OF THE ASH WEDNESDAY FIRE WHICH BEGAN 16 TH FEBRUARY 1983.

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1 AN ORDER OF SERVICE TO COMMEMORATE THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASH WEDNESDAY FIRE WHICH BEGAN 16 TH FEBRUARY FOR USE IN COMMUNITY OR CONGREGATIONAL SETTINGS 1. The lectionary is not easy to bend to the Ash Wednesday Memorial. A starting point could be the Isaiah reading, as we do remember the things of old. 2. Seedlings (Belair National Park, or Trees for Life) and hand them out. 3. Candles 4. Image sprouting gum on blackened bark (all rights reserved but permission possible) 5. Larger landscape Psalm 46:1-11 <To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.> God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Romans 8: Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Matthew 11: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Luke 4: When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All Together 394 or 423 Psalm 139 All Together 496 Don t be afraid TIS 690 Beauty for brokenness TIS 687 God gives us a future All Together 490 (Music Robin Mann) / TIS 682 (St Columba) When human voices cannot sing All Together 489 Turn our Sadness upside down TIS 607 / All Together 95 Prayer of St Frances TIS 648 Help us accept each other Opening sentences/call to Worship Opening hymn/song Introducing the day: Ash Wednesday 1983 Saturday 16 th February 2013 will be the thirtieth anniversary of the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires in South Australia. For many it will pass without notice. For others it may be a reminder of an awesome demonstration of the power of nature with reminder of the loss of loved ones and/or houses and property.

3 It was a day of 40 degrees plus heat, with strong gusting north westerly winds and much flying dust and smoke. By lunch time the ABC was reporting major out of control fires at Clare, Millicent, Clare, Stirling, Prospect Hill, Mount Barker, and at Ansteys Hill east of Tea Tree Gully. No estimates could be given when any of these fires would be brought under control and all of these fires travelled some distance across the day. The Emergency Fire Services, State Emergency Services, Police and St Johns Ambulance all provided aid in extreme circumstances over the next ten days. Welfare services aided by the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and many local congregations assisted those most severely affected who were not in hospital. The last fire was extinguished by flooding rain which inundated parts of Nuriootpa and Gawler. The cost of these fires included the loss of 28 lives, a large number of people injured, 385 houses destroyed or seriously damaged, 3,200 properties damaged, significant stock losses and 208,400 hectares of land burnt. At the same time there was an even larger toll from the fires that began the same day in Victoria. For some people these events are historical. Others could not put their lives together again. Some lost their trust in the universe, in God, and in themselves. Many congregations experienced the plus of working closely together at a time of awesome difficulty, and faced the tasks of reconciling these events with the love of God. Prayers of adoration and confession Declaration of forgiveness God of mercy and justice, you see us in broad daylight and in the quiet of the night. You know that we go against your will every day - in our thoughts and in our words, in what we do, and in what we fail to do. We have let down our sisters and brothers, we have turned our eyes from those in need, we have failed to care for your creation. Have mercy on us and forgive us. The same God that brings life from blackened hillsides knows you better than you know yourself, looks at you with love. Believe this good news: in Christ we are

4 forgiven! Peace be with you! Amen. (Peace) Readings Psalm 46:1-11 Romans 8:35-39 Luke 4:16-21 Hymn/Song Address So possible starting places How did the fire affect the lives of people still in the congregation? What are the things people remember today? In what ways did people find their faith enriched, the community made stronger? Litany of remembrance and hope Loving God, For some of us it s hard to believe it s been thirty years Since the days of the fire, Despite all that has happened since. We remember that time When the foundation of our life was shaken And there was grief that seemed too great to bear. Lord, in your mercy You held us and comforted us. We remember the tragedies: The death of people we knew and loved, A countryside blackened and scarred, People tormented by fear. We bring our memories to you

5 And trust you with our pain. Even in the midst of crowds, Our remembering can make us feel very alone. Help us to open our eyes and hearts To the community you have given to support us. We give you thanks for all those that served: Those who faced the fire, Those who opened their lives and homes, Those who cared and shared, Those who were paid to help in the aftermath, Those who volunteered in the early days, The churches and community groups who were in for the long haul. We give you thanks for every kind word and shared silence, Every act of bravery, and the compassion of those who felt helpless. Loving God, Grant us resilience for the tough times that may come again, Keep us buoyant in your hope, Give us the strength and courage that can grow from adversity. Continue to hold those who still walk in dark places, And help us recognise those you have sent for us to care for. We pray these things in the name of the one who is compassion, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Hymn/Song Giving thanks Leader: People: Leader: People: Leader: People: For the resilience of nature forests regrown, Birds returned, water running clear We give you thanks for life, O God; For the lives of all who reach out and grasp our hands, Offering their strength, renewing our hope. We give you thanks for life, O God; For the strength and courage We can draw from trusting you; We give you thanks for renewal and recreation. Amen Adapted from the Ash Wednesday Commemorative Service, 16/2/1984, Terang Uniting Church

6 Blessing Prepared by the Post Disaster Ministry, Coordinator Andrew Clarke Mob: