Once again, 2021 saw Victoria have many lockdowns and restrictions. This meant that Parish public worship and fellowship functions were very limited. This will give you a brief overview of what we did manage on the few occasions we could get together.
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Christmas celebrations
December 2021
With lockdown restrictions easing and our church buildings reopened for public worship, it was great to be able to have our usual Christmas services across the parish.
Parish Council also had a Christmas break up at Gavan Hall, with the amazing Christmas display on the stage. The display was open to the public for a gold coin donation, with money raised going towards the continued restoration of Gavan Hall.
commissioning of Fr andre as incumbent in the parish
December 2021
Whilst Fr Andre was ‘Inducted” at Parish Priest in the Parish in January 2018, he was officially commissioned as Incumbent in December.
kilmore community garden
December 2021
What a wonderful occasion for the "official opening" of the Kilmore Community Garden in the church grounds of Christ Church. We continue to be proud to be part of this great project. The afternoon included Fr Andre and Patty planting the olive tree in the centre of the garden; a welcome from the committee; and speech from the President of the local Bendigo Bank Branch - the main sponsors of the Community Garden.
Christ Church feast of title and parish AGM
November 2021
With all of our other churches in the parish unable to celebrate their Patronal Festivals or Feasts of Title, we were blessed in November with the easing of another round of restrictions, and were able to hold the Feast of Title at Christ Church, following with the Parish AGM and lunch. How lovely to spend time together once again.
parish op shop fashion parade fundraiser
November 2021
We are certainly blessed to have an amazing Op Shop in the Parish which brings in much needed funds for the Parish and beyond. Over the course of the year, new and nearly new clothing was put aside for us to have a fundraising Fashion Parade for the community. A great afternoon of fun and laughter was held at Gavan Hall. Thanks to Carolyn, Carolynne and Patty for their amazing effort in organising this.
blessing of the new entrance at christ church
August 2021
After several attempts (due to covid lockdowns) to celebrate the official blessing of the new entrance at Christ Church, we were finally able to have Bishop Clarence come to the parish to not only bless the new entrance, but to declare Christ Church ‘finally’ complete.
As well as the blessing, we gave thanks to the life of Ian Staring who had the vision, design and dedication leading to the completion.
feast of pentecost
May 2021
Our Parish tradition continues each year on the Feast of Pentecost, with parishioners wearing red to church.
As well as celebrating this feast, we also welcomed on this day, Marion Scott, the great-great granddaughter of the first Incumbent of the Parish Rev’d William Singleton.
commissioning of Fr André as area dean
May 2021
In a small gap between lockdown restrictions, Fr André was commissioned as Area Dean by Bishop Clarence at the Diocesan Registry in Wangaratta.
aerial views over christ church
May 2021
How lucky we are to live in the age of technology!
On a very cold and foggy Kilmore day, we managed to get some amazing drone photography from the sky over Christ Church. Thanks Paul for doing this for us.
Provincial bishops conference
April 2021
Thank you to the Bishop's of the Province of Victoria for choosing to come to our Parish for their Conference. It was a joy to host them, and to share our lovely Parish Church with you all.
Please come again - you will be most welcome.
Holy week and easter
April 2021
After being unable to worship publicly over Holy Week and Easter in 2020, it was a joy for us to come together to worship during these great three days.
The ‘usual’ Easter working bee, the preparations at each of our churches and the celebrations.
Good friday appeal
April 2021
Each year our parishioners donate their loose change throughout the year to donate to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
This year, the local fire brigade (door knocking for donations) arrived at the church as we were leaving our Good Friday Liturgy.
We pray for all who are sick, and particularly on Good Friday, we pray for all those children in hospital at that time.
palm sunday
March 2021
When the great crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: “Hosanna! “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel.”
Palm Sunday across our Parish saw parishioners gather at the doorway of our churches in readiness for the procession into our buildings. Each were given a palm cross which were blessed by Fr Andre.
celebrating Patty duPlooy’s birthday
March 2021
After so many missed celebrations in 2020 due to the covid pandemic, it was a joy to start celebrating birthdays at our morning teas.
In March, we celebrated with Patty. Happy Birthday Patty!
covid pandemic Lockdown!
February 2021
With very few occasions for public worship, and numerous lockdowns and restrictions, the parish took to having Zoom ‘catch up’ meetings online each week. It wasn’t ideal, but as a church community, it was a great way to stay in touch.
