WORD FROM THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP

As the Senior Leadership Team, we’re grateful for the way our church family has continued to give generously and faithfully over the past year. The figures in this report represent more than just numbers—they reflect the commitment of many people to supporting the life and ministry of our church. We’re thankful for everyone who has contributed, and for the many ways people continue to invest their time, energy and resources in our shared life together.

This year, our preaching and teaching has encouraged us to explore who we are in Christ, how God provides and equips us, and what it means to put our faith into action. In Ephesians, we were reminded that it is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we’re living for. Foundations for the Future gave us an opportunity to sit with 2 Corinthians 9:10–11, where we discovered God’s intention to enrich us in every way so that we can be a blessing on every occasion. Keeping in mind that God gives both “bread for food and seed for sowing”, we asked God for the wisdom to know the difference—and to use both well. Most recently, through Mercy in Motion, we have been challenged to put God’s mercy into action in the way we live and relate to others. We hope these series have blessed and encouraged you as much as they have us, and that the things we’ve explored together will continue to shape how we live and serve as a church.

This last year has seen some significant changes in the composition our leadership team. Peter Noulton has stepped down from his role as an Elder (as well as part of the SLT) after a remarkable period of more than 30 years on the Eldership. We are deeply grateful for all the wisdom and practical service he has provided over that lengthy period, as well as his willingness to continue serving in a variety of ways behind the scenes, including continuing for now as our Public Officer. Simon Bailey has also stepped down from the Eldership (and SLT) following a relocation to Alstonville on the north coast of NSW. He also faithfully served us in that significant leadership role for a lengthy period of more than 10 years and we are also deeply grateful for the wisdom and service he has provided. While our Eldership and SLT currently operate seamlessly as one leadership team, Margie Southcott and Tom Hudson, already part of our SLT, took on the additional formal responsibilities of Elders to meet our constitutional requirements following the retirement of Peter and Simon from that role. We have also been blessed by Brendan Wood and Kat Morgan joining the SLT and are grateful for all they are bringing to the team.

This past year has also seen the retirement of Kerrie Grace from her staff role as our Pastoral Care Co-ordinator. Kerrie served on staff for many years initially in what was then the role of Small Groups Co-ordinator and in more recent years as our Pastoral Care Co-ordinator. All of us have been blessed either directly or indirectly by her faithful service and Kerrie continues to bless us as a member of the church body.

As we move toward 2027, we continue to seek God’s guidance as we look for our next Senior Leader/s, as well as a new Pastoral Care Coordinator. As those opportunities arise, we recognise that this will require us to stretch in our giving so that we can provide well for the people God asks to serve among us. At the same time, we’re encouraged to see how our church has grown in its giftedness, with many people stepping forward and using their gifts in different ways. As we said from the beginning, this season is not a time for us to sit idle while we wait for our next leaders. It is a time to grow, stretch and develop together. We are grateful for the part each person is playing in that, and we look forward to seeing how God continues to lead us in the season ahead.