Hi Mum
Phil Lewis is an Occasional Correspondent for Tasmanian Anglican and he kindly shared with us a (recycled?) postcard he wrote to his mother.
Glad to hear you and Aunt Shirley are having a few days at Granville Harbour. Make sure you take your hat with the tie-down strings.
Thought you'd be interested to know I've agreed to stand for Parish Council at the AGM next week after all. Things have gone full cycle! As you reminded me, Nan was on PC when I was a kid, and then Dad put in nearly 20 years, I think it was Revd Joan came to see me last week and persuaded me. Put it to me it's a matter of taking a share of the weight, and with all my weekend work I can't do a lot on Sundays so this is one way I can 'put in'.
I really hadn't thought about how it all worked until fairly recently. I guess in the back of my mind I imagined the minister did pretty much everything and the rest of us tagged along. She gave me the Ordinance to read and it's longer than a Harry Potter novel. I read it during Inspector Rex - boring episode anyway - and have to admit there's some pretty thorough detail about who does what and why. There is clearly strength in having as many as possible managing the franchise! Keeps the brand awareness up, and makes sure ministry is properly supported and resourced. I personally am very anxious to see the fledgling youth work supported fully.
I've always seen AGMs as meetings to avoid, but between the lot of you I can see I've no excuse and if we want our church we have to put in the hard yards. Not that they seemed hard when Dad was doing it. Always seemed an excuse for scones with jam and cream, and my abiding memory is of laughter coming out of the lounge during the meetings when I was doing my homework on those Tuesday nights.
Getting back to the serious stuff, Joan pointed out the decision-making responsibilities which rest with Parish Council. Clearly, quite tricky matters can come up at any stage in the life of a parish, and for that reason alone we need a good Parish Council. Can't really duck, can I.
Well, that's all for now. I know you continue to pray for us all, and thought you'd like to add this matter to the list.
Still planning on coming over for Christmas?
Love, Phil