Resurrection Anglican Church Lockridge-Eden Hill

40th Anniversary

Celebrating God’s faithfulness... throughout 40 years of the life and witness of the Anglican Church in Lockridge-Eden Hill (1972-2012)

What would Jesus think?

If Jesus walked into next Sunday's service at the Church of the Resurrection in Lockridge, we hope the amazing mixture of people he would find there would put a smile on his face. As with his first disciples in Galilee, his followers in Lockridge are the most unlikely bunch. Though few in number (sometimes reaching around 70 adults and children on a Sunday morning) they include people from many nations and backgrounds. Some are retired, some out of work and others work in trades or professional roles. There are people working in IT, their own small businesses, education and health care. There are some full time mums, a couple of teachers, an accountant, a lawyer and an engineer. They worship alongside a welder, a mowing contractor and others with no formal qualifications. A recently arrived couple from Nigeria studied psychology and counselling before coming to Australia. Among older church members there is a retired book publisher, now working as a courier. While the people of Lockridge have often had to battle a lot harder economically compared with residents of other Perth suburbs, they haven’t been short of energy or talent. Anglican Church members demonstrated this during building extensions in the mid 70s. One was a builder who supervised the whole operation. Another was a cabinet maker who made a great contribution. Others did lots of heavy lifting. In 2012 the church is continuing its past tradition. Another striking aspect of today's church is the number of young couples who have made it their spiritual home, bringing with them a large group of young children - challenge and opportunity each Sunday to engage the next generation. Continuing its tradition of quirkiness, the present congregation also includes four ordained clergymen. Apart from its incumbent priest, Marc

Dale, there is a retired Anglican minister, a retired Presbyterian minister and a Baptist pastor currently working as a school chaplain. Some community oriented activities of the church were started by the Baptist pastor, including development of the community garden together with the then parish priest, Rev Michael Wood. Several couples from the Lockridge church, have now formed a group called Lockridge Open Table which aims to be a "redeeming influence in the local community".

A promising start...

In the first two years of his arrival in the Parish, God seems to have blessed the work of its new priest, Rev. Marc Dale. His ministry is encouraged and supported by his wife, Marsha and daughters Elizabeth, Josephine and Charlotte. Marc’s Gospel centred ministry has attracted a number of new people - young and not so young. He was ordained, with four others, on Saturday 3 December 2011 in St George's Cathedral, Perth.

His first service at Lockridge, as an ordained priest, was on the following day, 4 December, which happened to be the second Sunday in Advent. In his message in the church bulletin for that day Marc said, "It's been nearly two years since my family and I came to be part of God's church in Lockridge-Eden Hill and it has been an exciting and joyful time. We're looking forward to continuing to serve the Lord Jesus with you in this community." Borrowing the apostle Paul’s words, in 1 Thessalonians, Marc added, "I always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in my prayers. I continually remember before our God and Father your work produced

by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

40 Years of God’s Faithfulness

From the early 1920s, Anglican rectors at Bassendean made forays into the bush to visit isolated families in the area later to be called Lockridge. The Parochial District of Lockridge-Eden Hill was formed on 1 February 1972, when its first Rector, Rev. Ray Molyneux, was commissioned at the Community Hall in Rosher Rd. About 60 people attended the commissioning service. Sunday services took place in the hall at first, until Lockridge Primary School offered the use of a demountable classroom. In 1972, the Diocesan Trustees bought the church's present site for $2,150, but it was not until 1975 that the building, described as a parish centre, was finally completed. It was dedicated on 8 February that year by

Archbishop Geoffrey Sambell and named The Emmaus Centre. Later it also became known as The Church of the Resurrection.

The Emmaus Centre, on the day of its dedication in 1975 [photo: The Anglican Messenger]

Extensions and improvements to the building were completed in 1985, but before the planned service of dedication on 10 November, an arsonist lit a fire which destroyed most of the extensions, causing damage estimated at $70,000. The building was not repaired properly until 1997. For a time, services were held in the Senior Citizens Centre. In 2008 the church was struggling, Sunday morning attendances dropping to around 15 and finances very low, relying largely on grants from the diocese. The Parishes of Bassendean and Lockridge-Eden Hill were then amalgamated, but this arrangement proved unsatisfactory and Lockridge-Eden Hill reverted to its present status as an independent parish. When the parish was first established, its rectory was at 10 Bates Place, Lockridge. The present rectory, adjacent to the church, was built in 1997.

