Author: Ethan Crawshaw

Soul Revival | MCC Combination

After a successful trial of partnering together for the Gospel, on Sunday 17 March 2024, MCC (Miranda Congregational Church) held its AGM where the members overwhelmingly voted to proceed with two motions – calling Stuart Crawshaw as Senior Pastor to plant Soul Revival Church at Miranda Congregational Church and to form a Task Force to explore the option to permanently combine within the next five years. On Wednesday 20 March, the Soul Revival Church held its AGM and unanimously endorsed the combination. The MCC leadership team will work together with the Soul Revival Parish Council, wardens and Stuart to form the Task Force. Peter Haywood (Bishop of Wollongong), Anthony Douglas (Archdeacon of Wollongong) and Tim Foskett (Director of Ministries, Fellowship of Congregational Churches) will be a part of the conversations. We also look forward to seeing how MCC and St. Lukes Miranda can grow an even stronger friendship along with all the other churches in the Shire.

We are excited that now MCC and Soul Revival are one church. We will not be moving Soul Revival Kirrawee operations to Miranda but will seek to grow Gospel ministry at both sites under a hub-and-spoke model where Kirrawee continues to be the hub. Soul Revival operates at five sites: Kirrawee, Miranda, Cronulla, Yarrawarrah, and Ryde.

MCC will continue to own its buildings and remain affiliated with the FCC (Fellowship of Congregational Churches). MCC will continue to support the FCC with prayer, financial support, the provision of committee members and assembly delegates. The FCC Executive Committee has kindly invited Stuart to participate in FCC meetings and Soul Revival is excited to be serving the FCC. However, the ministry of MCC now operates under the rules and ordinances of the Anglican Church. The weekly meetings at Miranda are now Anglican meetings.

JANUARY IN JAMES

Over January we will kick off the year by diving into James’ letter as we look at The Gospel in Community.

If you’d like to continue thinking through what we are looking at in Church, whether its individually or in a group, the Swedish method is a helpful way to do so.

Attached is a brief how-to use the Swedish Method, we hope you find it helpful.

SRE Supporters Supper

It was so awesome to meet our local High School Scripture teachers on Wednesday night. Despite the rain, around 60 people, young, old and everywhere in-between gathered to raise about $2,000 including donations.

Joanne, Aaron and Ethan shared some of the challenges and highlights of teaching SRE classes at Kirrawee and Gymea High Schools. We also heard from some of the students who are happily sharing the truth and love of Jesus with their friends.

Please pray for an increase of student numbers for SRE classes and for faith growing opportunities and connections.