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What was once a humble kitchen at St John's Lutheran Church in Emerald, Queensland, has been transformed into a highly functional, multi-purpose space that greatly enhances the missional activities of the Church and the Emerald Lutheran Ladies Fellowship.
The Fellowship's guidance motto, taken from Galatians 5:13, is 'Serve One Another in Love'.
The dedicated ladies of Emerald now have a wonderful user-friendly facility to do just that.
St John's successfully applied for a $12,500 LLL Mission Outreach Grant in 2022, with a quote from a local builder signed off in August that year and work by local volunteers to gut and prepare the area commencing shortly after.
With the builder's task completed, volunteers again stepped in to apply the finishing touches to the project, which was completed in time for the much-anticipated Central Queensland Women's Zone Rally/Retreat in March this year.
The much-loved, if a little cluttered and worn, area to the rear of the little church on Retro Street is now a versatile, fully-refurbished space, featuring floor-to-ceiling storage, ample bench and desk space, wood-finish flooring and modern appliances, including oven, microwave, fridge and boiling water tap.
It's an important development for the church that serves Emerald, 271km inland from Rockhampton, and the surrounding Central Highlands region, with some members traveling for over an hour to worship.
The church now has an inviting, light-filled, safe space that facilitates improved internal fellowship, Sunday School, pastoral care, administration/meetings and catering for after-church gatherings, high teas and many other fundraisers and events that help bring the local community together.
The new space, while small in size, is mighty in significance, with the morale of the St John's congregation uplifted by the transformation, and its members filled with a sense of pride and renewed future.
Photo: The new and modern kitchen is ready to serve.
