There has been an incredible celebration of 175 years of faithful mission and ministry at St John’s church in Johnsonville. The church was planted in 1847 to be a light on the hill to the community, and has since gone on to plant 9 other churches in the region. Bishop Justin reminded the 8:30 celebration that there have been ebbs and flows during this time, but the church has endured as a beacon of hope for its community.

The parish’s growth over the past 10 years and its connected presence and witness to its wider community has seen it weather the Covid storm and placed it in a good position to both flourish and start planting again. To this end, the Bishop then reiterated his Synod charge at 10am – doing the inner-work of healing with God was important in order to become healers to our broken world and God is looking for people who will give generously of all they have in order to see the flourishing of the Kingdom of God. There was a moving moment of response when the congregation was asked after the sermon “put your hand up if you would like to be a part of the flourishing of the Kingdom of God here in the Northern Suburbs” and hands went up around the room encompassing most of the gathered congregation. It was incredibly powerful to see not only a number of individuals committed to this work, but a transformative community of faithful people committed to this work together.

The children were also got to hear an amazing new Godly Play story called ‘The Story of St John’s in Johnsonville’ which talks about the light on the hill being shared and churches being planted. You can watch it on Facebook.

The church has wonderful missional links with its wider community here. Everyone knows where St John’s is – it’s the church on the hill! – and most people in the surrounding area would have a good news story of its presence. This too was reflected in the day’s celebrations. The local Guardian funeral home sponsored the incredible catering and printing of the beautiful service booklets. Local businesses, MPs, families from mainly music, people who attend the community lunches, families on overseas mission, other local churches and parachurch organisations all contributed messages of congratulations.

The celebration of 175 years was a celebration of the faithfulness and goodness of God, the faithful response and commitment of his people, and the deep missional roots of this community. Those who have gone before us and given so much were remembered with thanksgiving, the present flourishing celebrated, and a vision for the future committed to wholeheartedly.

As the Vicar, Ben Johnson-Frow, said in the following weeks sermon, celebrating All Saints Day and following on from this Anniversary, “It was so inspiring to see the number of people who were willing to put up their hand and say,

Choose me.
Send me.
Show me the flourishing of the Kingdom of God.
Remind me that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is present and alive in me.
Open the eyes of my heart to know the glorious richness of the inheritance of the saints to which I have been called.

“It’s the same call that resonates across our Diocese wherever our context and to which we can all respond with a heartfelt AMEN!”

You can also watch the video celebration on YouTube.