DRCN: A Vital, Responsive, and Compassionate Ministry

The 2025 report from the NSW/ACT Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network (DRCN) to Synod 2025 outlined the network’s impact, leadership changes, deployments, community recovery projects, and emerging initiatives over the past year.

Sat, 12 Jul 2025

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Founded in 2009, the DRCN provides spiritual and emotional support to communities affected by disasters across NSW and the ACT. It comprises over 400 trained chaplains from 15 faith traditions and is a core part of the Uniting Church's outreach to those experiencing trauma.

The DRCN is a part of a national gathering of like ministries from every state and territory in Australia. "Fifteen years ago when I began in this work, there were only a couple of states." recollected Rev Robinson.

In early 2025, Rev. Dr Stephen Robinson transitioned to a full-time national role after 15 years of leadership. A new leadership team was appointed:

Rev. Dr Mark Layson – Director and Senior Chaplain

Rev. Mark Muss – Projects and Support Manager

Ms. Sharon Clark – Operations and Training Manager

Mrs. Dawn Beeson – Administrator

"What really makes our network is the 400 chaplains...We have people from 15 different faith groups who are a part of our network...All who have chosen to serve the people of New South Wales and the ACT on their worst days. And we get to bring a great deal of hope and comfort that is so often missing in these communities." said Rev Dr Mark Layson who was accompanied by Rev Dr Stephen Robinson.

The disaster recovery ministers of the Synod is overseen by the Disaster Recovery Oversight Committee (DROC) and is chaired by the Moderator and Rev Stephen Robinson act as the convener of the committee. The committee brings together people who have a particular interest int he trauma industry.

The DROC is responsible for policy, strategies and accountability of the DRCN and the other ministries that relate to trauma and support of presbyteries, congregations, ministers in disaster affected areas.

It also oversees the Moderators Fund and the Moderator's Appeal that come with disasters in any particular area. The fund can be drawn on for specific projects for recovery and for relief as well as for longer term recovery situations such as special placements in a disaster affected area.

Deployments (2024–25)
Volunteer chaplains contributed more than 5,500 hours in response to a range of critical incidents:

Continued recovery efforts from 2022 floods in the Central West

Repatriation of Lebanese Australians affected by overseas conflict (Arabic-speaking chaplaincy and emergency aid)

Boxing Day unit fire in Parramatta (Chinese-speaking chaplains)

Cyclone Alfred and subsequent evacuations (40+ centres and $10,000 in support)

Mid North Coast storms (35+ centres and $20,000 in support)

Anniversary service for the Bondi Junction mass casualty event

Community Recovery Projects
The DRCN expanded its focus to long-term recovery and localised support initiatives:

Lismore: Business community chaplaincy (10 volunteers, 2 days/week)

Narooma: Community recovery support

Central West: Ongoing flood recovery

Temporary Accommodation: Pastoral care for displaced individuals

Shepherd Project
In response to the increasing threat of violence at places of worship, the DRCN launched the “Shepherd Project,” offering practical and pastoral resources for faith leaders preparing for and recovering from such incidents. Developed with support from Multicultural NSW, this resource will be rolled out across all faith communities by the end of 2025.

The DRCN continues to be a vital, responsive, and compassionate ministry of the Uniting Church, making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities in crisis. Its strategic expansion into long-term recovery and leadership renewal ensures its readiness for future challenges.

"This year our 400 chaplains have served for 3996 hours since Jan 1 at a range of events. To put that in perspective, that number is full time equivalent to 224 weeks or 4 years and 8 months worth of work our volunteers have been able to engage."

"This has been done because of the support of the Synod and the Secretariat." says Rev Mark.

"This is your DRCN, and is an extraordinary gift not just to the state and territory but to the whole of country and even the Pacific and beyond. It is an extraordinary thing that only the Uniting Church could do that we are entrusted by govt agencies to bring together all sorts of other faith groups and train them and coordinate this care of people." said Rev Stephen Robinson in his closing statement.

"Its a generous gift that the Uniting Church needs to continue to celebrate."

For further information, contact: DRCN@nat.uca.org.au.

Rev. Dr Mark Layson – Director and Senior Chaplain

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DRCN HERE

"Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network is a generous gift that the Uniting Church needs to continue to celebrate."