Usually when we have a visit from our Bishop, we have a whole parish service in Swan Hill. This time for a change, the focus was on our other centre, Nyah West. Swan Hill had their usual 9.30am Eucharist, but after greeting the people there Bishop Andrew continued to Nyah West for a second Eucharist.
The service was followed by a Congregational Meeting and a wonderful lunch – wedding cups, and passion-fruit sponge to name but a few of the delicacies. This gave the Nyah congregation a real chance to catch up with Bishop Andrew and his wife Jan. Bishop Andrew was very impressed that the small country town congregation still boasts an organ and an organist. The said organ had chosen to misbehave on the previous Sunday and needed some major renovations to get it going again. We gave a huge vote of thanks to Brian who fixed the organ, and Thelma who plays it.
Before heading off Bishop Andrew was able to have a quick look at the renovations going on at the Nyah West Op Shop which are so magnificent it is well on its way to becoming the Men’s Palace.
The Swan Hill Service was very special too. The Bishop’s address centered on the contrasting readings for the day from Isaiah and Luke in the light of the election results in the USA. The Christian faith reminds us not to be anxious about the future, that each day is our gift of a new beginning, and our death gives us the same promise.
The service continued with Sue being officially admitted to the Anglican Communion. Congratulations Sue.