On April 1 eight years ago, the struggling parish of Bondi Beach formed a partnership with Anglicare in a bid to survive.
April 1 this year marked another significant change, as the Rev Tom Henderson-Brooks became the full-time Curate-in-Charge.
The parish and Anglicare marked the occasion with a thanksgiving service held on Sunday, with Bishop Rob Forsyth of South Sydney as guest speaker.
When Mr Henderson-Brooks started ministry at Bondi Beach, the church could not afford a full-time minister. Morale and unity in the small parish were low.
"It was a very toxic environment," he says.
Today, church numbers have more than tripled, the atmosphere has improved significantly, ministry has expanded and the congregation can support a full-time curate-in-charge and an assistant minister. "Now, people love coming to church," he smiles.
Mr Henderson-Brooks says much of this growth can be put down to the partnership, which had already been forged when he started work at the church.
Since then, he has had two part-time jobs: curate-in-charge and Anglicare's regional manager for South-East Sydney.
The church and regional office operated out of adjacent buildings on the same site.
Anglicare helped the church to survive financially by paying rent to use the building and purchasing a rectory " which the church could rent. "For Anglicare to purchase a rectory in this area was not cheap," says Mr Henderson-Brooks. "But it shows a commitment to people in this area."
Anglicare has also linked outreach services with the church, including three weekly playgroups " which church members also attend - and a weekly café where people can enjoy a free lunch and live music.
Other services at Bondi include family support and emergency relief, as well as a work-for-the-dole scheme, with participants serving in playgroups and at the cafe.
"There's a lot of power in the way the gospel is proclaimed if it is accompanied by works of mercy," says Mr Henderson-Brooks.
According to Anglicare's Bondi office manager, Jill Wrathall, these services provide opportunities to pray with people and to refer them to the church if they express interest.
"The back-up of Tom's theological knowledge… and being able to refer people to the church which we know is very welcoming, has helped immensely."
Bondi is a unique example of what Anglicare is trying to do in the Diocese as a whole, says Parish Partnership Ministry coordinator, Jenni Sawyer.
"It's not the predominant thing for us to have a collocation on site…because they take a lot of infrastructure."
Anglicare is hoping to grow the concept " and practice - of "satellite services'. Under this arrangement, a counsellor or emergency relief worker supplied by Anglicare helps churches to develop their outreach ministries once or twice a week.
"Satellite services are cheaper and more accessible for churches," says Ms Sawyer, "as they only need a room or a hall to run."
The organisation aims to build more partnerships with parishes which go beyond clothing bins or Christmas hampers. These partnerships are vital for Anglicare's growth, says Ms Sawyer.
"Linking with parishes is critical, and it helps us to be prayerfully, financially and practically supported. It helps to reinforce the fact Anglicare is very much a mission-oriented organisation."
