Wewanttobe achurchsoconfident,secure,and satisfiedinthewelcomingarmsof Jesusthatwecan’thelpbutopenour doorsandheartstoeveryoneinour town.
Steppingoutfromourdoors,wewalk withourneighboursthroughthepeaks andvalleys,inthebeautyand brokennessoflife,knowingthatJesus haswalkedthispathalready,andis alwayswithus.
Ourtownseeksbeauty,rest,hope, community,andafreshstart.Asalight onthehill,intheheartofourtown,we pointtoJesusastheonlyonewhocan satisfythesegooddesires.Weinvite wearytravellerstowalkwithus,sharing thehopewehavefoundinhim.
LOOKINGBACK
I’malwaysencouragedatthispointintheyear, becauseasIlookback,Igettoseeallkindsofthings thatGodhasdone.
AndwhilethepointofVisionMonthistolookahead totheyeartocome,IrealisethatIhadnoideawhat Godwasgoingtodoin2024.Therewerelotsof surprises.
Forexample,Ididn’tknowthatAnglicarewould approachuswiththeofferofsupportinga CommunityChaplaintojoinourteam.Wedidn’t knowthatGodwasmovinginMarianneand Graham’slivestohelpthembereadytocomeon board.OnlyGodknewwhohewasgoingtobring throughourdoorsthisyear.
SimilarlyIreallydon’tknowwhat2025holdsforus. Whilewecandoourbesttoplanbudgetsandgoals, wedon’tknowwhowillwalkintoourlives,whose heartsGodhasbeenworkingin.Wedon’tknowwhat joysandsorrowsareontheway.
WhatIdoknow,isthatGodloveshischurch,andhe worksthroughustobringlifeandhopetoourtown.I knowthatGodhasbeengrowingmyheartforthe 25,000peopleoftheUpperMountainsandI’mlooking forwardtoayearofthinkingaboutdeeppersonal growthinourchurchasweplanandprayforgrowth innumberasGodbringspeopletohimself.
Ihopeyouenjoyreadingthis,andyouareledto prayerasyoureadaboutplansfornextyearandare encouragedbylotsofstoriesfromthisyear.
VISIONMONTH ATSTHILDA’S Visionisaboutseeing...
SoeachNovember,wetakeamomenttolookbackand lookforward.
WelookbackatwhatGodhasdoneamongusinthepast year,andweprayerfullylookforwardtowhathehas plannedforusnext.
Wehavenoideawhatnextyearwillhold,butit’sgoodto considerwhatisimportant,andhowwewilluseourtime andresources.
Ourvisionincludes:
a10-yearvision
Aninspirationalstatementaboutwhowewanttobe (Seepage1)
3-yeartargets
Fourthingswewanttoaimforinthemediumterm. (Seepage3)
a1-yearfocus
Thebigfocusforthecomingyear.Seepages5-6forareviewoflast year’sgoal,andourfocusfor2025.
regular90-Dayinitiatives
Fourpracticalstepswecantakeeachquartertowardsachievingour Vision.
Somegoalsweachievedthisyearwere: launchingourHolidayKidsClub recruiting ournewCommunityChaplain ourfirstAnglicareParentingSeminar preparingthegreenspaceforuse andmore!
3-YEARTARGETS
1.HABITOFHOSPITALITY
Wewillgrowthehabitof openingourhomesand heartstoeachotherandour neighbours.
2.DEVELOPINGLEADERSHIP
Wewillprovideopportunities, trainingandsupportfor peopletotakeonleadership positionsinourchurch.
and
In‘24wefocusedonInvitation.Weexpanded thecafespace,hostedartworkshopsand share-a-mealSundaystofostercommunity.
3.GROWINGTHETEAM
Asourchurchfamilygrows andourfinancialcapacity increases,weaimtomove fromtheequivalentof2fulltimestaffto3.
Ministriesandteamshavegrown.More youngleadersarebeingtrained.Wewantto keepgrowingourleadershipcultureand raisingupvolunteerteamleaders.
4.PROPERTYPLAN
Wewilldevelopalong-term planforourpropertytomeet thefutureministryneeds.
