Parish Ministries and Activities

Licensed Lay Ministers

Megan Octigan helps with services at St Margarets. Megan also coordinates a weekly study group at Urunga and takes communion to some of the parish members who can no longer attend church.

Dianne Neuman has a valuable ministry as a Pastoral Care Worker. She visits residents at the Bellingen Masonic Village, conducting a service once a month. Dianne also visits elderly people at home.

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 bus for the day trips and ministry to the residents.

David Moore is the newest member of the Lay Ministry Team. David is enthusiastic about this ministry and is studying theology. He helps with the services at St Barnabas each week along with his wife Nicole.

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.

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 ”. 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.

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.

Chomp and Chat

This ministry is in recess as we assess the best way forward after Covid has interrupted what we do. It is run by Lesley Edwards who welcomes everyone for a meal and fellowship. Lesley and her helpers provide delicious meals for those in the Urunga church hall for those who are alone and in need of friendship. During 2019 they provided a total of 358 meals over a period of 44 weeks. Lesley’s extends hospitality to people in the community who are often overlooked or doing it tough. We are planning for safe ways to reopen it very soon.