ON this year's Palm Sunday, a peace rally is planned for Myrtleford's St Paul's Anglican Church, to kick off Holy Week: the week which leads up to Easter Sunday.
As a part of the celebrations, the lawn area in front of the church on Clyde Street will be transformed into a peace garden, with the first plant already installed: a Saville Orange tree.
"We were thinking we wanted to do something different for Holy Week this year," Canon Moira Evers said.
"Palm Sunday is always a day focused on peace, which is just what we'd like to do.
"We tried to think of other things that had a broader appeal and to incorporate more of the community.
Latest Stories
"There will be a regular service at the All Saints church in Bright, on the morning of Palm Sunday, before peace prayers begin here in Myrtleford at 3pm.
"As part of that service, we're going to turn a sod to mark the official start of the garden's creation.
"We've also invited Lee Couch, a Gamilaroi woman, who works locally conducting retreats, particularly for women, to give a short address centred on peace, reconciliation and deep listening.
"Peace can only come about after listening to each other."
Afterwards, those gathered will participate in a singalong of 'protest songs'; works by John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and more, followed by a barbeque.
"In the end, the garden will be a place people can stop and sit as they make their way past and when the fruits start to grow, people can harvest what is produced and enjoy," Canon Moira said.
"The garden will hopefully become a peaceful and practical space with plants local to the area."
St Paul's has a number of workshops and celebrations planned throughout Holy Week.
On Holy Monday, local artist, Avalyn Doyle, will present an exhibition of her latest works, entitled 'Devotion', set at $10 entry, open from 5:30pm to 7pm.
Holy Tuesday sees Canon Moira lead a 'Learn how to Meditate' class, from 7pm to 8pm: 'so people can enjoy the fruits of peace and calm which come from the practice of meditation', she said.
Similarly, on Holy Wednesday, a candle-lit Taize Service will be held at the church, from 7pm to 8pm.
On Holy Thursday, a dinner will be held with a Middle Eastern foods theme, from 5pm to 8pm.
"We have a dinner once per month," Canon Moira said.
"It’s very popular and well attended.
"Traditionally, Thursday in Holy Week is the time we remember the Last Supper, before Jesus’ crucifixion."
For Good Friday, an ecumenical walk of witness will be performed, beginning at Ruby's at 10:30am, following a circuit through town and ending at the Piazza where a liturgy will take place, followed by a service of Hot Cross Buns, tea and coffee.
On Holy Saturday, the Lighting of New Fire, candle-lit service will begin at 7pm, with a renewal of baptismal vows followed by champagne and sweet treats.
For Easter Sunday, a number of churches in the area have of course planned a Mass, including 9am services at St Paul's and St Mary's churches in Myrtleford, a 9:30am service at the Uniting Church and an 11am Mass at the All Saints' Church in Bright.
