Bishop commends Parish’s move back to Church

The St Augustine Anglican Op Shop in Palmwoods celebrated its move from 22 Main Street to 13 Hill Street with a dedication ceremony on Saturday, October 7.

The event welcomed Regional Bishop and newly-appointed Archbishop-elect, Bishop Jeremy Greaves, casting a spotlight on the Op Shop's integral role within the broader community.

Coordinator Anne Leach emphasised the importance of the event. “The ceremony is not merely a dedication but a celebration of community spirit, unity, and the embodiment of service that our Op Shop represents,” she said.

Anne also paid tribute to the new volunteers who are adding a range of expertise to the operation and outreach to the community.

“The op shop was originally opened in the existing hall 10 years ago by Bev Scholz and the Rev Ann Shepperton and a few of the volunteers who were with us then are still here today.”

Bishop Jeremy extended his congratulations to the St Augustine Parish for the major expansion within the Palmwoods Anglican Church precinct.

Bishop Jeremy underscored the urgent need for churches to recalibrate and reinvent their operational modalities and societal roles in changing times.

He noted that relying solely on the benevolence and giving of parishioners, a practice that sustained churches for centuries, is increasingly becoming unsustainable.

Drawing inspiration from Samuel Wells, an insightful English priest and author of the book titled, “A Future That’s Bigger than the Past”, Bishop Jeremy highlighted the imperatives of innovation and commercial incorporation as outlined by Wells.

The book strongly advocates for congregations to be not only spiritual sanctuaries but also hubs of compassionate service, cultural engagement, and commercial venture, sum- marily described as the ‘four Cs’: Compassion, Culture, Congregation, and Commerce.

The Bishop emphasised that these guiding principles should not be seen as a departure from the sacred mission of the church but rather as essential additives for bolstering the church’s relevance and sustainability in a world that is rapidly evolving.

Commending the St Augustine Parish’s initiative, Bishop Jeremy expressed his delight and approval of the bold, strategic expansion of the Palmwoods Op Shop.

“This move is not just a mere commercial venture but a thoughtful integration of service and sustenance that intertwines the Op Shop’s operation intimately with the life and activities of the church,” he said.

The Parish’s initiative, he believes, reflects a broader understanding of ministry and service, incorporating the necessary commercial elements without losing sight of the church’s primary spiritual and community-focused mission.

▶ For information about the Op Shop or to volunteer contact AnneLeach101@gmail.com