Wesley Mission facts for kids
Wesley Mission is the name for three separate groups connected to the Uniting Church in Australia. These groups work together as part of the Uniting Missions Network and UnitingCare Australia. They mostly grew from older "City Missions" of the Methodist Church of Australasia that helped people in big cities. Many of the Methodist City Missions later joined to form Mission Australia.
Wesley Mission Newcastle: Helping the Hunter Valley
Wesley Mission Newcastle helps people in the Newcastle and Hunter Valley areas of Australia. It started in 1940 as Newcastle City Mission. A group of local business people wanted to help those who were struggling or living in poverty. In 1999, Newcastle City Mission joined with Wesley Mission Sydney.
Today, Wesley Mission Newcastle offers many services. These include help for people with gambling or money problems, programs for young people, and support for seniors. They also provide job training, home care for older people, and emergency help for families. They even have a furniture store and offer chaplaincy services.
Wesley Mission Sydney: A Big Helping Hand
Wesley Mission Sydney is the largest of the Wesley Mission groups. It used to be called the Central Methodist Mission. Its main office is in Pitt Street, right in the middle of Sydney city.
A famous leader of Wesley Mission Sydney was Reverend Dr. Sir Alan Walker. He was known around the world for his work and started Lifeline, a service that helps people in crisis. Later, in 2006, Reverend Dr. Keith Vincent Garner came from the United Kingdom to become the new leader. He was the ninth leader in the Mission's long history, which goes back 193 years. As well as being the leader and CEO, he gives talks every Sunday evening that are shown on TV. He also hosts his own TV show on Channel 9.
Wesley Mission Sydney works from over 200 different locations. It has more than 2,000 staff members and a budget of $160 million to help people. They own and run the old Bourke Street Methodist Church. They also have a place called Edward Eagar Lodge, which helps people who need a safe place to stay. Until 2013, the Mission was also connected to Wesley Institute for Ministry & the Arts, which is now called Excelsia College.
Wesley Mission Victoria: Supporting Melbourne Communities
Wesley Mission Victoria, once known as Wesley Mission Melbourne, provides many community services. These services aim to help people improve their lives and get more involved in their community and economy. They work in areas like care for older people, support for children, youth, and families, and help for those experiencing homelessness or disabilities. They also assist people in finding jobs.
Wesley Mission Victoria is behind some well-known and important services in Melbourne. These include the Lifeline Melbourne phone counseling service, which offers support to people in need. They also run Wesley Do Care, a service that helps older people stay active and connected with others in their community.
Wesley Mission Victoria began in 1893 as a Central Methodist Mission. It was located next to the Wesley Church in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. At that time, this area was known for being a very poor part of Melbourne. Wesley's history comes from the way Wesleyan Methodists in Victoria responded to the serious money problems and poverty in the city during the early 1890s.
Today, Wesley Mission Victoria has over 800 staff members. More than 1,600 volunteers also help them. Together, they deliver over 50 different services across Melbourne.
