Milawa ‘St. Andrews’ Uniting Church Decommissioning Service - Sunday March 22nd, 2015

A closing Service of Thanksgiving  and Decommissioning  for the Milawa Uniting Church after 148 years of continuous service to Milawa and district was held on March 22^nd, 2015.  This decision was not an easy one but we were down to six regulars of which only two were truly local.

This lovely old mud and brick church served its community well over many generations.  The Milawa Uniting Church celebrated new life through baptism, love celebrated in marriage and as a place to say farewell to loved ones at the end of their lives.  It brought comfort and solace to those  who were sorrowing, fellowship and hope for those who came and an opportunity to support and embrace the Christian faith. This enabled us to be challenged and supported to care for the wider community as Jesus would have us do as we looked to God, the Holy spirit, for guidance and reassurance.

The special service prepared by Rev. Christine Thomson was moving and sensitive to the needs of the congregation as we grieved for this sacred space, but we were thrilled to have so many people join us.  The church overflowed with visitors from across the parish and from Presbytery which also helped us celebrate the life of this church.  Following the service a sumptuous morning tea was held.

Special thanks to Rev. Christine and Fred Jungwirth for the time and effort you put in to make this a very special occasion for the dwindling Milawa Congregation and for all the visitors who came and sang like angels which contributed greatly to the atmosphere on the day.

- by Joan Cochrane

Article from the Wangaratta Chronicle reporting on the closure of St. Andrew's -

The Milawa Congregation –  Back Row:  Joy Johnson, Isabel Foote, Merilyn Stephens, JennyShearer Stephen Shearer, Shirley Carter and Arthur Meyers.  Front Row: Marg Gibb, Melva Lynes and Ruby Mickan 

The Johnson Family

Joy Johnson and Shirley Johnson

Robert and Eve Kerr

Lyn and David Turner & Ian and Julie Hempel

Jenny and Steve Shearer

Arthur Meyers

Melva Lynes and her sister Tim Raison

Colin and Rev Christine Thomson

Shirley Carter, Jenny Shearer and Marg Gibb 

Arthur Meyers and Joan Cochrane-Meyers 

Stuart McAliece and Rex Allen

Verna Nugent, Kay Gamze
and John Nugent

Jan Hooper, Valda Watson, Kath Finger and Heather Newth

Carl and Myra Clayden & Lyn Finger 

Gladys and Graeme Wilson & Fran Doig

Melva Lynes and Helen Twitt

Rosie Bennett and Jan Morris

Jim and Mary Gregory

Elizabeth Hildebrand and Joan Hilderbrand

Eve Kerr, Lyn Turner & Enid Yelland

Joan Martin

Wyn Airey 

Allan Raison and Arthur Meyers

Enid Yelland and Alan Wood

Merilyn Stephens and Colin Thomson

Ian and Mary Simpson

Melva Lynes and Merilyn Stephens

Heather Newth, John Yelland & Lyn Hammond