Notice to the Anglican Parish of Woy Woy

I have some very emotionally difficult news to share with you.

As you will be aware, for several months Jonathan has been seeking new vocational opportunities, especially with the end of his work with the NSW Ecumenical Council, which took effect in July. We have consequently explored a wide variety of possibilities, not least a number of local avenues which would have enabled us to remain here. None of these have however borne fruit. As a result, after lengthy prayer, discernment and consultation, Jonathan and I have decided to accept the offer of two new appointments, as Rector and Associate Priest respectively, in the Parish of St.Luke, Toowoomba, in the Diocese of Brisbane.

It would be fair to say that we would never have expected such a move. Indeed the regional bishop who approached us himself described this as coming ‘out of left field’. Although, if opportunities locally were not available, we were open to looking elsewhere, Queensland was not on our agenda. However God moves in mysterious ways. The diocese is very welcoming and the parish can afford fully to support the ministry of a married couple. How the people of such a beautiful but socially conservative city will cope with the two of us remains to be seen! – but we do discern God’s leading in this. The parish, which has been at a low ebb for some time, certainly needs gifts like ours and we feel that we must respond to the calling. It will, above all, fulfil a long-held dream for the two of us to minister together fully in one community.

This has not been an easy step to take. For we are very sad to be leaving all of you, and the many friends and contacts we have here on the Central Coast. We have been wonderfully enriched by our time here and especially by all we have shared in this parish – which in Jonathan’s case extends over nine and half years. There will be opportunity to celebrate something of this in the next few weeks. For the moment we hope that you will forgive us for our news, and understand that we have had little real choice in this but to accept God’s gracious gift to us of shared work work to do and a place to be together.

At present, arrangements for our move are a little uncertain, but it is expected that we will leave the parish in mid-December. Before then I am sure that there will be much to discuss and, I hope, adequate time for farewells. This is a loving, and very blessed, parish – you know that we have always said that, and you need to know and celebrate it again. For I have every confidence that you will all continue to work together, to maintain and grow the ministry of this parish. God has assured me that you will ‘figure it out’ and that this change will offer a vital and necessary moment to move forward into a fruitful new stage in the life of the parish. My prayer is that you will come to approach our news in this spirit, so that, in due course, you will joyfully welcome a new Rector worthy of the huge privilege of serving you in this wonderful place. Thankyou.


Penny Jones 17.10.10