Pastor Barry Cutchie and Holt MP Anthony Byrne at last Sunday’s service at the Berwick Church of Christ.THE Berwick Church of Christ held two services last Sunday in an effort to help the community find hope in the midst of despair caused by the bushfires.
The services, Beauty for Ashes, provided time for prayer, reflection, thanksgiving and encouragement to find hope in God.
Children’s Pastor Dave Marrett read a poem looking at the event through the eyes of a child.
“Why is it that the beauty has faded and everything’s grey, the stillness, it’s lifeless, all changed in a day.”
“The noise, the smoke, the fire … it’s all around, I don’t know where I am, I feel as scorched as the ground.”
“But wait … I’m a kid … The future’s too bright. I’ll awake from these ashes with all of my might.”
“There’s someone coming … I see his shape …it’s a fireman … Like superman minus the cape.”
While the poem was read, children in the church planted baby trees in a pot at the foot of the cross as a sign of new hope.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne also attended the service.
The Berwick Church of Christ raised $10,000 through a special offering.
A third of the donations will go to the Red Cross, while another third will go directly to church families affected by the fires.
The remaining money will be donated to the Living Springs Counselling Centre, located at the church, to assist local families affected by the Narre Warren South and Narre Warren North fires.
Anyone who may be in need of counselling can contact the Berwick Church of Christ on 9702 1011 or the Living Springs Counselling Centre on 9702 6687.
