St. Philips usually has a member of our congregation paint our Paschal Candle each year. Since 2020 we have used a candle painted by Margaret. For photos of candles from previous years see below:
2019 CANDLE:
2018 Candle:
Two social justice areas that are close to our hearts at St Philips are depicted on this years Paschal Candle – namely, the desperate plight of asylum seekers adn the pain and exclusion suffered by the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities (LGBTQI).
The Asylum seekers on the candle are depicted as shadowy and faceless, which is how the politicians want us to see them. many of thise in off shore detention have languished there for years holding no hope for their future. The argument is that by sacrificing the lives of these people, it is hoped that opthers will be deterred from seeking refuge in our country.
The LGBTQI communities are represented by the rainbow colours in the cloth draped on the cross. These communities still experience exclusion and are oftern regarded as the “other”. Despite the successful passage of the recent marriage equality legislation, same sex couples are still unable to be married within the Anglican Church (of Australia). These rainbow colours represent unity and diversity, promise and hope, a symbol as we strive for chnage in this area. Easter brings the promise of renewal and new beginnings.
2017 Candle:
2016 Candle:
This is the story of the 2015 candle.
“The painting on the St Philip’s Paschal Candle is inspired by the story of the road to Emmaus, where two of the disciples did not recognise Jesus as he appeared to them after the crucifixion. There are three crosses in the painting: one on the church of St Philip, another on the staff of the priest and the third is the Crucifixion of Christ. Most of the people in the painting were gathered around the priest and the church, and had their backs turned away from the Cross of Christ. Are most of us too focussed on the church as an institution with its buildings and bureaucracy (Cross on St Philip’s building), or too preocuppied with our own christian community (Cross on the staff of priest) that we can no longer see the Cross of Christ in our daily lives? Will we, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, not recognise Christ when he appears to us? Will we see Christ among the imprisoned, the homeless, and the hungry? Will we recognise him in the course of our ordinary day?”
