Through the groups and activities of the Chaplaincy we...

/  Help people find meaning in their lives,
particularly following times of grief, stress or crisis

/  Connect people with other people and services

/  Help people understand and find spiritual strength in their lives

/  Explain the Christian story and its role in developing spiritual understanding

/  Available to debrief near death experiences and similar unusual occurrences

/  Encourage and celebrate diversity and inclusiveness in our community towards a fairer world for ALL

/  Care for the whole person - body, mind and spirit

OUR THEME IN 2025 IS

The Risk of
Living Together

Things can go wrong when people work together, live together, conspire together, aspire together. Conflicts can arise. Misunderstandings can arise. The ego, of course, gets in on everything; and we know this at a personal level, at a communal level, and at a global level. We are surrounded by the consequences of not preparing for the risk of living together

To prepare well, means that we accept each other's differences and we respect each other's different beliefs. At the same time, we are aware of each other's diversity, recognising each other's dignity and their right to hold their own point of view, and to be aware of the common ground that we share. That common ground is the source of our strength to take the risk of living together for the benefit of all.

This is a challenge that affects people of all ages:

• we see it in very young children today increasingly dependent on technology to form connection;

• we see the rise of mental illness in teens and young adults;

 

• we see the dependency upon technology and the loss of personal contact across the generations;

 

• we see it in middle-aged people going through a ‘mid-life crisis’ ...one that seems to come earlier and earlier, and;

 

• we see it in older people after retirement, as they search for meaning and purpose in their second-half-of-life.
  

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Some of the BIG questions this raises are…

Q.   
What do we need to do to reconnect with what will help us to live together?

Q.   
What do we need to do to find that connecting point?

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If we cannot find that connecting point –with ourselves, with others, with the Spirit, with God, with the environment, then we are living in the nightmare of uncertainty and danger.


Life is always uncertain. I've more recently developed a certain philosophy of doing the next thing as well as I can and not speculating or dramatising too much what might or might not happen. Every single person must face the challenge of uncertainty. We can face it with joy and with peace as I have found through trust and relationship, the kindness and strength of strangers, and the goodness of people with whom we are sharing life's journey of living together.


As Community Chaplain, one of my roles is to bring us to the point where we can look out from our individual positions and see the connections we have with others.


Over the coming year Lane Cove Community Chaplaincy has a wonderful array of activities and speakers with deep personal experience and wisdom sharing with us their perspectives on this emerging crisis that our world is facing, and I really believe that the result of listening and participating in these activities will awaken in all of us a confidence that conviviality – the risk of living together - is more than justified. Indeed, it is our destiny, and we must approach it with great hope, confidence, and joy.


I look forward to you joining us as we explore this year’s theme, THE RISK OF LIVING TOGETHER, and I hope you’ll agree that it’s a risk worth taking.

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We’re about life in ALL its fullness  
– body, mind and spirit!

Want to know more?
Come and join the conversation where all are welcome,
and all means ALL.

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Rev.LIAM MCKENNA

Lane Cove Community Chaplain

0404 596 592

[email protected]

Activities running on a monthly cycle...

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  Activities by arrangement...

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Always...

Pastoral care in chaplaincy involves providing spiritual, emotional, and relational support to individuals, families, and communities, regardless of their faith or religious background. Chaplains, trained in pastoral care, offer a compassionate presence, a listening ear, and guidance through life's challenges. We help people explore their faith, find meaning in their lives, and navigate difficult situations like grief, loss, and anxiety.

Spiritual Support

We help individuals connect with their spirituality, whether through religious practices or personal reflection. 

Emotional Support

We provide a safe space for people to express their emotions, offering comfort and understanding during times of stress or crisis. 

Relational Support

 We build relationships with people, fostering a sense of belonging and connection, especially for those who may be isolated or feeling alone. 

Guidance and Counselling

We offer guidance and support in making decisions, navigating difficult situations, and finding meaning in life. 

Faith Exploration

 We can help individuals explore their faith, deepen their understanding of religious traditions, or find new spiritual paths. 

Community Building

We also play a role in building and strengthening communities, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support. 

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Social justice advocacy is the practice of promoting and defending human rights and a fairer distribution of resources and opportunities within society. It involves various actions, including speaking out, writing, and acting on behalf of individuals or groups to ensure their rights are protected and their concerns are considered.

In a world compromised by climate change, challenged by inequity, insecurity and injustice,
we're hopefully and practically committed to the well-being of creation;
compassionately dedicated to the flourishing of human beings and human communities;
and creative, disruptive and daring in our witness.

Social Justice

• Social justice emphasises fairness, equality, and equity in how society distributes its resources and opportunities. 
  

• It aims to address historical injustices and create a more just and equitable society for all. 


• Key principles of social justice include equal rights, equal opportunity, and equal treatment. 


• Examples of social justice issues include combating discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability; care for creation; Reconciliation; and, advocating for access to essential services for all. 
  

Advocacy

• Advocacy involves actively speaking, writing, or taking action to promote, protect, and preserve the legal and human rights of others. 

 

• It can be done on behalf of an individual, group, or the public at large to influence policies and practices. 


• Advocacy can involve various strategies, such as public awareness campaigns, Lane Cove Forums, lobbying policymakers, and providing direct assistance to those in need. 
  


• As a social justice advocate, we work to create a more just and equitable society by challenging unfair systems and practices and advocating for change. 
  

We work to raise awareness of social justice issues, build support for change,
and influence policies and practices that promote fairness and equality for ALL. 

By advocating for vulnerable individuals and groups,
we play our part in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to flourish. 

Our Partners...