Community
11 April, 2024
Reverend holds final south west service
REVEREND Damian Meeuwissen delivered his final service on Sunday before he and his family depart for Western Australia to support those in aged care.
Rev Meeuwissen has been a part of the Terang, Noorat and Camperdown Presbyterian ministry for the past five years, but made the decision to travel west for a new adventure with his young family.
He said his family had enjoyed many milestones since arriving to the south west, including welcoming a new addition to the family and adapting to the ever-changing world at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We came to the parish of Noorat, Terang and Camperdown in 2019, so just over five years,” Rev Meeuwissen said.
“Our first Sunday in the region, our fifth child was born, so we started off busy with the kids including two in high school and one starting three-year-old kinder.
“I was fresh out of theological college, so no experience whatsoever as far as church ministry and I was coming along to these three churches.
“During that time, we’ve had to go through the COVID-19 pandemic and a kidney transplant; there was a lot of learning and challenges, but the challenges have been good so I am thankful for my time.”
Rev Meeuwissen said he had found the south west community to be welcoming, kind and supportive.
“The community has been really good,” he said.
“You meet a lot of people, particularly doing funerals in Terang church.
“It’s been a good experience seeing people support each other when it is needed most.
“My family has enjoyed their time here, for our three youngest this is their home where they have grown up, so they adjusted really quickly.”
Rev Meeuwissen will now take on a chaplaincy role with the Western Australian Presbyterian Church in aged care.
He said he had some trepidations about such a big move, but felt there would be an opportunity to help those who need it most.
“It’s a much-needed role,” Rev Meeuwissen said.
“I think with aged care in particular there are a lot of instances where people are going there to die, they are essentially left there alone and are lonely.
“I was 50/50 about doing that sort of work, I wasn’t sure about it, but when I saw that there is a lot of deep loneliness and need in that area it became appealing to know I could be a permanent presence for those people.
“I think we need more of that, right across Australia. It’s a deep need for a people.”
Rev Meeuwissen said he had learned a lot over his years in the region which would support his continued efforts in the future.
“If you come somewhere with a lot of ideas, I have learnt quickly your ideas are not necessarily what other people have in mind and you have to have a lot of patience,” he said.
“Even learning about the history of the church in this region, which has a long and varied history with a lot of changes.
“Getting to know so many different people, from those born and bred here or those who had moved in, was a learning experience.
“I also got a better feel for learning how to communicate ideas as well.”
Rev Meeuwissen kept his final service in the south west, held in Camperdown on Sunday, no different to his approach over the last five years; focussed on a message greater than to himself
“It’s been a real blessing to be part of the ministry for the area, I’ll miss it and miss the people,” he said.
“There is more ministry to be done here so my hope is the church can find someone who can fill that role.
“For my final service, it’s business as usual and just managing everything in my mind.
“I don’t make Sunday about me; it’s about the Lord Jesus and making it about him.”