Month: January 2024

We had some special guests at our Christmas Day service in the form of a ‘live’ Nativity scene. Shepherds Jack and Ben McDonald were joined by angels Annabelle McDonald and twin three year olds Gaia and Arya. They were attending the birth of baby Jesus with his parents Joseph (Scotty Webster) and Mary (Katie Barnes- the twins’ parents). It was quite a family affair.
It was also lovely to see several members of the congregation whom we haven’t seen in a while to catch up on their family news.
It was also great to see life Elder Philip Stewart attended church on Christmas Day after spending a week or two in Kingston Hospital with a nasty chest infection. We pray for Philip’s speedy recovery.

Following the lighting of the Advent Candles by the Webster twins, we were treated to a beautiful Carols Service last Sunday 24th December, featuring an enlarged St Martins Choir led by Geoff Hinde which led us in singing our favourite Christmas Carols. We thanked our very generous pianist Rhonda who provided the accompaniment during rehearsals as well as playing for us during the service.

We were also pleased to welcome Katrina Pezzimenti (Wendy and Geoff’s daughter) as a soloist during the Carols Service. Her contribution added another string to the Choir’s bow of traditional Christmas carolling that St Martins has become well known for over the past four or five decades in the Bayside Community.

We also had some visitors from Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, and from Germany and Sydney at the Carols Service. News of the event has travelled across the world!