Welcome to Fr Jim McPherson, the new Anglican Rector of Maryborough.

Speech of welcome to Rev. Dr. Canon James McPherson, new Rector of St. Paul’s Anglican Parish, maryborough;  From Rev. Paul Kelly, (parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish, Maryborough). Given at the Commissioning ceremony at the Church of St Paul, (Anglican church), Maryborough. 11^th April, 2008.

It is an honour and a real joy to be here tonight to celebrate with the Anglican community and the wider community the welcome of Rev Dr, James McPherson, Fr Jim as he is known to us, as the New Rector priest of Maryborough Anglican parish..

 

I bring messages of welcome and best wishes from the Saint Mary’s Catholic Community...to Fr Jim and his wife Marcia as you commence your ministry here in this beautiful community.

 

As a fellow minister, It is a joy to add my words of welcome to you….   I am sure that all the church communities and denominations of this area and their ministers are adding their words of welcome and best wishes to you at this time.

 

It is doubly special for me, to be meeting Fr Jim again, because I sat at the feet of Fr Jim in scripture lectures, as he was my professor at the Brisbane College of Theology (the ecumenical college with member schools from Anglican, Catholic and Uniting Churches). Fr Jim (Rev Dr Jim) was my lecturer in Pentateuch and Old Testament Prophets Biblical study, … and also, Fr Jim was the president of the Theological college when I received my theology degree and later post grad diploma….  Fr Jim presented me with the diploma, and I have a wonderful photo to remember that happy day….  so it’s great that we meet again, and that we are all fellow workers (alongside all the members of the church communities), in the vineyard of God’s word, in this place….// and its wonderful that you have made this community your home (as the communion reflection song so beautifully put it). May your ministry be filled with many joys and blessings, and I am sure you have already been made a treasured part of the family.

 

God bless you and I am looking forward to working with you here for many years to come.// And so, ..From a student to his professor, Christian to Christian and fellow priest to priest, Welcome Fr Jim and Marcia.