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General News

8 December, 2022

Hymn fest rolls into town

In praise of community and sacred connections, a local church is holding a music filled celebration this Sunday for lovers of popular hymns and carols. An event orchestrated to bring people together, Maryborough’s St Andrews Uniting Church is...

By Prealene Khera

Residents are invited to listen to the musical tones that will roll through the air as part of Hymn Fest this Sunday.
Residents are invited to listen to the musical tones that will roll through the air as part of Hymn Fest this Sunday.

In praise of community and sacred connections, a local church is holding a music filled celebration this Sunday for lovers of popular hymns and carols.

An event orchestrated to bring people together, Maryborough’s St Andrews Uniting Church is calling on residents to attend their third Hymn Fest this Sunday, December 11 at 2 pm.

Taking place at the church,located on the corner of Neil and Palmerston street, the program will feature local choirs. soloists, and instrumentalists accompanied by a grand pipe organ.

“It’s a matter of just bringing people together. We warmly welcome lovers of sacred and gospel music to attend,” organist Ian Steed said.

“We’re trying to make it as stimulating and as entertaining as possible. We want people to join in, and really enjoy the singing, and also be able to listen to familiar music. Not only Christmas carolsbut music they know and love.

“It’s a hymn fest, it’s a time of people coming together and having agreat time.

“We would like for it to feel likethis is a community event.”

Mr Steed and other organisers areexcited to tune into the fest, after waiting for almost two years due to the pandemic.

“We haven’t had fellowship like this for a long time because of COVID-19 so this gives us a great opportunity to have an enjoyable afternoon,” he said.

“This will be the first time we get together after the pandemic so it makes the day extra special.

“It means that we will be catching up with people who we haven’t seen for a long time.”

The last time the fest was held was in 2019 — with around 200 people in attendance. This time around, similar numbers are expected.

“We should have a full house. In times gone by, we’ve had a pretty packed church. A warm welcome has also been extended to members of other local churches,” Mr Steed said.

After months of practice and planning, the fest is finally ready to entertain and delight — with the possibility of becoming a regular tradition.

“The event is very well organised and there’s absolutely no reason it shouldn’t be a really great success. And if it turns out as well as we believe it will, there’s no reason why we can’t have it on an annual basis,” Mr Steed said.

Entry to the Hymn Fest is through donations. Afternoon tea will also be provided to all attendees at the conclusion of the event.

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