Past Memories and Future Hopes

A small group in today's church deserve medals for ‘stickability’. Some were part of the original fellowship in 1972, when Sunday services were being held at the Primary School. They include:

Barry and Tanneya Weston

Not long before the church started, Barry and Tanneya moved into the house they still live in today, a stone's throw from where the church was eventually built. Both have been Synod representatives and held various positions on the church council. Barry was treasurer for a while. A retired

railway fireman and capable handyman, he was also the church's unofficial gardener for many years. Tanneya has been church secretary. She is still the People's Warden and Lay Pastoral Minister. Their memories include close relationships with past priests, especially Rev Peter Harrison. They appreciated him as a man's man who was always available to anyone in need. During the week, he would get around in a pair of shorts, with a black shirt and collar. "Everyone knew he was a priest, but he was a big man and no one answered him back," Barry commented. Rev Peter Harrison built a great relationship with the community, giving food hampers to those in need and helping the Catholic Church to run a low cost food centre, called Bill Shocker House.

At Christmas, he and church members would put an organ on the back of his truck to drive around, sing carols and give gifts to the elderly. "It was an amazing atmosphere," Barry and Tanneya agreed.

"Lockridge has always been a place with a real community spirit, where people look after each other, and the church has taken on some of that," they said.

One of Peter Harrison's most amazing feats was to personally repair the church's fire damaged roof, removing its tiles and replacing them with tin. His wife, who had cancer, climbed onto the roof to help him. Later, they did the same to the rectory.

As for the future, the Westons are encouraged by the increased church attendance since Marc Dale's arrival, with many more children. "Being a passionate man, about his preaching and everything else, makes a big difference," Barry commented. "The church has been revitalised."

Viv and Gentry Conn

Viv and Gentry Conn, joined the church when services were held at the primary school. Viv was the church's first Lay Pastoral assistant, helping the priest at Holy Communion.

Pauline Humphry Pauline is another long term member of the church. She first began attending services in October 1981 when she felt God calling her back to church.

"I felt very welcome here," she says. "There was a special feeling in this church. People didn't have to wear the right outfit before they were accepted. I suppose, being from a lower socio-economic community, we don't worry so much about that sort of thing. The fact that you're here matters more than anything else." For six years Pauline was church secretary and also helped to produce the church newsletter ... among other things. But some of her strongest memories are of the help she received during times of personal need, including a marriage breakdown and the loss of both her parents, whose funerals were both conducted at the Lockridge church. Pauline's second marriage, to Derek, and those of a son and a daughter also took place at the Lockridge church. Being supported by friends in the church whom she trusted and could talk to freely was a great help at such times. It was God's provision in her hour of need. Another of Pauline's strong memories of the Lockridge church relates to the fire in 1985 which largely destroyed newly completed extensions. "The bishop was coming to bless that part of the church on that Sunday and we

ended up in a tent* on the front lawn. It was devastating, especially after all the work that had gone into it." (*the 'tent' was a marquee)

Out of that experience, Pauline also saw the truth of the Apostle Paul's words that God works for good in all things with those that love Him. “Out of every negative there seems to come a positive. For us, it was realising that the church is actually not the building, it’s the people. And also the positive help we received in rebuilding from other Anglican churches.” The experience seemed to strengthen the faith of church members and their sense of community. This was shown by the way people related to each other and looked after each other. It was a challenge too, for the new minister, Rev Bill Robinson who arrived from England with his family only a few weeks after the fire. He came to replace Rev John Hewitson. Pauline's hope for the future of the church in Lockridge-Eden Hill is that it will keep growing and will be a witness in the area, available to help people grow spiritually. She hopes the benefits of traditional Anglican ways won't be lost, such as the use of symbols and the lectionary.

An example she gave is the spiritual discipline of reflection at the beginning of Advent. "Traditionally, Advent always began with a time of contemplation when you look at your life in relation to your faith. It's a personal kind of thing."

Wendy Hazledean

A retired kindergarten teacher, Wendy is a lay pastoral minister (with Tanneya). During the week, she concentrates on pastoral care and leading a home group. She first attended a service at the Lockridge church on Easter Sunday 1981 and quickly got involved, joining a Wednesday morning sewing group, attending Bible studies and being elected to the Church Council. Wendy's positive memories of the church include the flourishing Sunday School in the 1980s and also the decision to permit primary school age children to take Holy Communion. "It brings children more into the church family, and you can explain to them at their level of intelligence what the Lord's Supper is all about." In the 1980s and 90s a strong community involvement was led by Rev Peter Harrison who organised the beginnings of the community garden scheme. "He supervised people doing work for the dole and also prisoners on parole. One was a murderer from Bandyup. And Peter's rectory was open day and night for anyone in need." His idea was that the community was the church and everyone was part of God's family. Wendy's husband, Jim, helped to build the memorial garden at the side of the church. That's where his ashes and those of other church members, now lay.

