Anglican Church of Australia. Parish of Wilston. A faith community of St Alban the martyr Parish Profile 2014 1
Anglican Church of Australia Parish of Wilston. A faith community of St Alban the martyr The Mission of Wilston Anglican Parish is that of the Agreed Mission Statement of the Anglican Communion. The Mission of the Church is the mission of Christ To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers. To respond to human need by loving service. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. (Bonds of Affection-1984 ACC-6 p49, Mission in a Broken World-1990 ACC-8 p101) 2
Contents: General introduction. Worship. Regular Services Family Services Parish staff Office holders Parish groups Ministries in the Parish. Mother s Union (Wilston Branch) St Alban s Sunday School R.E. at Wilston State School Parish Study Groups Parish Council Hospital Chaplancy Pastoral Services ( Home Communions, Baptisms, Wedding, Funerals) Parish Food Pantry 3
Other ministries. Parish Mission Project St Alban s Wilston Early Childhood Centre Ecumenical Relations St Alban s Church Concerts Parish communications Parish property. Parish Centre. Parish Rectory Parish Vehicle Rector s Package and Parish Finances Priest-in-Charge Package. Parish Finances. 4
INTRODUCTION TO THE WILSTON AREA Schools: There are two schools in the area, Wilston State School in Primrose Street and St Columba's (R.C.) Primary in Kedron Brook Road. Retail Business: Wilston Village in Kedron Brook Road is the main retail area. Local stores in the area are supplemented by larger centres at HomeZone at Windsor, Lutwyche Shopping Centre and slightly further away at Stafford and Brookside. Transport: Wilston railway station provides access to regular Citytrain services to Ferny Grove, Brisbane and Beenleigh Sporting Clubs: Sporting clubs in the area include Wilston Norths Junior Cricket Club, Wilston Grange Australian Football Club, and St Andrews Ladies Hockey Club, Wilston Crocs (swimming club), Lococo Tennis and the nearby Grange Bowls Club. Library: Grange Library is located at 79 Evelyn Street, Grange about a 10 minute walk from the Church INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARISH Location and boundaries: The Anglican Parish of Wilston takes in the Inner Northern Brisbane suburbs of Wilston and Grange as well as parts of Newmarket, Windsor and Alderley. Population: In the 2011 Census the population of the parish was: Wilston 3,872 Grange 4,163 Newmarket 4,424. The median/average age of the population is 35 years of age, 2 years below the Australian average 5
Grange Suburb Religious affiliation in the main parish area of Wilston Parish. Religious affiliation, top responses Grange % Queensland % Australia % Catholic 1,362 32.7 1,032,928 23.8 5,439,268 25.3 No Religion 1,042 25.0 955,783 22.1 4,796,787 22.3 Anglican 808 19.4 817,834 18.9 3,679,907 17.1 Uniting Church 234 5.6 276,316 6.4 1,065,795 5.0 Presbyterian and Reformed 116 2.8 152,340 3.5 599,515 2.8 The most common responses for religion in Grange (Statistical Area Level 2) were Catholic 32.7%, No Religion 25.0%, Anglican 19.4%, Uniting Church 5.6% and Presbyterian and Reformed 2.8%. Wilston Suburb Religious affiliation, top responses Wilston % Queensland % Australia % Catholic 1,290 33.3 1,032,928 23.8 5,439,268 25.3 No Religion 968 25.0 955,783 22.1 4,796,787 22.3 Anglican 598 15.5 817,834 18.9 3,679,907 17.1 Uniting Church 233 6.0 276,316 6.4 1,065,795 5.0 Presbyterian and Reformed 112 2.9 152,340 3.5 99,515 2.8 The most common responses for religion in Wilston (State Suburbs) were Catholic 33.3%, No Religion 25.0%, Anglican 15.5%, Uniting Church 6.0% and Presbyterian and Reformed 2.9%. SHORT HISTORY OF THE PARISH Wilston parish began with the dedication of the first St Alban s church on 12th September 1914. This church was a simple wooden structure with verandahs on its northern and southern sides. Initially Wilston Church was part of Windsor parish but became a separate parish on 22nd March 1928. In 1929, the present brick church was built, as a war memorial to those who served in the First World War. In1958, the present Parish Centre was built. This centre is named the Halford Centre in honour of the ministry of Bishop Halford. The centre included a parish hall and kitchen as well as a parish operated kindergarten/childcare centre. In 1970, the church was extended to incorporate a new baptistery and church porch. In 2008, the old parish kindergarten, which had been rented out to a private company, was significantly renovated and became a ministry of the parish with the St Alban s Wilston Early Childhood Centre coming into being. In 2014, a major renovation of the Parish Centre is being undertaken. 6
St Albans Church Building. St Alban's Church is a brick, French Gothic style church with a fine timber arched buttress ceiling and an uncommon sloping floor. Over time successive generations have added to the beauty of the church. The two small stained glass windows of St George and St Alban in the sanctuary are the work of William Bustard, a noted Australian artist and stained glassmaker of the first part of the twentieth century. The simple altar of silky oak comes from the original St Alban s church, which was a wooden church built in 1914. That church also doubled as the local schoolroom before the building of the present Wilston State School. The delicate woodwork in the sanctuary is the work of a former rector of the parish; The Reverend Theo Kernke. The various stained glass windows, mostly made by Oliver Cowley, have been added over time. St Alban s church is a Brisbane City heritage listed building. 7
