Pilgrim's anniversary project supports refugee pilgrims

To mark its 40th anniversary Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Magill, Adelaide, has reached out to support newly arrived pilgrims in rural Victoria. The congregation will be forwarding proceeds from its fundraising endeavours to St Paul's Lutheran Church in Shepparton, which is struggling to accommodate a massive influx of former refugees from Africa.

'When we originally put the idea of an anniversary project to the congregation, some people suggested cushions on the pews, re-painting the hall etc, but we could do that anyway', said Pilgrim's chair Garry Wedding. 'We were looking for something that was special, so we thought: Why don’t we look at supporting another congregation elsewhere?'

Since 2008 the congregation at Shepparton has more than doubled in size as African people have made their church home there. Refugees coming to Australia via the Lutheran-run Kakuma camp in Kenya tend to seek out Lutheran churches. St Pauls, which has outgrown its small worship centre and is now renting a larger building, is planning to build a new church with the support of the Victoria/Tasmania District.

The Pilgrim congregation is aiming to raise $15,000 to support the project through offerings and gifts from members.

'When the suggestion was put to the congregation early in the year it was supported unanimously', Garry said. 'We’ve been in touch with Pastor Matt Anker at Shepparton and he says the people are quite overwhelmed by the fact that an interstate congregation is supporting them.'

The Pilgrim congregation celebrated its 40th anniversary of the opening of the church building on Sunday, 17 July, celebrating with a service that attracted around 200 people. The guest preacher was LCA President Rev Dr Mike Semmler.

Pilgrim has also been reaching out to the community closer to home. Members have started a coffee morning for parents at the Magill Kindergarten and Magill Primary School every Thursday morning during school term.

Last year Pilgrim's mission leader Helen Schubert put forward the idea with the aim of making a greater connection with families of the school and kindergarten. The church even invested in a 'you beaut' genuine espresso coffee machine after deciding that instant coffee would not be an adequate incentive for people to attend.

'The director and staff of the kindergarten and the Christian pastoral support worker at Magill Primary School were very supportive and promoted the coffee morning in their newsletters', Garry said. 'The event started slowly. No-one turned up for the first two mornings, but following further promotion a number of people are now enjoying a regular coffee and chat.

'Small steps are being made. Where it will lead is in God's hands.'