As with other church members, Wendy and her husband were grief stricken when fire destroyed the church extensions. Jim had been very involved in the building work. Recovering from the catastrophe was speeded by the need to help the new priest. "We all pulled together and helped one another." Personally, Wendy says the Lockridge church has meant a great deal to her, "in the good times and the not so good times. There has always been someone there for me in times of great need." She had learned a lot, theologically and in other ways, from many of the priests. "Peter (Harrison) made me think more about social justice ... having a convicted murderer in your lounge room is a challenge. For all this I am grateful." As for the future, Wendy says, "It's very good to have a young priest, with a young wife and young family. The emphasis on preaching the Gospel is good." She also hopes the past legacy of community outreach will not be lost.

Name plaques of past church members whose ashes are interred in the Memorial garden.

They were a mixed bag!

An interesting expression of the Anglican Church's community orientation has been the work of Baptist pastor, Steve McKinnon, who first got involved in the Lockridge community in 1998 with a free bread run. In 2000 the Beechboro Baptist Church supported him in an outreach programme, with the establishment of the Lockridge Outreach Group.

The programme mainly focused on non-church people from a lower socio-economic background. They were a mixed bag of ex-criminals, Aborigines, some with mental illness and most short of money. At first the programme centred on community meals at a private home in Sturtridge Rd on Sunday nights. "We tried to make it a community meal, rather than a soup kitchen, where people brought whatever food they could muster up," Steve says. "This recognised everyone's contribution and tried not to create dependency." The meals were followed by a discussion based service. When around 30 people were coming, another venue was needed. The new Anglican priest at Lockridge, Rev Michael Wood, offered the use of the church building and so began a strong relationship between the Outreach Group and the Lockridge Anglicans. The McKinnons would attend the Anglican service on Sunday mornings and then run the Outreach Group in the afternoon. They also started a kids club. In all these ventures, Steve was supported by his wife, Erica. A teacher and social worker, she was funded by Anglicare at one stage, to work as a counsellor alongside Rev Michael Wood.

The programme ran this way from 2001 to 2007, and Steve believes it bore fruit. "There were quite a few baptisms and we set up a community garden through a Work for the Dole scheme. We had daily contact with folks in need, a few people were reconnected with church and God and we became the conduit." There was a need for people in the church to be empowered and equipped to serve the community, through teaching, training and doing. In 2007 most of the people left Steve's group to join the Aboriginal Evangelical Church which had started meetings in the nearby Alice Davron Centre. Some were attending other churches as well. Steve then decided to close the outreach group. Steve says he and his family have always found the people of the Anglican Church to be “warm and accepting of our children's sometimes unruly behaviour.”

Community Garden

The idea of developing a community garden started in 2001 during discussions between Steve McKinnon, and Rev Michael Wood at a planning meeting of the Lockridge Local Drug Action Group.

Steve and Erica McKinnon

Michael then mapped out a circle next to the church, made a pond from black plastic and tractor tyres, and brought in a load of mulch from the Stirling tip. "We threw a few seeds in the ground and waited to see what would happen (which was very little)," he later commented. [30th year celebration booklet] Steve successfully applied for a government grant to fund a work for the dole scheme, which allowed backbreaking infrastructure work to be done to establish the garden properly. The rough garden circle gave way to raised stone beds. A building firm donated rocks and a lawnmower contractor supplied grass clippings for mulch. Children from the local primary school had fun growing stuff and letting the class chickens have a run around. They also made mosaics which were set into a round concrete slab in the garden. Steve says, "The vision which inspired starting the community garden was to reach out to marginalised people." He believes that, "to be truly evangelical, there is a need to be more prophetic, to stand up for godly values and not go along with the crowd". In early 2004 the garden was able to expand. A two year lease was negotiated with the City of Swan for use of an adjacent block of public land as a community garden in return for a peppercorn rent. This arrangement continues today. The unused land had been earmarked as a park. In an attempt to facilitate a sense of community ownership of the garden, a garden co-ordinator, Rosie Logan, was employed in 2004. This was made possible by a grant from Anglican Care Inc. Rosie's promotion of the garden, which included an Open Space Consultation, resulted in the formation of a group of volunteers to keep the garden running.

