A big group from Broome Anglican Church and Broome Peoples Church gathered for a combined service during Reconciliation Week
At Broome Anglican Church, the ministry of reconciliation is bringing people together.
During Reconciliation Week, the church held a combined service and barbecue with members of the 8.30am, 10.00am and Peoples Church congregations and visitors.
Minister-in-Charge Michael Baines said the church plans to make this a regular event on months that have fifth Sundays and the inaugural service fell during Reconciliation Week, a significant event in the Broome community.
“In recent times we’ve been looking for points of connection between the community calendar and the message of the church, and Reconciliation Week is a perfect example.
“The Bible even talks about ‘the ministry of reconciliation’ because Christian ministry is about how people can be reconciled to God and each other in Jesus. He brings people of all cultures and backgrounds together.”
Broome Anglican Church’s main point of cross-cultural ministry is its Peoples Church congregation, run especially for Aboriginal people (though other people are also welcome).
Peoples Church services have a style of teaching and music - both kinds, country and western - that are familiar to people across the Kimberley. The ministry is led by Church Missionary Society worker and Broome Anglican Church staff member Chris Webb.
Michael added: ‘Reconciliation of any kind has never been easy. It’s amazing when you realise how much of the New Testament is about Christians from different backgrounds—especially Jews and Gentiles—learning to share life as one people.
“We’re still learning to do that today, and we certainly haven’t ‘arrived’ in our church. But I thank God for the small ways our church reflects the multicultural multitude we’ll see in his Kingdom.’