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Tasmanian Anglican

March 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 


Some of the congregation gather outside Christ Church, Illawarra on Australia Day, as the prayed-for rainclouds approach.

 

A very special Australia Day

by Trevor G Cowell

 

 

Australia Day this year fell on a Sunday and was marked in the Parish of Longford-Perth with a wonderful Service of Holy Communion at Christ Church, Illawarra.

An Australian flag - and a Tasmanian flag - hung outside the porch of this lovely little church which stands on the hillside on the road between Perth and Carrick. The Rev'd. Peter Johnson celebrated using the Service of 1662 from the Book of Common Prayer - the preferred use at Illawarra - the Service commencing with the enthusiastic singing of Advance! Australia Fair, and three hymns with an Australian theme were also sung during the service.

Priestly twins

One of those was especially written for the occasion by a member of the Illawarra congregation and helped mark Australia's national day.

The Rector, the Rev'd Geoff Bransgrove made a presentation to the priestly Butler twins marking their 90th Birthday. Both Hugh and Harold have served the Longford congregations over many years, especially in retirement and have been regular worshippers at Illawarra. (More on the twins in a later edition! Ed.)

Also at the service was David von Steiglitz from Evandale, part of the co-operating Parish of Longford-Perth-Evandale. It had been announced, just that morning, that David had been awarded the OAM for long years of community service and he was loudly applauded when this award was made known to the congregation

Rain

Following the service many adjourned to the Longford Mill Dam picnic grounds for an Aussie picnic lunch. We had prayed during the service that God might send us rain. It arrived during the picnic! God is ever faithful!

It was a terrific Australia Day. Thank God for the gifts he has bestowed on our great nation - and on our lovely island- and we praise Him for His Grace and favour.