Mushroom murder survivor pastor returns to church

Two weeks on from Erin Patterson being found guilty of the mushroom murders, the sole survivor of the deadly meal has made his first public comments in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Pastor Ian Wilkinson spoke directly to his congregation at Korumburra in Victoria on Sunday with a message of hope.

A Supreme Court jury last month found Patterson guilty of murdering in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, and also of attempting to murder the pastor.

READ MORE: Death toll rises to 38 after tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam

Heading in to Korumburra Baptist Church, Wilkinson was met with a round of applause.

"My name is Ian. I used to lead services here a lot, and I'm pleased to be back with you again," he told his congregation.

It was Wilkinson's first time returning to his role as church leader since Patterson was found guilty.

Members of the congregation today led special prayers for the families torn apart when Patterson poisoned her lunch guests with death cap mushrooms.

READ MORE: Motorcyclist killed during police chase remembered as 'soft-spoken and respectful'

Wilkinson attended every day of the trial including giving evidence about the deadly lunch that horrified the world.

The pastor today chose the theme of hope, reading Psalm 23:4.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," he said.

Wilkinson's involvement in the mushroom murder saga is not over.

He will be invited to make a victim impact statement at Patterson's pre-sentence hearing, which is expected to be held in the coming months.

There he may detail how he managed his miraculous recovery after ingesting death cap mushrooms.

More difficult perhaps will be having to talk about who he's lost, the woman who used to be by his side for Sunday church.