Thursday, October 19, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

A Good Deed That Will Travel An Ocean Away

Burdekin’s local All Saints Anglican Church and Ladies Guild generously donated a total of twelve priest stoles to seasonal workers of the Solomon Islands.

Every Sunday morning, several Solomon Islanders, who travel to Ayr for seasonal work, take to the pews of Ayr’s All Saints Anglican Church to participate in services, donate to missions, and assist the parish in their worship. These small good deeds have not gone unseen, in fact, Karen Allen, the priest in charge, states, "Their presence in the church makes our worship so much more inclusive.”  

Over the years the group of seasonal workers has grown, and so has their presence in the church. Every Sunday afternoon and Thursday evening, the group performs their own service and have regularly expressed to the parish the challenges their community faces in locating resources and sacred items, such as stoles, for services back home.

Stoles are a silk vestment worn over the shoulders of a priest during service. In the calendar of Christianity there are four seasons, and within those four seasons, a priest’s stoles change from green, purple, red and white. Within the twelve stoles donated by the Parish and Ladies Guild, four sets were provided covering the Christian seasons and special occasions. The Solomon Islanders expressed great appreciation and are eager to bring home the stoles to their community parish.

The All Saints Anglican Church expresses great gratitude towards the participation of the Solomon Islanders and extends a welcoming invitation to all to their services each Sunday at 8:30am and Thursday at 9:00am.

Photo supplied: Karen Allen

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