Over the weekend of 29 and 30 October 2011 the Braidwood Uniting Church celebrated one hundred and fifty years of worship in the Church Building. The planning for the celebrations commenced earlier in 2011. It was resolved that the Church needed to look spick and span for the celebrations and so the painting of the outside was commissioned. The galahs and cockies had worked effectively to make the guttering their nests and to eat their way through the external wood work. The guttering has been replaced and new finials are being made. Much other work has been quietly going on, the gardens have been improved, new cushions for the church seating have been installed and a new electronic organ was purchased. A new sound system was donated and installed by Robert and Jenny Stanley.
The weekend celebrations started on Saturday evening with a dinner at Garan Vale, attended by over a hundred people. MC for the evening was David Cargill, Chairperson of the Parish Council, who welcomed the Moderator of NSW and ACT Synod - Rev Dr Brian Brown, the Mayor, Walter Raynolds and Mrs Libby Raynolds, Mr and Mrs John Barilaro, Father Varghese and Reverend Peter Lord. The dinner commenced with a welcome to Braidwood from Mayor Walter Raynolds. John Barilaro MP then spoke about the importance of the church in the community.
During the evening three presentations were given covering the history of the Church, ministers and events over the years. Presenters were Judy Marston, Vanessa Morris and Brian Carle. Christine Cargill, who is an ordained Anglican Priest, gave the fourth and final presentation of the evening, combining her experience of growing up in Braidwood Uniting Church with looking to the future.
A birthday cake was made by Jenny Stanley and iced by Marilyn Carle, who decorated the cake with a model of the Church and the bell tower. The cake was cut by Jean Cargill and Ray Grant. Flower arrangements on display over the weekend were also Marilyn’s work.
Descendants of Reverend William Hamilton MA, Visiting Minister to Braidwood from 1837 to 1843, and Reverend Simon Fraser MacKenzie MA, Minister to Braidwood from 1875 to 1894, travelled from interstate to join in the celebrations.
Several past ministers were able to join in the celebrations over the weekend. They were Reverend Margaret Moon, Reverend Barbara Allen, Reverend Yvonne Stevenson and Pastor Clive Gesling.
The meal was prepared and served by Carol Parsons and her band of very efficient helpers and was delicious.
Sunday morning’s service was a memorable occasion attended by around 125 people. The service was conducted by Pastor David Mullen. Shirley Shoemark was the organist. Rev Dr. Brian Brown dedicated the wooden cross that was erected inside the Church to commemorate the occasion. The cross was made by Steve Kidd of cedar from Syria. Steve donated the time in its making to the Church.
Mother Christine Cargill gave the Children’s address, using an empty picture frame to focus our thoughts on looking at the cross and its meaning for us all. The Rev. Dr Brian Brown gave the address, challenging us to move forward as a congregation, not to be burdened by past practices or well meaning outdated directions, but to take up Jesus’ burden that is easy and light.
The congregation joined together after the service for a light lunch in the Meeting Room and the Church grounds for which we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day.
We thank God for the weekend celebrations which drew many together, renewing old friendships and making new ones.
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