On Sunday, 17 May, Community of Christ members from across Victoria gathered in Bendigo for a wonderful day of connection, testimony sharing, and celebration. The community was privileged to hear inspiring words from Geoff and Pat Henshaw, and the day was made even brighter by a wonderful surprise visit from Tim Prescott, who travelled all the way from the Mid North Coast to share in the fellowship.
A central highlight of the gathering was a beautiful celebration of lifelong dedication, as the community recognized Don and Ruth Semmens for an incredible 66 years of ministry and service. Both received emeritus status during the service, Don receiving Elder Emeritus and Ruth Teacher Emeritus. In a moving moment, Don and Ruth were given a well-deserved standing ovation in recognition of the profound impact their faithful ministry has had on so many lives over the decades. It was a powerful reminder of the enduring strength and legacy of leadership within our church family.
The gathering also aligned beautifully with National Volunteer Week, which was marked by a special morning tea dedicated to the many hands that keep our community thriving. Faithful service was recognized and celebrated in a sweet way with a wonderful cake, alongside tokens of appreciation from the Mission Centre to honour local volunteers. Events like these simply cannot happen without a collective effort, and a heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who attended, volunteered, contributed, and helped make this day in Bendigo such a vibrant expression of our shared faith.
