Song café encourages Christian writers

Budding Lutheran songwriters in South Australia now have a new outlet for their creativity – the New Song Café.

The project, which had its opening night at Adelaide’s Halifax Café last month, is designed to foster the development of Christian songwriters. Six people performed mostly original songs before a crowd of about 35 at the first event.

‘The aim is to promote Christian songwriting, especially among the young’, said Pastor Geoff Johnston, who is a member of the LCA’s Department of Music and Song, which was given the task of getting the project off the ground by its parent body, the Commission on Worship.

‘We wanted there to be a forum for young writers to share their original music. We hope to record a selection of songs for publication. Having said that, we would like people to still feel free to perform their songs even if they don’t want them published, it’s still a way for people to share their gift and to gain that confidence.’

Pastor Geoff, from Holy Trinity Hampstead in Adelaide’s north-east, is on the steering group with Pastor Dale Gosden, school pastor at Endeavour College, Mawson Lakes, and Alex Schmocker, a lay assistant at the college.

The next New Song Café will be held on Saturday 6 August, again at Halifax Café from 7.00–10.00 pm. While the focus is on supporting the talent of young contributors, songwriters of any age are welcome.

To register, email Pastor Geoff at hampluth@chariot.net.au or phone 0488 179 353.