Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thanksgiving Day on Norfolk Island

Thanksgiving Day is a tradition given to the people of Norfolk Island by the visiting American Whalers in the early 19th Century. It continues to this day and as you can see from the following photographs, it is alive and well.  Held on the last Wednesday in November, Thanksgiving is enjoyed by all the churches.  We went to All Saints Church, Kingston, where  ~ with the exception of the United Church ~ each religious house on Norfolk Island took part in the Service.  It's a joyous occasion and a much loved part of our culture. Friends meet and greet and there is much laughter. The singing of the old favourite hymns such as "Come ye thankful people come, bring the joys of harvest home" and "We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land" range out loud and clear across Kingston.

Order of Service

 Parts of the congregation with Evie, Beryl Evans, Sid Cooper, Sa and David, Jim Olson and Dolly
 The font, filled to overflowing with fruit, flowers and vegetables
 Dids and Ikey standing in the aisle and giving cheek ~ you're in church boys. Behave
 A view of the alter which doesn't clearly show up the harvest decoration
  and another of the seating with Podge at the front with Rod and Noeline
  Corn decorates the pews and David Gibson is visiting from Brisbane


 Fruit lines the front communal rail and blue and white agapantha lillies decorate the alter
 Peter Randall on the organ, playing for us just as his grandmother Edie Randall did for so many years
 Chief Minister giving the lesson
 Bishop Rob Forsyth reading his sermon, and what a great joy to see him again
 



 There is then a sale of the harvest produce out in the back lawn of the church, with all proceeds going to various Christian charities.
Home to Flagstaff for lunch and those who aren't enjoying church are enjoying playing in the beautiful Pacific on this glorious day
Two boats coming home from an early morning of fishing
Two more boats and a jet ski join in 
Dids has placed vases of roses he's brought in from the farm, throughout the lounge room
White November lillies beside his Nisbet photograph. No 2/6 of a very limited and exclusive edition
 An informal table set for lunch. It may not look much kiddies but believe me, it fed the masses
 John and Chester enjoying lunch
 Dad wondering what on earth he's eating
 Mrs Parkins ~ DON'T EAT THE FORK, DON'T EAT THE FORK
More farm roses, snug in the corner
 Rozzie ~ Take that camera and......It's Thanksgiving! Mind our words
 Michael ! Go away. That's all I got from him
 Dids is trying to suggest that, that's all he ate, but really I think he's bragging that he didn't bite the plate!
 Saz in the sunlight, enjoying  her own little joke
  
 Corinna counting Tzarn's toes to make sure they're all there. The next post will tell you why he's asleep!
 Dad again. Hah. The first ciggie after lunch. Yay
 Dakota's tied to the pot plant so that she doesn't run down to the jetty to help them clean fish 
A gorgeous bouquet on the sideboard. Can't see them very well, but masses of purple rose blooms
 Vonnie showing her prowess with the camera
 Michael se dun
 Vonnie looking lovingly at Tzarn. Then she sat on him. Then he almost spewed. Poor darling
 Karina keeping Dakota company
 Vonnie and Dad looking charming
 Michael walking the dog...
 ...as the sun slowly sets in the west.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone




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