Holy Week around the Diocese
The Walk of Witness
By Phil Zamagias
The Walk of Witness brings together people from almost all of the Echuca Christian churches on Good Friday. It is coordinated through the Echuca Moama Ministers’ Association of which Rev’d Phil Zamagias is the Chairman. This year around one hundred people gathered at the Uniting Church to begin a series of fourteen Bible readings matched with prayers and supplemented with songs which told the story of the passion of our Lord.
The crowd then proceeded down the main shopping street of Echuca, stopping at Christ Church Anglican, and then on to St Mary’s Catholic Church, before returning to the Uniting Church for the concluding readings and a gospel message. This year it was Phil’s turn to MC the event and preach.
The aim of the event is to be a witness to the community on Good Friday, reminding everyone of this sacred day which Christians hold so dear. Onlookers are usually quite surprised to see such a large crowd walking behind a person carrying a wooden cross! As the group travels down the main street, it is common to hear people remark; “Oh yeah, it’s Good Friday today.” Some even join in as they realise what is going on!
As a final act of fellowship, the assembled crowd was offered morning tea in the Uniting Church hall, featuring hot cross buns of all varieties.
The Walk of Witness is supported by the local newspaper, The Riverine Herald, which publishes stories before and after the event. It is a valuable expression of Christian unity in Echuca and shines the light of Christ to a needy world.
New Fire Service for Easter Sunday
By Angela Lorrigan
The resurrection of Christ is a momentous event in human history and, as the Easter vigil reminds us, in the history of God’s relationship with God’s people. However, it is an event which is revealed slowly. The accounts differ, but all those to whom the resurrection is revealed come to the realisation slowly. There are angels, but the sky is not riven with them. There are no wise men who have predicted this event and are there to offer gifts and praise. Mobs of shepherds do not run to the tomb to ‘see and believe’. In fact, initially there is a sense of everyone running away from the scene!
But the resurrection announces itself with increasing certainty. It is no coincidence that the initial revelation is at dawn. The resurrection is revealed like the rising sun. At first there is a glimmer of light, of hope, shining on the edge of night. Then the light gathers strength. As the birds mount their chorus, all of creation wakes and the light cannot be denied or ignored. The new day has begun!
It is very difficult to reflect and honour the extraordinary occasion of the resurrection in liturgy, but the Easter Vigil and New Fire service is a good attempt. By the light of the Easter moon, the faithful gather to kindle a fire in the darkness. The fire is spread to the Paschal candle, then to the candles of the faithful. As the sun begins to appear, the light gathers strength. In the darkness of the church, the history of God’s faithfulness is read and sung aloud, and the light continues to grow. Finally, the sun rises, the new day dawns and light fills the sky and the church. The faithful proclaim: “He is risen, He is risen indeed!”
This is what took place at St Paul’s on Easter Day. We are very lucky in Bendigo to have clear days around Easter, and clear skies, when this dawning light is dramatic and unmistakable. Next Easter, if you are able, try and experience this. It is a powerful and enduring reminder of God’s faithfulness through time and of His raising of Jesus from the dead.
An Easter Baptism
By Val Barker-Pigott
Easter 2026 was indeed a celebration of life at Sunraysia South as we journeyed through Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday. On Good Friday afternoon the PALM Church came together to share in The Way of the Cross. Most of the workers were required to work this year however those who came together walked around their caravan park remembering what their Lord Jesus had gone through for them and solemnly participating in a meaningful service.
Easter Sunday saw the baptism of twelve-year-old Elijah in the Murray River early in the morning. Such an exciting and meaningful experience for all who came as witnesses to this occasion. Elijah travels to Robinvale every Sunday evening to assist with technology at the PALM Workers worship. It was only fitting then that brother Mostyn from the Solomon Islands prayed over Elijah after his baptism, followed by his support person Patrick.
Following the baptism we came together to worship and celebrate the Lord’s resurrection with Holy Communion. Elijah walked the candle of light in representing the light of the world Jesus coming and taking away the darkness. What a joy to celebrate with people from different countries and cultures but one God and Lord for all.