A mission of love and creativity that brings joy and delight

Candles are a symbol of hope and light that are used in worship to represent the light of Christ. The lighting of candles is a common practice during prayer and meditation, and it is usual that a candle or a group of candles burns as we enter the sacred space. Candles are present for the sacraments- for baptisms and communion. In weddings, candles may represent the joining of two families and may be kept as a special memory of the blessings received. Candles inspire and comfort people on their spiritual journeys.

A candle reminds us of the words of Jesus:  ‘I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have light and life.' (John 8:12). 

In 2008 a small group of women in Mudgee Uniting Congregation wanted to do something that was creative, that connected them to others, and that could be part of the mission activity of our congregation. They worked in the church hall and tea room, developing designs that were simple and symbolic.  Together they created Candles from Mudgee.

Our candles began in this way as a small venture, an activity that was a chance for a small group of women to get together and create something beautiful for others.  Designs were created for candles that celebrate baptisms and weddings, for prayer times and personal reflection and for worship candles in church.  Dyed candles were covered in melted wax, in a rough texture that meant each candle was unique.

Since then, Mudgee Uniting Church has been creating candles for congregations across the Synod, and beyond – lighting worship in small and large churches, in meetings and in homes.

Over the years, we have experimented with designs – special birthday candles, graduation candles, candles that were gifts to special people. Many have seen our candles in different places. Everyone who was a member of Synod 2021 – attending virtually across the Synod – received an individual candle – 240 candles were dyed and delivered in the weeks leading up to the meeting. During the year of Synod we were often sent photos of the candles being used in local churches, and church events.  

Because we have candles at hand we use them in many ways. On small tables when we have café church. Clustered together at the front to be a focus. For Maundy Thursday – the darkness is broken by many candles. For prayer vigils, when we invite the community to pray with us. We offer a candle to those who attend – a reminder of our shared prayer.  We give them as gifts at other times as well, and our welcome bags include a small candle for those who visit or join us in worship for the first time.

Lynne Waller was one of the original candle makers, and attended Synod meetings with a table of candles, as well as preparing them for school graduations and for many baptisms and weddings. Lynne created many of the original designs – the baptism candles with rainbow, dove and water; the multi-coloured church candle, the Holy Communion candles, Christmas candle and prayer candle designs. We continue to receive regular orders for these candles from many long standing customers.  “Each candle is individually made with love and blessings for the person or the event that it is being used for,” says Lynne.

Denise Wood began making the candles in 2017.  It has been a blessing in many ways for me – each candle is a special connection between our mission and the person who requested candles. Sometimes they are unexpected – after fulfilling an order for a baptism candle for an isolated family, I received an order for a candle to remember grandma, who loved ducks and lavender – could I make a candle that included a duck, and some lavender?   Or a birthday candle for the 60 year old who was the congregation musician.

Others contribute at different times, some supplying the bubblewrap and boxes that are recycled for posting candles. Others share ideas and thoughts of designs. When there are many candles to make, a group comes together to share the load.  It continues to be a shared mission activity.                       

There have been ‘bulk’ orders – a Sydney Presbytery retreat (120 candles), the 2021 Synod meeting (240 candles) – and there are busy times such as leading up to Advent, or for Lent when multiple coloured candles are ordered (often with short timelines!). We provide candles for the Saltbush team and this year we are providing the candle for the Assembly meeting in July.

There is something reflective about spending an afternoon playing with coloured wax and creating symbols, representations of Australian wildlife, designs that look effective in large spaces and in small. It is a time of quiet, of being present, of thinking about the impact the candle will have when it is situated and lit, for worship or prayer.

Our candles will continue to be offered across the Synod and beyond for those congregations or events that bring people together.

A candle sheds light where darkness seeks to enter. It brings hope and chases away the shadows of fear.

A candle wavers and flickers, yet remains to symbolise hope and love – responding to breath, and getting stronger as we watch.

A candle is warm, a reminder of love and of joy. We remember as we are mesmerised where other candles have burned in our lives, and their light brought change.

The Christ candle celebrates all that Christ means for us – and shines in the darkness that sometimes impacts us. The Christ candle brings us together in silent, prayerful peace; it brings us together as we rejoice and sing praise to our God; it brings us together for new life and life everlasting.

For Mudgee Uniting Church, making and sharing our candles is a way to connect across the church, and beyond. It is a mission of love and creativity, and we pray thar our candles bring joy and delight to all who use them.

Denise Wood