Once or twice a year we cross Bass Straight to visit or pass through Melbourne, whenever possible we seek to include at least one worship experience at St Michaels UCA in Collins Street. This is, for us, an essential component of our spiritual diet and always a time of blessing which helps sustain us through whatever may come. A recent visit was, as always, a highlight of our visit and a boost for our souls.

Of course part of the benefit can be attributed to the simple act of joining several hundred people in worship in a large city house of God, life in the provinces has many positive features however worship in a greater assembly is always an encouraging experience. Built on to that is the sense of excellence we find at St Michaels. Excellence of worship, of our excellent God does not just happen, it a reflection of an experience and understanding of God from a community which knows such a God. It is achieved through deliberate and energetic cultivation and practice of diverse gifts within such a community.

Thus does the composition of worship; the fine music, the scholarship of preaching, the many sometimes subtle, sometimes overt links to local and world communities, the sense of place and order and the inclusive welcoming spirit of the people come together to make worship at St Michaels an enriching experience. Thank you, to Dr. Macnab and the community of St Michaels, for once again sharing with us the excellence of God through excellent worship.

We are rather glad that a group of former Tasmanians elected to go and establish a village in Victoria; we shall most certainly return.

Ian and Diane Farquhar
Swan Bay, TAS 7252

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