While many people want both the words and the season done away with Mr Walker, a member of the ministry team, urges people to “continue to send Christmas cards and greetings to family and friends”. 

“Never be ashamed of our heritage,” he says. 

“We live in difficult and often dangerous times but we put our faith and trust in God and in the Saviour whose coming we celebrate at Christmas time.”

The church holds Sunday meetings at 10am in the Cameron Memorial Church, Glen Innes each week and meets once a month at Matheson, Glencoe and Deepwater and twice a month at the Cameron Hall for Cafe Church.

“While our church year tends to move on an even keel we have enjoyed some interesting moments,” Mr Walker said

“The manse (church house) has had some major repairs to the garage; part of the fence in the church yard was burnt down (how, we do not know!) and we have had a successful jumble sale during the recent by-election.

“As the New Year arrives and progresses we are expecting our membership to show the same friendly and open invitation to all to worship with us. 

“We are an ageing congregation but still enthusiastic enough to continue God’s work.”

Mr Walker said Christmas in New England could be quite surprising. 

“It has been known to snow, or at the least, have heavy sleet on or around Christmas Day,” he said.

“Mostly, though, the weather is fine and warm, and sometimes quite hot.

“The area has clean and refreshing climate and environment.”

“God bless and keep safe.”

The Uniting Church is the third largest Christian denomination in Australia and the first church to be created in and of Australia.

On any Sunday more than 2000 congregations worship at a Uniting Church including many congregations that worship in languages other than English. Many congregations have existed for years while others are new and worship in different ways.

What will Glen Innes look like in 2027? The Glen Innes Severn Council has been focusing on this question in 2017 as it looks to ensure the long-term prosperity of the region. 

As Christmas and the new year approaches Mayor Steve Toms says 2017 has seen the new council start off on the right foot with the adoption of an updated 10-year strategic plan in which ratepayers will see more money spent on roads, a reduction of infrastructure backlog and more thought put into the economic development. 

It might be year one, but so far council has taken a step in the right direction according to Cr Toms with a number of changes including: 

Glen Innes Aggregates, council’s consolidated quarry business, growing to include the Glen Innes Quarry, the newly approved Wattle Vale Quarry and all minor road side quarries in the local government area. It has returned an extra $400,000 for roads this financial year; and

The first wind turbine gracing the town skyline, along with the White Rock Wind farm commissioning. Together with the Sapphire Wind Farm and numerous solar farm projects, the region is becoming a significant generator of renewable energy. 

Council will continue to deliver for Glen Innes Severn residents in 2018 in various ways including improvements to the local road network, investment into energy projects and through the Regional Growth Fund investment from the state government. 

For now though, councillors and staff will take a break over the festive period to renew for the new year.

“Christmas has different meanings for all of us, and generally it’s a time for families to reunite and enjoy time together,” Cr Toms said. 

“For many it’s also a time to take a well earned rest centered around the school holidays. It is also an opportunity for reflection as we enter the calendar year.

“Spare a thought and welcoming smile for those who find themselves less fortunate at this time of year. I would like to highlight the community Christmas lunch that takes place at town hall and congratulate the generosity of the volunteers that make this happen,” he said. 

A VISIT FROM THE NSW Governor and a $5000 donation were just some of the year’s highlights for the Glen Innes Historical Society.

NSW Governor General David Hurley and his wife Linda paid a visit in February, while the donation was from the Royal Bank of Canada.

“We are also grateful for the donation of a 40-foot container from White Rock Wind Farm and a donation of a collection of dolls and related items,” museum manager and research coordinator Eve Chappell said.

“This year has seen the successful opening of the sports display exhibition featuring Debbie Wells and the Former small schools of the Severn shire workshop with Graham Wilson, in which students decorated vacant shop fronts with historic pictures and items.”

Society members took part in Chill N Glen, a program of activities planned and themed around a European-style Christmas market, with the atmosphere of the European winter in July.

“We enjoyed participating in Grandparents’ Day at the museum and the preparation of a special children’s room,” Ms Chappell said.

“Our Celtic Festival activities was a success, as was the opening of the Wedding Belles exhibition and the P&A show fashion parade.” 

Christmas in the New England region is especially appreciated by society members for its cooler nights.

“I love that there are so many things to do and places to go, particularly when visitors come to stay,” Ms Chappell said. “In the busy year ahead, we have our conference, Many Cultures – Our History coming up on March 16 at the museum and on Saturday March 17 and Sunday March 18, the conference will be held at the Services Club.

“It will feature eleven marvellous speakers as well as having an array of trade tables and displays stands to peruse.

“We will be providing an historic display for the P&A Show in February, as well as staging another fashion display. 

“We will celebrate the 2018 Celtic Festival and host the brilliant  ‘String Family’ at the museum for our special Thursday Celtic Night.”

Members of the Glen Innes Historical Society wished everyone a very happy and safe Christmas.

“Remember to bring your relations, friends and Christmas visitors to the museum this holidays,” Ms Chappell said.

“We are one of the largest and best folk museums in regional NSW.”

Land of the Beardies History House Museum and Research Centre is on the corner of West Avenue and Ferguson Street. It is and only closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

SPENDING time with family and friends is top of the Christmas list for Jim Ritchie.

The rural property specialist at Landmark Harcourts Real Estate will take a much-needed break over the festive season.

He’s had a busy year.

“One of the highlights of the past year was being recognised in the top three sales people for Landmark Harcourts in NSW,” Mr Ritchie said.

He’s also keeping an eye on the New Year.

“I hope it brings good health and some great sales results for my clients,” Mr Ritchie said.

“I would like to wish our clients all the very best for a safe, healthy and very merry Christmas and for 2018 to be a successful year for all.

“As president of BIG (Business in Glen), I would like to wish all businesses in the region a fantastic Christmas and great 2018 and also ask that the residents of the region support all the Glen Innes, Deepwater and Emmaville businesses by shopping locally.

“Our local businesses always support the community via donations to various causes and we need to support them to build a vibrant and successful community.”

Mr Ritchie has been involved in the stock, station and real estate industry since 1972, working in many areas of NSW, western, central Tablelands, Hunter Valley and currently the New England region.

He was raised on a property at Glen Innes and returned to his home town in 2004 as a rural property specialist.

Jim is married with three grown sons and four grandsons and one granddaughter.

He is a past president of Glen Innes Rugby Union and is actively involved in his community.

Landmark Harcourts are market specialists in rural sales and also specialise in country living, including commercial and residential properties.

It is Australia’s leading regional real estate brand and has more than 400 branches Australia-wide.

Find out more at jimritchie.landmarkharcourts.com.au  You can also find the agency on Facebook landmarkharcourtsgleninnesruralproperty