The parish of Shellharbour is celebrating one-and-a-half centuries of local Christian ministry this week.
"Members of the parish are really looking forward to it and sharing the history of this church,” says the rector of St Paul's, the Rev Ian Rienits.
This Sunday, April 1, Ian (pictured at the site with wife Helen) will run an open-air service close to the site of Wilson’s Flour Mill where the first Anglican meeting in the area was held 150 years ago.
"The open air service is one which we hope will show people in the community that the church is alive and well," Mr Rienits says.
"It's a good opportunity and something a little bit different for a church that usually meets in an old white church building on a hill."
This service is also significant bacause it will be the Rev Al Stewart's first engagement as
Bishop of Wollongong, after he is consecrated on March 30.
During the anniversary week, St Paul's is mounting a display in the church hall that will look back at the church's history.
"It's open for all to come and see, and we have specifically invited local schools to have excursions to see the display so they can learn about local history. A few have already taken up the offer," Mr Rienits says.
"That will also give an opportunity for our children's worker to speak to the kids about what is happening at St Paul's for youth and children right now."
The parish has included two thanksgiving services in its anniversary celebrations.
The first was held last Sunday at St Paul's and was an opportunity for all church members to gather together and give thanks for 150 years of God's work in Shellharbour.
Another thanksgiving service will be held at the Wilson's Flour Mill this Thursday, which is the actual 150th anniversary of the first service. Past clergy and parishioners have been invited to attend this event.
"Far from celebrating 150 years of looking backwards, my hope is that we will celebrate what God will do in the future, just as those Shellharbour Christians did 150 years ago," Mr Rienits says.
