A service was conduted at
A’Beckett Park on Friday 27th May 2011 to
thank Judy and Jim Rennick for their
years of voluntary service
A’Beckett Park on Friday 27th May 2011 to
thank Judy and Jim Rennick for their
years of voluntary service
For Archdeacon Edie Asleys notes
Click here
**************
Following the service parishioners were invited for light refreshment in honour of Judy and Jim. At the end Judy gave the following speech:
Recently the Gospel Reading spoke of the women travelling to Emeaus; and it made me think of otherjourneys and then I thought of mine and of my experiences with A’Beckett Park.
My journey. I was baptised Presbyterian, went to a Methodist School, stayed at a Salvation Army Hostel while studying teaching, married in a Presbyterian church, played the organ in a Uniting church and taught at Gippsland Grammar briefly then for 17 years in a Catholic School,becoming the first deputy non-catholic and then acting Principal in the Catholic School in the Sale [Gippsland] Diocese. Throw into that mix, 2 sons boarded at a Uniting Church School and we have 3 grandsons attending Catholic Schools and two other grandchildren attending a
Uniting Church School and Jim went to a Baptist School!! Which I think makes us very ecumenical.
My journey. I was baptised Presbyterian, went to a Methodist School, stayed at a Salvation Army Hostel while studying teaching, married in a Presbyterian church, played the organ in a Uniting church and taught at Gippsland Grammar briefly then for 17 years in a Catholic School,becoming the first deputy non-catholic and then acting Principal in the Catholic School in the Sale [Gippsland] Diocese. Throw into that mix, 2 sons boarded at a Uniting Church School and we have 3 grandsons attending Catholic Schools and two other grandchildren attending a
Uniting Church School and Jim went to a Baptist School!! Which I think makes us very ecumenical.
|
|
Click on photos
|
|
A’BECKETT PARK
My A’Beckett Park journey started in 1990 when I started playing the organ at St Barnabas when the Chapel arrived from Bundalaguah, which was an old pedal organ connected to a vacuum cleaner; then playing the organ at St Peter’s and I’ve been there ever since [wearing out 4 organs].
I give thanks to Ted Gibson for encouraging me to become a member of the Anglican Church.
As well as being Vicar’s Warden for 16 ½ years, Parish Secretary of both Bairnsdale before we went it alone and then Paynesville for about 10 years in total.
During this time we Island Parishioners were volunteers in the kitchen at the Park, peeled carrots, potatoes, stirring custard and whatever was needed when Heather Boot was in charge of the kitchen.
I give thanks to Ted Gibson for encouraging me to become a member of the Anglican Church.
As well as being Vicar’s Warden for 16 ½ years, Parish Secretary of both Bairnsdale before we went it alone and then Paynesville for about 10 years in total.
During this time we Island Parishioners were volunteers in the kitchen at the Park, peeled carrots, potatoes, stirring custard and whatever was needed when Heather Boot was in charge of the kitchen.
In 2002 I was appointed to the a’Beckett Park Committee of Management.
In 2008 Edie asked me to take on the Diocesan bookings while Halls were still operating the Park. Oh Yes I said [a word of warning. If Edie asks you to do a little task, beware.]
Then followed, when Halls management contract finished, “Judy could you do all the bookings?”. Unbeknown to me this included doing the accounts, answering continuous phone calls, banking money, putting out the garbage bins after lots of sorting of the rubbish and even taking excess rubbish home to be disposed of the neighbours bins, washing tea towels, engaging and organising rosters for cleaners and ordering a collecting cleaning requisites.
|
|
In September 2009, Jim, Edie and I [when I was in a wheelchair with my leg in plaster] sat in a cold office in Ena Sheumack House to sort through records & keys. This was the start the new role of the Abbey and now in May 2011 we follow the progress of this role of the Abbey.
All this could not have been done without Jim’s help. I have to give special thanks to Jim who does all the typing - deciphering my notes, as I am completely computer illiterate. [However give me a music key board or a needle and thread or knitting needles and I’m at home].
[Jim has this thing going with Annette - he writes all the letters to her and I just sign them and draw a ‘smiley face’, but she knows they really come from Jim!!] As well as all the letters there has been a total of 1026 emails sent & received over the past 18 months.
