What St Philips looks like at 100!

The consensus from the centenary bash last weekend was overwhelmingly positive. Many visitors shared with me just how much they enjoyed themselves. Apparently we are going to have the worlds biggest Church of England Boys Society/Girls Friendly Society reunion sometime later in the year, as a result of Sunday!I wanted to thank those of you who gave most generously of yourselves; whether reading, praying, singing, welcoming, ushering, car parking, working bee-ing, organising, coordinating, morning tea-ing, kids activities, cleaning and clearing up, flower arranging, baking, banner making, attending to details, answering phones, making flags and on and on.What inspired me was how people took responsibility and worked at their chosen task without any hint of controlling, manipulation, superiority or any other negative behaviour we usually see in stressful situations. Such a work of the human spirit and Holy Spirit combining is a testimony in itself that something positive is going on here.I worked out that I have shared in 7% of what makes St Phils what it is today. Kath Bemrose has touched 94% of it. To hear so many good news stories from others who have experienced God's good news in times past helps me keep my perspective.Archbishop Roger left me with a few important questions to ponder as I consider ourselves as, what he called, a Verandah community. That is somewhere between the sea and the desert seeking to be brave desert explorers but actually clinging to the safety of the cool, comforting shallows of beach side living.Roger asked; what, as a community, are we deeply looking for? And what do people who come to us come to see?Who do we feed? And to what are we being asked to die in order that brave, courageous new life might come?How do I recognise the way, truth and life when it comes near me and calls me to bow the knee and change my thinking and acting?(Those thoughts came from John 1,4,6 & 14 if you want to ponder them?)As little as I might have contributed to St Philips being what and who it is today, I felt proud of the work that God has done in us individually and corporately over the years of following Him. It was a good day.Thanks in the AdventureMalcolm