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April/May Newsletter 2007
Easter: Pastor Max Walker stated: “Easter is always an exciting and challenging time for Cornerstone. With the majority of agencies and charities closed there is little respite for those who have a need over the Easter break. Cornerstone was again a safe haven for those who were without family over the period and all the programs were well attended. Cornerstone Easters have become a tradition since introduced in 1996 and this our eleventh celebration of Easter was no different. The drop in was open as it normally is on a Friday and on this special Good Friday over 100 people enjoyed lunch and as Pastor Don Cameron shared a brief word on the significance of Good Friday. Saturday night saw 50 people enjoy the Drop in and a novelty of the night was the making of Easter Eggs. Easter Sunday saw our traditional breakfast with the Drop in open from 7.30 – 11.00 am. It was a time of celebration and fun commenced with a twenty minute music and preaching time explaining what Easter Sunday is all about. Over 80 people shared in the meeting and the full English breakfast prepared by Roy Johnson and his team. A big thank you to Dandenong Salvoes for the Easter Eggs and Springvale Lions for again supplying the sausages. One street dweller stated that Cornerstone was the only family he now had and it made a very lonely weekend bearable. ” Of the 200 plus people who came to Cornerstone over Easter they were representative of a wide section of the community from young families, caravan dwellers, the homeless, the lonely elderly, the mentally ill and many single young people. One elderly man came from Thomastown while the majority were from Greater Dandenong and Casey municipalities. Cornerstone Board of Management. Chairman: Grant. Renkema Committee of Four: Taskforce Leaders: Ex Officio: ANZAC Day Pastor Don writes: March and April have been very busy but productive times in my work at Cornerstone. Boys Brigade continues to grow in numbers and we praise God that more Christian men are coming along interested in helping out. The ‘Forty Days of Purpose’ Group ended and another group has met once to watch a very interesting Christian video about life after death. The MIDDWAY Cobras have started training and several old players and many potential new ones have expressed an interest in playing. Although most of the people I mix with are not that interested in hearing the Gospel I am reminded of Jesus words that we are to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’. In 150AD An Athenian Greek Philosopher wrote about the profile of a Christian in these terms; It is their positive counterparts to idolatry, sexual immorality and greed. First, they worship no other God but Him. They do not worship strange Gods. Secondly, they are pure, modest, refraining from all unlawful intercourse and uncleanness. Third, if they see a stranger they will bring him under their roof. If they hear that one of their number is in prison or oppressed all of them provide for his needs. If someone is poor and needy they will fast for two or three days so they can provide the needy with necessary food. Many people may not describe all Christians in this way today, but when we live out the teachings of Jesus people still notice in big ways. Over the school holidays I have spent time with several boys at McDonalds, kicking the football, playing cricket, playing slot car racing and several other things along these lines building relationships and answering questions that come along as they encounter life and wonder how to best handle situations. One boy asked ‘Don I want you to promise me one thing’ which made me wonder. He continued by saying ‘When I’m older I want you to teach me to drive’. Without knowing it my careful driving (especially so with a young person in the car) had impressed him compared to other people he had been in cars with. People notice even the small things that set us apart. I am happy to see new volunteers joining Cornerstone and this is an answer to prayer. In the next month or two I am speaking at Rowville Baptist Church, Dandenong Christian Reformed Church and Dandenong Church of Christ where I’ll put forward the Cornerstone vision and hopefully see some more interested people coming through the door to get involved. I have been very impressed by the ‘Big Brother Big Sister’ program run by past Cornerstone Co-ordinator Rebecca Wolstenholme (9705 5033 or e-mail: bbbs. casey@ymca. org. au). The program is desperately short of men over 18 who can spend one hour a week with an at-risk young person who wants an older mentor. I am delighted to see some of the longer term youths I mentor express an interest in service in some way. A big turn around from being a troubled and needy person to becoming a more confident and giving person. Many of the boys did a youth version of ‘Forty Days of Purpose’ and seemed to grow from that experience. On a personal note, our little Jemimah turns two years old next week and my wife and I are expecting our second baby in early July. I’m really looking forward to what the future holds. MARANATHA! Don Cameron 0415 888 528 / DonInDandenong@netscape.net. Cornerstone Sunday Programs. The program from 1 – 4 on advertised Sundays attract between 30 −50 people, It is a relaxed afternoon with sport on the telly and a short Christian tonic talk prior to something to eat. The next one on Sunday May 6th will include a time of commissioning of the Board and recognition of our volunteers. Dates in May are Sunday 6th & 20th. Orphans in the Philippines grow up Since 1994 Cornerstone has regularly supported a church running an orphanage in Mindano in the Philippines. The original orphans have grown up and are attending high school. Some of the older ones are pastoring branch churches established by Pastor Rene and Richelle. In the photo below Pastor Rene and Richelle are in the centre with graduates from High School wearing the garlands. Hopefully they will be able to continue on to college. Editorial Pastor Max Walker. This has been a month of hectic activity for Cornerstone. Despite the school holidays and the fact that we had several extra programs scheduled we were able to function well thanks to the faithfulness of our volunteers. After a slow start to 2007 we are seeing an increase in those using the facility and numbers on the increase in both our normal programs and Saturday and Sunday activities. This is indicative of the increasing need being felt by the fringedwellers in our community as they struggle to make ends meet. Many are doing it hard despite the booming economy and the mythical low unemployment. Daily we are dealing with individual crisis situations especially in regard to housing and rental situations. As it gets colder and we run into winter it is anticipated that the situation will deteriorate with more homeless seeking regular assistance. The tragedy is that the agencies are all under resourced to meet the need and have to limit the assistance they can give to the barest minimum. As a faith mission Cornerstone depends on the good will of those who see us as worthwhile for our existence week by week. So far we have been able to put food on the table on Wednesday and Friday but the drastic increase in food prices and the increase in numbers seeking help makes life stressful as we balance our budget. However, experience of 16 years of existence assisting the people of Casey and Greater Dandenong has shown us that God is a faithful God and He has provided for Cornerstone as long as we have focused on the needs of the poor, the orphan and the stranger in our midst. For many it is a lonely world and Cornerstone provides the family for those set adrift from regular family ties. It is here that they can find friendship, compassion and practical help to lighten an otherwise dreary existence. Bits and Pieces: Cornerstone is blessed by Avocare with its practical assistance through catering and DIY maintenance. Also a specicial thanks to Laurier for printing the AGM report and our monthly newsletter. Our AGM report can be viewed on our website www. cornerstonecentre. com. Fifteen Cornerstone men attended the Dandenong Baptist Men’s breakfast last week. Thanks go to the organisers for sponsoring the Cornerstone folk.
For further details check out the website or contact us as indicated below. * All correspondence to CEO c/o PO Box 358 Dandenong. 3175.
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