Imprint - March 2017

Community Concert
Mudgee
About 70 people crammed into Mudgee church
on 12 November last year to enjoy a Sabbath
afternoon of praise.
The SurrenDA group from Oberon sang. Pr. Ken Bird
set up the sound. Annali Bird and Mark Menzies on
keys and electric guitar, Allan Stapley on Saxophone,
with special items by local Mudgee children and then
community folks did items also.
Mudgee invaded their community rather than
just inviting other SDA churches. The strategy was
successful. Pr. James Toogood and the Crossroads
Disabilities Ministries Band kicked off with a sing-along.
Two children of former or non-attending SDA young
families were invited to sing - and their families came to
see Mudgee Adventist fill up with joy.
The concert was initiated by retired Presbyterian
Mudgee organist, Andrea Sauerbier, who asked
“Can we repeat Lithgow’s SDA concert at Mudgee
on November 12?” Pr. Toogood can barely recall the
conversation, but she told everyone he said ‘Yes’ and
when Mudgee elder Ian Hunter rang saying ‘what’s this
about a concert’ it became full steam ahead.
Ian and Ros Hunter, with Pr. Toogood, support
Crossroads Disability Ministries once a month. They
asked Crossroads to form an ad-hoc band. Crossroads,
Pr. Toogood and Ros Hunter belted out kid’s songs and
two items Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Fourteen voices sang fifteen different notes as carers
and friends applauded. Some non-Christian friends
came to a church for first time. Pr. Toogood concluded
with a 5-minute evangelistic sermon about how and
why to follow Jesus.
The result is Crossrods leaders told blind mother Gwen
she should come to the Adventist Church, and now
Gwen and her guide dog occasionally attend. It was an
effective, low-cost, great fun community outreach by
Mudgee church.