by Margaret Rodgers

Are you planning to join in the prayer for rain on 15th August? It is imperative that everyone in the diocese does so. The situation for many people across the mountains is ominous.

Most of us in NSW are aware that we urgently need abundant rainfall. In the East Coast communities where most readers of Southern Cross live we are apprehensive about the water restrictions we are enduring.

But for people in the vast rural areas of the State things seem much more confronting. In many places their towns and peoples’ livelihoods are falling apart, with entire communities under threat.

Reflect on these voices that Bishop Richard Hurford has forwarded from the Diocese of Bathurst: “The town continues to be viable but is shrinking because there is no growth in the surrounding district. The High School and Primary Schools are not growing and there is a tendency to move away. In the district there has been some rain and this makes it look good. Follow up rain is urgently needed.”

“At least two of the biggest farms are being broken up because there is not enough water to maintain the cotton crops on them. This in turn is having an effect on the population, which continues to shrink because there is not the growth in agriculture to maintain it. There are empty shops and businesses, which are failing because of the lack of income. This in turn affects the size of the schools and the opportunities that are available to children in them.”

“If there is no substantial winter rain there will be no feed in the Spring. How has it affected the town? All the flats are empty and for rent – the single men have left town to look for work elsewhere, house sales are down and there are vacant houses.

“The school is down in numbers and will be demoted. The current Principal, who is well liked and respected in the town, will be forced to move to maintain his current status.”

One man, a stud breeder, said “We are facing exceptional circumstances, most have used up their reserves and Farm management funds. We have had 125ml of rain so far this year, we could usually expect three times that much. Spiritually I am confident, but I do not know how long I can keep it up.”

One clergyman wrote “I am struggling to find ways of caring for the many needs and needy people. The words of hope are hard to sustain. Parish income is down; attendance is down; and enthusiasm is down, both mine and others.”

In 2002 we were all aware of the alarming effects of drought. There were many appeals and the whole community gave generously to support those who were suffering in the rural areas. The Archbishop’s Appeal Unit raised significant sums for the support for ministry in the rural dioceses.

It is clear the situation is even worse now in some areas. In May the Bishops of Riverina, Bathurst, and Canberra and Goulburn wrote to their metropolitan, Archbishop Jensen, to alert him to “the realities of the continuing drought across much of our three dioceses.”

They commented on the present effects of the drought in the areas covered by their dioceses. “In parts of NSW and certainly in the ACT the effects of the drought are now far more serious than when you were alerted to the issues a year or more ago.

“The medium to long term forecast is also not encouraging. Areas that were previously drought free are now affected. Most major catchment dams are now dangerously low. The accumulating effect upon ministry in rural areas is very concerning.”

That is the reason for the day of prayer for rain on August 15th. It is an initiative of the NSW Council of Churches, whose President is the Rev Chris Moroney. At St Andrew’s Cathedral there will be special prayers with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, himself a farmer. He will be able to give a first hand account of the NSW rural situation. Other community leaders have been invited by the Dean to share in the prayers on that day.

Hopefully it will also be a focus in all services in our parishes. When you receive news from the Archbishop’s Appeal Unit please again give generously to assist the ministry in these hard hit places.