On December 8 every Australian family that receives "Family Tax Benefit A' will be given $1000 per child in order to boost the economy, as part of a federal government initiative. While $1000 would no doubt be handy for the Moore College students who will be eligible for the bonus, one student, Rowan Hilsden (pictured far left) is leading an overwhelmingly supportive student body who have decided to sacrifice half their benefits as part of a campaign to care for the unborn and their mothers, and make a firm statement on the devastating effects of abortion.
Moore College third-year student Rowan Hilsden has launched the initiative, called Free Money For New Lives, which is receiving the support of the Moore College student body and faculty. It proposes to do just what it says " use this "free money for new lives".
In an open letter to Sydney Anglican parishes and the broader Christian community, Mr Hilsden proposes that half of this "free money' be used to protect the lives of unborn children, support pregnant mothers who might otherwise consider an abortion and support those who are still suffering because of a past abortion.
Mr Hilsden was challenged by the effects of abortion following a visit to Moore College from the director of Women's Forum Australia, Melinda Tankard Reist.
Ms Tankard Reist had shared with Moore students 18 personal accounts of Australian women suffering after having an abortion, which had been compiled for the book Giving Sorrow Words: Women's Stories of Grief After Abortion.
"It was only when I heard the horror of these women's stories that it hit me: if I claim to be Christian, if I claim to love those created in God's image, my faith can't just sit in my head in an ethics lecture," Mr Hilsden says.
"I can't be merely theoretical. If I am going to take seriously the call from Jesus to love the weak and vulnerable, then when an opportunity arises to do something about this, surely those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus should be the ones to act!"
Reactions among the college community to Mr Hilsden's subsequent Free Money For New Lives campaign have been overwhelmingly positive.
"I'd been in a conversation with some US friends at church. They asked me what Christian evangelicals were planning to do in light of the growing epidemic of abortions in Australia," says first-year student Tessa Rossington.
"I confessed that we expressed our sadness, but did not actually act in any way. They were shocked, and I was ashamed. So when this opportunity arose, I felt compelled to finally take some action."
Former Moore College student and student wife Katrina Feltman is adamant that Christians must be willing to support those women who do make the bold choice to carry their babies through to full term.
"I think it's so important that we are seen to be making a positive contribution to support these women and babies, and not just heard to be negative and guilt-provoking. What better use of this grant could there be?" she asks.
Mr Hilsden says if Christians have a "unified front' and contribute to the campaign, the impact may be beyond anyone's imagination.
"Imagine we gave just half of the money the government gives us, and put it towards the unborn. If families at Moore College have, say, three hundred children between them, that's $150,000. That could make a difference!" Mr Hilsden says.
Abortion has already been made legal in Victoria, after a 23-17 conscience vote victory in State Parliament on October 10.
Victorian women can now legally have an abortion during the first 24 weeks of their pregnancy, and after this period with the consent of two doctors.
Campaign bigger than college
Mr Hilsden wants the Free Money For New Lives campaign to be bigger than merely the Moore College campus and see it promoted nationwide. The campaign has also been announced at SMBC where students are just as keen in taking up the challenge to use this free money for new lives.
The campaign currently has the full support of Moore College principal Dr John Woodhouse, CEO of Anglicare Sydney Peter Kell and the Social Issues Executive of the Diocese of Sydney.
"I want to see as many people get behind this as possible. If enough people from Sydney Anglican churches were on board we could raise over $500,000, which would get us some excellent television-style advertisements and really raise this issue in the minds of the general population. Imagine what could happen if Christians from across the country got on board," Mr Hilsden says.
An email was sent to all Sydney Anglican churches last week to promote the campaign in the pews and a website has also been set up [url=http://www.freemoneyfornewlives.com.au/]http://www.freemoneyfornewlives.com.au/[/url] which contains links to various organisations' websites, information for supporting and promoting the campaign in churches and a Sydney Diocese Social Issues Executive briefing about abortion.
In the letter, Mr Hilsden outlines the campaign's three practical goals.
1. To support and grow Anglicare's Carramar Early Interventions, a safe house and support program that cares for young pregnant women in adverse circumstances who want to keep their child
2. To support Women's Forum Australia, an independent women's think tank that conducts research, education and public policy development about a range of issues that affect women and advocates life-affirming "pro-woman' alternatives to abortion which enhance a woman's freedom to have their babies.
3. To produce a high quality internet-based, television-style campaign showcasing interviews with women who have had abortions and want to speak out, as well as links to a website pointing women to quality pro-life counselling services across Australia and reliable information on abortion and its alternatives.
"Money will be collected by Anglicare and in consultation with an oversight group will be divided between the three organisations," Mr Hilsden says.
Mr Hilsden says the money raised by the campaign will help care for women who have had abortions, provide information about alternatives for women who are contemplating abortion and provide support services for those who want to carry their babies through to full term.
"Generally speaking, as evangelical Christians we are rarely proactive when it comes to social issues, not regarding them as "gospel' work. But engaging in social action really is just loving our neighbour," he says.
"If our lives have been transformed by Christ, surely we will share Jesus' concern for the weak and vulnerable. When opportunities arise to love, we will. And maybe the world will experience the love of Christ as we speak in actions and in truth."
Social Issues Executive stands firm
The latest briefing from the Social Issues Executive of Sydney Diocese, ‘Free Money For New lLives' looks at the abortion issue and promotes the campaign of the same name.
It begins with moving but disturbing testimony from three women who have undergone an abortion and now regret their decision.
"The doctor and nurse" didn't prepare me for the horror of termination" I thought my uterus was being sucked out" I could hear them saying it was a healthy nine-week-old foetus and everything was intact," shares "Melody' in her testimony of her abortion.
The Social Issues Executive has written against abortion on several occasions in briefings #002, #019, #032 and #040 and in the booklet Abortion: a Christian response.
"In a society where abortion is so common and enjoys such extensive legal and political protection, we suggested that Christian resistance might aim to create a child- and woman-friendly culture, where pregnant women under adverse circumstances really can become mothers. We wanted to see churches become "oases of welcome' for women and their babies," writes Social Issues Executive chairman Dr Andrew Cameron in briefing number 80.
Carramar cares for kids and mums
Carramar Early Interventions are a part of Anglicare's Child, Youth & Family Services and provides support services for pregnant and parenting young women who are up to 25 years of age and their children aged from 0 to 5 years.
The main components the program offers are accommodation, playgroups, case management, counselling, and early childhood support.
Carramar accommodation is limited to 10 properties, which are two or three bedroom units/villas in nearby suburbs. It is medium-term accommodation, so that tenants stay for 12 to 18 months.
The accommodation is available to young women, who are pregnant or with children, capable of living independently, and prepared to become involved in other aspects of the program. Tenants provide most of their own furniture, and pay rent and bond in advance.
A weekly playgroup gives the parents a chance to have some fun playtime with their children and to learn about being a parent. In addition Carramar run groups for parents that cover a range of topics: living skills, personal development, craft, parenting.
During these parents' groups, there is also a program running for the children in the playroom. Families in Carramar accommodation come to the playgroup and/or the parents' group.
Carramar have experienced support workers and a counsellor who assist families to learn new skills. Each family is allocated a support worker, who meets with them regularly, and counselling is available. Group clients may also be allocated a support worker and be referred for counselling
For more information visit the Free Money For New Lives website.
or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
To donate: Call Anglicare on 132 622 and quote "Free money for new lives".
For Carramar details call 9895 8181.
