THE local community will pay tribute to Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims in a special memorial service at Bathurst City Uniting Church tomorrow.
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The service will commence at 12.30pm.
Minister Reverend ‘Oto Faiva has invited people of all faiths, ages and origins to come together to grieve for victims of the March 11 disaster.
“I know there is a lot of sadness in our community,” he said.
“This is something we can do to help people experience God’s healing.
“Many people in our community have been affected by this disaster.
“We must show our loyalty and support to our sister city in this difficult time.”
Bathurst has had a sister city relationship with Ohkuma, located 250 kilometres north of Tokyo, for the past 10 years.
Local teacher Emily Peck, 27, had been teaching in Ohkuma for almost 12 months when she felt the earth shake first-hand.
She will offer her personal reflections on the disaster at the service.
The memorial will be attended by representatives from Bathurst Regional Council, local churches, schools and a number of community organisations.
Bathurst mayor Paul Toole and Professor Sharynne McLeod from Charles Sturt University will light a memorial candle to honour the victims of the disaster.
“People will be invited to bring messages to the service,” Reverend Faiva said.
“These will be sent to the people of Ohkuma.”
