When Reverend Amanda Brockwell moved to the Hunter Valley three years ago, she didn’t expect a simple message would have such a profound impact on the local community.
In June 2023, 10 people tragically lost their lives, 25 were injured, and thousands mourned when a bus driver rolled the vehicle at a roundabout near Greta on the way back from a wedding.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, St John’s Anglican Church in Branxton shared condolences and comforting words on its white sign outside.
“It’s surprising how many people read that sign,” Reverend Amanda says.
“, we put messages up there for our SES workers and the families and some of them actually started walking around this way.
“I think it was just that little bit of recognition and it was hopeful and uplifting for them at that terrible time.”
The combined parish of Branxton Greta Lochinvar is now preparing to share more hope within an increasingly uncertain world.
The parish has organised a number of activities for Hope25, an initiative of the Anglican Church of Australia, which goes from Easter until Pentecost.
The planned events include an Evensong and special celebration on Easter Sunday, a sunflower planting day at Holy Trinity Church in Lochinvar, and a picnic service at Maitland Park on Pentecost Sunday.
For many within the parish, Hope25 has offered the opportunity to reconnect and refocus on God.
“Late last year, Reverend Kimbalee came over and spoke to us in parish council,” Reverend Amanda says.
“She explained what Hope25 was and the things we could do. I think that was very reassuring for the parishioners in that we could just extend on what we’re already doing.
“It does make you feel part of a bigger picture to know that everybody is doing it – not only in the diocese, but across the country. So, that’s really exciting and energising for the congregation.”
As Hope25 approaches, the white sign outside St John’s Branxton is still sharing uplifting messages. It currently reads: ‘Celebrating the hope we have in Jesus’.
“To see that word ‘hope’ back up there at the moment, it probably does cheer people along,” Reverend Amanda says.
