VMMA Visit to St. Matthew’s Uniting Church at Stawell
Sunday 2nd May 2010
On Saturday 1st May 2010 the VMMA Installation Team installed W. Bro. Mal Pitcher into the chair of Euroka Morning Star Lodge No. 44 at Stawell, during the south we heard a great deal of Mal and Lynn’s involvement in both the local community and the greater community of Victoria.
Just one of these community involvements is with St. Matthew’s Uniting Church in Stawell, we heard how both Mal and Lynn serve both St. Matthew’s Uniting Church and its congregation.
St. Matthew's Uniting Church at Stawell
Mal spoke to the Minister of St. Matthew’s once it was confirmed the VMMA Installation Team was going to install him into the chair regarding an official visit of the VMMA to St. Matthew’s at the Sunday morning service on the 2nd of May 2010.
The Minister M’s Susan Pearse welcomed the offer of a visit by the VMMA and extended an invitation to the VMMA to address the congregation at the Sunday morning service, this invitation was accepted.
At 8.00 am on the Sunday morning everyone traveled just around the corner from the motel to Mal and Lynn's for a cooked breakfast, it was planned that those attending St. Matthew's Uniting Church would departure at 9.30 am with Mal leading the way on his motorcycle from their home.
The organ tubes are original with the organ itself being updated some years ago.
The following VMMA members attended church with Mal and Lynn, Chris & Sharyn, Bob & Jean. Colin & Beryl, Dave & Viv and Dennis & Anita.
When we arrived at St. Matthew's Mal organised us to park together and out of the way of regular church attendees who have special parking requirements to access the church.
On entering the church their was no doubt that the congregation was aware of our attendance and made us feel very welcomed, once all the motorcycle gear was off and hanging on hooks we had some time before the start of the service to look at all the stained windows and the original tube organ that is still played today but with a electronic keyboard controlling the air to the tubes.
Just prior to the commencement of the Sunday morning service the Minister M/s Susan Pearse introduced herself to us and confirmed that the VMMA representative Chris Wells will be invited to address the congregation.
VMMA members enjoyed a cuppa with the congregation of St. Matthews Uniting Church in Stawell.
During the notice reading M/s Susan Pearse invited Chris to the podium, it is interesting to note that the church service was televised live to the local retirement and nursing homes and for those individuals or can not attend church and live at home a DVD is delivered to them during the week.
Chris briefing spoke of the history of the VMMA and how its membership is diverse with both freemasons, non-freemasons, ladies and family and followed that up by informing the congregation that last evening Mal was Installed into the Chair of the local lodge and that during the evening we heard how both Mal and Lynn are actively involved in St. Matthew's Church.
How does Bob attract all the ladies!!!
Hence, Chris then proceeded to enlighten the congregation of the involvement of Mal and Lynn within the VMMA, how they have assisted the VMMA with many community based organisations local and throughout Victoria.
The presentation was finalised with a brief overview of the Cystic Fibrosis Breathless 8 Day Ride that will be pasting through the area in November 2010 and how this event 2 years ago enabled to VMMA to donate a sum of $45,000 to CFV.
After the church service we all joined the church community for a morning tea, Bob and Jean some how managed to sell some VMMA merchandise to the locals.
Minister M/s Susan Pearse with VMMA members after church.
Finally it was time to depart and the Minister agreed to have a photograph taken with us all out with the motorcycles.
Thank you Mal and Lynn for inviting us to St. Matthew's Uniting Church at Stawell, your church.
Reported by CW
