General News
22 December, 2023
Derri’ hosts carols…with a twist
DERRINALLUM’S Uniting Church came alive with carols and a new twist to the traditional caroling service last Sunday.
Alongside more traditional carols was a special play about the first Christmas, with children dressed up to participate.
Reverend Suzie Castle said she brought the play with her from Brisbane, where a young adult in her previous congregation wrote it.
“The author is Rinalda Aye and she brought a clever and cheeky play that recaptured the excitement of that first Christmas day,” she said.
“The best part of the night for me was working with the fabulous Bullen family who have played the biggest part in getting these carols to happen.”
Camperdown Uniting Church members Bev Douglas and Gary Alexander provided keyboard and drum accompaniment as attendees sang along, with a manger borrowed from the church for the play.
Rev. Castle extended her gratitude to all those who added to the night, including Adelaide Bullen for the costumes, as well as Harrison Bullen, Belle Bullen and Elloise Bullen for playing the little star, old star and angel respectively in the play.
“Thanks to the Mount Elephant pub and Derrinallum school principal for kindly advertising the night for us,” she said.
“So good to be part of this community, especially at harvest time when farmers are incredibly busy and yet made time to come together to sing carols and watch a play.
The carols are the first to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic, with Rev. Castle happy to see many children joining in.
“It’s wonderful seeing local people joining in and singing wonderfully,” she said.
“Derrinallum township has this one little congregation made up of Anglican and Uniting Church folk.
“I think the service would have brought a lot of joy to the regular church goers to see so many others join in the carols service.
“I loved the whole evening as it brought people together to sing, celebrate, laugh and run around.”
Rev. Castle said she hoped the night of caroling brought joy to those that came along.
“People love seeing children in plays and I hope they remembered that on that very first Christmas Day the world welcomed the Christ child who still leads us to this day,”