In the historic setting of Rydal Union Church, the Friends of the Oberon Village Churches celebrated an Epiphany service with Australian carols.
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The gathering last Sunday rang with the familiar images of tree ferns and Christmas bush, brolgas and drovers in a church built by pioneers in 1899 to provide an ecumenical place of worship.
Rarely heard carols, sung by a capacity congregation accompanied by organ and flute, were from composer William James and lyricist John Wheeler and celebrated the Christmas story within an Australian setting.
The land for the picture-postcard Rydal Church was given by an Anglican and the church was built by a Methodist and a Presbyterian, so becoming the Union Church.
Today, as an inspiring example of how an ecumenical church works in practise, the building is administered by Rydal Union Church Incorporated and a retiring collection from the recent service was donated by the Friends toward the upkeep of the unique building.
A picnic supper followed the service on the picturesque Rydal Showground.