St Philip’s Anglican Church priest Jo White will leave the Cowes congregation to take up a position in Queenscliff.

Reverend Jo, who arrived on the island in 2018, will hold her final church service on Sunday May 28, which will be followed by lunch in the parish hall.

Jo said she was approached by the bishop to take up the new position, adding she was “ready for a new challenge”.

“It matched up really well. I’m used to working in a tourist town,” she said.

“People say I’m so lucky, it must be so much fun to work in tourist towns but it’s challenging because it’s not a steady congregation.”

Jo said every Easter and Christmas the congregation numbers balloon to 120, well up on the weekly attendance outside holiday season.

Although, she adds, in her five years in Cowes congregation numbers have doubled.

“But it’s not about size, it’s about serving people.”

Among her fondest memories are meeting a couple at the pub on the Cowes Esplanade, later marrying them on the foreshore.

“I also met a couple while blessing the fleet in San Remo and married them on their property in Leongatha,” said Jo, who is also the RSL chaplain, conducting Anzac and Remembrance Day services.

“We strengthened our relationship with the community by being available. We took down the fences and added picnic tables at the front. It says we are here for you.”

She said in the past five years St Philip’s has also embraced technology, creating a website, running screen-based worship rather than books, and holding online services in Covid.

“During Covid we never stopped. We had the maximum number of 15 outside, even in winter.”

She thanked the congregation for supporting her and her husband Ken, including welcoming her first grandchild.

Jo has been a priest for 12 years and Queenscliff will be her third ministry.

She will be inducted into the Parish of St George the Martyr Queenscliff and St James’ Point Lonsdale on June 16.

Anyone wanting to attend the May 28 lunch should call Glenys on 0405 771 377 to register their attendance.