General News
23 June, 2025
Bishop visits
ANGLICAN Bishop of Ballarat, Garry Weatherill, made a special visit to Ararat last weekend to lead a confirmation service for six local residents at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
After 18 months off due to illness, Bishop Weatherill was eager to get back out among parishioners.
“It’s been marvellous. Now I’m able to get out and do my job again,” he said.
The Bishop described the occasion as deeply meaningful, highlighting the maturity and commitment of the participants.
“It’s lovely to see six adults making a Christian commitment,” he said.
“Sometimes with confirmations, little kids don’t have much idea about what’s going on, but here are six people who clearly knew what they were doing,” he said.
He also praised the strong sense of community and the contribution of the local Solomon Islands Anglican community, noting their musical presence.
“It’s a lovely church community, and a real gift to this place has been the Solomon Islanders, who are good, faithful Anglicans. They sing their hearts out, it’s just fantastic music.”
During his sermon, Bishop Weatherill emphasised both the personal and communal aspects of faith.
“I said it’s about making an individual commitment. But Christians are also people of community, not just individuals. That community commitment is part of what it means,” he said.
Father Martin Nadarajan, who led the service alongside the bishop, welcomed the new members to the church family.
“The new members are now part of the community of the church,” he said.
“They are going to be the extension of this community, reaching beyond Ararat.”
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