Training English teachers to spread the Word
More than 180 people from parishes around the Diocese and other denominations came to St Anne’s Ryde to take part in ANGLICARE’s ESL training day last Friday.
According to organisers, about 45 classes were represented and teachers from new classes in Berala, Fairfield and Bankstown were welcomed.
Cathryn Thew, ANGLICARE ESL trainer, says it was encouraging to see so many people interested in cross cultural ministry understand the many opportunities ESL classes provided for the Gospel..jpg)
“We had a bus full of people who travelled from Wollongong, Central Coast and the Blue Mountains. It was packed to the rafters and we may need to work out a new way to accommodate more interested people in the future.
“This was the second year we had to turn people away because there were too many people who wished to attend.”
Interested teachers also came from Presbyterian and Baptist churches.
For one All Saints West Lindfield parishioner Patricia MacCabe, it was the love for the people, of the English language and of talking about the Lord that lead her to ESL ministry.
One of two people awarded for 15 years of service last Friday at the training day last Friday, Patricia highlights that ESL classes gave a wonderful opportunity to combine the three and the joy it brings when someone who has never seen a Bible before comes to trust the Lord Jesus through this ministry.
Patricia says she has been teaching English to newcomers since the early 1970s and what motivated her was the alienation felt by those who could not communicate because of the language barrier.
“My mother had a Turkish neighbour who migrated to Australia for the sole purpose of looking after her grandchildren while her son and daughter-in-law worked full-time,” Patricia remembers. “And because she didn’t know the language she seemed incredibly isolated and lonely.”
“At West Lindfield area where our parish is located, we find many of our students are women whose husbands came to Australia for business.”
According to Cathryn, the day was designed not only to train teachers but provide a forum where people could share their ideas, experiences and to encourage each other.
“We also set aside time for group prayer so that people had the chance to support each other’s ministry in their churches in this way. We hope everyone who came felt encouraged to start the new year in ministry and had a good time sharing with others.“
