING A GREAT SUCCESS.
Guests enjoyed light refreshments at the Cornerstone Annual General Meeting held on Thursday April 7th.Avocare Community Cooking, a work for the dole program, provided excellent pre meeting finger food. Approximately 50 people attended the AGM where the events of 2004 were
highlighted in the Annual Report.
The following were elected to the Board of Management:
- Chairman: Grant Renkema.
- Secretary: Alison Walker.
- Treasurer: Barbara Siddall.
Board of Management Committee Members:
Mrs Marion Jones, Mr. Paddy Hamill, Mrs. Wilma Southern.Mr. Don Cameron, Mrs Vickie Sarkatzis. Mr. George Sarkatzis.
Ex Officio Members:
Ms Amanda Murray.Mr. David Munroe..
Chief Executive Officer:
Pastor Max Walker
MIDDWAY - Mental Health doesn't discriminate, What about you?
The Middway committee has commenced planning for the Mental Health Walk through Dandenong for 2005. The Walk is scheduled for Wednesday October 12th. This year's walk will be bigger and better with the festival activities being increased. Middway is also involved in the Dandenong Kangaroos Football Club. Pastor Max is the Cornerstone representative on the MIDDWAY Board of Management. Watch the Update for
regular bulletins on MIDDWAY?
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Andrews Foundation:
Cornerstone again has successfully applied to
the Andrews Foundation and received a grant of $10,000 for the food
program.
Cornerstone is a "Faith Mission"!
Cornerstone has survived in Dandenong for the past 14 years using
volunteer staff. The budget to run the program in 1991 was about
$1000. To day to keep the program going requires $70,000 to meet
the various costs we now face. In 1992 there were 2 programs on a
Friday and Saturday Night. Today Cornerstone is open most days with
a variety of activities. Avocare Community Cooking Program and
Driver Awareness also use the building on a regular basis. The first
of the Wednesday meal programs in 1996 saw four casseroles, four
volunteers feed eight people. Last Wednesday a three course meal was
served to over 100 people. Last year Cornerstone provided 14,000
meals. The miracle that is Cornerstone meets the scriptural
requirement of caring for the widow, the orphan and the stranger in our
midst. God has kept His side of the bargain through the provision
that He sends through Greater Dandenong and Casey Community Grants,
the Andrews Foundation, Dandenong, Endeavour Hills and Springvale
Lions Clubs, caring church communities, business and God's little
people. The latter are the ordinary folk who see or read of what we
do and send their contribution to the Drop In. We believe God will
provide and we look forward to His blessing on Cornerstone in 2005.
Greater Dandenong offers three year funding for key service
organizations.
Cornerstone has be nominated as one of the recipients in this program
and will meet shortly with Council officers to discuss the
ramifications of this innovative initiative by the Council.
How I feel about Cornerstone. - ANNE D'ARTY
Cornerstone is a very special place,
A real refuge for the lonely and the needy.
The old saying:"They are really glad you came and everyone knows your
name!" Really applies here.
At Cornerstone everything is free, all food and drink
Is donated.
I enjoy working there and I've taken on responsibilities I never
thought I could.
One day one of the men had a grand mal or severe epileptic seizure/ He was falling all over the place, the ambulance arrived and he was taken away to hospital. So we have our dramas too!
Cornerstone is open 3 or 4 times a week God bless Cornerstone! God be praised! Dandenong City Mission in a
Christian environment. |
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PASTOR DON CAMERON SETTLES INTO PASTORAL CARE ROLE:
Don's role is to meet the individual needs of the people who attend
Cornerstone and seek individual assistance. He is attending Dandenong
Ministers and the Casey Pastor's Networks activities as the
Cornerstone liaison person. Don has been given authority to develop
activities that meet the needs of the current groups attending
Cornerstone. The transitory nature of many who attend his program
will change and evolve depending on the clientelle coming through the
doors. Don is looking to develop the Sunday afternoon program with
videos and vibrant Christian bands. If you would like to sponsor
Don's work at Cornerstone in some way give him a ring.
WORLD IMPACT CONFERENCE:
Pastor Max and Alison will be attending this
conference at City Life Church (formerly Waverley Christian Centre)
on Thursday and Friday April 21st & 22nd.
Cornerstone has continued its membership of Victorian Council of
Social Services (VCOSS)for 2005.
Volunteer's Training Night:
Pastor Max Walker led an entertaining and informative evening at
which various aspects of effective communication was discussed.
Learning to successfully community with the wide spectrum of people who
attend Cornerstone is an essential part of the armoury of a successful
volunteer. It was followed by sandwiches prepared by Avocare. These
one hour sessions are very popular.
Mark Siddall, an ANZ executive paints Cornerstone Foyer as part of ANZ
welfare assistance program available to staff.
Acknowledgements:
ANZ Executives spent a day at Cornerstone painting the foyer, serving
on tables and generally assisting around Cornerstone.Click Here for Pictures.
This hands on approach was greatly appreciated by the volunteers and
clients as they shared with the workers throughout the day. Two coats
were added to the foyer wall with a third too be applied at a later
date. It is hoped that this exercise will be repeated later in 2005.
Display boards in the hall were also painted and prepared for murals
later in the year. This will complimenmt the other side of the hall
where the panels have been painted with aboriginal motifs.This was done
a couple of years ago by a group of young people from the Dandenong
Aboriginal Co-op.
ANZAC DAY PROGRAM:
On Monday April 25th Jimbo and his team will
open Cornerstone from 10.30 - 4.00 pm. As there is no meal at St.
James on this day Cornerstone will be a good place to meet on that day.
NEXT SUNDAY PROGRAM:
NEXT SUNDAY PROGRAM WILL BE ON SUNDAY 24th from 1.00 - 4.00 p.m.
Pastor Don, David and Amanda will lead the program.
STEVE CHAPMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY:
Steve was one of the original clients
who died tragically as the result of a train accident and the yearly
pool competition is named as a memorial to him. The Competition
commences on Monday May 3rd , See JIMBO for details.
RICHARD KEEN:
Koala Cafe organiser has designed a new publicity
brochure for Cornerstone.
AWARD OF MERIT for all the unseen work done by Amanda and David were
presented at the AGM, JIMBO received a Certificate of Appreciation for
his work centred around pool table activities.
WHIRLEY BIRD CLUB:
Max and Alison were invited to speak about
Cornerstone at this club held at Dandenong RSL and funded by Veteran
Affairs. It is open to all ages and includes aerobics, bingo, a
variety of table games, films and speakers. The club gets its name
from the symbolic helicopter outside the RSL.
DON CAMERON:
A new program has commenced on Friday at 1.30 p.m. It
is a small group program featuring videos, dvd's and chat.
WEDNESDAY MUSIC PROGRAM:
This has recommenced after a short break
and George and Vickie report that it is going well. |
For further details check out the website or contact us as indicated below. *
All correspondence to
CEO c/o PO Box 358 Dandenong. 3175.
Cornerstone:
Pastor Max Walker CEO. |
| Postal Address: |
PO Box 358
Dandenong Vic 3175 |
| Address: |
Church of Christ building
cnr Mason and Walker Sts
Dandenong Vic 3175. |
| General Enquiries: |
(03) 9794 5654 |
| Fax: |
(03) 9794 5949 |
| Free Legal Service: |
(03) 9794 8428 |
Email:
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ALLMAX@bigpond.com |
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