Church farewells senior pastor

The Umina Beach Good News Church will farewell Senior Pastor Pat Clarke at a celebration dinner on Saturday, January 19.

Ms Clarke of St Huberts Island will be retiring from her role after 27 years of service to the community.

The farewell dinner will be held at Ettalong Beach Memorial Club.

Pastor Sam Collins will be taking over from Ms Clarke on January 20.

"After almost three decades, I feel it is my time to hand over to a younger minister with fresh ideas," Ms Clarke said.

"I will be looking forward to a break and then new challenges in the future."

Ms Clarke said the Good News Church is so important to her because she helped found it.

"It is a family church, and a loving and accepting church," Ms Clarke said.

"It is important to me not because of the building but the people.

"This has been a hard decision to make.

"I love my church, I love my people, and it has been an awesome journey.

"I have made some wonderful friends and have no regrets over the last 27 years."

Ms Clarke said she has passed on some valuable advice to the new church leader Pastor Collins.

"I told him to look after my sheep and give his all to God's call," Ms Clarke said.

"To be a pastor is to be a shepherd and the ministry is all about God and people developing into their full potential."

Pastor Collins has been working at Brisbane Water Secondary College for the past three years and is involved in the leadership team at Shelly Beach Christian Life Centre.

"I chose the ministry because of the difference my relationship with Jesus has had on my life," Mr Collins said.

"We are looking forward to seeing the church continue to bring faith, hope and love to the community.

"We want to see Good News Church continue to be a vibrant part of the community, and relevant to this generation.

"Good News Church is so important to the Peninsula community because it is a place where people feel they are loved and accepted."

Good News Church conducts two Sunday services each week at 10am and 6pm.

The church is located on the first floor at 234 West St, Umina Beach.

For more information, contact 4344 3000.

Clare Graham, 21 Dec 2007