Community comes together for Carols
Rev Charlie Wernich has vowed to save his head every week until Coleen Gardiner's cancer goes into remission.
Selcourt Methodist Church hosted its sixth Carols by Candlelight on Sunday evening.
The minister of the church, Rev Charlie Wernich, says the event was a phenomenal success.
The community gathered outside with camping chairs to see the band, Crossroad, lead by Luke Powell, perform in the warm summer evening.
“The band plays for us for absolutely no charge,” says Charlie.
“Community members from all around Springs came to enjoy the evening with us, not just our church members, which we are thankful for and which is the aim of the evening.
“Which is bringing the community together.”
Coleen Gardiner (8), who recently underwent surgery for cancer and for whom Rev Charlie shaves his head, attended the event with her mother.
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Charlie explains Coleen’s surgery was successful, but they didn’t get all the cancer.
She is set to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Sharon Laas, a member of the church, says Charlie has taken it upon himself to shave his head every week and “will not stop until she is cured of cancer”.
Earlier in the day, the church held a Christmas market with 17 stalls, including a white elephant stall.
“We are extremely pleased with how the day turned out, as we were aiming for a certain amount and we surpassed that,” says Sharon.
This was part of the church’s fundraising, as they need about R100 000 to fix their entrance.
Sharon explains the wood is rotting and they aim to re-build the entrance with a roof where church-goers can take shelter if it is raining.
“Everything not sold at our stalls is being donated to Selcourt Hospice, an initiative we’ve undertaken for the last two years.
“Seeing as it was donated to us, we feel it’s giving back to the community.”
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Sharon adds that the event was entirely community focused, with no charge for entry nor for any of the candles handed out to the community.
A jumping castle was set up for the children to play on while their parents browsed through the stalls.
“Every person who worked here today were volunteers who gave their time to make this event successful.
“We thank each and every one of them,” she says.
