An unforgettable evening revealed Christian unity in practice.

The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search

a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

February 2007

An unforgettable evening revealed Christian unity in practice.

On New Year's Eve, Max Robinson and his wife Barbara participated with about 150 others, in the annual Church Pilgrimage at Latrobe.

We began at the Anglican Church at 5 pm with a Scripture reading, a prayer and a well known hymn. We were then served soup and bread. The next venue was the Assembly of God with a similar program followed by a main course. Then it was short walk to the Baptist Church for a Scripture reading, prayers and hymns assisted by a puppet show! In the church hall afterwards, we were treated with a variety of desserts.

Our last stop was the Catholic Church with a similar mini-service followed by tea/coffee, biscuits and cake.

What we really experienced, was the different formats in which people are inspired to worship the one true God in the name of Jesus Christ. From the set ritual of the Catholic and Anglican to the non-conforming Assembly of God, with the Baptists somewhere in between! There were 150 parishioners enjoying each other's company without judgement - united in peace and worship.

Our Lord, during his earthly ministry, took part in the set rituals of worship in the synagogues on the Jewish Sabbaths and combined this with his very non-conformist assemblies away from the temples. Many have followed this example and arguably, the best known were John and Charles Wesley in the UK during the 1700s. Their actions of taking the Good News away from the bricks and mortar of church buildings, are well documented.

Some people need the beauty of a building with stained-glass windows and icons, and the written, conforming ritual. Some find this a 'put-off' and prefer non-conforming simplicity, whether in a building or surrounded by the beauty of nature.

How wonderful it is that today we witness a growing unity among all Christian denominations. Up until about the 1970s, a person marrying 'outside' the denomination of his/her upbringing, could often cause a split in families.

Thank you, the Churches of Latrobe for your welcome, warmth and wonderful example of Christian unity.

Hopefully, we will join you again next New Year's Eve.

Max Robinson is Co-ordinator of the 2007 National Conference of the Anglican Men's Society which will be held this year in Hobart from 4-7 May.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				February 2007

		An unforgettable evening revealed Christian unity in practice. On New Year's Eve, Max Robinson and his wife Barbara participated with about 150 others, in the annual Church Pilgrimage at Latrobe. We began at the Anglican Church at 5 pm with a Scripture reading, a prayer and a well known hymn. We were then served soup and bread. The next venue was the Assembly of God with a similar program followed by a main course. Then it was short walk to the Baptist Church for a Scripture reading, prayers and hymns assisted by a puppet show! In the church hall afterwards, we were treated with a variety of desserts. Our last stop was the Catholic Church with a similar mini-service followed by tea/coffee, biscuits and cake. What we really experienced, was the different formats in which people are inspired to worship the one true God in the name of Jesus Christ. From the set ritual of the Catholic and Anglican to the non-conforming Assembly of God, with the Baptists somewhere in between! There were 150 parishioners enjoying each other's company without judgement - united in peace and worship. Our Lord, during his earthly ministry, took part in the set rituals of worship in the synagogues on the Jewish Sabbaths and combined this with his very non-conformist assemblies away from the temples. Many have followed this example and arguably, the best known were John and Charles Wesley in the UK during the 1700s. Their actions of taking the Good News away from the bricks and mortar of church buildings, are well documented. Some people need the beauty of a building with stained-glass windows and icons, and the written, conforming ritual. Some find this a 'put-off' and prefer non-conforming simplicity, whether in a building or surrounded by the beauty of nature. How wonderful it is that today we witness a growing unity among all Christian denominations. Up until about the 1970s, a person marrying 'outside' the denomination of his/her upbringing, could often cause a split in families. Thank you, the Churches of Latrobe for your welcome, warmth and wonderful example of Christian unity. Hopefully, we will join you again next New Year's Eve. Max Robinson is Co-ordinator of the 2007 National Conference of the Anglican Men's Society which will be held this year in Hobart from 4-7 May.