THIS CHRISTIAN INTERDENOMINATIONAL, VOLUNTARY MINISTRY WAS STARTED IN CARLINGFORD NSW NEARLY THIRTY YEARS AGO IN 1977 BY MRS EILEEN DUTTON as she saw firsthand some Residents suffering needless trauma, from lack of spiritual input, whilst undergoing the huge personal and physical transition period between independent living and often times confining and dependent aged care. HER HEART WENT OUT TO THE ONES STRUGGLING TO EFFECTIVELY ADJUST WITH THEIR CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES, SO SHE RESOLVED TO BRING GOD'S COMFORT TO THEM. STARTING WITH PERSONAL VISITATION SHE SOON REALIZED IT WOULD BE MORE EFFECTIVE TO HAVE GROUP VISITS TO REACH MORE PEOPLE, THUS GROUP VISITATION STARTED WITH OTHER HELPERS. TODAY IT IS KNOWN BY THE NAME OF PRAYER ON WHEELS !
IT IS A MINISTRY OF LOVE, CARE, COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE SICK, LONELY AND THE ISOLATED IN OVER 37 AGED CARE FACILITIES. AS THE OUTREACH GROWS SO DOES OUR NEED FOR DRIVERS, MUSICIANS, SINGERS, LEADERS AND ALSO THOSE WHO COME JUST TO BE A COMFORT AND FRIEND TO THE RESIDENTS AND A HELP TO THE VISITATION TEAM.
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH, YOU NEED NO SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS, OTHER THAN A LOVE OF GOD & A DESIRE TO BE USED IN HIS SERVICE TO BRING GOD'S PEACE & JOY TO RESIDENTS; JUST A FEW HOURS EACH MONTH WILL BROADEN SOMEONE'S HORIZONS AND BE OF ETERNAL VALUE.
OUR AIMS: ARE TO BRING THOSE VISITED CLOSER TO GOD AND HIS INEFFABLE LOVE, BY SHARING THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE AND THROUGH THE TOOLS FOR STRENGTHENING POWER....... OF PRAYER AND PRAISE TO THE ALMIGHTY. "NEARER MY GOD TO THEE", "AMAZING GRACE", ARE ALWAYS POPULAR, BUT ALSO "ALL THINGS BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL", "JESUS BIDS US SHINE WITH A CLEAR, PURE LIGHT" OFTEN JOGS THE FAILING MEMORIES OF SOME; MUSIC AND SINGING ARE RECOGNIZED THERAPIES. THROUGH THE HEALING QUALITY OF PRAYER, THE VOLUNTEERS ALSO HELP RESIDENTS RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN SELF WORTH, HELPING THEM TO REALIZE THEY ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER STILL FROM THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES.
THIS SERVICE IS NOW PROVIDED THROUGH A NUMBER OF CORE GROUPS, EACH CATERING TO HOMES IN THEIR LOCAL AREAS:- CARLINGFORD, HORNSBY, YAGOONA, INVERELL, GOSFORD, BEXLEY AND ALL OVER THE SUTHERLAND SHIRE, ETC.
WE'VE HAD INVITATIONS TO VISIT OTHER HOMES,BUT WE NEED SOME MORE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP US EXPAND THERE. CAN YOU HELP ? OUR TIMES IN THE HOMES WE GO TO RANGE FROM 30 MINUTES ON, AS WE PRESENT AN INFORMAL CHRISTIAN WORSHIP SERVICE CONSISTING OF HYMNS, SCRIPTURE READINGS, POEMS AND A SHORT MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE WORD OF GOD. THE DIVERSIONAL THERAPISTS ARE MOST WELCOMING AS ALSO THE RESIDENTS.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE A FREE P.O.W. BROCHURE, OR AN APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP, OUR CONTACT DETAILS ARE AS BELOW; PLEASE PRAY ABOUT WHETHER YOU COULD SPARE A FEW HOURS IN THIS SPECIALIZED MINISTRY TO OUR SENIORS, WHO CAN'T GO TO THEIR CHURCH UNAIDED.
PRAYER ON WHEELS : P.O.B. 3035, ASQUITH, NSW, 2077. AUSTRALIA.