More than 80 people were present for the induction service of Reverend Barry Luke to the Western Eyre Uniting Parish.
People from many parts of Eyre Peninsula were warmly welcomed – on a 38 degree Celsius day – to the service on Sunday, February 2.
Amy Maddern opened the service with a prayer and accompanied the multi-talented Yeelanna band, which performed beautifully with their musical instruments and blending voices.
Rev Nathan Whillas, representing the Uniting Church in South Australia, Generate Presbytery, officiated in the formalities of the service.
Pastor Gary Ferguson from Kimba spoke about one of his lifetime experiences titled “Behind the Curtain”.
Rev Luke invited his wife, Avril, to join him, while Pastor Karl (Lutheran Church), Father John (Catholic Church), Peter Hall (Anglican Church) and Peter Hawke (Port Lincoln Baptist Church) welcomed Barry and Avril to the Cummins community.
Malcolm Hancock, in the absence of chairperson Peter Glover, welcomed the Lukes to the Lock, Yeelanna, and Cummins New Beginnings Congregations.
Barry responded, giving thanks for the friendship and warmth he and his wife had received.
Rev Whillas concluded the formal part of the service and then offered a blessing over the food that had been prepared.
Many stayed and enjoyed renewing friendship and enjoying the delicious food.