A recent Sunday workshop in the Community

Garden

Subsequently a Christian group, known as Peace Tree Community, began to help in the garden work. When the work for the dole scheme came to an end, and Rosie had left, Peace Tree, together with the “Lockridge Community Garden” group took over running of the garden. Peace Tree hold regular workshops on permaculture and other topics. The group currently live in the rectory, adjacent to the Lockridge church. The “Lockridge Community Garden” group hold workshops in the garden on the first Sunday of each month. To coincide with this, the Anglican church has been serving wood fire pizzas, sausage sizzle, barista coffee and cool drinks following its morning service. Tom Shackles cooking pizzas in the garden's wood fire oven. Tom is a church warden. He his wife Lyn joined the church in 2009. Lyn is an active parish councillor, serving as treasurer and now secretary.

Several years ago the Shackles and two other couples attending the Anglican Church agreed several years ago to form a group called Lockridge Open Table. Its aim is to be involved in the local community and to redeem it by living according to values of the Kingdom of God or, as Jesus put it, to be salt and light. This decision flowed from reflection on God's will for future service in the community, following closure of the Lockridge Outreach Group. As its name implies, the group is 'open' to anyone who wishes to participate in its activities. In 2010, expressing the group's vision, three couples pooled their resources to buy a house at Woolgar Way, to be known as Ezekiel House. It would be available as accommodation for people recovering mainly from drug and alcohol problems. "The intention is to befriend such people as they transition into main stream society. To provide them with a new community," says co-founder Steve McKinnon. So far about six people have lived in the house. One of the current residents of Ezekiel House, who has lived there for more than a year, says he has now been able to be free from all drug use for about five months. Before being told about Ezekiel House, he had been living on the street. His drug problems began at the age of 15 when he first began smoking marijuana. It had been a downhill slide ever since, resulting in the breakdown of various relationships, including two partners with whom he had fathered a total of six children. He had held well paid jobs, but lost them all because of alcohol and drug addiction. He had spent months in rehab at different times, but had relapsed again and again.

Before coming to Ezekiel House, his thoughts were constantly swinging from suicide to finding money for more drugs. He had already sold everything else he owned. Years before, he had become a Christian, but felt God had given up on him. When he heard about Ezekiel House, and that it was owned by Christians, he knew it was what he needed to escape from the situation he was in.

"Coming here has helped me to be part of a community. Even though my life experience has been on a different plane altogether to other people in the church, we all have one thing in common, Jesus Christ. I feel much happier with life and the joy of the Lord has returned."

The Ministry of Word and Sacrament

1972 – 1973 Rev Raymond Molyneux

1973 – 1975 Rev M. Challen,

Sister Beverley Rilatt (Church Army)

1976 – 1979 Rev David Russell

1979 – 1982 Rev Paul Hume

1983 - 1985 Rev John Hewitson

1985 - 1987 Rev Bill Robinson

1987 - 1998 Rev Peter Harrison

1998 - 2007 Rev Michael Wood

2007 - 2008 Rev Tony Trethowan (locum tenens)

2008 - 2009 Rev Bill Hawley & Rev Georgina Hawley

2009 - 2010 Rev Kevern Rapkin (locum tenens)

2010 – present Rev Marc Dale

“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes ...”

Romans 1:16

…the same yesterday, today and forever.

The writer of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews reminds us of the awesome truth that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” As we look back on forty years of the life and witness of the Anglican Church in this community, one thing stands out above everything else and that is God’s faithfulness. For forty years, the Lord has been at work amongst and through his people here. Lives have been transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and so we should shout, “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21) Now, as we look to the future, the one thing we can be sure of is that the God who holds us in the palm of his hand will continue to bring glory to his Name through his church. The exciting and humbling thing is that he’s inviting us to join him in that mission, begun by his Son – calling men, women and children into the Kingdom of God. I love the fact that our church has the name “Resurrection”, because that’s at the heart of what Jesus offers this dead and dying world. The Gospel of Jesus Christ transforms us from death to life, from slavery to freedom, from being lost and alone to those who belong to God’s family – his adopted daughters and sons. As followers of Jesus and his church in this community, we have a great story to tell! It’s the story we tell with our words and our lives. We tell it best in the context of real relationships that grow from cross-shaped love.

“To him be glory in the church…” Marc

Rev. Marc Dale

…real relationships that grow from

cross-shaped love.

Celebrating 40 years…

Sunday 5th February 2012