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Connecting over a coffee, sharing conversations, and building relationships with families are important in any ministry. Gawler Lutheran Church, South Australia, has taken that one step further with the establishment of its Pop-Up Coffee Cart, aiming to better connect with Zion Pre-School and Immanuel Lutheran School community members.
Zion is located on one of Gawler Lutheran Church’s sites, while Immanuel is in the centre of town. Thanks to a $12,000 Mission Outreach Grant, awarded in 2021, LLL is bringing them closer together.
Planting a mobile church at the Immanuel site, or a Coffee Cart with a side of ministry also meets the church’s strategic intent to connect with families and to provide regular worship opportunities within the school community.
Like many activities, COVID-19 presented some challenges, including limiting who could be on the school’s site. That meant neither parents nor church representatives could be on-site or set up the Coffee Cart, with the regular weekly school Worship and Praise restricted to students and staff.
Despite many school events being cancelled and limiting outreach opportunities, Gawler Lutheran Church still held regular Sunday services at the school and congregation members and visitors enjoyed the coffee experience.
With the worst of COVID-19 behind us, restrictions have relaxed and opportunities to progress, operate and connect with the community are back on track.
The church is expecting to add some artwork to the Coffee Cart to make it stand out in the crowd, and a team of church volunteers is ready to engage with the school community.
Images: Gawler Lutheran Church Pop-Up Coffee Cart
