It began as a conversation…
Wellspring Anglican 10am service in the refurbished Sandy Bay hall.
It began as a conversation
Ever been to the shops to buy milk and bread and come home with a DVD?
Looking back, the merger between BayWest and Holy Trinity to form the new parish 'Wellspring Anglican' was very much like that.
About three years ago the Bishop called us together because there was a vacancy at the Cathedral. Yes, that's right! So all the parishes immediately adjoining St David's were invited into a 'conversation'.
Somewhere along the way it became clear that cathedrals are unique. But it also became clear that there was much in common, and indeed much duplication occurring in BayWest and Holy Trinity.
Both offered a traditional 8am service, a family service, an international service, and an evening youth service. Both were so consumed by the delivery of worship services that they struggled to find time and energy to express their missionary hearts.
Finally, both needed to undertake building programs - one to repair and the other to expand.
It became obvious that a merger would allow for more efficient and effective ministry, freeing up time and resources for mission. But what is apparent in theory is not always easy in practice. Of course, not everyone was in agreement that this was the best way forward. And there were difficult decisions to make about which properties to realise and which ones to develop. In the middle of all this, John Tongue sensed God leading him another direction.
But as usual, God has a way of bringing growth through all circumstances.
In November 2007 the combined 10am services began worshipping together in the refurbished Sandy Bay hall, with the Chinese congregation meeting in the church next door. There is now one children's program, and the joint morning tea is quite a multi-cultural gastronomical affair.
A week before Christmas David Rietveld was installed as the new rector, and initial briefs for redevelopment were sent to selected architects.
2008 is shaping up to be an exciting year. All services were full in mid-January! There is an exciting buzz around the place. We have two teams going to Cambodia this year, a mission to the University with John Dickson, and a church planter from Brisbane speaking at our church camp on how to develop social fabric in our local communities.
We expect to engage an architect and have approved redevelopment plans ready to commence work in 2009.
These are all exciting new ventures that we would have struggled to do alone, but together under God can put into action together. Praise God!