Hobart celebrates with black and gold

On 1 June approximately 80 members and friends of Peter’s Lutheran Church Hobart gathered to celebrate 70 years of worship in Hobart.

The evening was held in the St Peter’s Centre at Eastside Lutheran College. The theme for the evening was black and gold. These colours were chosen deliberately – the black to represent the war and the darkness caused by war that saw many of our original members move to Australia to start a new life. The gold was to symbolise the light of Christ that has shone through our 70-year faith journey.

Some of the events of note that were celebrated were the graduation of seven former members as pastors, and the establishment of Eastside Lutheran College in 1982. For a small congregation literally at the end of the world, we have much to celebrate.

The evening comprised of a short welcoming speech outlining our history, a three-course meal, and a poem written by one of our members highlighting various events in our congregations life. The meal was provided by various members of the Church Council who were involved in the cooking of main and desert, in conjunction with the Eastside Lutheran College Hub who prepared the soup that was served for the meal.

We welcomed back various former members who had travelled to attend the event, from the mainland and overseas. The entertainment for the evening consisted of a photo montage covering some highlights of our 70-year history accompanied by music that took us on a tour through popular music over the 70 years.

Some of the events of note that were celebrated were the graduation of seven former members as pastors, and the establishment of Eastside Lutheran College in 1982. For a small congregation literally at the end of the world, we have much to celebrate.

The highlight of the evening was a gift that the College had prepared, which was presented to the congregation. The gift was a cross made of decorated popsicle sticks, where each student of the College had been involved in decorating at least one stick. The congregation was thrilled to receive such a thoughtful present and will be hanging it somewhere prominent in the worship centre.

A beautifully decorated cake was made my one of our members and cut on the Sunday worship service and distributed among our members. We have much to be grateful for and praise God for the 70 years to date and look forward to the future.

Kim Baumeler is the congregation chair of St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hobart.

• More about St Peter’s Lutheran Church, Hobart
• More about Eastside Lutheran College, Hobart