The announcement last week that there is a very real danger of a terrorist attack somewhere in Australia in the next month or two has sent shockwaves of fear through many parts of the community. While our brethren in London have lived with this sort of threat for years, for us it is an unpleasant new development which is the more frightening because it is new.

Such developments are beginning to get through to people that our future may not be as secure and comfortable as we had imagined. The Bible, of course, has told us this all along. However, with so many material comforts around us, and such rapid advances being made in science, technology and medicine, many have been seduced into thinking that the Bible is rather outdated and out of touch. Surely the "good life" is just around the corner!

My attention was drawn to the advertising slogan used by the Lucky Goldstar Company to market their electrical goods. Their label is "LG" and their slogan is "Life's Good". The subtle message is that "Good Life" is to be found by purchasing their products. The tragedy is that so many are so imbued with the materialism of our age that they swallow that message without question! The words of Jesus sound rather hollow in this culture: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his posessions." (Luke 12:15)

Yet, all of a sudden, things have changed. The great icons of our materialist, technological world like the Harbour Bridge or the Opera House could become terrorist targets. And the future is suddenly more uncertain! Yet, for those of us who belong to Jesus, this should not cause too much stress. He warned us from the beginning that life in this present world would be full of trouble and strife, but told us not to worry because he has overcome the world! In Jesus our future is secure and certain!

On a different level, the Parish Council is initiating a process of prayer and discussion with regard to the future of St Mark's. With my compulsory retirement at some point in the latter part of 2003, after 25 years as Rector, there will inevitably be big changes. The PC believes that it is important to identify the particular characteristics of St Mark's that mark it out as different in tan area where there are at least ten Anglican churches within a radius of 3.5 kilometers. In particular, we need to discern what role God has for St Mark's in the future. As well as clarifying our own sense of mission, this will guide the nominators entrusted with the task of searching for a new Rector.

The PC have set aside the first three Wednesday nights in February for prayer and discussion on these matters. To prepare for this they are putting together a list of Top Ten questions to ask ourselves and God. Everyone is welcome to submit questions to Peter Humphrey by next Sunday. They could include such questions as: "Should St Mark's continue as a separate Parish?"; "How Anglican should we be?"; "What is our role in the community of Northbridge?"; "How much emphasis should there be on the renewing work of the Holy Spirit?"; etc.

Several times during the last 25 years the church has wrestled with the question of whether God wanted us to continue. On each occasion God's answer was "Yes", because we had a ministry to offer that was different to other churches around. Something of the Vision, Values and Priorities that God wants for tomorrow. As well, there is the Vision for Mission put forward by our Archbishop, and enthusiastically endorsed by Synod, which also needs to be considered. The future may be uncertain for us, but not to God. Let us put our hand in His and move forward with confidence.

John Davies

24 November 2002