OurKids&Youthministerroleincreasedto 4.5days/weekandanAnglicarefunded CommunityChaplainjoinedtheteam.We hopedtoseemorefinancialgrowthto increaseourministrycapacity.Wekeep prayingforthisandareinvestigatingexternal financialsupportoptions.
Wehavemadesignificantprogresswith propertyimprovementsandlongterm planning.Seepages14-15.
Ourdaughterwasbornwithsleepapnoeaandhip dysplasia.Duringalonghospitalstay,experiencing theworstlows,weturnedtofaith.Acoupleofdays beforeAureliawasscheduledforanoperation,we madeittoaStHilda’seveningservice Wewere exhaustedandscared,butEllandacametositwith us.Thissilentactofkindnessdeeplymovedme,andI realisedthatthiswaswhatbeingaChristianmeant. Wewereinvitedfordinnerandwereshown acceptance,loveandsupport Afterthesurgery Ellandareachedouttoofferfoodandassistance.We heardeveryonehadprayedforAureliaandthis meantmorethananythingtous.Theworkyoualldo issoincredibleandreallyshowsthebeautiful influenceofJesus.
1-YEARGOALS
lookingbackat2024
#INVITATION24
Wecommittedtoprayin opportunitiestoinviteou friendsandneighbourst towardsencounteringJe
Thisyear: weinvitedourcommun artclasses,aparenting workshop,3coursesex thebasicsofChristiani Easterartexhibitionan openedupforWinterM g weencouragedprayerand invitationwiththeMY5card ourregularservices,kidsand youthactivitieshavealsobeen opportunitiesforinvitation. atleast3householdsjoined ourchurchthisyearthrough directinvitation.
vitation heroes! bestinvitersare urprimarykids. FridayKidsClubisgrowing withfriendsinvitedfrom s
AcoupleofyearsagoIfoundithardtoinvitepeopleto church,butnowIloveinvitingpeopletoourchurch. Therearesomanyexcellentpeopleinourchurchwho haveaheartforthosearoundthem.IthinkGodis growingusintoareallywelcomingcommunitywho wanttosharethejoyoffollowingJesus Forsomeonelikemewhohasbeeninchurchmywhole life,seeingadultstakingstepstowardsJesusgivesme hopeforthoseIlovewhodon’tfollowJesus.Ihavebeen encouragedtoprayandtrustthatGodistheone workinginpeople’slivesandbringingthemtohimself, pushingmetotrusthimandhaveconfidenceinJesus’ heartforthoseIlove.
earofgrowthand cernment
sharethegospelandourchurch bigger,wealsowanttogrowdeeper ciplesofJesus. earwewillcommittoinvestingin: rpersonaldiscipleship& rGrowthGroups... ediscerningthenextstepstosupport mericalgrowthofourchurch.
Growingdeeper
Inthesamewaythatabodyneedsastrong skeletontosupportitsgrowth,sowealsoneed tobestrengthenedfromwithinasourchurch continuestogetlarger.
Thismeansinvestinginourstructuressuchas GrowthGroups,ourministryteamsand encouragingone-to-onediscipleship Aswell
seeJesus
Ourchurchhasbeeninvitedtotakepartinthe AustralianpilotoftheseeJesusSchool program.ThishascomeoutoftheworkofPaul Millerwhohaswrittensomeexcellentbookson prayeranddiscipleship.Wehopetorunagroup thisyearandperhapsexpandin2026.Scanthe QRformoreinfoandconsiderifyouwouldlike tobepartofthisin2025.
Thisyearwillalsobeayearof prayeranddiscernmentas weconsiderhowwecan shapeourSundayServicesto allowthemtokeepgrowing aswereachmorepeople withthegoodnewsofJesus.
WEAREAGROWIN
Weareagrowingchurch,andwewanttokeepgrowing. Closingour5:30pmservicelastyearhashelpedusfocus oureffortsinthemorning.Our10:30amserviceisasbigas ithaseverbeenandthe8:30amservicehaswelcomed newpeople,manyofwhomserveinkidsministryatthe laterservice.Tofacilitateourgrowthwebought50new chairsandhaveworkedhardtobalancetheroomwe haveforseatingandspacetomingleaftertheservice
Asthepie-chartshows,thegrowthGodisblessinguswith, isnotjustfromChristiansmovingtothemountainsfrom otherchurches.Peoplewhohaveneverbeentochurch,or whohavebeenawayalongtimearealsonowcallingSt Hilda’stheirhome.
