Over 100 guests joined
in a service of Celebration at St Paul's Anglican
Church Chatswood on 18 October 2003 to share and praise
God indeed for 40 years of amazing ministry, fun and
fellowship at Southern Cross Ski Chalet.
The Rev Lloyd Bennett,
current Perisher Blue Chaplain and foundation member
of Southern Cross shared with us of God's goodness
over these many years. He has certainly had the experience
to be able to share this with us! Young members of
our lodge ministered to us through their musical gifts,
members read lessons and several who could not attend
the dinner, came to the service. We were privileged
to be in God's presence as we celebrated.
THEN came the catch
ups and once again the fellowship. Ex and current
managers, past Directors and leaders, old members
and new told many a tale of the biggest and best snow
falls, the most extravagant falls, the most amazing
concoctions at dinner, AND, how they felt blessed
and encouraged after their visit. God has most been
wonderfully busy with His Holy Spirit at our lodge.
Amongst the “oldest”
and long serving members of the lodge present were
Janice Johnson, Ann Fry (nee Cates), Patti Mutton,
Keith & Jenny Nott, Fred & Patricia Scott,
Graham Wade and of course Lloyd and Isabel Bennett.
A CD Rom slide presentation
was put together for the night and many a smile and
sometimes a remembrance of one since gone from us
was had as we reviewed the years in pictures. Some
were recognisable, others were not !! (There is one
copy of this CD Rom – we intend to take orders
at the 11 May AGM if a member would volunteer to do
the copying) The reality of this visual took us back
many a year and was cause for even more animated conversation
after this.
The meal was scrumptious
and a birthday cake of course was a natural part of
the night. With an edible picture of the original
lodge on the cake, Keith and Rona Hansard did us the
honour of cutting it.
Photo albums were
browsed through, strains of Connie Francis and Sergio
Mendes and Brazil 66 echoed around the room and it
was really all one could do to call the team to attention
at any one time.
Apologies came from
far and wide and included many a past manager unable
to share with us on the night. I for one delighted
in talking with these old friends as contact was made
and I renewed many a friendship, some from thirty
years back.
I know each person came, or replied and who couldn't
come, because they have each had a personal encounter
with Jesus at Southern Cross. One of the like which
has more than likely not been replicated anywhere
else.
We praise God for
these encounters and the relationships that have endured
through the years.
Thank you each one
who made the night the celebration it deserved to
be.
Jan Coggins
