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 Simmons for an incredible 66 years of ministry and service. 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.
