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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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June 2005 |
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Fishing for a Hall at StrahanUnloading an excavator at the Strahan wharf recently, local Anglican Kevin Bailey noticed young Josh join the crowd of 15 to 20 fishermen watching. Recognising him as one of the Sunday School members, Kevin gave him a cheery, 'What d'yer know, Josh?'. Unhesitatingly, Josh shouted back, 'I know Jesus is alive.' Russell Morton spoke with Kevin about his vision for Christian ministry in Strahan Kevin and Colina Bailey are preparing for possible ordination as locally-ordained priests. They have lived and worked in Strahan all their married lives; indeed Kevin says he's lived there 58 years, though the genial earthmoving contractor doesn't look old enough for that. Two of their three children still live on the West Coast. Both the Baileys find numerous outlets for Christian ministry in their community. Colina is very occupied with pastoral work such as conducting funerals. The Baileys, assisted by others, have had between 30 and 40 children in Sunday School at Holy Trinity church in Strahan. The church has no toilet, no storage space for Sunday School materials and is hard to heat. What they really need is a cosy, small hall. Kevin talks about other activities which would use such a facility, like a Men's Breakfast similar to the one at The Haven in nearby Zeehan. The little church has about 12 regular worshippers, but numbers are often swelled by visitors to 25 or more. Service times are varied to fit in with tourist train and cruise boat schedules. A hall would enhance fellowship after services, times when a prayer and share ministry has developed. They estimate the cost at $55,000 for a pre-fabricated building ready to connect to services, and the parish has space to locate it next to the church. The community is right behind the idea, and more than $19,000 has been donated towards the purpose already. One local fisherman donated a sizeable catch, something quickly converted to cash for the hall project. Well-attended Christmas services and local events such as the Piners' Festival have generated donations. Pray with the Baileys and their fellow-worshippers for the realisation of their vision. They are determined folk, these West Coasters, determined to do what they can to introduce people of all ages to Jesus.
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