Local minister leaving Parkes

Rev Canon Brett and his wife, the Rev Michelle Watterson, and their four children are moving to Dubbo so that Brett can take up the position of Rector at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, and Michelle as Honorary Assistant Deacon.

The Wattersons have been in Parkes, at the Anglican Parish of Parkes (St George’s-Parkes, St Stephen’s-Peak Hill, St Stephen’s-Bindogundra and Reedy Creek congregations) for about seven years.

All their children attend local schools - eldest Amy will be in Year 11 next year; and the younger children are Lizzie (Year 9), Lilli (Year 5) and Samuel (Year 3).

Before Parkes, Brett and Michelle lived and served at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Junee for five years; Batemans Bay and Tumut for about three years each before that.

“We have enjoyed our time here,” Michelle said.

“We have had a very good team of people and seen God do some amazing things.  We have been very blessed!”

Brett said he ‘would really like to thank everyone who has been part of our time here in Parkes.’

“It has been a joy to get to know people from such a large cross section of our community. 

“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have lived in this place and to have made so many friends. 

“To be part of people’s lives and what God has been doing through His Church and in the community has been a real pleasure.

“It is never easy leaving a place where you have been planted by God with your family. 

But, we go with gratitude and thankfulness and are looking forward to the challenges and excitement ahead as God leads us”, Brett said.

 “We will be back as a family for the Parkes Elvis Gospel Service which is quite a fitting way to finish off one’s time of ministry in Parkes I would think,” he concluded.

The family will be missed by the parishioners of St George’s, and all wish them well in the next part of their journey of life serving God.