From the Vicar — February/March 2010

I seemed to have only just finished my holidays and yet the frantic pace of the parish has made that holiday seem such a distant event! Well it's 2010 and the parish is off and running.

This year is going to be another busy year. We will begin the process of planning for the major redevelopment of the Ringwood site. In the coming months a taskforce will be formed with the object of determining the future use and needs of the site. They will be talking to all the groups now operating within the parish to see how this site is able to meet the future needs. The taskforce will also be looking at population projections of the area. There will also be talks with other agencies to see if there can be any overlap in their future plans and our plans. This is going to be essential for planning into the future. I would encourage all parishioners to be praying for this taskforce and to be giving your ideas about the present and future needs of the parish. We need to listen to the dreams of people and then decide if their dreams are resonating with the direction the LORD is taking us into the future.

However, while the redevelopment program is going on we need to get on with the business of building 'the church'. By 'the church' I mean the people. We need to make sure that we never forget that the people matter more than the buildings. The buildings are only there to serve the needs of the people. We must continue to meet the needs of the people--to ensure that the pastoral needs of the parishioners are being met. We need also to recognize that Jesus has given us the task of reaching out to people outside the church.

We reach out to them to show the love of Jesus not just in words but in actions. Jesus wants us to help people come to see the great love that he has for all people and to help them come into a living relationship with him. We need to be gentle and honest in how we take the gospel out into the world.

At the AGM the parish decided to step out in faith and employ a part-time youth worker to expand on the growing youth ministry within the parish. Please pray that we will be able to choose the right person.

The Lenten studies this year will be looking at some of the parables of Jesus. Why not come to either the morning or evening session on a Monday. We will also be having a meal on Monday nights before the session. This is a great way to not only learn more about the parables and how they relate to our lives today, it is an opportunity to also meet new members of the congregation whom you may not already know.

Could I ask people to pray and think seriously about volunteering to help in one of the many different tasks that need to be done so that the parish can function effectively? There are tasks associated with the worship services, grounds maintenance, Monday Lunches as well as being on any of the committees. There are also activities that are working in the community such as 'Kids Hope' and CRE in the primary school. God has given all of us gifts and abilities and we must try to use them in serving others. If you would like to be involved but are uncertain of how to get involved please talk with me.

We have an exciting year ahead--please continue to pray for me, and the whole leadership team, as we seek to discern God's direction for the parish. And may all of us be ready to step out into new areas of ministry confident that God will provide all the resources that are needed.

Michael