St Mary's

27 NOVEMBER 2011

Thankyou for attending the second AGM of St Mary’s Community Ltd. One of the major tasks of 2011 was to determine the membership of the Company.

On the 6^th of February a Community Gathering was called where the major focus was how to do this.  A number of proposals were put forward and a volunteer working party from the community was established to clarify these. Another community gathering took place on the 22^nd of May which agreed on the options to place before the community.

Three options were presented for voting. People were invited to either vote online or by using hard copy provided.   Option Two was the preferred choice. It stated that ‘anyone who considers that they are a member of the St Mary’s in Exile Faith Community may apply to become a member of St. Mary’s Community Ltd.  It was agreed to require a $2 dollar membership fee and require that members be prepared to pay $10 legal liability in case the company was wound up and had insufficient funds to cover debts.

When invited to become members, 242 people applied. Nominations were called for those wishing to become a director of the Company. Three nominations were received. Today we will be electing board members to replace those who are to step down.

There have been many things that have happened throughout the year that have made this year a very memorable one. This year may be defined and characterised by the flood in January. Many of you were involved in flood relief of some kind. Micah staff stepped up to the plate and shouldered their fair share of the work that needed to be done. They provided much needed support and care for the many who found themselves without a home or support. This flood relief work still continues, for the effects of the flood have been ongoing.

2011 saw the commencement of the building of Common Ground which is located just around the corner from the TLC. This is the result of years of hard work. It is great to see it finally come into reality in the amazingly rapid rate of its construction. We look forward to its opening some time mid next year. Our connection with Micah is critical to our identity as a community and one we are very proud of.  We hope that it will continue for many years to come.

As we reflect on the year no one event could be described as the most important. There are so many seemingly ordinary happenings and gatherings that have made so much of what happens at St Marys the community that it is. It some times takes an outsider who visits us for the first time to remind us not to take for granted what we have.

For years we have had the cluster groups meeting regularly in member’s homes. These groups provide the level of intimacy not possible in the larger gatherings. They provide an opportunity to discuss issues and share in the ups and downs of each other’s lives.

We are forever grateful to Bob and the Connections group which has done some incredible work bringing us together. Thank you for the wonderful days you have organised for us through out the year which enabled us to get to know each other better. Days such as the Family picnic on the river, the picnic at Sallywattle, the marvellous cultural trip to the Nungeena Aboriginal Women’s Centre near the Glasshouse Mountains and the Abbey on the way to Bribie Island, Breakfast at the Bronco’s Leagues Club. We cannot forget the many cups of tea and coffee after mass. For the many things we notice and for all the things we fail to notice, we say thankyou.

The release of the documentary ‘The Trouble with St Marys’ and its opening night in May at the Hawthorne cinemas was a highlight in the year. We were able to see ourselves and to celebrate who we are as a community, with all our strengths and weaknesses. We appreciated Michael Leunig’s words of encouragement and his presence among us on the night. The documentary was later shown on national TV where it featured in the weekly programme on religion and spirituality, Compass. In November the Documentary was selected to be shown at the Brisbane International Film Festival where it attracted packed audiences.  Congratulations to Peter Hedgadus and team.

The other celebrity we cannot forget was Judith Lucy and that wonderful homily she gave. We journeyed with her as we watched with some anxiety and anticipation her spiritual discoveries and understandings on national TV.   For some within the community there was ambivalence to the media exposure involved in being part of this documentary and featuring in Judith’s spiritual journey. We understand this ambivalence but the leadership’s view is that it was an opportunity to get our message out and tell those who think we no longer exist that we are still here. Despite the odds and with no place to call our own we continue to exist and flourish.

At the end of 2010 the community was invited to participate in a Survey to listen to the community’s hopes and concerns as we plan for the future.   On the whole it was discovered that people were happy with where the community was heading although there were some concerns.   We could like to thank all those who put so much time and effort into this survey especially Christine Rose.

We would once again like to thank the Queensland Council of Unions who has so generously allowed us to use the TLC Building. Thank you to Graham Archer who makes sure we are well and truly looked after.

This year we have not always been able to use the TLC Building. On those occasions we were warmly welcomed by the West End Uniting Church. On two occasions we had the opportunity to share a common Eucharist.  We have always enjoyed being able to forge links with our brothers and sisters in the Uniting Church. A big thank you to Kerry Pierce the Church’s minister and her husband Rob

I would like to end by saying thank to a few people. A big thank you to the Board who have worked so hard through out the year. To Sherryn West who has taken the minutes and kept us on track in those meetings.

A thank you to the proposal group who spent many long, tedious hours putting together the wishes of the community into a format that could be voted upon.

To the liturgy team, John Fitzwalter and Wendy Brown and all those who contributed to the liturgies: the singers, musicians readers, homilists, Zoe and the children’s liturgy people.

To Richard (Doc) Ortiz and Kerry White who count the money and keep the finances on track. Thank you Doc for all the hours you put in behind the scenes buying new books and keeping the drop shop going.

The library people, Marg and team, for making available so many valuable books and DVDs. And Marg thank you for the St Mary’s Matters a publication which allows for creative input by members of the community and which is getting better and better with each publication.

To people like Lyndall Dial and Ellie Ann Barry who are here early each week to help set up and give a hand wherever necessary.

To the many people who do so much to make our community what it is.

And finally to all of you who have hung in there and keep believing that it is worth coming together to attempt to the live the invitations of Jesus.