LinC

Christian Service in Action in Alstonville
(Love in the Name of Christ)

The community of Alstonville is being assisted through an organisation called LinC which consists of a network of churches and service agencies in the area, linking human needs with human resources, through a Phone Referral Centre run by volunteers.

History
LinC came about in 1994, after the Catholic Parish Pastoral Council held a Parish Assembly to find out what were the most pressing needs in the parish, needs that could be addressed through the Pastoral Council. One of the most significant areas that emerged was a concern for the aging population, not just church members but people in the wider community of Alstonville.

After an extensive process of enquiry with the ongoing support of the Parish Priest, Fr Frank Mulcahy, the Council decided to invite other churches in Alstonville to meet and discuss what the churches could do to assist the older people in the community. An approach was made to the organisation called LinC - Love in the Name of Christ - to find out how it operated.

LinC is an organisation established to support people in the community who may not be able to access assistance through Government agencies for ordinary, everyday services. A LinC branch was established in Alstonville as a way of living out Gospel values and to be of service to people in our community.

Services Available
LinC is able to support people in the community in a variety of ways. LinC volunteers provide transport for clients to medical appointments, assist with weekly shopping for the housebound, visit people in their homes especially those returning from a stay in hospital, and offer emergency childcare. These types of services are not always available, especially for the aged, or for families who do not have the support of the extended family, or for those new to the area.

Each of the participating churches provides a Church Co-ordinator who is responsible for contacting volunteers from their respective churches to do a "job" when it is asked for by the LinC referral Co-ordinators. Volunteers are invited to nominate an area in which they feel they can be of best service to the LinC organisation, and to indicate times when they are available. There is no roster system. Rather it is left to the Church Co-ordinator to determine who is best suited to the job and contact is made with that person to see if he or she can help. If the volunteer is unable to assist at that time, the Co-ordinator contacts someone else. The volunteer understands he or she may receive a call at another time which may better suit.

Being part of this ecumenical organisation enables volunteers to live out the Gospel in a simple way. It is a practical way of being Christlike and responding to the words of Christ: "Whatever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me."

There are many people in our community who are waiting for someone to extend a helping hand to assist them in simple, everyday tasks. LinC offers this help to the needy in the name of Christ.

To find out more about LinC contact the Referral Centre on 66286960.