For half a century, Inverell’s Scripture Union book centre (now known as Living Water) has been serving the local community.
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Dedicated volunteers and long time supporters gathered at the Riverside restaurant on Saturday, December 8 to celebrate the milestone – 50 years to the day that the shop first opened in a cupboard in the Salvation Army Red Shield centre.
Over the years, the bookshop has had a few different homes, from the front of the Salvation Army store, to 82 Otho Street, and finally to its current location as the Living Water book shop on 78 Otho Street.
The bookshop was created by a small committee from various churches in town, including Ella Jones, Judy Readett, Barbara Cann, Joan Jack and Beryl Dick. Beryl worked as its volunteer manager for 20 years. Her diligent and generous spirit allowed the store to survive in difficult economic times.
The local store led to the birth of the Glen Innes bookshop, and the NSW Scripture Union resource centre ran from the Inverell shop for five years.
“Many past and present volunteers met at the celebration to reminisce and give God the glory for His faithfulness in keeping the distribution of Bibles, resources and other materials flowing over the town and district,” volunteer Sue Morgan-Connell said. Sue was the manager of the store for over 20 years.
As the only living member of the original committee, Judy Readett joined Glenn Dick (son of long term manager Beryl) in cutting the celebratory cake. Sue then shared some history of the bookshop.
Scripture Union (SU) regional development worker Glenn Coombs spoke about the work of bookshop distributing countless Christian resources over Australia. He then prayed for the present management team of Coral Knight and Esther Buttsworth. North west worker Dave Tankard from Tamworth was at function also representing SU.
Reverend Jean Bell came along to the celebrations on behalf of the local ministers fellowship.
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