May 10th is the date of our fete.

We are hoping every parishioner will make at least one item for this special event. This is our main fundraiser for the year. So please start planning, potting, sewing and becoming generally inspired now.

See the April / May 'Open Door' for more details.

Our Easter Parish Breakfast - where parishioners who had attended the 6.30 am. Easter Liturgy socialized with those arriving for the 10.00 am. Eucharist. It was a wonderful occasion where all members of our Parish enjoyed one another?s company over a scrumptious breakfast.

During the 10.00 am. Eucharist, children brought up the wheat they had been growing, and the decorated cross they had prepared for Good Friday. Later in the service they gathered around the font to watch three young children being baptised into the membership of Christ. After the final hymn was sung, the youngsters emerged clutching little bags. They energetically rushed about the Church garden hunting for those Easter Eggs.   

 
EASTER = NEW LIFE.  ALLELUIA!

Excited children waited with their parents and grandparents for the arrival of Genevieve. We watched her hooves being cleaned in readiness for the big occasion. Donning a riding cap, one lucky child was chosen to accompany the enthusiastic donkey into the Church, returning shortly via the Chapel door.

During Lent at the 9.15 am Family Eucharist, the little wooden continued to be decorated with nuts and rose petals, in readiness for Good Friday. During the Eucharist, helpers brought forward the elements to be blessed

After the short service, Genevieve was ridden across the road to Moolap Park. The park gave children space to enjoy further rides. Genevieve was rewarded with carrot from time to time.

The congregation for the 10.30 am. Eucharist met in the park and processed behind Genevieve, across to the Church again. Once more a willing child rode her through the Church during the first hymn.

Palm Sunday was a day of great rejoicing ? Hosanna in the Highest!

In February the Vestry was delighted to welcome our Bishop to the meeting. Bishop Philip Huggins takes care of the North Western Region.

Vestry members who attended were : John Chandler, Gayle Russell, Alan Drayton, Nigel Wilson, Fr. Peter Martin, Bishop Philip Huggins, Janet Nelson, Jenny Wade, Dinah Theelke.
Seated : Fiona Garrigan, Ann Chandler, Elizabeth Fairlie.

At the 9.15 am. Family Eucharist on Sunday 17th February, John and Vicky Walz were received into the world wide Anglican Communion by Bishop Philip Huggins. John has recently been appointed as a community based mental health chaplain for Geelong. We welcome Vicky and John and assure John of All Saints' care and support with his new role.

It was a perfect garden setting, with fruit ripening on the trees, and where ducks and chickens though contained, were visible, much to the children’s delight.

 Our parish enjoyed the balmy evening over fine food, drinks and fellowship. It was a lovely way to mix the whole congregation, allowing enjoyment of each other’s company.

A big thank you to Peter and Helen Martin who once again hosted, this now well established annual event, the ‘Epiphany Drinks’.

The Church was filled with excited, happy chatter, as youngsters waited for their service to begin. Beautifully decorated Advent lanterns warmly glowed by the Sanctuary, ready to be blessed.

During the Service the ring of Advent candles were once more lit, which this time included the white candle in the middle, representing Christmas Day.

Raised hands and eager faces were a joy to watch, as the kiddies offered to carry up the angel, sheep, shepherds, till the crib was resplendent with the completed nativity scene. The wise men were still travelling.

The evening finished with a final peep at the crib, before collecting the lanterns to be carried home for further family Christmas celebrations.

Children and adults gathered over three Saturdays in December to construct Advent lanterns. These creative afternoons were filled with industry mixed with merriment. Our lanterns were later decorated at home with a text and whatever else inspired our imaginations.

During the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services these lanterns are lit and blessed. We can then place on our tables during dinner, as a visible reminder, that Jesus is the light of the world.