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The O'Brien's are due to arrive in Irvine in a couple of days, here's a note from them as well as a photo so you'll know what they look like to say hello.

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It seems a long time ago when we began to explore the possibility of swapping pulpits with Neil. We are looking forward to being a part of the congregation at Fullarton.

I've been in the ministry for almost nineteen years. My first parish was in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne where we planted a church in a new housing estate. Following Croydon Hills we spent three years in a country town at Armidale in New South Wales. Armidale is a town not dissimilar in size to Irvine. Then in 2003 I was invited to commence a ministry to the people who live and work in the heart of the city of Melbourne. This has been a challenge that Rosemary and I have enjoyed. It involves spending time with business and professional people, running discipleship groups, preaching at lunchtime, initiating small groups in large apartment blocks in the city, occasional street evangelism. We also seek to be involved in a positive way in the governing structures of the city and encouraging Christian people to love the city and to speak to their work colleagues and their neighbours about Jesus.

Rosemary is my wife. She is involved in the ministry through Scots' by leading a women's group, and playing keyboard in one of our bands at night. Our eldest daughter Maddy has just completed her first semester of an Early Childhood and Primary Degree at University. She plays bass guitar in one of our evening church bands, runs the creche at the 11am service and is involved with the Presbyterian Youth of Victoria. Maddy will not be coming with us but is looking forward to getting to know the Urquharts. Emily our youngest is coming with us. She is 17 and is in her final year of school. She enjoys learning to play tennis, cooking and sings with one of our evening church bands.

We are looking forward very much to being a part of your congregation. I do admit to some feelings of trepidation as to whether you will be able to understand my Aussie accent! We're looking forward to climbing some munroes, checking out some golf courses, exploring Scotland and spending time with you. We consider being involved in this swap with the Urquharts a real privilege. See you soon,

Yours very sincerely
Richard, Rosemary, Maddy and Emily O'Brien.

(see attached photo of Richard and Rosemary)