A place of harmony and peace and stability. A good number of people gather for the service and most of them would be there every week. Many in the congregation have white hair and have attended the church for many years. Young and old all are touched with the essential decency of the congregation. They live long fine lives supporting each other and being good in the community.
Person after person is mentioned by name in one capacity or other. This is a church where each person is a respected valued individual known and appreciated. The names of four young people are read out – one is dux of school one to be school captain one awarded most helpful in school one an academic merit award.
A family of Sri Lankans are valued members of the congregation. They deeply value the support they received when they arrived in Australia and now offer support to refugees on a continuing basis. One has close volunteer links to Belleview Care Centre.
An invitation is put for hospitality and showing young people around for a week – visitors from Tonga India New Guinea and Indonesia.
The congregation prays. We liked the prayer for Emergency Services personnel who put their lives at risk to rescue others (in the floods).
The Our Father is said.
This Sunday the Christmas Cantata is performed. The choir sang the Cantata the day before at Keperra Sanctuary.
Afterwards everyone breaks into small clusters to chat enthusiastically for quite a long time with tea and coffee served on the verandah. I quickly find myself in long friendly discussions with several people and a suggestion of being invited over for a meal. I feel respected treated civilly.
To the side a table is set up for the sale of Fair Trade tea coffee chocolate.