Rain! Rain! Go away, come back another day! (We all remember this short rhyme)
During May 2025, it rained and rained across the Manning Valley along with the Hastings & Macleay regions. There was continuous rainfall for four days, exceeding 600 millilitres, which has been described as an event expected to occur once every 600 years. A theoretical disaster not supposed to occur in our lifetime, unprecedented in magnitude and impact.
Having been disastrously affected by the 2019 bushfires, I understand the physical, psychological and financial distress thrust on those directly flooded and the overwhelming task in front of them, the how and where do I begin questions. Tears still well in my eyes when I recall the four people who came to our farm and asked, “How can we help”. The above rhyme is no longer my theme song.
Disaster Recovery Team meetings were held following the bushfires in 2019 and resulted in an action plan being implemented should another disaster occur……this is a staged system, firstly run by the Police, then the SES followed by the Disaster Recovery Team.
Our congregational efforts were kick-started by a telephone call from Wingham Baptist Church who had received a truck load of donated goods from Singleton. They wanted to know if we could take half. Of course, I did.
Saints Care through our Community Development program offered vouchers & our Street Tune (12 – 18 yrs) programme aided their return to school. Amazing work Amanda, Michelle and Cynthia.
One of our congregation members’ sons who relocated to Sydney now worships at the Glad Tidings Church in Liverpool which has a charitable arm called Soul Fire Brothers. They are a wonderful Christian group of men who brought 4-wheel drive and trailer loaded with food and other necessities to share with those affected by the floods in the Main Street of Taree. I was asked to go meet & share with the boys.
Not all the food and other necessities were distributed; the balance was left with our congregation to cook and distribute. My turn to step-up and deliver into the unknown and broken-hearted families living on the islands around our community – Glenthorne, Pampoolah and Oxley Island. I have lived in this area for most of my life but have never travelled those roads and laneways, so I let the Holy Spirit lead the way.
Two weeks later the Soul Fire Brothers returned for a FREE Community Engagement, this time held at Taree Church. We began with a circle of all workers/volunteers in prayer offered on the front lawn. This activity was again for the prime benefit of those affected by floods. People were welcomed at 8.30am for a Free Breakfast of sausage & eggs. At 11.00am an extra, extra-large pot of freshly precooked Butter chicken & rice appeared together with more tinned food, fruit etc. Our hall catered for those who needed clothes, blankets and Manchester. The homeless also came along. The constabulary (who are one of our partners in Street Tunes) also joined us. Our day closed again with a circle of prayer for the Blessings of Community. Watch this space as Soul Fire Brothers will be back later in July!!
The combined churches (10) in Taree held an uplifting service for those young and old in the Anglican church one Sunday evening following a free sausage sizzle. Over 300 people attended. Our invitation was lost…glad to say we will be attending the next one, and the organisers are now searching for a larger venue, anticipating 500 plus.
Today a semi-trailer loaded with tents & swags is being delivered to the Faith Community Church premises. This afternoon I will team with the One Life Minister & Weslyn Minister, to revisit those living in the nearby forests in their cars with the aim of understanding the specific needs of each.
Jesus did not stay and minister in the synagogues, he met the people where they were!
Christ’s Mission is our Mission!
Ruth Walsh
