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Report to Synod 2011 Anam Cara Community from Anne Turner (Soul carer)

Since my last report to Synod in 2010, there have been significant changes and growth
within the Community.

About the Community, clarifying perceptions

Mission: The Anam Cara Community is a dispersed Christian contemplative community of

prayer and support for the inner journey into God.

Objectives

• The Anam Cara Community will serve God, the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland and
the wider church by:
o Forming a community of individuals (associates) who seek to live the
contemplative life, in all its dimensions;
o Providing resources for individuals, parishes and other groups to support the
inner journey into God;
o Being a community of prayer, worship, the Bible, reflection, discernment,
justice and mutual support.

Last year it came to our attention that there were some misunderstandings about the nature
of the Anam Cara Community. To address this, a definitive statement about the community
was published which the Bishop forwarded to all Rectors and Parish Priests. We have also
recently sent a copy to all parish secretaries for wider parish information. As well as this
publication, an article was written for The Gippsland Anglican, outlining our understanding
of ourselves as a contemplative prayer community committed to providing many and varied
ways of making the inward journey, through prayer, study, reflection, silence and stillness.
We draw the inspiration for our journeys from the Bible, the historic tradition, the creeds
and other formularies of the church. Our commitment to the Diocesan mission statement
and strategy of “making Jesus Christ known here and now through the inward journey and
through the outward journey,” remains as a key part of our mission. We are not some “new
age” movement, or only catering for those with a “mystical” bent, but rooted and grounded
in the traditions of the Christian church as well as being open and inclusive in exploring
modern dimensions of faith and spirituality. The Anam Cara Community understands itself
to have a special ministry to those who feel distant from the church, or “on the outside”,
and seeks to provide a safe space for everyone to explore the inner journey. We understand
that there will be some who continue to have questions or concerns, and we encourage them
to speak with us in order to learn more about us, and perhaps ‘taste’ part of our ministry.

A decision was made at the end of 2010 that the leadership team would comprise one soul
carer of the community, gatherers of meeting places and others with specific tasks to be
known as “servant leaders” These leaders continue to meet bi-monthly to pray and work
together for the good ordering of this dispersed community.

We are pleased to have Associate, Archdeacon Heather Marten as our liaison with Senior
Staff, thus keeping all community matters well accountable and keeping the Bishop and
Senior Staff well informed.
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The Bishop continues to encourage us as a Community. This last year saw the beginning of
a “Meeting Place’ in the Diocese of Canberra - Goulburn. Bishop John liaised with Bishop
Stuart Robinson who has enthusiastically embraced the concept of the Community and the
leader the Rev’d Jeannette McHugh. Bishop Stuart sent out information to his clergy and
an article will appear in the Tri-Diocesan newspaper of Canberra-Goulburn; Riverina and
Bathurst.

We continue to have several lone Associates around the country and one in London. This
frail aged, faithful, lay Christian leader, finds great sustenance, spiritually, for her journey,
through the Community publications and my regular letters. I have been encouraged to
continue writing personal letters to Associates at particular times in their lives and journeys.

Communications

A new brochure for “Seekers” was produced which gives basic information about the
community – we have taken the liberty of providing each of you with a copy of this
brochure. A more detailed publication for all Associates is in production.

Our chief publication “Waterholes” continues to be edited by our web servant Colin
Thornby who is always looking for, and willing to receive contributions. We aim to have
quarterly newsletters or more.

For those without internet access hard copies are sent of all publications. The Community’s
web site (www.anamcara-gippsland.org) continues to be well used and accessed, often
bringing new Associates from other parts of Australia, and enquiries from across the world.

Ministries

Every month around the different meeting places of the community, including A’Beckett
Park, quiet days were held, led by Associates using their particular gifts. This year‘s
programme is well underway. These days are open to ALL whether associates or not. All
days are advertised on the website www.anamcara-gippsland.org, in The Gippsland
Anglican, and via email to associates.

As well as quiet days there are a growing number of small groups regularly meeting around
the Diocese exploring different aspects of the inner journey. There are also regular
occasions of contemplative style worship offered in different parishes.

One new group this last year “The Circle of Friends,” a soul friendship group of
“differently-abled adults meets weekly in term time in Sale.

As a community we are encouraging of individual parish days set aside for the inner
journey and advertise them on our website along with the Abbey programme. It is good if
we can know of special parish days so that we can support and advertise.

Within the Community we have several trained Spiritual Directors/Companions/Soul

carers, whose expertise and ministry is invaluable for those seeking a companion for their
own journeys of faith. We encourage all Associates and others to have such a trusted
spiritual companion. This ministry is specialised and the Servant Leaders recognise the
need for ongoing support and professional development for those engaged in this ministry.
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To this end, May 21st has been set aside for a day in conversation with Ms Cheryl Russell,
the Director of Professional Standards within the Diocese. The Community also aims to
provide ongoing supervision, support and ministry development for those engaged in the
ministry of spiritual direction

The Anam Cara Community continues to actively support the Abbey of St. Barnabas, and
to this end has committed to leading two retreats this year. Jane Macqueen continues to act
as the liaison servant leader with the Abbey and the Community will provide a “praying
presence” at the Abbey from July 4th -16th. During this time the Dean will lead a quiet day.

The end of year service is now well established in the Diocesan Diary on the Saturday
immediately prior to Advent Sunday. Here we can come together as a Community, as we
are able, to welcome new Associates and commission the servant leaders. This last year
“symbols” of membership were set aside at the service and then distributed to the gathered
Associates. As Associates renew their membership so they receive a symbol of
membership. It was good to have Dean Don preside at the Eucharist and Vicar General
Heather, in the Bishop’s absence, to preach and lead our time of thanksgiving and re-
commitment.

All costs are covered by the annual subscriptions, with a nominal contribution by
participants of quiet days. Our treasurer, Kate Campbell, does a great job keeping the books
and we are now in the habit of giving a substantial donation at the end of the financial year
to a chosen “cause.” This last year $1000 went to the " Seeds of Peace Project” Rwanda just
as the previous year a $1000 had been given to the Abbey of St. Barnabas at A’Beckett
Park.

Summary

At its heart the Anam Cara Community is one of deep prayer and as individuals and as a
community we hold the whole church in prayer as we continue our particular ministry in
providing opportunities to grow more and more into the image of Christ, our true head, and
servant leader par excellence.
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The following is the audited financial statement for the Community for the financial year
ending September 2010.

Administration expenses are kept to a minimum and quiet day income is mostly on a par
with quiet day expenses.

It has been encouraging to have some associates make donations to the Abbey of St
Barnabas through the Community, adding to the donation from Community funds the
previous financial year.

The donation to the Rwanda “Seeds of Peace” project and offering financial support to the
Circle of Friends group were highlights.

ANAM CARA COMMUNITY GIPPSLAND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
From 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010

DIOCESE OF GIPPSLAND ADF ACCOUNT 5403150

ANAM CARA COMMUNITY GIPPSLAND Statement of Income and Expenditure

INCOME EXPENDITURE

Balance brought fwd 2,497.26 Worship – organist 80.00

Donations 215.00 Petty Cash Drawings 70.00
Associate membership 1240.00 Stationery, resources, copying 284.09
A’Beckett Park donations 125.00 Donations 1,214.50
Trust interest 89.99 Catering 220.00
Quiet Days 580.00 Quiet Day expenses 561.35
Associate badges 357.98
Balance as at 30.9.10 1,809.33

4,747.25 4,747.25

Balance brought forward 01.10.09 2497.26

Plus total income 2249.99
Less total expenditure 2937.92
Closing bank balance 1809.33