Last Sunday around a hundred people were treated to a small window into what it is like being part of God’s multi-cultural family of the future. With the 116 years of existence as a church, the celebration marking this day would certainly have pleased one of our founding fathers, Mr Frank Bythell. The coming together in harmony and joy of a diverse collection of Christians of all ages from many nationalities was a worthy tribute to the man who set out to help the children of his day get to know Jesus.
A Spirit-filled service preceded the gathering in the hall. It was meticulously organised to make the day as special to God as possible, keeping in mind music to suit all worshippers there. The sermon was presented by guest speaker Rev Joshua “Spanky” Moore. He cleverly incorporated the blending of our history and the work of past generations, all those who have contributed to give this place its mark on the community today. A hundred people attended Holy Communion, and most moved on into the hall for the next stage.
Fellowship over a shared luncheon, with food from so many corners of the world, along with the sharing of the diverse cultural expression that followed, has left an indelible imprint on each of our minds. How we wish the whole church family had been there to witness with us. (How we wish the world could see us as well, and realise the potential for them of embracing people outside their own known lives.)
People were delighted to share conversations at the tables set out for our lunch. The wonderful kitchen staff worked in such harmony to present the food so welcoming for us, and there was an air of excitement as well. We were about to share in the lives of others as they communicated this through the wide range of cultural expressions they had prepared. The colour of costumes, the grace of the performers, the involvement of the youngest unfolded as we watched, and then one of our very elderly members astonished the audience by her cheeky choreographed tap dance to “The Light of the Silvery Moon”! It was such an exciting array of entertainment and learning for us all.
Our afternoon was hosted by our youth leaders, Jonathan Tweeddale and Emma Males, and their enthusiastic, well organised presentation was very infectious, drawing us all together to marvel, enjoy, applaud what we saw and heard. Items from those with roots from Kiribati, Brazil, the Philippines, China, India and New Zealand delighted the audience continuously. When the programme came to the end our minds overflowed with the spectacle of the day, but also with heartfelt thanks to our God who had enabled us to bring this Church of St Christopher’s to this point in our history.
Jackie Hall