PARISH WORSHIP Wilston Parish has traditionally been a church in the liberal, Catholic tradition of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane. A prayer book for Australia and Together in Song are the staples of parish worship. The regular services of worship: 7.00 am Sunday Holy Communion. (10 to 20 worshippers) 9.00 am Sunday Holy Communion. (20 to 40 worshippers) 8.15 am Tuesday - Mid Week - Holy Communion. (3 to 4 worshippers) Family Service. On the fourth Sunday a family service is held. There is no Sunday school on this Sunday and children are encouraged to stay with their parents. The sermon is often a children s talk with activities for the children and sometimes adults to share in. Parish Staff: Morning tea is served after both the services. Locum Tenens: The Rev d Terry Booth assisted by The Rev d David Pope. Parish Admin Worker: Sylvie Short. ( 09:30 am 13:00 pm - Mon & Fri ) Cleaner: David McHugh (not the church warden.) Tuesday morning Office Holders: Rector s Warden: David McHugh. People s Wardens: Anne Maley Nominators: The Church wardens Synod Representatives: To be filled in later. Elected Parish Councilors: 9 members Treasurer: Anita Wynham. 8
MINISTRY IN THE PARISH. Mothers Union Wilston Branch. There is small but dedicated Parish MU group which meets once a month on a Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. St Alban s Sunday School: The Sunday School meets during the 9.00a.m service. The parents of the children are the main teachers of the Sunday School, although they are assisted by some young adults and some parishioners. The Sunday school uses material produced by MediaCom. R.E. at Wilston State School Wilston Parish contributes to the Religious Education program conducted at Wilston State School. The local ministers use an agreed common curriculum. R.E. is usually taught on Friday morning and the priest assisted by parishioners contribute to the overall success of this Religious Education Program. Parish study groups: There is a weekly bible study group which meets once a week on Tuesday evening. This study group meets at the Rectory and has been hosted by The Rev d David Pope. There are home groups which meet during Lent for a time of study. There is also a parish book group which meets a few times during the year to read and reflect on a book associated with the Christian faith. Parish Council: Parish Council meets monthly. Hospital Chaplaincy The Priest-in-Charge assists the chaplaincy service at the Royal Brisbane and Woman s Hospital on a rostered basis. This usually involves responding to after hour s emergency calls for pastoral care at the two hospitals. The Priest-in-Charge is usually rostered for a week, once every 3 or so months. 9
Pastoral Services. There are no nursing homes in the parish but the Priest-in-Charge takes Home Communion to parishioners on a needs basis. The pastoral services of baptisms, weddings and funerals are conducted to those who seek these ministries. Pastoral Services Year - 2013. Baptisms. 15. Weddings. 2. Funerals. - 7. Pastoral Services Year - 2012. Baptisms. 17. Weddings. - 6. Funerals. - 2. Parish Food Pantry: The pantry distributes basic grocery items to the needy. It is funded by donations from parishioners. Other Ministries, Parish Mission Project. The Parish has for a number of years given financial support to Val Smith-Orr who operates a medical clinic in Zambales Province in The Philippines. Val is a former parishioner of this parish and a highly qualified nurse. Her clinic provides care particularly to children who have had serve burns or who need pre and past care for surgery relating to congenital abnormalities. The St Alban s Wilston Early Childhood Centre member of the management committee. Since 2008, Wilston Parish has operated a small, high quality Early Childhood Centre. The childcare centre is managed by a parish management committee which reports to the Parish Council. The centre caters for 24 children aged from 3 to 5 years and operates an accredited pre-prep program. The Priest-in- Charge is the chaplain to the centre and is a Ecumenical Relations There has been a long tradition of strong ecumenical relations with the other churches of the area. The Anglican, Roman Catholic and Uniting churches meet for a number of combined worship functions during the year. On Good Friday we walk up Eildon Hill remembering the Stations of the Cross. We hold an annual Social Justice Service. In advent we hold a combined Christmas service 10
St Alban s Church concert series In recent years, the parish has held an annual concert series to make people aware of the church and to use the facilities of this church for the benefit of the wider community. Parish Communications: 1. Weekly pew sheet incorporating church notices, lectionary readings for the week and a message from the Rector, 2. Occasional parish newsletter, particularly around the main Christian Celebrations of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. 3. Parish website at:- www.stalbanswilston.org.au 4. Email:- priest-in-charge@stalbanswilston.org.au Parish Property. Parish Centre There is a large parish centre, which was built in 1958, associated with the parish. This year - 2014, the centre is having a major renovation, a new entrance, a new disability toilet, a renovated commercial kitchen plus a renovated priest and admin worker s offices are in the process of being built. The Parish Centre also includes a large hall, which is used for parish gatherings and is rented out to a variety of community groups, including 2 dance studios, who are long term users of the hall. Rectory:. The Rectory is a large, modern, two story brick building, located across the road from the church. The Rectory was built in 2000. From the south facing, top verandah, there are panoramic views looking towards the high rise buildings of the central business district. The Rectory has 4 bedrooms with the large upstairs main bedroom having an ensuit plus being air conditioned. There is a large downstairs study for the priest-incharge. 11
Parish Vehicle: The Parish car is a 2009, Subaru Impreza which has been well maintained. Funds have been set aside to purchase a replacement vehicle. Priest-in-Charge s Package: The Diocesan standard clergy stipend as a priest-in-charge is paid by the parish. The parish also pays the required clergy expenses associated with the position of Priest-in- Charge. Parish Finances: A detailed copy of the 2014 Financial Statements with accompanying notes and the independent auditor s report is also available upon request from Bishop Jonathan Holland. Map: 12