There are a few things we won’t miss - such as nuisance calls asking for the Business Owner. After them not accepting the Bishop as owner I told them it was God and they hung up.
And things that we will now look forward to - Jim visiting his friend Lady Eleanor and me to finding my sewing machine. It will be nice to have the dining room table back.
[There of course is the odd headache along the way] but it has been a great experience for us both and we give thanks for the opportunity to serve in this way.
And don’t think we won’t be seen about. Jim rides his bike there most mornings and can’t help himself checking the rubbish bins!!
We look forward with excitement and prayer to the new role of the Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park.
And things that we will now look forward to - Jim visiting his friend Lady Eleanor and me to finding my sewing machine. It will be nice to have the dining room table back.
[There of course is the odd headache along the way] but it has been a great experience for us both and we give thanks for the opportunity to serve in this way.
And don’t think we won’t be seen about. Jim rides his bike there most mornings and can’t help himself checking the rubbish bins!!
We look forward with excitement and prayer to the new role of the Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park.
If wish your photo removed please advise Click here
A Community Celebration
“Praying a Goodbye and Thank You”
at
A’Beckett Park
“Embracing the New Beginning”
for the
Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park
“Praying a Goodbye and Thank You”
at
A’Beckett Park
“Embracing the New Beginning”
for the
Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park
On Friday 27 May 2011 some twenty five people attended a Eucharist and special morning tea at The Abbey of St Barnabas to give thanks for the work of Judy and Jim Rennick and to welcome Helena Wilson as the newly appointed Administrative Offer for The Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park
Over the last four years Judy and Jim have worked tirelessly in their support of the work of A’Beckett Park.
Originally agreeing to take on a relatively small task of booking officer for Diocesan Bookings for A’Beckett Park, Judy with support and assistance from Jim has taken on progressively more and more facets as the job grew. Over the past year or two Judy and Jim’s role as Booking Officer has grown to include meeting and greeting all campers, administrative works such as banking and invoicing, and practical on site matters such as regularly checking the safety and security of the site, managing the rubbish disposal, calling tradespeople and dealing with emergencies as they arise.
Now four years on A’Beckett Park is poised to take the next step in its development as a Centre for Spirituality and the Environment. The last of the school outdoor education camps concluded at the end of May. Now, as The Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park, it and will begin to focus all its activities in line with its vision as a Centre for Spirituality and the Environment.
Bishop John McIntyre spoke of the importance of the last four years of camping program and the significant contribution made by Judy and Jim Rennick during that time. This sentiment was echoed by Robert Fordham as he spoke on behalf of the A’Beckett Park Development Working Group. Rev Brian Turner, Chairperson of the A’Beckett Park Development Working Group, then presented Judy and Jim with a gift of thanks.
Judy and Jim have now brought to conclusion their work in support of the A’Beckett Park camping program and have handed over to newly appointed Administrative Officer Helena Wilson who will pick up the reigns for the beginnings of the development of The Abbey Program at The Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park.
Edie Ashley
May 2011
The Island's newsletter
printed the following story
A Thank You to the Rennicks
A service was held at the Abbey of St Barnabas on 27th May to thank Judy and Jim Rennick for their years of service to A’Beckett Park. Attending were John McIntyre, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, Archdeacon Edie Ashley and Archdeacon Ted Gibson. At the end of the service Helena Wilson was commissioned as the Administration Officer of the Abbey Conference and Retreat Centre.
Following the service a morning tea was held in Illawarra. Chair of the Abbey Working Group, Brian Turner, made a presentation to Judy and Jim. Judy’s thoughtful, amusing response provoked much laughter among the guests.
We wish the Rennicks a long and happy second retirement.
A service was held at the Abbey of St Barnabas on 27th May to thank Judy and Jim Rennick for their years of service to A’Beckett Park. Attending were John McIntyre, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, Archdeacon Edie Ashley and Archdeacon Ted Gibson. At the end of the service Helena Wilson was commissioned as the Administration Officer of the Abbey Conference and Retreat Centre.
Following the service a morning tea was held in Illawarra. Chair of the Abbey Working Group, Brian Turner, made a presentation to Judy and Jim. Judy’s thoughtful, amusing response provoked much laughter among the guests.
We wish the Rennicks a long and happy second retirement.
St Barnabas links
