All Saints South Hobart
Members of the AMS at the Annual General Meeting at Ross. (Photo Trevor Cowell)
Floral Festival marks 150 Years of Celebration
On the weekend of 14-16 August, All Saints South Hobart held a Floral Festival in honour of Mary as part of our sesqui-centenary celebrations.
Mary has at least six festivals in her honour in the Anglican Lectionary and as she has been given many names over the centuries (the Mystic Rose is a well known one), and we decided to recognise the part Mary plays in the life of the church through flowers.
We sent letters to all southern parishes in the Diocese, church and local schools as well as churches of other denominations and local businesses, inviting them to participate.
While the participation from parishes was somewhat disappointing (perhaps the wet and wintry weather made getting flowers a problem), we had a very good response from the wider public as well as Collegiate Old Girls' Association, St David’s Cathedral and various floral art and garden clubs and even the local florist. The church looked stunning and even the weather turned on some sunshine!
The response from the public was amazing!
Over the weekend several hundred people visited the church, many for the first time and some who had connections going back many years but who are no longer regular worshippers.
We had people who had sung in the choir in the early part of last century or come to Sunday School; people who had been married or baptised at All Saints, or whose parents had been part of the parish in time gone by.
It was a privilege to share their stories. Many stayed for some time just chatting and asking questions – one young family came in just to let the children play in the children’s corner.
Who knows how many lives we touched over the two days?
One lady who had recently moved into Vaucluse came back twice with fellow residents on Saturday and confessed that while she went to church regularly in her younger years she had drifted away; however, as we talked she said she would like to reconnect now that she is living close by.
Several people shared their faith journeys in a very personal way which was very moving.
On Sunday evening we closed our celebrations with a Choral Evensong, led by the Choir of All Saints, at which we were joined by our brothers and sisters in Christ from St Francis Xavier and St Joseph’s Roman Catholic churches, followed by a delicious supper.
While originally there were no plans to make this an annual event, the response from those visiting determined that we will in fact conduct another festival next year – we look forward to it.
From Jennie Mitchell