Homelessness Resources
The SRC has recently been dealing with the issue of Homelessness. We have put together a kit in the form of a brochure that is to be made available to all parishes and any other interested parties. Find your copy in the July edition of The Encounter. Further resources can be downloaded below.
The Social Responsibilities Committee (SRC) was established by Synod under The Social Responsibilities Committee Ordinance 1997. Under the Ordinance the Duties of the Committee are:
(a) To emphasise the Church’s teaching with respect to the duty of Christians towards their neighbour;
(b) To enquire into social issues;
(c) To investigate issues of concern identified by the Bishop, Diocesan Council or the Social Responsibilities Commission of General Synod;
(d) To liaise with other communities of faith on social policy issues;
(e) To liaise with other social responsibilities committees across the Province and the nation;
(f) To prepare reports and statements on social policy issues;
(g) To take such action as may be authorized by the Bishop;
(h) To work in collaboration with The Samaritans Foundation and other diocesan organizations.
The Committee is to consist of The Bishop (ex officio), six clergy and six laity elected by Synod, one lay member elected by the Anglican’s Men’s Society, one lay member elected by the Mother’s Union, and one member appointed by the Board of the Samaritans Foundation.
In 2006 the major focus for the SRC was on the Make Poverty History campaign. In conjunction with Samaritans several Forums were arranged at various spots around the Diocese to coincide with National Poverty Week. In addition, a pre-Synod Make Indigenous Poverty History Forum was held in Newcastle in conjunction with The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC). Those attending were encouraged to work together, as Christian indigenous and non-indigenous people, to change the severe disadvantages suffered by the indigenous.
In 2007, the SRC has conducted a theological reflection on a personal story of an Aboriginal woman who not only related it to the Committee but who also participated in the theological process with us. This proved to be not only insightful but also profoundly moving, and opened our minds to the resources/traditions that the Church can bring to such issues. SRC has now aligned itself with an issue the Samaritans is tackling – that of post-prison housing/homelessness – and is preparing a theological reflection on the NSW Justice System that is responsible for the growing number of people being put in jail.
The SRC is a very busy committee and is actively involved in undertaking all of its duties as listed above. It is always open to new members with a serious interest in issues of social justice in our community/world.
For more information please contact any of the committee or the secretary on 4968 0375.
