Yesterday, between the two Sunday morning services, parishioners of St Andrew’s South Brisbane hosted a morning tea to farewell Rev Dr Colin Nicholson and his wife Anne and thank them for their ministry among us. A large number of parishioners were present, and the church hall was abuzz with anticipation and interest.
At the end of this week Colin will complete his almost year-long appointment as locum priest-in-charge of St Andrew’s Anglican Parish South Brisbane. Colin took up the appointment at the beginning of June 2021 so, by the end of this week, Colin and his wife Anne will have been part of our church community for two weeks short of a year.
Bruce Wilson, churchwarden, praised and thanked Colin and Anne for their invaluable contribution to the ministry of our parish during their time with us. He presented them with a gift of appreciation on behalf of the parish – a gift voucher for a well-earned rest at a holiday resort of their choice.
Judy Salecich also spoke in honour of Colin and Anne. On behalf of the churchwardens (Bruce Wilson, Ed Behrbohm and herself), Judy paid tribute to Colin and Anne for their faith, faithfulness and – importantly – their testimony. Judy read the following passage from the Book of Psalms, Psalm 34:1-8, which she said is a good description of how we will remember Colin and Anne and their ministry at St Andrew’s:
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Colin responded. He thanked those present for the way in which the parish had welcomed and embraced him and Anne. Colin reminded us of the Lord’s miraculous work in his life and the extra lease of life he has been given. He spoke of his work amongst us and the blessing he and Anne received from us in return. Colin acknowledged Rev Ian McGrath, and thanked Ian and his wife Glenda for their support and invaluable assistance during Colin’s time as locum at St Andrew’s. Anne added a few heartfelt words, expressing her gratitude for the way the people of St Andrew’s had opened their hearts to her and her husband.
After Colin and Anne cut the huge celebratory cake, Bruce Wilson introduced Rev Karl Przywala, the soon-to-be commissioned new priest-in-charge of St Andrew’s.
Bruce held up a sign he and his wife Judy had made to welcome Karl when he flew into Brisbane airport last Monday. Karl spoke briefly about his first eventful week in Brisbane, before leading a hearty rendition of “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” as a way of “blessing” our sharing of the cake in honour of Colin and Anne.
Colin and Anne were also presented with a greeting card, on which parishioners from all three Sunday services were invited to write our own words of appreciation.
