Final Christmas Message from the McFarlanes
As many of you are now aware, this Christmas will be the tenth and final Christmas we spend in Manilla as I have been given the opportunity to take up the position of Senior Chaplain with the Ambulance Service of NSW and consequently, we will be leaving Manilla mid January to take up the role.
It has been an absolute honour and privilege to be involved in such a wonderful Parish for so long, and for our boys to grow up amongst the care and encouragement of so many loving people. We have made many real and genuine friendships in the community and amongst the people of the churches. We have also journeyed with many of you during times of celebration and times of tragedy and grief. It is with real sadness that we contemplate leaving this place and resettling our family into a very different sort of life in Sydney. However, I am also looking forward to the challenges that the new role will bring and for the opportunity to care for the members of the emergency services throughout the state, especially the paramedics I respect so much.
One of the great highlights of our ministry in Manilla has been the way the churches have worked together so closely to promote the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to care for the youth and young people of this community. I believe the efforts we have made in this area have brought visible unity between the denominations and have been a strong witness within our community of the love we all share for Jesus and his Word. I encourage you to keep this unifying work going into the future so that God’s Kingdom will continue to grow in this place and people will continue to come to faith in Christ. Please pray too, that a new School Chaplain will soon be found to replace Katie at Manilla Central School.
Our last service will be at 9am on Sunday 8th January so that we will have time to move to Sydney and settle into our new home before Hugh and Angus start school next year. From about 12pm on that day, there will also be an opportunity to join with us for a farewell BBQ and lazy afternoon chatting together in the grounds of “The Abbey” (43 Rowan Street). Katie and I would be delighted if you could join us for this special occasion.
Christmas, as always, is a special time for family and friends and for enjoying the gift of love that we share with those closest to us. It is also a great time to reflect on God’s love shown to us most profoundly in the way that God himself came amongst us in the guise of a child – living our life, sharing our struggles, and ultimately giving his life so that we can enjoy eternal life.
It is my prayer that you will continue to grow as God’s people in this community and that you will continue to seek to grow in your faith and in your love for others. It would be a great encouragement to me this Christmas if you would commit yourself to a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus – the one who gave his all for us on the cross and longs for us to walk through life with Him by our side.
On behalf of Katie, Hugh, Angus and myself, can I wish you all a very Holy and special Christmas this year as you celebrate the coming of our Saviour with family and friends. We look forward to seeing many of you in the time that remains for us as members of the Manilla community.
Rev. Paul McFarlane
Anglican Vicar of Manilla