Easter trip not in plan
REVEREND Lyn Dunn had written the Good Friday service and was supposed to deliver it until she fell, during preparations, from the altar at Oxenford’s Holy Rood Anglican Church.
As the ageing congregation arrived just before 8am yesterday at the 37-year-old church, which overlooks the wetlands at Russ Hinze Park just west of Pacific Mwy and north of Movie World, they were alerted about the accident.
The Rev Rosie Stower told them: “Lyn was to be with us this morning. When we were setting up the cross for purpose of the service, she tripped on the stairs to the altar and fell into the cross.”
The stark grey structure, covered with barbed wire and red towels, erected inside the church had halted her fall.
Doctors at Robina Hospital on Thursday evening confirmed Ms Dunn had sustained a dislocated shoulder.
“Please keep her in your prayers and wish for a speedy and successful recovery,” Ms Stower said.
Coomera Waters resident Rod Dunlop was standing at the front stairs to the church yesterday with his wife Lesley handing out the service booklets, ensuring everyone en- tered safely. Mr Dunlop rushed down to the carpark to help a woman struggling to get out of her vehicle in the drenching rain.
The couple moved to the Coast from Adelaide seven years ago and the small church has opened the door to “community and fellowship”.
“It’s a very welcoming community. We all go to the Coffee Club at Helensvale afterwards and continue our fellowship,” Mrs Dunlop said.
After the 44 parishioners warmly greeted each other, they entered in silence, some of them praying before a onehour service where retired Bishop Len Eacott assisted Ms Stower with the readings.
This was a service which reflected its congregation, solemn with its stark gospel readings of the arrest of Jesus and removed from bigger churches with amplified music and gospel singing.