By THE REVEREND JEFF PARKER
When I arrived at St James’ in February 2009, I realised that St James’ was different to other places where I had ministered.
A roll of previous vicars displayed in the church shows that I was filling a position held by only 18 other priests since 1868 with the responsibility for St James’ given to others located further before that time.
St James’ Dandenong has been a gathering place for Anglicans and anyone else seeking God’s mercy and peace for all of 150 years.
And so July 2014 is a time to celebrate the continual mission and ministry that has taken place from St James’ and its associated churches over that very eventful time.
I am mindful that the laying of the foundation stone on 5 July 1864 by the then Governor Charles Darling and the forming of the Anglican community in Dandenong predates Federation.
It also predates the coming to office of 28 prime ministers of Australia and the Great Depression in the 1930s.
Australia has been involved in many armed conflicts during these years, including the two world wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf wars.
So St James’ has stood firm through great moments of upheaval in Australia and around the world.
St James’ today is the gathering place for a diverse and enthusiastic community of Christian men and women originally from many countries around the world.
We worship in the modern Anglo-Catholic style, making use of our beautiful and historic pipe organ and also the data projector which assists with singing hymns and also entering visually into the sermon.
Morning tea after Sunday services is a joyful time of fellowship and meeting new friends and many families still come to St James’ for baptism.
Our clergy are trained and qualified religious marriage celebrants and couples often come to St James’ for their wedding service.
It’s great to hear stories from visitors who were married at St James’ 20, 30, even 40 years ago or more and other similar stories from people for whom St James’ has special meaning in their life story.
But the church is always the church of today. And St James’ has a wonderful today.
We have great and committed people who love and serve God day after day, week after week.
There are always so many jobs to be done, things to be fixed, services to be organised, copies to be made – the list is endless.
As we celebrate 150 years of faithful ministry we give thanks for everyone who has been part of our community of faith over the years and everyone who is able is warmly invited to reconnect with us as our story continues.
