How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
It has now been about six months since our union with Corrimal (to become St Michael’s Anglican Cathedral Wollongong + Corrimal), and our Unity Service on 5 February at the University of Wollongong. We give thanks to the Lord for the new and diverse opportunities this partnership has afforded us to see more disciples of Jesus shining as lights in our city.
One example of this partnership flourishing in both locations is the Mobile Community Pantry (MCP) which runs fortnightly on Monday mornings at Corrimal. It has been a delight to see Women on Wednesday (Bible study groups) at Wollongong volunteering to source additional bread, fresh fruit and vegetables to give away at the MCP. This is a beautiful expression of generosity and gospel partnership in action, as we love and serve our community together.
We recently asked a few members at Corrimal to reflect on the last few months, answering the following questions:
- What do you love about church?
- What are you thankful for about the partnership between Wollongong and Corrimal?
- What are you looking forward to?
To hear their responses, click here or scroll and watch the video at the bottom of this post! Cathy, who is a long-term member at Corrimal, also shared her thoughts on the partnership:
‘There are so many things to be thankful for following the joining of Corrimal and Wollongong. It has been wonderful to see new and old friends, renew friendships and long-standing connections as well as meeting new friends. Corrimal has always been a stable and welcoming church, and I am so thankful for the faithful ministers and their families who have served us over many years, building solid foundations that we reap the benefits of today.
I am thankful for the sacrificial way Wollongong has embraced the joining of our two sites, particularly with the arrival of Liam, Liz and family. Over many meetings, we had contemplated the best way forward, and becoming one church with two sites has been better than I had imagined. I am thankful for the shared resources and for the sharing of many tasks and responsibilities necessary on a weekly basis; giving many people someone to help share the load.
I am particularly thankful for the Explore Jesus program, for those involved in organising and for Mitch Walker who facilitated the last course. Programs like this have consistently been offered at the Corrimal site, but hosting with smaller numbers can present challenges. I had the privilege of being able to take two of our sons’ girlfriends to the most recent program. The evenings were run perfectly, respectful and gentle, yet challenging – a tough balance to achieve, but Mitch nailed it! I would encourage anyone to invite friends or family to this course, and I am delighted that the girls are keen to join me again for the next one!
I look forward with confidence to the future and I am so thankful for the many faithful servant-hearted people who have consistently served at Corrimal over the 35 years I have been here. I am thankful for the gifted people who have joined us. We are better together!’
Cathy
10am Corrimal service
