Easter Sunday Sunrise Ecumenical Service – Lota Park
Marilyne
On Easter Sunday morning, twenty‑five of us gathered at Lota Park for the Sunrise Ecumenical Service to welcome the new day. Although the sun didn’t break through during our time of praise and worship, our joy certainly did. The Uniting Church graciously led us in both music and message, creating a gentle and meaningful start to Easter morning.
Erin Maywald shared a simple but powerful reflection. Each person was invited to take a stone and a seed, and then place them around a pot plant marked with three crosses. This symbolised laying our burdens at the foot of the cross. After a time of prayer and quiet reflection, we were invited to take back a stone, our own or someone else’s, as a reminder that Jesus has carried all our burdens to the cross, freeing us to move forward with joy. The seed was given to plant at home, reminding us that every seed must die before it can rise into new life.
It was a beautiful and thoughtful way to begin our Easter celebrations.
Read the whole newsletter below
Manly Parish Newsletter 19 April 2026