Welcome to the St Philips community
This week Malcolm has asked me to write the musing. For those of you who I have yet to meet, my name is Richard and I am here visiting St Philips for four weeks. As you read this I will be half way through my visit – it is going very quickly. I’m visiting with my family, my wife Ada, and two children Anouk (4) and Illinca (1). Back in England I am half way training for ordained ministry in the Church of England. Part of training is that I have to be part of a church for a month where you haven’t worshipped before – and here I am.
During my time here I have been observing the things that you do in the church, and I have chatted to a number of you about all the different missions and activities that your church has been part of in the past, as well as all the things that you are accomplishing now in the community of Cottesloe. (I am hoping to talk to more of you this week!). It’s been wonderful hearing about the impact you have had on the community through projects like Stillpoint and Connect, and the positive effect that you are having in the lives of people because of them. It’s also great to see a church planning for the future through things like the Futures Fund so the good work will be able to continue to grow into the future.The first thing that really impacted Ada and I about your community last Sunday was the warm welcome we received and the number of people who were eager to speak to us. You would be surprised at the number of churches I’ve been to where no one has bothered to speak or welcome new people. Speaking and looking out for new faces and new opportunities to build relationships are a vital part of any healthy church, and was great to see people eager to welcome and talk to us. It’s even better to see that kind of welcome extended to those in your community and not only those who come through the doors of your church. I pray that you have great success in looking for new ways and opportunities to share the amazing God we worship to those who we meet in and our lives and communities.BlessingsRichard