No Gift Without Its Corresponding Service

The Christian Church has its history woven amongst the service and sacrifice of the ANZACs. From the shores of Gallipoli and then the first Anzac Day in 1916, to the ships on border patrol in Australian territorial waters; padre’s have long had a place alongside troops looking after their spiritual wellbeing.

Carina Salvation Army Corp lead the 2014 Anzac march

In modern times, the Church continues to interweave with the traditions and remembrance of Anzac Day. Paragraph 13 of The Uniting Church Basis of Union states “The Uniting Church... acknowledges with thanksgiving that the one Spirit has endowed the members of Christ’s Church with a diversity of gifts, and that there is no gift without its corresponding service” These gifts could be music, prayer or general service of others. 

The Ekibin Memorial Park service organised by Yeronga – Dutton ParkRSL has always had strong representation from the local churches. Every year the Carina Corp of the Salvation Army lead the short march and provide musical accompaniment for the hymns during the service and ministers from the local churches lead prayers in annual rotation.

Rev David McGregor

Another element introduced by the Wellers Hill Tarragindi Uniting Church (WHAT UCA) is free tea/coffee and Anzac Biscuits. On a cool Autumn morning, a hot drink and a snack is just what is needed by the veterans and the general public. With biscuits donated by local supermarkets and congregation members and the tea, coffee, milk and sugar all donated through the church; this would be the perfect opportunity to raise money for the church. 

The WHAT UCA do put a donation bucket out, but every cent is given over to the local Legacy branch to assist them in their mission to care for the widows and children of diggers that never return. 2014 was another humbling year for the church with the local community donating $722 to assist Legacy in the local area. The model of Jesus is alive and well in the modern church as it seeks ways to give back to the community to which they belong.

 Lest We Forget