Parish Ministries and Activities
Pastoral Ministry
Michael Summerill assists in the Pastoral Care Ministry of the Parish and regularly helps at the Raleigh Masonic Aged Care with the monthly church service there. Mike drives the Masonic mini bus for the resident’s day trips and has a great pastoral ministry to the residents.
Dianne Neuman has recently retired as LLM after many years of service. She still has a valuable ministry as a Pastoral Care Worker and visits residents at the Bellingen Masonic Village, conducting a service once a month. Dianne also visits elderly people at home.
Members of the parish are encouraged to care for one another and those they know who are in need in the community. The Op Shops give clothing and blankets if needed and the volunteers are known to be available for those who need a listening ear.
Pastoral visiting in the local hospital weekly and also is available when required. Members of the parish have ministry to those who are experiencing grief and loss.
Religious Education in School
Sadly since 2021, there has been not enough interest from students and the Bellingen High School has not been able to timetable Scripture classes there.
The Scripture classes at the Bellingen Public School are needing more teachers. These are prayer points for we hope there will be a positive turnaround and classes resume to teach our young people about Jesus.
Healing Service
As a result of the Hope 25 campaign promoted by the Australian Anglican Church a Healing Service began in May 2025 at St Barnabas Urunga. A small group of interested members came together to pray and plan.
The service happens on the first Friday each month at 12.30pm. They have been wonderful times of witness, proclamation and prayer. Many members from the broader community have come and received healing prayer.
We look forward to God’s continued work among us.
Other churches in the Bellinger:
There are Roman Catholic churches in both Bellingen and Urunga, as well as a Uniting Church in Bellingen. North Bellingen also has a church call ether “House of Hope ”. in 2026 Life House has started in Urunga purchasing the uniting church and now together we all bring the gospel to the people of the Bellingen Shire.
Social Events
The parish organises a monthly social get together. These vary from lunch with friends, Coffee and Cake morning tea and other gatherings. Hospitality is valued in the parish and offers opportunity to bring friends and those who are isolated in the community to join in fellowship and friendship.
Hospitality to others is encouraged and we believe that God’s invitation is for all people.
Op Shops
There is a great team of volunteers working in the two Op Shops at Bellingen and Urunga. We are grateful for each person and the skills and dedication they bring. The consistent cheerful hospitality to those who enter the doors makes the whole Op Shop experience a welcoming ministry in the two towns which draw many tourists as well as locals. Meg’s Boutique, as the Bellingen Op Shop is known, lies proudly amid the trendy dress shops in downtown Bellingen.
More volunteers are always needed- contact the parish office if you are interested.
Maintenance
Recent years has seen a lot of maintenance completed in the parish. This includes the replacement of the eastern window at Urunga church. Repair of the Gables of St Margarets church roof has also been completed as well as painting of the church exterior. Work to replace guttering and other roofing on hall and office has also been done thus bringing the buildings into good repair for years to come.
Food Pantry
The food pantry assists over 200 clients. Last Christmas 32 hampers of food and toys were distributed to welfare recipients and the homeless throughout the Urunga area. Donations of fresh vegetables and other foodstuffs have helped supplement the stock and those involved are grateful to be able to display God’s love to all.
Future Ministry
We are aware of our limited resources but are grateful for each member of our Parish who freely devotes their gifts to enable us to continue to serve God through the Anglican Church in the Bellinger. Along with our church services, SRE, Bibles study groups and partnerships with other organisations and churches we have been endeavouring to engage the community in our Christian witness. We look towards the possibility of more creative services in the near future. We continue to pray that the Lord will extend our vision and change our focus so that we can become a vibrant place in this community in which the Lord has placed us.