每週話題
同路人語 577
歡迎加入歡欣同路社區關懷
周偉文
一年將盡，回顧過去一年，日子真的不平凡。
從去年二月開始，從維州政府諮詢籌建華人長者護理服務，我們一直緊跟貼事件發展。今年10月5日政府公佈了主辦機構，《同路人》是媒體之中唯一提出質疑過程的公平性，要求政府交代。10月22日維州工黨承諾撥款825萬，支持維州華人護老服務。回想14年前，我們的異象是要做一份能影響社會的高質素華人媒體，今天我見到神在使用我們。
3月開始，同聲同路人電台節目，由每週2小時增加到8小時，明年2月會增至12小時。11月我們推出了「歡欣同路」手機程式，方便聽眾使用歡欣機構及《同路人》的服務，令到收聽同聲同路人變得容易。
今年開始，我們深化了社區參與。在年初我們舉辦了萬年興年巿慶祝活動，特色是我們與20多個社區服務組織，一起慶祝新年。在萬年興巿政廳廣場，我們連結了區內社區組織，加深了大家的認識、合作和溝通。在11月我們周年慶祝時，我們在博士山舉行了社區嘉年華會，讓大家知道更多區內的長者、健康、及照顧者的服務。
年中開始，我們在雜誌推動了支持救護員的運動。雜誌以專題形式介紹救護員的工作，及他們在工作上面對的壓力及困難，並且向社區介紹了心臟除顫儀的使用及推動在緊時，在公眾場所使用這些設備來救護心臟驟停的人。在上一周，我們開動了明年維州黑色星期六的十周年紀念，向華人社區介紹山火對我們生活的影響及如何保障自己在山火時的安全策略。
這一切的發展，是建基於《同路人》創辦時的異象，是我們要通過服事社區，見證基督信仰。不少人認為基督教是宗教的其中一種，而不少基督徒是只會講而不會做的人，我的信念是信仰是通過實踐表達出來的。雅各書說沒有行為的信是死的，今天讓《同路人》成為社區刊物，服事社區，正是我們信仰的見證。
我盼望能有更多的基督徒加入「歡欣同路」這一個服事社區，見證信仰的行列，在未來一年，更有力地服事社區，協助華人在澳洲生活。有興趣的朋友，可與本刊聯絡。
Welcome to Rejoice Community Care
Raymond Chow
Looking back. it is a special year, towards the end of it
From February last year I have been monitoring the state government’s consultation and planning of the new aged care facility. On 5th October this year when the chosen organisation was announced, Sameway was the only media raising concern on the appropriateness and demanding an explanation from the government on the openness of the process. On 22nd October the Victorian Labor Party promised a 8.25 million-grant for the purpose. For the past 14 years, our vision remains to become a quality Chinese media with an impact on our society. I can see God’s work through us.
From March this year, the air time of Rejoice on Air has increased from two to eight hours and will be further up to 12 hours by February last year. In November we launched the ‘Rejoice@Sameway’ mobile app for the convenience of our audience.
To strengthen our community involvement since start of this year, we hosted our Manningham Lunar New Year fun fair tying up more than 20 community bodies at the MC Square. In our annual anniversary November this year we held a carnival at Boxhill to displayed our elderly, health and carer services.
From mid-year onwards, we promote the “Support our Paramedics” movement in special columns about their work and challenges as well as the wider use of defibrillator in public places. Last week we initiated the Black Saturday 10th anniversary to raise the awareness and safety measures of bush fire to Chinese communities.
All these activities are based on the primary visions of Sameway in serving the community with our faith. Many might see Christianity is one of many religions confined to words; but we are sure Christians must use action to demonstrate their faith. James teaches us that faith without deed is dead. Sameway as a community publication in action serves as a witness of our faith.
Next year we hope more Christians will join in our Rejoice@Sameway ministry in serving the community with our faith for Chinese in Australia. Please contact us if you are interested.
