![\"Woodbridge](\"http:\/\/imaginarydiocese.org\/bishopjohn\/files\/2009\/11\/Woodbridge-1Nov09.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cIn Christ you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.\u201d Ephesians 2:22<\/span><\/p>\n On Sunday 1 November we celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Anglican Church of St Simon and St Jude, Woodbridge, the oldest surviving Church in the <\/span>D\u2019Entrecasteaux Channel district. <\/span><\/p>\n The day commenced for Gayelene and me with a boat ride aboard the Penghana with Captain Tim, from Kettering to Woodbridge:\u00a0clergy travel 1800’s style. Helen and Ray Phillips met us at Kettering to ensure we were all aboard. Ray knew of my fears of sea travel – it was a perfectly calm day, and a calm bishop \ud83d\ude42 Ray then took our car on to Woodbridge. His father was a rector there. <\/span><\/p>\n Paul Martin and team greeted us with lively music at the Woodbridge Jetty, along with many parishioners and well-wishers including\u00a0the ABC TV! Also the Revds Norman Kelley and John Middleton, the Venerable Helen Phillips\u00a0as we we led a long procession up to the Church:\u00a0a wonderful sight! <\/span><\/p>\n We entered the\u00a0Church<\/span>\u00a0to the rousing song \u201cAll things bright and beautiful.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Revd Julie Kelley led the service. Highlights\u00a0included a skit\u00a0\u201cBuilding up the Church\u201d (presented by\u00a0Norman Kelley, Rex Williams and\u00a0Margaret Cannell),\u00a0a presentation\u00a0\u201cThe Lord Building the House\u201d (\u201cSnapshots\u201d of parishioners) and a Bishop’s Award to Mrs Alice Sackett. I preached on Christ the cornerstone of the Church who thus gives its alignment and life, Ephesians 2:13-22. We<\/span> left the service singing \u201cYou shall go out with joy.\u201d Great stuff! A true celebration of God’s goodness and God’s people in the local community over 125 years. <\/span><\/p>\n A fabulous lunch followed in the Woodbridge Community Hall. I\u00a0commended the many\u00a0community members, about 50-60, who participated in\u00a0the church renovations and\u00a0preparing the <\/span>lunch!\u00a0 Amongst the attendees were: Dr. Grahame Bury (Mayor of Kingborough Council), Mr Bruce Neil and his wife Pennie (Bruce is a major owner of Peppermint Bay Restaurant and donated money for the church belfry), Kingborough Councillor Michelle Higgins (who has been involved in church renovation working bees), Revd Bob Imms and his wife Miriam (representing the Woodbridge Uniting Church), and Mr Byron Wolfe (Chair of Cygnet\/Channel Parish Council) with his wife Merlene and the Cygnet ministry team and parishioners.<\/span><\/p>\n The Chairman of the Woodbridge Community Association, Mr. Graeme Rae, took time off from\u00a0BBQing to launch the book “The Life and Times of Woodbridge Anglican Church,\u201d<\/span> written by Julie Kelley and Leonie Beaumont. The book traces the beginnings of ministry in the area, \u201cThe Channel Mission\u201d in the 1860\u2019s, when clergy travelled\u00a0by steamship from Hobart, about 3 hours,\u00a0to make pastoral visits and conduct services. Well worth the $10 – get your book today!\u00a0You <\/span>can obtain a copy of the book by emailing Julie at juliekelley@westnet.com.au<\/a>, phoning 03 62674903 or writing to Box 202, Woodbridge 7162.\u00a0The book costs $10 + $2 for postage.<\/p>\n What a joy-filled\u00a0blessing to be part of this wonderful celebration! We all left immensely encouraged and proud of the church’s role in building community and in the church being built by the community. A life giving story that bears repeating. Thank you one amd all. Praise the Lord!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0 Photos courtesy of ABC News and Woodbridge.com.au\/Index<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Read Snapshots of Parish Life <\/a>and \u201cThe Life and Times of Woodbridge Anglican Church\u201d<\/a> here<\/span><\/p>\n Read the ABC News report Restored church marks milestone<\/a>\u00a0here.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 7pm Sunday ABC\u00a0TV report on the occasion was excellent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cIn Christ you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.\u201d Ephesians 2:22 On Sunday 1 November we celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Anglican Church of St Simon … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n