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John Harrower smiles, looks at camera, blue shirt

From Bishop John

18 August 2007

Pastoral letter from Bishop John

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Pastoral letter from Bishop John

To the people of the parish of Holy Trinity Hobart

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I have asked that this letter be read during your worship services today in order to communicate to you the conclusion of the conversations and prayer surrounding the future of St Margaret's and Holy Trinity church buildings in North Hobart.

As you are only too well aware, the deterioration of the Holy Trinity building and the declining congregation at St Margaret's is a deep sadness. You, the members of this Parish, have faithfully addressed these issues with continuing sacrifice over many decades. You have given generously and sacrificially to maintain and extend the building heritage. This task has absorbed enormous energy and resources and on behalf of the Anglican family in Tasmania I thank you for your dedication to this task under God's good hand.

After prayerfully considering the results of the Parish conversations and consultation, the deliberations of the Council of the Diocese and taking wider advice I have decided to accept the Parish's petition to close the buildings of Holy Trinity and St Margaret's North Hobart.

This means that worship services in these buildings will be concluded on Sunday 28 October 2007 with services of thanksgiving to God for all that has been accomplished for Christ's kingdom in and through them.

In ll the difficulty of the many conversations that have been held we have not always understood one another as well as we may have desired. It has been very difficult at times. Yet, amidst all of this confusion and clarity, hurt and hope, God is building His Church. The Holy Spirit has moved with power in our lives. As we gather for worship week by week we are refocused on Jesus' challenge to go into the world making disciples. We know that God is love and that His perfect love drives out all fear. For the sake of the Gospel of Christ, His people are willing to put aside the things of this world and follow Him to the ends of the world. This is the way of Christ and we are the people of Christ.

My pastoral concern is that in this process of discerning the future usage of these buildings some of us may have become fearful. God has not given us a spirit of fear. The Bible says that fear has to do with punishment, not love. As we seek to be a community of love that lives out the Gospel of Christ there is no place for fear or for those who would bring fear among us.

Please do not be fearful. Although we are losing these sacred spaces that we have grown to love we must continually remind each other that the issue is not loss but transformation. Our attitude as we face transformation must be that of Jesus Christ:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!

If we can grasp the reality of the way of Christ then the second part of that Bible reading from Philippians chapter 2 will transform our lives:

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every other name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father.

My hope and prayer is that the Holy Spirit would lead us in fresh ways. Please do not be afraid. Remember that Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7:

God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.

What an amazing challenge, a challenge to be brave, to boldly step out in love and to love and serve the community of Hobart.

As you move into this new future may I encourage you all to put fear away, trust in God today and give God the thanks and glory for all that has been accomplished and all that will be accomplished by his disciples, his people, the Bride of Christ, the Church, the saints of the Parish of Holy Trinity North Hobart.

God's peace be with you all,

Bishop John Harrower