In the past, residents from Warrawee on Sydney’s north shore have not had an Anglican church to call their own. However, due to a partnership between St James’, Turramurra and St Philip’s, Turramurra South, that is all about to change.
Both parishes had separately recognised the need for a church plant in Warrawee but, on their own, neither had the numbers or resources to do it properly. So the logical decision was to work together.
“There is a pocket of land around Warrawee Public School that neither of us is really connected with,” said the Rev Michael Stead from St James’. “We saw the untapped potential there and thought we could reach these families if we worked together.”
The church plant will commence in January next year with a group of about 50 people from both churches. The new church, which will be called Warrawee Anglican, will meet in the public school hall.
For the first three years both St James’ and St Philip’s will fund the church plant with the view of its becoming a provisional parish some time after that.
Bruce Pass (pictured with his wife Kate, children Joseph, Eden and Isaac), who is currently in his final year at Moore Theological College, will lead the plant — which will initially be aimed at families with school-aged children.
“I’m delighted to be able to work with a group of people who are so eager to share the gospel with their community,” he said. “Our desire is that the Lord Jesus would be glorified and draw many to himself through our witness. We would appreciate everyone’s prayers in this.”
Mr Pass is aware of the challenges that he and the church community will face. However, under God he is already planning ways to grow the church from its initial plant group.
“We have a three-stage plan for the development of ministry groups dedicated to evangelism, deeds and pastoral care,” he said. “While enthusiasm will be high in the early months it will be very important for us to avoid core-group burnout and to be mindful of each other’s needs. I know all of these things will bring their own challenges, but I am excited about the possibilities for sharing the love of Christ in Warrawee.”
