NSW RURAL CHAPLAINS GATHERING AT COONABARABRAN

Looking out across the Warrumbungle National Park  the scars still mixed in with the healing  

As winter started we met in Coonabarabran.  Why? Well, we had many of the Chaplains who had links with the devastating fires of 2012/13 attending but we also had  Sister Madeleine who has a big heart and house - a convent is a great place for a Gathering! 

The NSW Fire and Rescue Chaplain, Lyndsay Smith,  took us on a journey through Compassion Fatigue - The Cost of Caring. This was great as many of those present had gone from the fires to the drought as this is the role of many of the chaplains and other care based workers.  These come from Catholic Sisters and St Vincent de Paul plus a large group of Salvation Army Chaplains, both present and retired, or nearly retired, but still out holding those on the land in fellowship and prayer.

The Gathering of 2015 - Compassionate Carers one and all

It was not all hard work. In fact except for making coffee for 14 people at morning tea they did it well, with grace and care and still got a hot, flat, white on soy for me in the end. Hot soup, too, for lunch was the shot.
Our retired folk joined us then as they had driven from the Ridge via Narrabri, that morning -Vans in tow or one had car in tow (think about it) We were then in the hands of Donna, a local star seeker, who had lived in this area.

The fire was clearly still a topic that moved feeling and passion. BUT Stars, Baby Stars, are her main passion,finding the history and age. She had gained for us a tour of the Siding Springs Observatory. 
"Rap up warm!" she warned us and she was so right. Inside the telescope deck it is 7 degrees below the ambient temp outside -  BRRRRR!The 45 degree lean is from the power of the wind. 
This next point is not for Grey Nomads. 
We all drove passed the No Entry Sign - We had a "Donna Pass." The white building was our destination. For next couple of hours we had to follow OH&S so had to don hard hats. If the roof did fall the hat would only be a toy but I think it kept me warm in the wonderful crisp air above the back of the telescope.

Looking down to the mirror 

 I'll post pictures of the top end working and mapping galaxies on our face book page for the nerds like me.

Coffee followed and sharing what the last year has been like. The sad part is that a number of the Chaplains are coming up to retirement so we're losing some good resources.

The first  night we came together for a meal at a local motel - great people, plus we had guest speaker, Kate Shannon, who told us of her and her families experience on the day of the fire and how afterwards they used a program called "Storm Birds" which helped her children work on their feelings. It also helped Shannon understand what the children had going on.It was a very helpful tool.

 The time we had was good too, with Lyndsay Smith and our guests, the willingness of the sharing, open, helpful information and honest conversation, it was a helpful time. All I talked with got some thing from the time they attended.
           Thanks to all who came.
                                             A good feed for the heart soul and mind.

"Do you have to?" - Dinner at Coona

Breakfast in Coona -3 

Why are things like this important? 
Mainly to show all of us we not alone in the work we do. As we drive we meet up sometimes but often this gathering is the only time we get to see as the Salvos as all have different areas, projects and placements.I drive through Coona regularly but heading to and from somewhere I'm now going to see others. I will try to stop for a cuppa with Madeline.  I am working with some of the Chaplains with the drought work. 
To be compassionate you have to care for others. To sustain your care, you have to care for you.  It's not the last straw that breaks the camel's back but the wight of all we hold on to.
Bye for now,   
Shalom.
Phill Matthews 
Rural Chaplain