100th Anniversary “Telegrams”
100th Anniversary Message from the Smith – Haddricks’
Julie and Lisa’s grandparents, Eric and Ivy Haddrick moved to Blackwood in the late 1930’s and became members of the church along with their 3 boys Peter, Murray and Malcolm. The Methodist church provided spiritual guidance as well as a focus for families to engage in social activities, fundraising and charity work, youth and sporting engagement and musical groups. The church was the centre of many family and community events.
At 12 years of age, Peter (our dad) played the pedal organ when the incumbent organist went to war. Peter wasn’t tall enough to reach the pedals to pump the bellows, so his dad did that for him. Peter continued in this role seated on the organist’s seat for the next 70 years at various churches in Adelaide.
The Prider family girls were also Blackwood Methodist members and this is where Yvonne and Peter met, married and now will have their final resting place at the memorial wall here at Blackwood. The cycle of life goes on and the BUC has been part of ours.
The centenary is a big event in the life of the church and we are very sorry to not be able to attend and participate in the band and be part of other celebrations. However we send our best wishes to you all from the Blue Mountains in NSW where we enjoy a wonderful time with our twin grandchildren. Monet and Everest were born in September to Genevieve and Henry and although 3 -4 weeks premature have flourished.
We recall with fondness joining the church in 1992 after moving to Blackwood with our 2 children Henry and Claira. Immediately we felt welcome, surrounded by other young families and we have continued with that connected feeling and involvement since. In addition the Outreach programme has catered for all 4 Haddrick girls along with Yvonne, and this is where Julie became involved in leadlight classes. Julie designed the two foyer stained glass windows and her teacher Maurice Pringle and Kevin Bailey built and installed them.
Our family has been active in the church. With Margaret Knight, Lisa and Julie coordinated Rubber Band which consisted of a dozen or so young members of the church who wanted to contribute their musical talents to play an instrument or sing in the 9.15 services. Julie screen printed them all t-shirts in a rainbow selection and the youngsters enjoyed a pancake breakfast in the kitchen prior to playing. They were rostered into the band programme and enjoyed a time of friendship and fun. Other We have also enjoyed being part of the music programme thru NIV and in various church Christmas presentations and recall with fondness the play where our dog Katie the Kelpie stole the show as the drover’s dog. All very happy memories.
We wish our Blackwood Uniting Church a very Happy 100th Birthday and to our friends the congregation, much happiness and joy as you celebrate this significant milestone in the life of Blackwood.
Julie Haddrick and Peter Smith
As you celebrate 100 years from the laying of foundational stone for the Blackwood Church, congratulations and prayers for the future.
With gratitude and thanks for my many wonderful faith formative years associated with Blackwood Uniting Church.
As youth and young adult from 12 to 22 years, as a young married couple from 25-27 years and being blessed and supported as an Interserve partner and UCA missionary in my 40’s.
My personal key reflections:
Promise keeper – celebrating the faithful predecessors, continuing the traditions of Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist, and embracing contemporary worship and modern theological understandings
Positive culture – through inspiring leaders and messages, based on exploratory bible studies and fellowship (Sunday morning youth 1,2,3, youth camps, etc) encouraged to ask questions, express doubts and explore Christ in a personal relationship. Remembering David Houston – the minister/football coach, Paul Tulloch – the guitar wizz, David Sharp – the story teller, Mark and Liz Williams – the young marrieds !
Prayerful – surrounded by a faithful, praying community, with a desire to seek God in the community, the world through social justice and wonder of Gods creation through nature (National Park services, picnics, creative thinking)
Proclaiming – in the centre of Blackwood, highly visible presence at the roundabout, prepared to talk and share Christ’s mercy, grace, and love with all (our future home housed the first Vietnamese refugees)
Purposing – supported to experiment and identify our gifts of the spirit, through music, leadership, disciple building fun, fundraising. A strong missional focus. Remembering creating a new 8 am worship service with Rod Dyson, Kevin and Anthony Moore families, Pentecostal talented musicians like Cathy Pike and Catriona Byrne.
Providing – a quiet place in the heart of Blackwood, friendships, brothers and sisters in Christ, outreach to community groups, aerobic classes to Jane Fonda tapes, recreational basketball, netball and tennis, supporter of missionaries
P.S – also so instrumental and pivotal in finding my life long bride in Christ – married the still beautiful Alexa (nee Dunbar) over 33 years ago !
Prayers and blessings for you all
Associate Professor Dr Lawrie McArthur
The Blackwood Uniting Church and its community played an enormous part of our growing up. Whilst the church was well established, we lived in new residential areas alongside other young families.
We were part of a wonderful tapestry of Youth and Bible Study groups, music bands and drama groups – fashioning our own expression of faith with great exuberance. We formed lifelong friendships, our own ongoing romance included, and after having the first two of our four children, moved out of the area.
We still think warmly of our time at Blackwood and greet folk similarly celebrating with our ongoing affection.
Paul and Sue Tulloch
For more than 30 years Blackwood Uniting Church was our home church. We first came as a couple with three children and appreciated both the welcome we were given and the activities available to us and them. Worship over the years was always most helpful with abundant ideas as to how to share together and sometimes experiment with new ways of conducting services. Mission and justice was always a major focus and many dedicated people over the years have participated in outreach and seeking equality of opportunity for all. Compassion, concern and creativity have always been hallmarks of the life of the community of faith at Blackwood. As 100 years has passed since the laying of the foundation stone it is a time to celebrate that even though times have changed, and many practices within the church may have also changed, still there is a faithful community committed to serve in the name of Jesus.
Enid and Alan Ninnes
“Congratulations on the 100th anniversary. We will always be grateful for the friendship and community we experienced at Blackwood, the solid sense of social justice promoted, and the excellent venue provided for our wedding back when that stone had been in place for a mere 6 decades.
Peter and Fiona Ninnes, Moss Vale NSW