From left: Dandenong North Uniting Church members Alice Gibson, Grace Hill and Marj Smith are preparing to celebrate the church’s 50th anniversary in Dandenong.
By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG North Uniting Church will celebrate 50 years of worship and aid work in the local community late this month.
But uncertainty lingers over its next 50 years as membership numbers drop and young people turn away from the church.
Committee member Marj Smith has been in Dandenong since 1959 and said the church was then split into Methodist and Presbyterian churches.
But a common philosophy between the two brought about a bond and created the Uniting Church of today.
While the Uniting Church has existed for about 30 years, the 50th anniversary will celebrate the worship and aid work the churches and their members have invested in the Dandenong community.
Mrs Smith, 74, said the Dandenong North Uniting Church’s outreach program included two properties that housed people with intellectual disabilities, and the Treasure Trunk Op-Shop, which raises about $12,000 a year to give to community groups.
With this success in mind, Mrs Smith said she and other members hoped young people would find time to continue the church.
“We are hoping there will be a resurgence,” she said.
“We have regularly around 35 people attend the church.
“In its heyday the church had 120 people and a big Sunday school.”
She said today’s world offered many diversions including work on Sunday, preventing younger people from becoming involved with churches.
The 50th anniversary celebration will take place on Sunday, 30 July at 10am.
The Rev John Blacker was one of the first Methodist ministers in Dandenong North and will return as guest speaker for the event. Lunch will follow a service.
For more information phone 9707 0631.
