Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/92

Contributor - Fred Kabbes

Title - North Wellington New Life Counselling Service

Topic - Counselling

In 1983 a small group of people in Arthur recognized the need for a counselling service to help many in need in North Wellington County. A thorough survey showed that there was no such help available further North in Wellington County than Guelph. Most people in the predominantly rural area of the county north of Fergus were reluctant or unable to travel such distance.

A grant of $52,000.00 was made available by Anglicans-in-Mission, Diocese of Niagara and this, together with monies received from other church groups and service clubs, formed the seed money for the formation of North Wellington New Life Counselling Service.

The object of the service was to be as follows: "To operate a personal and confidential counselling service offering Christian counselling including prayer counselling and secular counselling for persons, couples and families, regardless of colour, race, religion or creed, including premarital, marital, family, vocational and youth counselling."

The operation of the service commenced in September 1985 with the Rev. Beth Aime employed as full-time counsellor.

It quickly became clear that there was great need for such a service in North Wellington as clients came from all over the area. Many were referred to New Life by doctors, ministers, teachers and other professionals and still others teamed of the service through the media.

The areas of need to be addressed by the counsellor were: 1) Marriage counselling, 2) Personal counselling, 3) Parenting, and 4) Loss, grief, depression.

The counselling service went along very well until the spring of 1987. Since no serious efforts were made for financial support the operating fund began to run out and the service became in real danger of closing up. Emergency meetings were held and the cry for money went out into the community. The board of directors was shook up and a new chairman appointed.

Presbyterian and Reformed people took a leading role in turning things around and do so till the present day. Groups like churches, service clubs and rural organizations came out in support of New Life. We tried to get government funding, but it never came about. Perhaps because of our Christian bias. This makes the going tough as many a time we only have a few months' salary left.

In the spring of 1988 Rev. Ralph Richmond replaced Rev. Aime as counsellor. Ralph, is an Anglican minister and a very able man, who helped a lot of people in trouble. Ralph took particular interest in the dreams troubled people have, many of them recurring dreams, as he believed God could speak through dreams as in Biblical days.

In September 1991 Ralph Richmond left us to go into private practice, and Andrew De Groot from Edmonton took his place. Andrew served as a Chaplain in the Edmonton Hospital and people with marital problems and abuse victims came to him.

North Wellington is an area of high alcohol consumption and abuse so many problems are alcohol related. Also the disintegration of the family is having a heavy toll on young people and many come in for counselling on the advice of teachers. Yes, we have all the problems the big cities have but we have been rather late in admitting it.

After nearly seven years of service New Life has become established and appreciated in the North Wellington community. Our counsellors have seen about 90 people a year, mostly on a part-time basis (three days a week). We have learned that New Life is badly needed and widely supported by the community.

However, the lack of support and interest of most of the clergy is most puzzling and disheartening for the board of directors. With a few exceptions, their attitude is from lukewarm approval to a negative attitude, and they certainly don't want a leadership role.

Finances permitting, New Life will continue to serve people where they are. We know that church people, committed Christians, also have problems, no less than other people.

We are not a converting service. We do not aim to get people to go to church, if that is the result, fine. Our aim is to help people where they are; so many have fallen through the cracks, so many cry out for help and are not heard or listened to. We trust New Life makes a difference in their lives.

We are grateful for what we have been in the past and we hope to continue in the future. We are grateful for the interest shown by the Drayton Reformed Church and their very generous donations. We are grateful to God that He has blessed and sustained our work in the past seven years.

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