Picture: J.L.”FRED” SMITH
MILLICENT farewelled one of its two resident Christian ministers over the weekend, with numerous warm-hearted tributes from worshippers at the Community Church on Williams Road.
Pastor Adriano Petraccaro and his wife Sue and their family have spent the past 14 years in Millicent.
For much of their time in Millicent, Ms Petraccaro worked in administration at the Medical Clinic Millicent.
Her husband has accepted the position of senior pastor at the Strathalbyn Family Church.
The congregation at the Millicent Community Church and other well-wishers said their goodbyes at the weekly Sunday service.
One church member said Pastor Adriano had a special place in his heart as he had helped him through times of poor health.
“I once had to have some time in hospital in Adelaide,” the church member said.
“The bus bringing me back to Millicent was running an hour late but Pastor Adriano was still there to meet me.”
Other church members used terms such as “real encouragers” and “great friends” to describe the couple.
In reply, Pastor Adriano said the time was right to move to Strathalbyn.
“We could have stayed here and been comfortable,” he said.
“We love Millicent and we believe in this town and in this church.
“I want this church to grow and for all the churches in Millicent to grow.”
During his time in Millicent, Pastor Adriano has been active in the Ministers Association, staged inter-denominational Alpha studies, conducted Anzac Day services at the Millicent Cross of Sacrifice and been a regular contributor to The South Eastern Times.
The church ran a Mainly Music program and had other community outreach programs such as Kids Day Out and Easter in the Park.
The next chapter in the church’s 35-year history in the community will be written by Adelaide couple Shaun and Christie Mulick.
They are taking up the pastorate of the Millicent Community Church this week.
Millicent’s other resident minister is Pastor Malcolm Eberhard of the Baptist Church.
