News and updates from the last two years
The vigil and funeral for greatly-loved Gerry Iverson was held in early March 2012 at Greystanes Catholic Church – traffic came to a standstill because of the large numbers attending the funeral. Some pics are posted on the photo page. Gerry functioned as senior minister there for 17 years, until rapid onset Parkinson's Disease forced his retirement. He was 75 and will be greatly missed by many both within and without the Catholic community. A collation of Peter Confeggi's obituary that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, and Brian Rensford's vigil tribute are posted here in honour of the man greatly loved and respected in our community.
The SRE commissioning service, for the 22nd year of combined SRE ministry in our state high and primary schools, was hosted in Feb 2012 by Merrylands Baptist Church; it was well-attended, with Tim Booker (Guildford Anglican minister) as guest speaker.
Photo collection of this service here
New Year 2012 has seen the arrival in Holroyd of Guy Johnston (Pendle Hill Baptist) and Tim Johnston (Toongabbie Anglican).
Several changes in staffing local churches took place over the 2010/1 holiday period. Some were only temporary, while others were been permanent. We welcomed (i.a.) Rev Bob Bossini (Greystanes Catholic), Peter Blayney (Guildford Catholic), and David Hames (Pendle Hill Baptist - for a season). Rodney Kerr (with his wife, Vanessa) was inducted into Merrylands Anglican Church in October 2011.
Passion, Porn, and Purity SEMINAR was hosted by Holroyd New Life Church in mid-Feb 2011. - featuring Ron Brookman and the ministry of Living Waters. A carefully constructed course identifying the growing issues of sexuality, pornography, the Internet, and church communities, offered strategies to fireproof our men and women, young and old, from the bushfire devastating the surrounding sexualised society.
This seminar was not aimed at people with a porn problem, but rather to equip every Christian to be a part of God's answer to an over-sexualised society which is out of control - what we can do to help others trapped in the porn snare. Resource materials from this seminar are available on request.
The condition upon which God has given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition, if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime, and the punishment of his guilt – John Curran c1800.
The Annual
Combined Churches SRE Commissioning Service
was hosted at Holroyd New Life
The ministers of the three local Baptist Churches all announced their departure in December 2010 from active service in the Holroyd area. Max Dundas is retiring after 15 years at Merrylands BC; Phil Grebert is moving on after 13 years at Wentworthville BC, and Mark Falson is taking up a new role at Liberty Grove BC in the Concord area. All three have been energetic in serving the wider Christian Community for many years - Max as Ministers' Fellowship President for the past 10 years - and will be sorely missed.
Dave Morgan has resigned from SRE coordinator duties at Merrylands HS, to pursue fulltime study at SMBC. His role has been taken over by Kim Smith (another member of Merrylands Anglican youth ministry team). Nathan Killick (senior minister of Merrylands Anglican church) also transferred to Laurieton, and so resigned form his role as chairman of the SRE Board. Meanwhile, Dave continues to actively minister at his home church.
Jubilee celebrations to mark 50 years in
the ministry for Gerry Iverson - senior minister of
Greystanes Catholic Church - saw his Church organise a special
program in July 2010. Then the Ministers' Fellowship hosted a lunch
a week later where the stories were not only edifying, but
occasionally roasting his passion for AFL and canoeing, as well as
God's church! Gerry has been a real blessing in supporting the cause
of a more effective and united Christian witness in Holroyd
district, and acted as a communication bridge between Catholic and
non-Catholic ministers.
Later Update - Gerry Iverson announced his coming retirement
from active parish duties at the end of 2010 due to ongoing health
issues. He will be sorely missed in both the Greystanes parish, and
wider Holroyd Christian community.
He has since retired to the Blackthorn parish presbytery, form which
he still sallies forth to the opera, concerts, et al!....
In August 2010, the Fellowship of Christ hosted their annual Missions' Conference - an Inconvenient Truth! Speakers included input from Cambodia, Singapore, and Holroyd - a challenging weekend concerning "going to", rather than "let them come to us"...
In June 2010, Pendle Hill Baptist
Church hosted Call and Response - a dramatic eye-opening info
night on slave-trading in the 21stC - A World Vision team was on
hand on the Saturday night to answer any questions.
Annual Day of Pentecost Celebration Service was hosted this year (2010) by Wentworthville Baptist Church. The praise, and prayer time gathered momentum, and many commented afterwards how powerful and spiritually alive the evening was.