Words from one of the newest BCA Field Staff

Mary Lewis in Roxby Downs writes:

It is a glorious day in Roxby Downs. It will reach 27 deg and that’s enough I think.

On the days of my ordination and commissioning the weather and fellowship were very warm and we all dripped together in the church at Port Augusta and were wilting somewhat by the end of lunch. I felt very blessed and honoured and somewhat daunted by the unknown. We have now been here for 3 weeks and I have led services and preached on two Sundays. I am slowly working my way around to meeting all the members of the Church Council and now adding some community people to my list of visits.

I have been having two times of Lenten study during the week using the material that Jill Firth prepared for the Melbourne Diocese. The reflective style fits the small numbers that come. The folk of Andamooka are also using this in their Sunday service – the only time we get together out there is Sundays at 2pm so we make the most of that time for worship and study and prayer and building fellowship. I am also co-leading a KYB B Study on Thursday mornings – ecumenical women’s group - and talking and listening with all the people I meet to hear the Spirit’s leading about obvious needs and gaps as well as sources of wisdom and strength. As a congregation we are having a strategic planning month in May – they’ve done lots of vision and mission but not a lot of development of strategies and resources. However, already I am hearing of the needs of 12-15 year olds to have their own teaching and worship programme, the wish of a number of families to worship on Sat night after sport and the gap in ministry to young adults who have not started families as yet. Praise God that he is leading me to key people with a heart to minister in these key areas. We have also had a couple of new people join to test out religion under the new body and they are asking to learn about the Bible and faith from the beginning. Also have people seeking marriage prep – so there are a number of fronts on which to seek God’s wisdom about how to proceed and develop.

It seems to be quite easy for me to make connections with women – they seek me out – but I am going to have to make more effort to meet with the men. Their shift work also contributes to them being less visible for long periods of time.