Pastor Phil Joppich installed as first pastor of Living Vine Lutheran Church
Last Sunday, around 300 Lutherans attended the installation of Pastor Phil Joppich as pastor of the newly formed Living Vine Lutheran Church in the Barossa Valley. Pastor Phil was installed by SA-NT District Bishop Andrew Brook, with active and retired pastors also sharing in the service.
As part of the installation rite, members of the congregation presented Pastor Phil with items representing different aspects of his ministry, including a Bible, liturgy book, baptismal vessels, communion vessels and a Book of Altar Prayers. He was also presented with a golf club, as a reminder to make space for some time out and perhaps improve his game along the way!
Pastor Phil’s wife, Jenny, was presented with a beautiful vase of flowers as the congregation welcomed the couple to their new chapter in the Barossa.
The new church is the result of an amalgamation of six churches, which include Bethany, Lyndoch, Gomersal and the three Lutheran churches in Tanunda – Grace, Tabor and Langmeil. The churches have come together to better utilise resources and to provide a more focused approach to their role in the Barossa community.
Pastor Phil will be well known for his time as school pastor at Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda, where he provided support for staff and students from 2004–2016.
During the welcome, Pastor Phil shared how good it was for his wife, Jenny, and him to be able to return to the Barossa, where his mother and other family members continue to reside. He also said he looks forward to meeting up with friends from those years at Faith Lutheran College.
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