Walkerville Uniting Church celebrated its 170th anniversary with a thanksgiving service on June 26th, commemorating the formation of the first congregation of Wesleyan Methodists in a settler’s cottage in 1841. Guest preacher at the celebration was Dr. Lynn Arnold AO, the CEO of Anglicare in South Australia and former State Premier.  The service included the culmination of the 2011 planned giving programme, and a cake cutting by the oldest and youngest members of the congregation.

Rev. Geoff Ellery said that the planned giving 2011 theme of “Stepping Up and Stepping Out” had been appropriate for Walkerville in its mission at this time, and had combined well with the celebration of 170 years as a worshipping community. The church was decorated with ladders and shoes to highlight the theme and a celebratory lunch marked the occasion. After the lunch Dr. Arnold spoke of the Christian response to need, and outlined some of Anglicare’s community programmes. He noted with gratitude the level of co-operation that exists between his organisation and the welfare agencies of the Uniting Church.