Wow, its not until you are asked to put down on paper exactly what we have been up to, that you realise what a busy year 2015 was. Our building is always buzzing with people, at our programs; over 50’s, Craft, Wizz Kidz, TGiF and our celebration gathering Mix. Our in-house counsellor not only offers family therapy at WCC, but also at Pregnancy Problem House (PPH). Our Youth Pastor continues to be part of the community, growing contacts with our local primary and high schools. We have had baptisms at the beach and in the building as well as many weddings and funerals.

We began a partnership with Fresh Start Recovery Program, “Helping Families with Addictions” (www.freshstart.org.au). Fresh Start Warwick meet together on Mondays at 6.30 pm for dinner, to be challenged and supported. It is an open meeting attended by members of our church family who are there to form caring relationships and experience the mutual benefit that happens when the church come together.

We have maintained a close relationship with Churches of Christ Sport and Recreation Association based at Warwick Stadium. We are very excited to see not only the size and scope of the new buildings, but more importantly we see amazing potential. We are also continuing our ministry with the Senators by hosting the VIP Section on home game nights, and our Team Leader is now the Chaplain for the Men’s SBL team for the coming year. During the year we had teams competing at GI Games, State Youth Games, as well as Masters Games. We have a great team of volunteers who worked tirelessly at all events, as well as a volunteering to help Scripture Union WA with the leavers in Exmouth.

In November we shared resources with Living Grace Dianella and had the pleasure of sharing in the ministry of Paul Anderson-Walsh from the Grace Project (UK). It was wonderfully encouraging for all who attended, culminating in a combined gathering held at WCC. This was also the start of a fantastic partnership with Dianella. We have and will continue to have combined worship gatherings as well as sharing our resources including; staff, technical expertise and teaching. It is fantastic to be able to do this.

We had a very busy Christmas as usual with Christmas Day and our Christmas Eve Carols by Candlelight, which is followed by a free sausage sizzle, petting zoo, snow cones and coffee. It is always well attended by our local community. We do a similar program on Good Friday, but with a huge outdoor cinema.

An exciting opportunity started early in 2016 with 12 Buckets; “Helping Kids at Risk” (www.12buckets.org) taking advantage of an empty office in our administration.

The most wonderful thing we have seen this year, is the amount of unchurched people who have walked through our doors and call WCC their church. Whether it’s as part of the community programs, for food parcels and sometimes just for prayer. Equally wonderful is seeing the amount of people from our church family who have put up their hands, rolled up their sleeves and volunteered to minister in our local community. It has been wonderful to see!