Pastor McCartin takes up role
MURWILLUMBAH'S Church of Christ has a new minister in Pastor Andrew McCartin.
Pastor McCartin will take over from Pastor Ben Richardson at an induction service to be held on September 1.
However, the congregation has another celebration planned as the church will reach its 105th anniversary this Sunday and will commemorate the event at its regular service.
Pastor Richardson ended his official duties two years ago, however, the induction of Pastor McCartin allows him to retire properly.
Pastor McCartin joins the church at a much younger age than Pastor Richardson who was close to 70 when he took up the position.
His young family has accompanied Pastor McCartin from Sydney where the young pastor spent some time as a prison guard.
The position with the Church of Christ is the first official church position held by Pastor McCartin who will take on the job with the aim to attract younger people to the church.
Church secretary Donna Rostron said the pastor would try and reach young residents and would use other means than just the traditional church service to meet and attract young people to the congregation.
Mrs Rostron said Pastor McCartin came with good credentials and had a lot of experience dealing with people with problems.
The church's congregation consisted of mostly elderly people and it needed to increase the number of young people who attended church services.
Murwillumbah's Church of Christ was established in the Tyalgum/Byrrill Creek area and moved to Murwillumbah in the 1950s.
Those wishing to farewell Pastor Richardson can do so this Sunday at the church where the minister will act as the guest speaker.
