Malcolm Potts February 5th 2017 ~ In the beginning....

I know that everyone of us as a part of St Philips has an extraordinary life story.  This could fill volume after volume.  I am often aware of that I don't know and frequently surprised at what I learn.  In fact I am interested in having a ‘story telling season’ this year where we can share our stories and God's place in them with each other.God's Bible is primarily his story.  Get it? History!The best stories are carefully crafted to make the author’s point.  As we share from John's gospel today, you can see how carefully John selects his material when, as he says later, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25).Beginning 2017, many of us are looking towards new chapters in our life stories.  Liz has moved to new things.  Cathy has officially ‘retired’ from her role as verger/cleaner.  Cheryl and I have been through a huge swirling time of transition that has led us to decide to officially call ourselves Western Australians - after living here for 15 years!  James and his family are in the swirl of future opportunities, decisions and challenges [but more of that in the weeks to come].  The ‘Steady Eddy’ seems to be Pam who, like her Heavenly Father, seems the same today, yesterday and forever.Who comes next to pilot the story of our Families Ministry?  Some of you will know Barb Totterdell from her quiet presence for the past 12 months or so in the 9:30am service.I have known of Barb since 1991 and have a great respect for her!Barb writes, "It feels like God has been weaving me into this church family for years. People who discipled me in my teenage years had lived in community with Malcolm and Cheryl in the 1980s; James and I went to college together; and I’ve connected with various people from St Philips through my work with Scripture Union and other circles since I moved to Perth 6 years ago.  Having just finished on the leadership team of Scripture Union WA, overseeing all of the ministry to children, young people and families, I’m really looking forward to being back in a role within a church family, helping people of all ages connect with God, with each other and with the people and communities around us.”Barb has been and done most everything there is to do in Christian ministry.  She has a fascinating story.  She has led churches, church plants and is way more theologically qualified than any of the rest of us.  We have been careful and prayerful in discerning her fit for St Philips, as has she.  I commend her to you and pray that gentle loving grace will be your gift to her.As we prepare for this new beginning, I am seeking to gather all that has been brilliant about Liz's ministry and combine it with your character, commitment and desire for the future and open generous doors to grow together as Barb steps, with you, into this new future.In the beginning . . . Here we go!Blessings,Malcolm and Barb