by Rebecca Abbott

All Saints’, Cammeray made history on 27 July when it opened its doors for a new 9am service.

The church now runs three services – 9am, 10.30am and 5.30pm – to make room for a greater number of families and community members to join.

“We are trying to reach everyone in Cammeray with the gospel,” said assistant minister, the Rev Nigel Fortescue. “The new service has a community focus that caters for all people, including children.”

Mr Fortescue said the growth of All Saints’ is an answer to the prayers of 20 faithful members of the original 9.30am service. “They have been gathering together each Sunday for decades and praying for gospel opportunities in Cammeray.”

In consultation with the evening congregation, the idea to start a new service was first raised last year. A decision to start the morning meeting was reached after careful prayer and consultation over the past few months. The 9.30am congregation decided to meet at 10.30am, creating one of the only late-morning traditional services in the region. “Our great desire is that more people will come to know Christ as Lord and Saviour,” said rector, the Rev Rick Smith. “I think if we keep doing the same things, we will keep getting the same people. So we’re keen to try new things to reach new people.”

Mr Smith acknowledged the partnership between All Saints’ and St Cuthbert’s, Naremburn. The two churches work together and have an equal partnership in church life. He also noted the continued support of St Thomas’, North Sydney, which has sent two groups of people to Naremburn-Cammeray in the past five years to begin new congregations and extend the ministry of the church. “We’re very grateful for their generosity,”  he said.

Rebecca Abbott is a member of All Saints’, Cammeray