One Service, Two Communities, A Warm Beginning

Who would have thought a Tuesday night would fill the church? Around 100 people gathered on 17 March to commission Pastor Andrew Shearer-Cox to serve Ballarat South and Creswick-Clunes.

A Service Rooted in Meaning

Andrew stood at the front in his navy suit, hands clasped, looking forward. Beside him, Rev Rosemary Carter read the commissioning words while an open Bible rested on the red-draped table between them. Rev Trevor Bassett preached from Ezekiel, Romans, and John. Members from both congregations brought forward the Bible, water, bread, and wine.

When the laying on of hands came, those taking part gathered around Andrew, each placing their hands gently on his shoulders. The idea is simple enough: the people of the church are saying, we are behind you. We are with you in this.

Rev Rosemary Carter with Pastor Andrew Shearer-Cox during the commissioning.

The Aaronic Blessing was sung over him. The room went quiet in a way that felt like

something had just happened. Because it had.

Two Congregations, One Welcome

Chairpersons and secretaries from both congregations stepped forward to formally welcome Andrew as their new Pastor. Church council members, elders, and presbytery members all stood.

Representatives from other churches and faiths were there too. The room held a lot of people who did not have to be there and had come anyway.

Church of Christ, Anglican and Baptist Church representatives.

Andrew had not expected a crowd like this. He did not say so, but it was there in how he stood, how he took it all in. Watching the room stay full right through to the blessing said something about these two congregations that no formal welcome could quite put into words.

Plenty of food, plenty of conversation, and plenty of smiles

Then Came the Late Tea

Around 60 people came through. Someone had clearly been busy in the kitchen or made a quick stop at Coles. The table stretched long with blue gingham cloth. Sandwiches, tomato and cream cheese rounds, caramel slice, brownies, yo-yo biscuits, shortbread, grapes, lemon slice. Plenty to choose from, and enough sugar to keep everyone talking well past bedtime.

Tea was poured. Plates were passed. Someone said, go on, have one. The formality faded fast.

A special moment with Andrew’s family, gathered in support and celebration

A table full of smiles from the Creswick and Clunes congregation

Andrew’s family were right in the middle of it, meeting people and being welcomed. Tea and coffee flowed from the serving table, with a steady line forming as everyone waited their turn. No one seemed to mind. It gave people more time to chat. That is how this community works.

What the Night Showed Us 

Somewhere between the last hymn and the final cup of tea, something settled. This was more than a commissioning. It was a beginning. Two congregations, each with their own story, now sharing a pastor and stepping forward together.

Ian, Lyn, Sandra, Andrew Shearer-Cox, and Bronwyn after the service

A few had slipped away, but many stayed. People lingered, chatting, finishing one more slice. Then, without fuss, everyone pitched in to tidy up before heading home.

There is a willingness here. To gather. To welcome. To make space for something new. To stay a little longer because the conversation is good and the company even better.

That matters.