NCFA in South Australia

Nurses Christian Fellowship Australia in South Australia is looking to the future and the development of a greater ministry to nurses.  We have a long history  of caring for nurses, a ministry we believe is just as vital today.  Nurses in the 21st Century need spiritual and emotional care as they care for others.

 

           Our History

 The first official interdenominational Christian fellowship amongst nurses in South Australia operated under the name of the Australian Nurses Christian Movement (ANCM). An Adelaide branch of ANCM was founded in 1916 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and was affiliated with the Student Christian Movement.  The objects of ANCM were "To develop Bible study by the Study Circle method amongst hospital nurses and through this to lead nurses to become followers of Jesus Christ".  Groups formed and began to meet regularly over the next 14 years.

 

 Then in 1930 a Rest Room for fellowship for nurses was opened in Epworth Building, Adelaide, the room being donated free of charge for six months by the Methodist Church. But by August 1931 the Rest Room had closed and the Movement was virtually disbanded. In February 1937 efforts were made by Sisters Jessie Richards and Jean Clarkson of the Memorial Hospital, with the support of the Matron, Mrs Hanton, to revive the Movement.  A Council was formed in December of that year.

 

On the 4th January 1938 an office was opened at 175 North Terrace and the activities of the Movement were resumed. Three hundred people were present at the 5th Annual Meeting in 1943!  Sister Jean Clarkson led this work for many years and continued her ministry as a friend to nurses long after she retired from her official position with ANCM.

Other Registered Nurses followed Jean Clarkson as staff workers, Thelma Hill, Barbara Glen, Rita Argent, Helga Meinel, Gwynfa Lang, Lorraine Douglas, and Viv Kitto, to name just a  few.  In June 1971 when the name of the Australian Nurses Christian Movement was changed to Nurses' Christian Fellowship Australia we became the South Aust Branch of NCF.  Later our local name changed again to the current Nurses Christian Fellowship Australia in South Australia.

 

         Nursing Today

There have been major and beneficial changes in the process of preparing men and women for the nursing profession. Nursing practice is constantly evolving along with scientific and medical developments. The complexity of nursing roles and the variety of care settings are exciting and challenging while making demands on the professional and personal life of nurses.

Registered nurses are educated in Universities and Enrolled nurses in TAFE Colleges. Therefore the lifestyle of student nurses has changed vastly over the past decades. Along with the demands for study time many have concerns about family needs, child care, finances, working part time and resulting fatigue. However, nursing is a wonderfully fulfilling vocation. For many Christians it is a calling and they carry out their work as a service to Christ.

 

Our Mission

The core values of NCFA in SA are evangelism, Christian fellowship, nurture in small groups, and education for Christian values.  Nurses in the 21st Century need spiritual and emotional care as they can care for others.  The Gospel story is unchanging but the way we share the Gospel has changed  How we make opportunities to meet with nurses to tell them the Good News, and strengthen Christian nurses has changed. This is an ongoing process as nurses need to be supported and challenged in the time and place of their education and employment.

 NCF headquarters

Our office is currently located in the Scripture Union Building in Keswick, Adelaide.  With the help of volunteers we are able to maintain the basic operation of the ministry.  The South Australian NCF Council believes it is essential and urgent that we maintain Pastoral Care Worker to continue to reach out to contemporary nurses with the life-giving and sustaining Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We believe this ministry to nurses is vital and that the Lord has graciously allowed the Fellowship to continue into the 21st Century for this reason.

Thank you for taking the time to read this information and please contact us if you would like to become part of NCFA in S.A.

 

NCFA in South Australia

28 Croydon Road

Keswick,  SA  5035

Email: ncfasa@gmail.com

Web Site:  http://ncfasa.com

 

Text Box:

Nurses Christian Fellowship Australia

Text Box:

NCF Displays at a Field Day

in Cleve

The NCF Office is located in the Scripture Union Building, Keswick

Nurses Gather for an NCF Prayer Breakfast

Our History

Nursing Today

Our Mission

Our Office

Contact us

Text Box:    COMING EVENTS IN SA
Text Box:    NCF SA Website