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Anglicare WA A Good Life
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A Good Life?

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Chris Thomason, Chaplain

In my second week at Anglicare WA, I was fortunate to attend a meeting of service managers. It was a great opportunity for me to get to know, in more detail, some of the magnificent work that Anglicare WA does. It was also a wonderful opportunity for me to get to know some of the staff.

But what struck me most and has stayed with me was a presentation by Joni Sercombe. Joni presented on the work done by her team on a project called The Sunshine Project. I intend to let you know more about that project in later editions, so stay tuned for updates.

But as we journey through lent, I believe it would be appropriate to look at something Joni mentioned in her introduction to The Sunshine Project.

What makes a good life?

I believe I have a good life. I have the love of God. I know this because God sent us Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) I have a partner who loves me, and I love them. I have five children and eight grandchildren that I’d like to see more often. I have several church families. I feel like I belong to at least four worship congregations including, St Nicholas’ Floreat Park, the Parish of Whitfords, the Cathedral, and the Parish of Gingin-Chittering. I have a sense of belonging to the Diocese of Perth and the Wollaston Theological College were my fellow formation candidates and I meet, for fellowship, worship, and study. I also have a great job, in a fantastic organisation, where everyone is passionate about helping people by providing services to those in need. That job also provides funds to pay the mortgage on my home. A home where I have two dogs that love me.

I occasionally go out for a nice meal and have been known to grab fish and chips and sit at the beach watching the sunset, marvelling at God’s creation. I often sit on the front veranda with a coffee as my partner and I say morning prayer as we watch the sunrise over the hills. Life is indeed good.
But I know that not everyone has what I have.

We have seen substantial mortgage interest rate increases and the cost-of-living rise. Not to mention fuel prices. I have seen the impact of these things on my household budget. But I know we live in a time where even those who have full time employment are struggling, struggling to feed their family, to provide shelter. How can families provide the good life to their children? What does the good life look like for them? What does the good life look like for you?

I have given you a snapshot of my good life.

I would like you to give me a snapshot of your version of a good life, either the good life you have or the good life you would like to have. What a good life means to you.

So that I have time to read and digest your responses I ask you to limit your response to no more than 250 words and send them to me before the end of March 2023.

I will discuss the results in future editions. We will explore if there are developing trends and if there is a universal view of what a good life looks like.
I am excited to read your responses.

Email: chris.thomason@anglicarewa.org.au


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