If you are interested in financially supporting the SRE ministry, it's a tax-deductible, registered charity.  Contact our office for details (hmf@hnlc.org.au). 

THE CURRENT ISSUE - ETHICS COURSE AND SRE

The big issue facing SRE across NSW is the attempted introduction of a so-called "Ethics" program to run head-to-head in some prototype schools.  There is a considerable debate being mounted as to the legality of this competition to what is laid out by an Act of Parliament.  RE (Special Religious Education) has been a vital part of Holroyd Combined Churches for many years.  The trialling of a secular humanist "Ethics" course as a substitute has created an opportunity to reflect on the role of RE in our State schools (both Primary and Secondary).  Two very informative articles on this issue are attached;

Both good-value research. 

SRE DEVELOPMENT INITIATION

Boyette Zapata is hosting a  supporters' gathering for prayer and discussion of the future of the ministry in our district.  Go here for details

Changing the Guard...

Chris Forder resigned at the end of 2009 and has been replaced at Pendle Hill HS by Kat Harris - also a member of the ministry team at Toongabbie Anglican Church.  Chris and Leslie are proud parents now, and we wish them God's blessing in their future ministry pathway.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

We have expanded the combined churches' SRE to include elements of the primary school SRE ministry.  Boyette Zapata serves as Holroyd Primary Schools' representative, with a mandate to ensure that in the future, every one of our 23 primary schools has operating a viable RE ministry.  He liaises with the schools and with contributing local churches to identify places that have limited (or, no) SRE program, and then "plugging the gaps".

If you can volunteer to help broaden the work of Religious Education so that every primary school student hears about Jesus Christ, please contact Boyette at the numbers below.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Holroyd SRE has operated as a combined churches ministry under Holroyd Christian Ministers' Fellowship since 1990.   Several local churches regularly financially contribute to support Coordinators in five local State high schools.  The five schools are covered by -  Boyette Zapata (Girraween HS), Kefas Makava (Greystanes HS), Kat Harris (Pendle Hill HS), Dave Morgan (Merrylands HS), and Michelle Burns (Holroyd HS).  You can contact them through the contacts below.

A continual stream of students have been involved in youth activities, Bible study, camps, and Sunday meetings in local churches. The majority are from unchurched homes. Our discipling program covers not only Bible teaching foundations, but also lifestyle skills. Some of these young people have brought much chaos with them! But also much life and joy to our churches! The slow process continues - of changing the mindset so they begin to think and act (and react) as a Christian. We pray the change in their lives will speak, not only to their school friends (and teachers and staff!), but to their families too.

What can you do?  You can...

SRE supporters Prayer Gathering

Dear Partners in the Ministry.  You are receiving this letter because I would like to invite to an evening of prayer and fellowship of SRE volunteer helpers, teachers and coordinators.  Our desire is to be able to pray for Special Religious Education in Primary public schools  in Holroyd area and for the ministry of teaching Scripture to Primary students.