United in Hope, at Coen

United in Hope, at Coen

What do you do when you are facing the most destructive cyclone in 100 years?  That was the question when TC Narelle barrelled towards the top of Queensland with Coen in its sights. For faith leader Carol the answer was simple: pray! She immediately gave people, regardless of their denominational affiliation, the opportunity to join her in prayer. In a town the size of Coen, the gathering was small…but God’s response was mighty…

Seven hours up State Route 81 from bustling Cairns, you will find the small and remote town of Coen. With around 300 people calling it home, a regular pastoral ministry is just one facet of its current needs. The message heard from Coen is that they want spiritual care, but also have a need for other forms of support not available anywhere else in their town.

A Lutheran presence

The Lutheran Church presence began in Coen in the 1960s, when Rev George Rosendale established that connection. It was strengthened by the opening of Peace Lutheran College in 1994; several students from Coen have attended over the years and consider themselves Lutheran, since their education in the Lutheran tradition. In short, Coen is a town where people have expressed a wish to be Lutheran, and where they now consider being Lutheran a part of their heritage.

Rev David Spanagel provides a locum service that covers hundreds of kilometres, from Cairns to Wujal Wujal, Hope Vale, and Coen too. By necessity therefore, pastoral visits to Coen are irregular, although regular phone contact remains. ‘Generally, these expenses are covered through the sale of pre-loved goods not available anywhere else,’ Pastor David explains. ‘But it’s a service that complements the ministry we are doing here in Far North Queensland.’ And it’s a service that’s needed – just recently, the town celebrated the baptisms of twins, a joyful occasion with a cross-section of 49 town and congregation members in attendance.

The challenge of remote serving

Ministry support for remote communities is a problem that presents a challenge, both now and in the future for the Church. How much value do we place on a soul? Do we continue to travel seven hours from Cairns for baptisms/funerals? It’s fair to say more hands are needed, not just in Coen but across the region and indeed the country.

‘We understand that this unique style of ministry is not within everyone’s calling or skill-set, and this narrows down the number of people available to fill this role – whether ordained pastor or lay person,’ Pastor David says.

In the meantime, there’s prayer… prayer for a community’s needs, prayer in the face of a mighty storm – it’s a Christian’s natural response to another person’s need, whether that person believes in the power of prayer or not. Spiritual leaders like Carol know that prayer is a labour of love, a tremendous responsibility and an honour; it’s an honour to be asked to pray, and it’s honouring to God. Prayer works, and it is a witness the town of Coen has experienced at a time of greatest need.

Thank you LCANZ, for the power of your prayers!

Image: Coen recently celebrated the baptisms of twins, a joyful occasion with a cross-section of 49 town and congregation members in attendance.

If God sparks an interest to serve the communities of Far North Queensland deep within you, please contact Rev David Schmidt, Assistant Bishop for Mission, on 07 3511 4000.

For the month of March, LLL Australia will be matching United in Hope donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to a value of $10000.  To find out more, or to give, go to https://qld.lca.org.au/news-events/united-in-hope/