Where were you5 years ago?
PeopleatchurchonSunday
Total 10:30am 8:30am 5:30pm
AfterCOVID disruptionsin 2020-21wehave beengrowing steadily.Closing the5:30service boostedour8:30 amservice.How canwehelp theseservices keepgrowing intothefuture?
NGCHURCH
Numbersmatter
Afullchurchfeelsgreat,butwemustremember thatthisisnotourendgoal.Wewanttoreachthe 25,000peopleinKatoombaandtheUpper MountainswiththegoodnewsofJesus.Wework inpartnershipwiththeotherchurches,butasthe graphshows,wearebarelyscratchingthe surface
Numbersmatter,becauseeachnumberisa personthatneedstoknowJesus.Whatwillwe dotohelpthemencounterhim?
Howdowekeepgrowing?
Churchesinoursituation(runningoutofspace)would oftenstartanewcongregationordividetheirlargest intotwo.Forallkindsofreasons,wearenotreadytodo this.Wedon’thavethepeopleorstafftomakethis happenandaren’tinafinancialpositiontoincreaseour team.Inthisyearofdiscernmentwehopetoexperiment withsomemoreachievablemeasurestoallowfor growthinbothourcurrentservices.(seep.12)
AtStHilda's AtotherChurches
NotatChurch
Throughaseriesof'coincidences',God'sgreattimingand planningledmetotheLittleLostBookshopatjusttheright timetomeetJarrodandGeorge.Iwasn'tChristian,butI wassointriguedbytheirconversationsaboutChristianity thatIaskedifIcouldjointhematchurch.Wewentto SomainHazelbrookthatweek,andIfellinstantlyinlove withJesus.Somawasn'tJarrod'susualchurch,andhetold meaboutsomeofthewonderfulpeopleatStHilda'sas wellasacombinedBiblestudywithsomeotherUpper Mountainschurches,soIstartedgoingtobothstraight away I'vefeltsowelcomedbyStHilda'sandsupportedin mycomingtofaith,andIlookforwardtocontinuingto buildrelationshipswiththiswonderfulchurchcommunity.
LIFETOGETHER‘24
Jen’sstory
Icamebacktochurchtosupportmysonwho wantedtoexplorehisfaith.Ididn’trealisethatI wouldbeenteringintoacommunitythatwouldhelp metorecommence,andkeepon,exploringmyfaith insuchawelcomingway.Havingpreviouslybeen partofreligiouscommunitieswheretherewasno singing(!)I’vealsojustreallyenjoyedbeingbackin achurchandsinginghymns,sothankyouespecially forMaryforherwonderfulorganplaying,whichlets mebeltoutmyoldfavouritesatthe8:30amservice.
Janelle’sstory
Weknewweweregoingto cometoStHilda’swhenwe retiredsowhenweheardthat Raywasretiring,Istartedto prayforthenextminister.I prayedhewouldbegreatfor StHilda’s,andhewouldbe greatforus!Iwassoamazed thewayGod,inhisgraceand blessingansweredmyprayer. Murray’smumismyoldest friendfromHighSchool!So,it wasveryeasytofeelathome herestraightaway.
KeithandImovedtoKatoombainlateApril andwerekeentojoinourlocalAnglican Church.Afterourfirstvisit,wefeltwehad foundacommunityofGod’speoplewecould makeourownanddidn’tfeeltheneedtolook elsewhere.Wewerewelcomedwithwarmth andinterestandthathascontinued.Wehave appreciatedhowpeoplehavetriedtoconnect withus,inviteusintotheirhomesformeals, prayforus,andhelpusfeelapartofthisnew churchfamily.Welovethediversityofpeople gatheredeachSunday,thejoy-filledauthentic singing,andthecentralityofGod’sword.And it’swonderfultofindachurcheagertoreach outtothelocalcommunityandconnectin significantwaysandsharethemessageof goodnewsaboutJesus.
