JourneyOnline
AFTER A long and proud history Margate Uniting Church Conference Centre on the Redcliffe Peninsula will close its doors on 31 December.
The decision made late last year by the former Finance and Property Board was announced at the recent Synod at Alexandra Park.
Synod Property Services Manager Mark Lee said the decision had not been taken lightly.
“We conducted a number of feasibility studies regarding the long term viability of the Margate and Alexandra Park Centres and the long term viability of camping within the Uniting Church as a whole,” he said.
“It was determined that the best strategy was to consolidate our camping enterprises on one site where there has already been considerable recent reinvestment.
“Alex Park has been renewed as a new home for the Synod and is a sustainable first class facility which meets the growing demands of today’s campers and increasingly demanding legislative requirements.”
Moderator of the Queensland Synod Rev Dr David Pitman said the Uniting Church’s conference centres have served the church well for a long time.
“People remember them for the special moments in their personal and faith journeys that occurred there; however, the face of camping has changed dramatically and new strategies are needed for the emerging challenges and opportunities of the present and future.
“The sale of Margate and the further development of Alexandra Park are important dimensions of our response to those realities.”
Minister of the Redcliffe Uniting Church Rev Peter Armstrong also gave thanks for the gift that Margate Conference Centre has been to the church over many years.
“We are sad to have to let go of this place but glad to hang on to the memories of ministry and mission that this centre has provided.”
Mr Armstrong said that in the end buildings don’t carry on but love, faith and hope carried in people does.
“We celebrate the past, grieve some in this moment, and hope in the future of conference centre ministry and mission through the wider life of our church.
“We also pray that the Spirit of Christ will continue to lead us in our work with people, young and old, as we are challenged by the legacy of those who worked to bring about the resources of the Margate Conference Centre to the church and wider community.
“Let us continue to do likewise.”
A service to mark the closure of the Margate Conference Centre will be held on Sunday 2 December 2007 commencing at 3.00pm.
Photo : Margate Uniting Church Conference Centre was opened on 8 April 1961. Photo by Mark Lee
