The scene is familiar across the rural scene. The little church has been an icon for generations. Once vibrant, the congregation is now elderly, there are questions as to how long it will be able to afford the minister, and the future looks bleak. There is no shortage of desire to see the church thrive, but its best days appear to be in the past. After all, what can be done in a town of a few hundred people?
SU Victoria’s State Director, David Tolputt recently visited a small church in such a town who are on the crest of a new wave. Beaufort, 25 minutes drive west of Ballarat, is a town of about a thousand people. Like a lot of small towns, the people are proud of their community, the lifestyle and the quietness. The local primary school, like any other, resonates with the laughter and play of children. The school is small with a couple of hundred children.
Right next door, St John’s Anglican Church has stood for several decades, neighbours in location, but maybe soon to become neighbours in a whole new way.
Father Peter Yeath, (Rector), noticed that the school has no hall in which to gather, whilst the church has a hall right on the fence that could be utilised in this way.
Recently Peter commenced SU SUPA Club (Primary Aged Christian Club) commenced in the hall. “The children play in the school grounds, and then we run the program from the church hall. This encouraged us to commence a Sunday School. From there, we’ve begun to think about how we can nurture the school community. The hall could become an asset to the school, and we could continue to support the school with after school activity. The Principal of the school welcomed the idea. It is a great way for the local church to partner with the community. We are really excited about this gift”.
All over Australia there are churches and communities in similar positions to Beaufort. Scripture Union is committed to partner with local churches and school communities to bring a caring ministry to children and young people.
Written by David Tolputt, Scripture Union Australia