Keith&Sarah’sstory
Heather’sstory
MurraypreachedonPrayeratthebeginningof2024.Iwasstruckagain withthenecessityoftalkingtoGod.Intheearly2000sIhadattendeda prayergroupinthehomeofMargaretGrant,(along-timememberofSt Hilda’snowhappilywiththeLord).Sheopenedherhomeforprayer everyweekdayforanhour.Weneverdiscussedprayerpoints.Wejust prayed,andthehourfilleduporchestratedbytheHolySpirit. Lifehascontinuedwithhighsandlows,sufferingsthatJesustoldusto expectinourdiscipleship Theweightofmysufferingshasreally increasedinthelast10years,soformingaweeklyprayergroupatSt Hilda’sthisyearhasbeenalifeboatinaseaoftroubles.Godhas answeredmanyofourprayers.Itisahighpointofeachweek.
StHilda’shasbecomeaplaceofhealingforme,repairingsomeknocks andbumpsfrompreviousexperiencesinchurch.Iknownochurchisa perfectrepresentationofChrist’sbodyintheworld,butStHilda’speople andministryhavehelpedmeunderstandthesignificanceofloving eachotherwellinthecommunityoffaith.Liketheprodigal’sDad, peoplearen’tafraidtoruntowardthehealingembrace;acceptance, forgiveness,mercyandlove.AGOODplacetobe.Oh,andtheFriday morningwomen’sprayergrouphasbeenable i
guidelinesintheirlives.Itseemstrue thatpeoplewhobelieveinnothing willbelieveanything Ofcourse,in returningtochurch,Ifoundagreat dealwhichhasenrichedmypersonal life.SaintHilda'sisaverycaringand friendlyplace.
A R T N E R S H I P S
AsmuchasVisionmonthisabout lookingforward,thetruthiswenever reallyknowwhatGodhasinstoreforus. Thisyearwewereapproachedby Anglicarewhowantedtofunda CommunityChaplainrolebasedinour church.WereallysawGod’shandat workasheworkedincircumstances andheartstobringMariannetotakeon thisrole.Ithasbeengreattowelcome herandGrahamintoourchurchfamily.
Marianne’s story
Whileitwasanoverwhelmingstart,ithasbeen greattogetinvolvedinPlayTimereachingout toparentsandcarers.IspendtimeintheOP shopandwalkingaroundKatoombagettingto knowthecommunity.Connectingwiththe residentslivinginTheCecilisalsocreating opportunitiestoshareGod'sloveinpractical supportandspiritualcareWhilethereare manyservicesthatIcanhelpconnectpeople to,it’sgreattojustbealisteningearasIpray foropportunitiestoprovidehelpfortodayand hopefortomorrowinourtownthathasso manyneeds.
Compassion
Inrecentweekswewelcomed CompassionAustraliatoshareabouttheir workinfreeingchildrenfrompovertyin Jesusname.Wewillcontinuetogrowthis partnership,withaparticularfocuson theirprojectsinSabu,Indonesia Scanthe QRcodetofindoutmoreabout compassionandconsiderchild sponsorshipforyourself.
SUNDAYSIN2025
Wehavethreeideasthatwethinkwillhelpourchurchprepareforfurther growthintheyearstocome.We’dloveyourfeedbackabouttheseproposals asweworkoutthebestwayforward.
What arethe issues?
1.Our10:30amservicehasgrownalotandisreaching capacity.Howcanitkeepgrowingifwerunoutofspace?
2.Our8:30amserviceisalsogrowingandwewanttosupport thisgrowthaspartofourmissiontoKatoomba
3.Asignificantportionofthisgrowthat8:30amaremembers ofthekidsandyouthministryteamthatserveat10:30am. Howdowecaterforandsupportthegrowthoftheseteams?
Whataretheideas?
Kids handover Havethekids checkedintotheir programsbeforethe servicebegins. Thenhavethemrejointheserviceforthe final2songs.
Service times
Considermoving servicesto9amand 10:45am.Makingthe earlyservicemore accessibletoour communityandtoour kidsandyouthministry teams.
Howwillthishelp?
