The Birchip community came together in a spirit of unity, reflection and celebration at the Ecumenical Christmas Carol Service held at the Birchip Public Hall on Sunday morning.

Representatives and congregations from St Mary’s Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Uniting Church joined with community members of all ages to mark the Christmas season through shared worship, carols and hospitality.

The service opened with a warm welcome from emcee John Richmond, setting the tone for a morning grounded in co-operation and goodwill. Community voices, led by Glenys Rickard on keyboard, filled the hall as everyone joined in singing “O Come All Ye Faithful”.

Margaret Lowry, Helen Barber, Val Connelly and Leah Connelly lit the Advent wreath candles symbolising hope, peace, joy and love. Prayers were led by Robyn Ferrier, with scripture readings delivered by Annette Bennett, Henry Doyle and Bern Hogan, and a reflective message shared by Robyn Ferrier that encouraged kindness, peace and goodwill.

In a powerful moment of solidarity, Robyn invited attendees to hold hands as a visible sign of unity and support for Jewish communities, both locally and around the world. As hands were joined across the hall, Robyn Ferrier led a prayer calling for peace, understanding and compassion, acknowledging the shared humanity that connects people of all faiths and cultures. The moment was deeply moving and served as a reminder of the community’s commitment to standing against hatred and division and choosing kindness and respect.

Musical contributions from talented local singers Denita Donnan, Clarice Bennett, Robyn Ferrier and Bambi Navarro, added depth and warmth to the service, with favourites such as “The First Noel”, “Let there be Peace on Earth” and the much-loved Carol of the Wheat Country” resonating strongly with the Mallee audience.

A highlight of the morning was the Prayers of the People, with seven readers spanning generations, including Ollie Cook, Des Coffey, Isabelle Sharp, Frances McClelland, Grace McAuliffe, Hannah Varghese, Tess Lee and Sienna Richmond, reflecting the strong intergenerational nature of the gathering.

Following the formal service, the hall echoed with joyful community carol singing, led by Glenys, with enthusiastic support from local group Chocolate Sundaes. Voices joined together for “Silent Night”, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, “Joy to the World” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

A fitting climax to the formalities was a “Year That Was” PowerPoint presentation prepared by John Richmond, showcasing a rich collection of photographs capturing significant moments and events from the past 12 months in Birchip, as well as milestones for people connected to the town.

Always a highlight of the community Christmas event, the presentation was warmly received and prompted reflection, smiles and shared memories across the hall. The presentation will be made available in the new year on the Birchip website for the wider community to enjoy.

The celebration continued with a generous finger food lunch shared by all. Sandwiches were donated by Birchip St Vincent de Paul members, hot food and slices were provided by Buloke Shire Council, and the Wirrim CWA kindly supplied fruitcake and shortbread, ensuring no one left hungry. Tea, coffee and cold drinks were enjoyed as families and friends lingered to chat, reconnect and celebrate the season together.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, Santa made a special appearance delighting children with lolly bags prepared by Kathleen Barry and bringing smiles to young and old alike.

Organisers expressed their appreciation to everyone who contributed their time, talents and generosity to make the event such a success. A special thank you to John Richmond for his time in collating the “Year that Was” presentation and everyone who supported the event.

The Ecumenical Christmas Service demonstrated the strength of collaboration and community spirit in Birchip, offering a meaningful reminder of the values of peace, compassion and togetherness at Christmas, especially in these troubling times.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 23 December 2025.