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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

December 2003

 

 

 

 


The Rev'd Helen Chick with some of the congregation of Christ Church, Illawarra after the 'Festival of the Giftedness of Hands'



A display round the font showed some of the variety of skills in this small congregation.

 

Little but lively

by T. G. Cowell

 

 

Christ Church, Illawarra, that little church on the hill alongside the road from Perth to the North-West Coast, was reprieved from closing by the determination of its small congregation.

It had long been a vital part of the life of the Anglican Church in the district and a significant contributor to the financial well-being of the Parish of Longford/Perth.

Those presently worshipping at Christ Church, where the congregation continues to use orders in the Book of Common Prayer, strive for liveliness and enthusiasm in their worship and on 2 November they gave voice to this in a wonderful 'Festival of the Giftedness of Hands' which incorporated a celebration of the benefits we harvest from the land and those we receive from our own skills and abilities.

Eclectic

The church was decorated with an eclectic mix of agricultural, recreational and hobby and craft products showing the diverse interests and skills within our small congregation. The new Deacon at Longford/Perth, the Rev. Helen Chick conducted the service of Morning Prayer - her first visit to Illawarra - and we sang The Illawarra Hymn as well as a rousing rendition of For All the Saints - it being All Saints' Day weekend.

Illawarra is a vital contributor to the spiritual health of the parish - which now includes Evandale/Nile - and the congregation looks forward to the Australia Day weekend next year when we will play host to all the parish for a service of Holy Communion and the Annual Parish Picnic.

The Illawarra Hymn

Sung to Morning Light
  1. At Longford's Illawarra
    set high upon a hill,
    there stands Christ Church unmov-ed
    by time or faltering will:
    a church which from its faithful
    sends out the Christian word,
    and through the passing ages
    has witnessed to our Lord.
  2. Set there by founding fathers
    and nurtured through the years,
    Christ Church's congregation
    has lived through doubts and fears.
    They sang bright hymns at morning,
    at eventide they prayed,
    and faithful to the Prayer Book,
    the Eucharist they shared.
  3. Lord, help us by our worship
    proclaim the living Lord,
    to travellers on life's highway
    through music and the word.
    Grant us that we be worthy,
    Of Thy Redeeming Grace
    and give us strength and courage
    to run the Christian race.
  4. So now, at Illawarra
    midst pastures rich and green,
    we praise Thee, God Almighty,
    Creator, all supreme.
    Lord Jesus, Father Spirit,
    mysterious Trinity,
    All glory, laud and honour
    and praise we raise to Thee.