Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I announce that I will be finishing up as Acting Rector on Sunday July 12. My replacement will be the Rev Deryck Howell. He is a very experienced and able minister, known to some of you from his time as Rector at Rosemeadow.
Looking back over the last four months, my greatest regret is that the Covid-19 shutdown deprived me of the opportunity to get to know you better and limited the opportunities to serve you in many more ways than those circumstances allowed.
At the other end of the scale, the best thing for me was to have a very a small share in the advancement of the Master Plan for the development of the St Peter’s site so that the parish can better reach out to this growing and dynamic community.
Last Monday night the Standing Committee of the Diocese unanimously passed an ordinance that opens up capability for this great vision to become a reality.
The credit for this progress belongs to your wardens. They have laboured hard and long to bring this project to its present position. You are indeed fortunate to have such capable and dedicated leaders.
It is now up to you to support them and step-out in faith to see this vision to a happy and successful conclusion. Heather and I will be remembering you and your endeavours in our prayers.
Apart from that, the other great opportunity for you lies in the selection and welcome of your next rector. It won’t be easy but with your love and support his coming will usher in a whole new chapter in the history of this significant parish.
Please remember in your prayers your nominators and the other diocesan officials who have the responsibility of finding and inviting your new leader.
I am convinced that the right man, with the strong support of the members of this lovely church, will be able to make great strides in building this church to become the great hub of activity for the gospel that it ought to be in the strategic location.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve you, albeit in this reduced capacity due the shutdown, and look forward to following your progress in the years ahead.
Your friend,
Bruce Ballantine-Jones
Acting Rector