General News
17 April, 2023
Easter Convention enjoyed by all
Submitted by Ian McEwen The Saturday morning Parade commentator, from the middle of Scott Street, Warracknabeal, announced "Are you cold? It is the coldest Easter Saturday morning since the ‘40s." Colder still was the temperature at 5.30pm at the...
Submitted by Ian McEwen
The Saturday morning Parade commentator, from the middle of Scott Street, Warracknabeal, announced "Are you cold? It is the coldest Easter Saturday morning since the ‘40s."
Colder still was the temperature at 5.30pm at the Lions Park where just under 200 people, young and old, gathered for the Wimmera Easter Convention’s BBQ.
A blast of freezing wind and rain arrived, and "back to the Town Hall" was the cry, and everyone jumped in their cars or ran to the warmth of the Town Hall.
It has been 14 years since the Convention was held in the Town Hall.
The renovated kitchen, the supper room and the spacious hall itself was much appreciated, particularly late Saturday afternoon.
The meetings were well attended by people who were challenged by the speaker, Warren Kercher’s messages from the New Testament book 1 Peter.
Elaborating on the theme of the Convention, "Set Apart", Warren spoke on the fact that the early Christians lived in a culture that was very unsympathetic to the early Christians, and encouraged his listeners, as did Peter writing to the early believers, to live Godly lives within the day to day culture of those around them.
Everyone experiences suffering at some time, the challenge is what do we learn through it. Our hope is in the eternal living God. Defensive driving teaches to look 50 metres in front, not to have your eyes at the end of the bonnet, so in the joys and difficulties of life, look ahead to the living Hope.
Tom French’s messages were directed toward the young people but were filled with humour that appealed to the older listeners as well.
Using the story of Jonah, Tom spoke of running away from the way God wants our lives lived.
Jonah was angry that the terrible people of Nineveh repented and were forgiven, shown compassion and not destroyed. They should have had their `come upperance’.
God’s way is not to hold other people’s sin or their causing hurt, against them -be compassionate and move on.
Jennie Girard spoke of living in France with her pastor husband, Pascal, amongst the demonstrations and strikes.
France has a top-heavy bureaucracy and a very poor health system, and yet the protests are over the retirement age being extended (as the country cannot afford 62 years being the retirement age).
Jennie told of her faith journey from Hamilton, Nepal, and France.
Jennie learnt French and Russian at school and onto university and became a language teacher. She is now
conducting short term courses on Trauma Healing through the churches, as the need is prolific.
Richard Storer spoke of the work of Teen Challenge in Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation.
Often an early trauma, such as rejection, abandonment or abuse, will start a person off on the road to addiction.
Richard shared his own story of addiction starting in that way, then overcoming the addiction through Teen Challenge, slipping back into addiction and years later having an opportunity through Teen Challenge again, this time growing in his dependence of Jesus for power to maintain his sobriety.
The Junior Camp enjoyed their Day Camp as the High School was not available for sleepovers.
Lots of games/stories/and craft were enjoyed.
The Teen Camp at the Brim Recreation Centre saw many creative activities such as Amazing Race around town, a Roman dinner with pasta games, Bible Studies explaining that OT points to Jesus and how our life should point to Jesus.
Sixty young adult campers enjoyed the main meetings, as well as each other’s company around a campfire, talks and Bible Studies.
Add the Book Stall from Warracknabeal Christian Book Shop, interesting cross cultural stands and great food to a successful Easter convention.
We would like to thank those who are responsible for the Restoration Program of the Town Hall as it is a valuable asset to Warracknabeal and the Wimmera, being much appreciated during the Easter Convention.