... condemned already

Massive cross erected in town square in Eltham Victoria.

Four local churches have banded together to fund a huge cross that has now been erected in the town square. It has part of a bible text and an announcement of a friday church service.

 

Good Friday Combined Service: 

The Session agreed to accept an invitation to join with three other churches (Eltham Baptist, The Vine Baptist Hurstbridge, and Southern Cross Community Church) for a combined service on Good Friday. There is a cross up in the Town Square advertising the service. This is a great way to show Christian unity and witness in our community. Limited seating available, please arrive early.  Eltham Town Square 9:30am.

Elthampc.com.au/  (source)















Quite a turnout !

Quiet statement. No talking, just a couple of words from ... their text selection. ie ...condemned already.

Ok I messed up the spelling, oh and should tuck shirt in next time.

Myself and one of the churchgoers. Nice guy, very well educated, not a science denier, not an fundamentalist, not a bigot. We had a fabulous chat.

Short Video (shows part of the crowd and some of the singing)



Sponsoring churches are : 

Eltham Presbyterian Church 

Vinebaptist - Eltham and Hurstbridge Churches 

Southern Cross Community church

Appendix: the header of the cross starts with :  John 3:16 , the text itself continues.

For God so loved the world

that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is

condemned already.

Of particular concern is the Eltham Baptist's homophobic stance,
- see their statement marriage-plebiscite-resources/

See the especially revolting  Stewart's Talk

Local council link Nillumbik Council 

Did the council vote on this? Did they get money for it? The cross was apparently sponsored by the churches, ie not paid for by ratepayers. Contact Councillors and let me know. my twitter handle is @retep57 my email is veitch57@gmail.com 

This story is still developing, updates soon, this post will be modified as things change.

MY concerns are threefold:

1: Religious symbols in the public square ( literally in this case ).
2: Council advocating for this, in this case the Mayor Peter Clarke according to the Presbyterian church website. ( still researching - did Councillors vote? - unknown : was it by mayoral fiat? 
3: at least one of the churches is openly homophobic - see Eltham Baptist the vine video  - "Stewart's talk " 
 
( scribblings - The local paper is following story, is asking their readers to comment ( dv leader ) link coming . local and federal members  aware of this. ( Vicki , Jenny - no comment atm ) some people likely to attend the service who don't approve.. I have meetings / chat sessions in the pipeline with representatives from all these church groups. Don was there, quick hello, seems like a nice guy, will meet again for longer discussion)