St John’s Anglican Church War Memorial Window Rededicated

On Sunday, November 12 a congregation of around 130 assembled at St John’s Anglican Church for a rededication service.

The solemn, yet happy occasion was attended by dignitaries, Senator Deborah O’Neill representing the Minister for Veterans Affairs and the NSW Minister with responsibilities for Veterans, Dame Annette King, the High Commissioner for New Zealand and the Deputy Chief Ambassador for Turkey, Umut-Vatan Aydin.

There were four pews with relatives of the men listed on the plaques adorning the sides of the window.

Major (AAC) Phillip Mitchell, the immediate past President of the local Sub-branch of the RSL and leader of the local Army Cadets participated.

The Rector welcomed everyone present followed by the celebratory hymn “Tell Out My Soul”. The Rector outlined the background to the service which all started with a photocopy of the article in the Young Witness of 27 April 1922 in the scrapbook.

After that, the Rector, the Bishop, Senator O’Neill and Rob Nash moved to the window area where the Bishop performed the rededication of the window.

Major Mitchell then recited the Ode, Mrs Boland sounded the Last Post on the bugle followed by silence then The Rouse again.

Senator O’Neill laid a wreath on behalf of the Minister for Veterans Affairs and Rob Nash laid a wreath on behalf of the congregation.

Chaplain Deal followed with a prayer.

Peter Kinsela read a passage from Revelation 7:9-17 and Bev Kinsela read from John 15:9-17.

The Rector spoke about the two saints portrayed in the window – St Michael and St George, the latter portrayed as slaying a dragon which the Rector said originated in medieval times. The emphasis was on the sacrifices of the men listed on the window.

Senator Deborah O’Neill made a formal address, thanking the three people who had done the research for the book – Vicki Burstal, Judith Langfield and Rob Nash.

The Senator recounted her visit to Ypres in 2012 and how moving she found the Anzac Dawn Ceremony.

Bishop Carol concluded the service with the Benediction.

The congregation proceeded from the church through a Guard of Honour provided by the local Army Cadets who later handed around morning tea over which visitors and the family of listed men mingled.

The church is going to put a plaque at the window indicating when it was dedicated and rededicated, so that in a hundred years’ time, people will know.

• Topics:

• Religion
• Veterans
• History