21. 2025 Bicentenary Greetings
Emailed Greetings and Messages for the 200th Anniversary of St. John’s Church
The following greetings and messages were received from invited guests who were unable to attend our 2025 Bicentenary Celebrations, along with a message from the Anglican Primate of Australia who sent a special greeting to mark the occasion.
Bishop Mark Short – Anglican Primate of Australia
In his gospel St John bears witness to Jesus, the eternal Word made flesh who dwelt among us full of grace and truth. For the past 200 years St John’s Anglican Church has been present in the heart of Launceston, bearing witness to Jesus through word and worship. As you celebrate this significant milestone, may God strengthen you to embody His grace and His truth fir a new generation. This year Anglicans across Australia have been sharing the hope which Jesus brings to an uncertain world so I offer you this blessing from Romans 15:5-6:
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bishop Mark Short
Bishop Peter Stewart – Bishop of Newcastle
Bishop Stewart served a curacy at St. John’s in 1991-1993
Dear Roger and parishioners,
It is strange to realise that I was at St. John’s 33 years ago. At the time we were also providing support to the Parish of Invermay. Paik-See was providing a ministry to international students.
The Reverend John Brook was the Rector. He provided opportunity and challenge as I developed my ministry skills. We met and talked quite a few times after I moved to Newcastle.
Val’s systematic care in the office was a model of administrative ministry. She looked after visitors, parishioners, and staff.
While it was an early expression, there was a commitment to a variety of service types across the day supplemented by study groups which provided a network of care. It is no surprise that the variety of services has expanded as has the music.
I have drawn from my experiences ever since. It continues to guide some of my ministry practice as a Bishop.
Sadly, I will not be able to attend the 200th anniversary but you can see I have many fond memories of my time there.
Roger, I have also spoken of you following what I learnt when supporting the parish of New Norfolk. It was clear then that you led them with a clear vision and focussed teaching. This prepared them for the ministry changes. I have seen parishes try to adapt to change without solid foundations and recognises the difference you created.
Yours sincerely in Christ
+Peter
Bishop Ross Nicholson – Acting Dean of Rockhampton Cathedral
(Bishop Ross and Jenny also sent in a video message which was played during the anniversary celebrations).
Dear Roger,
Are you sure this is not just a creative way for you to get another farewell?!!!
Jenny and I would have loved to come down to be part of this marvellous celebration but unfortunately we will have taken some holidays in November for a wedding in Sydney and will be finishing up here at Rockhampton on the 11th of January. It would be a tad problematic to squeeze another Sunday away.
Another irritation up here is that while Launnie is only an hour and a half from Sydney, Rockhampton (the exact same distance but in the opposite direction) takes a minimum of 5 hours!!!
We’re going to take 6 months of being an ordinary pew warming parishioner in Blackheath before doing anything else. Tassie is definitely on our come back trail. If you hear of anyone that needs a LSL/holiday locum after June next year give me a call.
And seriously, how has your Nelly Melba tour going?
Ross
Revd Gilbert & Mrs Ruth Page
Revd Gilbert and Mrs Ruth Page were on the staff of St. John’s in 1994-1995
Dear Friends,
Ruth and I (Gilbert) thank you so very much for the information and kind invitation to attend and share in the wonderful occasions, commemorating the anniversary thanksgivings to the Lord for the many years of faithful ministry carried out in and through St. John’s Church, Launceston, Tasmania. It was both a joy and a privilege to have been involved in the work there over the times I was Director of the Diocesan Mission, and then serving with the Rev. Greg Clifton for the year whilst I was being a Deacon. The fellowship, teaching, support and outreach meant a great deal to both my wife and myself – as well as the guidance which influenced my own ministry over the years. We would have very much wanted to be present for the important celebrations, but sadly we will be unable to attend, and would ask that our thanks and apologies be expressed publicly. We will be much in prayer for all that occurs. We will miss catching up with so many friends that we have within St. John’s and in other parts of the diocese. With our old age and various increasing health problems, it is impossible to risk travelling the distance involved, and being away from our present home here in a Retirement Village at Nowra, NSW. In the not too distant future (but hopefully not immediately!) we realise we will both require greater 24/7 care in premises here. May your time spent together, as well as in all the future ministry, be richly blessed by the Lord. Again – our grateful thanks and prayers:
Gilbert & Ruth Page.
Apologies received:
Tania Rattray MLC
The Hon. Nick Duigan MLC
James Oakley – Registrar/General Manager, Anglican Diocese of Tasmania