“This Budget is forged in the fire of the most challenging global economic conditions since the Great Depression.” Our National Treasurer was hardly the bearer of glad tidings on Tuesday night. Thankfully there was some compassionate treatment for single pensioners and first home buyers, but for many of us there wasn’t much good news (except if you like the idea of working for a few more years before retirement)!

This week has also been a hard week for many families in the Illawarra as a number of local companies reduced their workforce. How can we help???

Already our church has established links with employment agencies and Centrelink so that people can work their volunteer hours at Dapto Anglican Church. This month we are launching the first Dapto Anglican/McDonald’s recession busting dinner. Once a month on a Monday Night about 10 families will be invited to the dining room at McDonald’s for a night out. McDonalds are providing the food and we are providing the people. Jill Pearce is co-ordinating the first event which will see families from the Dapto Community invited alongside some Dapto Anglican Families. Please let the office know of any families we should invite in June.

Let me encourage you all to think about shopping locally. Many of Dapto’s businesses belong to locals. We will be sending a small gift and a letter of encouragement to our local businesses where I will assure them of our prayers and that our members will endeavour to support our local businesses wherever possible.

Stephen Semenchuk
Senior Minister