Slightshift ofstyle
Noticingthatmuchof thegrowthattheearly servicearetheteam fromthelaterservice, weproposethatoncea monthwehaveaband andamore contemporaryfeelat thisservice.
Startingthekidsintheirprogramsdoes2importantthings
1.Itfreesuplotsofseatingcapacityatthebeginningoftheservice,whichwill allowforgrowth.
2.Aproperhandoverfromparentstotheteamisimportantfromasafe ministryperspective.Thisisincreasinglyimportantasmorekidsjoinusandit ismucheasierdonebeforetheservice.
visitkatoomba.church/visionorscantheQR foramuchmoredetailedexplorationoftheseideas.
What’snext?
In2025wewantto establishatoddlersteam atKidsChurchandkeep buildingupleadership acrossallourteams.
Thisyear:
weranourfirstJanuaryHolidayKidsClub westartedapreschoolergroupatKidsChurch youthgrouphasgrowntoneed3discussion groups
kidsareinvitingfriendstoSREclasses wehadourbiggestgroupeveratSquareOne andKYCK
threejuniorleadersattendedtheLeadersin Trainingconference playtimeisgrowingasourmostmulticultural ministry wewelcomedhundredsofpeopleduringthe WinterMagicfestival churchpurchasedofasecondhandjumping castle
OurfamilyhasbeensoblessedbycomingtoStHilda'sthis year.Wehavefeltwelcomed,supported,andencouragedwith ourfaith.It'sbeensobeautifullisteningtoPeggywalking aroundsingingthesongsthatKathyhastaughtherinKids ChurchandtohaveClarkaskquestionsaboutJesus.Wehave reallyappreciatedthewayyoulinkeverythingtoscriptureand careaboutthepeopleinyourcongregation.PeggyandIhave alsoenjoyedbeingwelcomedtoplaytimeandjoininga GrowthGroupwithothermumsfromourchurch.Welook forwardtoservingwiththegoodfolkatStHilda'snextyear.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Thisyear:
Thepropertyteamhaveputinan enormouseffortthisyeartobringabout gamechangingbenefitsforourkidsand youthministries. Theteamhas: builtanewwallwithdoorsand windowsforoursmallhall organisednewcarpetforthelarge hall providedacoustictreatmentforthe hallceiling providedaccessandclearedthe undergrowthsowecanusethe outdoorGreenspacenextdoor
What’snext?
In2025wehopetoinstallstairsto connecttheoldAnglicareOffices,begin torenovatethemen’shalltoiletsand makesomechangestohelpparents withbabies.
Kathy’s story
Theworkdonethisyearhasmade suchadifference.Wecandivideinto smallergroupsforKidsChurch, actuallyhaveaconversationduring Playtime(thankstotheacoustic treatment)-eventhenewdoor handleshavemadelifesomuch easier.It'ssolovelytobeableto takethekidsoutside.Abigthanksto theteamswhohavedonethework, andmanywhohavefinancially supportedtheseprojects.Andof courseahugethankyoutothe teamsthatserveourkidsandyouth eachweek!
It’sbeengreattoseeGodworkinginourcommunityandourtownthisyear The storiesinthisbookletarejustasnippetofwhatisgoingon.Asweseektoreach KatoombaandbeyondwiththegoodnewsofJesuswewanttostewardour resourceswellforministryandevangelismnowandintothefuture.Thisinvolves balancingwhereweinvestourtime,peopleandfinancialresources.
Inthecomingyearwewillbe:
processingtherecommendationsfromourengineering report(inprogress)todeterminehowweneedtoinvest inourbuildingoverthecomingyears
talkingtothedioceseaboutwhatsupporttheymaybe abletoprovidewithourpropertydevelopmentand preservation
prayerfullytryingtobuildconnectionswithother churchesorindividualswhomaybeabletofinancially supportourministries.Thismaypotentiallyhelpusadda staffmemberbeforeweareabletobearthefullcost ourselves
workinghardtoreachasmanypeopleaswecanwith theresourceswehave.Partofthiswillbeinvestigatingif thepotentialchangesoutlinedonpage12willbehelpf orifweneedtodosomethingelse.
discerningourgoalsforthenext3-yearvisionperiod (2026-9)
AboveallwewillbeprayerfullyseekingGod’swillforourli andourchurchasweholdoutthegoodnewsofJesusto worldthatneedshim.
