From the Chaplain

Greetings to all

Christmas is upon us and we have almost made it through another year – and this an interesting year for sure!

The church has entered the season of Advent when we await in hope, peace, joy and love for the birth of Jesus who saved us from our sinful limitations as individuals and as humanity. Jesus - the “Anointed One” - came to show us another way to live both personally and socially and enabled us to come confidently into the presence of God with a desire to work together for good.

Christmas is also a time for families and friends to reconnect and to celebrate. It is a time of fine food and drink, a time for festivity and present giving. It is a time for fun and a celebration of all the good things in life.

I pray you have a joyous season this year.

I am also mindful of those of us who are far away from our families this Christmas due to COVID – it will be my first Christmas without children and extended family. I am aware of those for whom Christmas is a melancholic time with surfacing memories of loved ones who have passed, or the inevitable griefs of life made more poignant when it seems everyone else is rejoicing. 

Orange Uniting Church in Anson Street is holding a Service of Solace on Wednesday 16 December at 6.00pm. It is a time of quiet and sacred space for those of us who will miss someone/some special people this Christmas. If you think this may be a helpful opportunity for you then let them know you are coming by contacting the church office on (02) 63625788 or orange@nswact.uca.org.au.

Thankyou to the Kinross Wolaroi and Orange community for welcoming me so warmly into your midst. I feel blessed to be here.

May you be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and the peace of the Christ child. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all now and forever. Amen

Rev Dr. Rosalie Clarke

Chaplain

Artwork: 

The Nativity Scene, 1622 by Gerrit van Honthorst