The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to receive it via email. This week’s issue is penned by Julia Bergin, a dedicated reporter based in the Northern Territory.
In the heart of the Australian outback lies Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. This tiny settlement, with a population of around 750 residents, boasts two churches – the historic Baptist Church and the more recent United Pentecostal Church.
On a typical Sunday, the Baptist Church comes alive with worship. Picture this: under the scorching sun, 20 parishioners, a mix of men and women, gather outside the brick building, seated on plastic chairs. With a 64-page hymn booklet in hand, they engage in a delightful game of “guess the hymn number.” Laughter fills the air as they search for the right page, displaying a sense of camaraderie and simplicity that is a hallmark of outback life.
Leading the service is Pastor Eddie Jampijinpa Robertson, an esteemed elder from the local Warlpiri tribe. As the congregation sings, accompanied by the strumming of an acoustic guitar, Pastor Robertson maintains the rhythm, tapping his heel and knee in time with the music.
Christianity in Central Australia is a diverse tapestry, with various denominations like Catholics, Lutherans, and Mormons coexisting. In these remote Indigenous settings, each church community infuses its own unique cultural elements into their practices. Some emphasize music, others focus on translating scriptures into Indigenous languages, while a few engage local artists to depict Bible stories through their eyes.
What sets these outback churches apart is their unstructured, relaxed, and do-it-yourself approach to worship. Parishioners take turns leading prayers and readings in both English and Warlpiri, creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
| Key Points: |
|---|
| Remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu |
| Diverse Christian denominations in Central Australia |
| Unique blend of Indigenous culture and Christian practices |
| Relaxed and inclusive worship atmosphere |