Wherethe
WHAT’SNEXT foryou?
VisionMonthisagreatopportunityforeachofustolookback andlookforward,asweconsiderourplaceinourchurch community.Hereare4wayseachofuscantakeaction:
1.Takeahealthcheck
Inaseparateformyou’llfindaSpiritualHealthCheck.It’s thereforyourreflectionandprayer,butalsohelpsusasa churchtogetanideaofhowwe’regoingwiththethingsthat areimportantbuthardertomeasure.
2.Committo#Grow25
Whatareyougoingtodotoinvestinyourowngrowthin 2025.Willyoujoinagrowthgroup?Committoreadingone ofthebooksonthePianolibrary(nearthefrontdoor)?Are youinterestedintheseeJesusdiscipleshipgroup(pg6)? WouldyouliketomeetuptoreadtheBiblewithsomeone onetoone?
3.Plantoserve
Howdoyouwanttobeservingintheyeartocome?D haveleadershipgiftsorskillsyou’renotcurrentlyusing youaweekinweekoutleader,oraneventplanner?W hasGodequippedyoutodoin2025?
4.Partnerfinanciallyinour vision
EveryVisionMonththere’sanopportunitytoprayerfull considerpledgingyourgivingforthenextyear,andto contributetoaThanksgivingProject(seenextpage). Pledgingdoesacoupleofthings.Whileitdoeshelpin budgetingprocesstosomeextent,itisprimarilyan opportunityforusalltobeintentionalaboutourworshipof Godthroughourgiving.Thisisaheartexercise,aswegrow ingenerosityandfightoffgreed.
Scanforonlineresponseforms wwwkatoombachurch/vision
THANKSGIVING PROJECTS
AsanexpressionofgratitudetoGodforhisworkinourchurchandcommunity thisyear,wouldyouconsidercontributingtooneormoreofthefollowing projects?
1.Connectingspaces
Westartedraisingmoneyforthispartwaythrough 2024,butwehaveawaytogo.We’dlovetobuild somestairstoconnectthelowerrooms(theold Anglicareoffices)tothehallarea.Thiswillallowfor safeanddryaccessduringkidsandyouthprograms. Thiswillalsoincreasetheirusabilityforstaffand meetings.
Target:$6,000
2.Staffseedfund
Asweapproachotherstohelpusgrowourstaff team,it’simportantthatwearecontributingaswell. Let’spreparenow,forthecostsinvolvedingrowing ourministrycapacity.
Target:$5,000
3.Startingstrong
Wehadaslowstartto2024(financially)whichleftus inabudgetdeficitthatwehavestruggledtocatchup from.Wouldyouconsiderhelpinguscatchupthis deficitsowecanstartstrongin2025?
Target:$10,000
4.Worldwideimpact
Usuallywehaveanexternalfocusedprojectduring visionmonth.Thisyear,wehavejusthadafocusonour BabushkasandCompassion,andwewouldloveyouto considerchildsponsorship(pg11).Alternativelyyoucan makeagifttoAnglicanAidastheytrainChristian leadersinthepoorestpartsoftheworld. ScanformoreinformationfromAnglicanAid
MYRESPONSE
(Oneperpersonplease)
Name: Phone/Email:
I’minterestedin: joiningawelcomingteam helpingorganiseoutreachevents joiningthePropertyTeam joiningakids’oryouthministryteam helpingwiththeJanuaryHolidayClub joiningamusicortechteam servicehospitality(morningteaetc)
Iwouldliketouse/developmy leadershipgifts
I’munsure,butwouldliketo haveachatabouthowIcan usemygifts.
Ihaveotherideas(please writeacommentbelow).
Note:someministriesrequireparticularqualificationsorapplicationprocesses.
Growth
Iwanttobepartofagrowthgroup
I’minterestedinaseeJesusSchoolgroup(seep.6).
I’minterestedinone-to-onediscipleship.
Sundays HowdoyoufeelabouttheSunday servicesproposalonp.12?(circle)
I’dliketotalkwithsomeoneaboutthis.
Comments&questions
not1/1/2025)
