Helen and I thoroughly enjoyed our first Christmas in Melbourne, together with all the traditional services. I’m grateful to the rest of the staff team who helped cover services over the Christmas period, and to everyone else who contributed to the services in any way – making Christingles, decorating the churches, presenting seasonal music, and so on. I was able to visit all four parishes on New Year’s Day, so saw how beautifully all the churches had been decorated.
The Christmas Quiz is something that I have prepared every year in previous parishes, and I’m grateful to the hundred or so people who bought a copy. Apart from the book token prize, all the money went to the churches in which the quizzes were bought. I’m pleased to announce that the overall winner, with a magisterial score of 104 out of 105 was RUTH SMITH – congratulations on a magnificent performance! In second place, with a most honourable 102 points, was GRAHAM TRUSCOTT, and then third place was shared by five entries that amassed a score of 101. If anyone is interested in the answers, please ask me for your corrected entry form.
In something of a role-reversal, I have been persuaded to gather the customary “Clerical Errors” team for the Melbourne Village Quiz. Up to now, I’ve managed to cover up my general lack of knowledge by setting quizzes and organising quiz nights rather than attempting to answer questions. So I’m rather relying on the rest of my team to cover over my ignorance!
As the Christmas and Epiphany season draws to a close, our thoughts begin to turn towards Lent, Holy Week and Easter. I hope, soon, to be able to give details of our plans for the coming penitential season.
Helen joins me in wishing all of you a very Happy New Year.
Mark Powell
