St Columba's Centre Dedicated

26/06/2009

On Sunday 14th June, Bishop Tom joined the congregation of St Columba’s and their invited guests from the mother church, St Aidan’s, and Hartlepool Deanery for the special dedication service. Fr Jonathan Rhodes, the Priest in Charge, welcomed everyone to this celebration- a new start for the Rift House area of the town and the faithful people of the prarish.

The pictures show Fr Jonathan welcoming the congregation to the service of dedication (above) and (right) Bishop Tom dedicating the new altar. Bishop Tom also cut the special cake during the reception which followed the service (photograph below).

The new building, which replaces the original dedicated in 1967, has been designed as a dual purpose building. As Fr Jonathan says, it is a ‘modern take on the Mediaeval church buildings that were used as both sacred and secular space’. As such it will serve the needs of both church and community and offers a variety of exciting opprtunities.

In his address, Bishop Tom reminded the congregation that God is at work in this place. Just as with the Temple in Jerusalem, he promises to be with his people in a particular place so that his presence and power can be taken out into the world. The Holy Spirit was sent on God’s people so that he would be wherever they are.

“This building is a Jesus place - a place of welcome - but also a place of outward-looking, so that those who don’t know him now may come to know him through the life and witness of the people,” he said.

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