REVEREND Richard Goscombe delivered his final sermon and service at Tea Gardens’ St Andrew’s Anglican Church on Sunday 30 November, as he and wife Tracy prepare to leave town towards the end of the year.
Members of the congregations of Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah and Karuah gathered at St Andrew’s on Advent Sunday, to farewell the couple after their three-and-a-half years in Tea Gardens.
Richard has made a considerable impact on the town, becoming a confident ear and solemn helper for many individuals and families in the area, including taking on the role of ‘padre’ for the Tea Gardens RSL sub-Branch at memorial events.
The Reverend spoke with characteristic humour and grounding, his personality bringing life and joy to the service.
Children bounded in for the kids’ songs at the start, followed by a special reading from Rev. Alison Williams from Karuah’s St Columba’s.
Richard then delivered his final sermon to the congregation, discussing Martin Luther’s actions which led to the Reformation, especially the idea of reading the Bible in languages other than Latin.
“There are two kinds of change: conforming change and transforming change,” Richard said.
“One is the kind where a person is conformed to the pattern of this world by external pressures, but this is not God’s way of transformation.
“Transforming change means a renewing of your mind. This is God’s way, the miracle of metamorphosis, change from the inside.”
Rev. Alison then led a prayer of thanks for Richard and Tracy, inviting several present to share their thoughts on the couple’s impact on the community.
Richard and Tracy were then presented with an abstract print by local artist Helen Sillar, depicting a scene of Tea Gardens.
“It has been a great privilege to serve this community, and I thank all those who have taken me into their trust,” Richard told NOTA.
“I am so impressed at the way so many in this community serve and volunteer for the benefit of others. May this long continue and indeed, grow.
“I am conscious also that many of you have allowed me to provide support in the toughest of times, facing serious hardship or the pain of loss.
“It is in the midst of such times that we can think God is distant and has abandoned us, but such times are actually the reason why God sent his son, Jesus, for us.”
By Thomas O’KEEFE
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
