Immanuel Ropeley Lutheran Ladies Guild Turns 75

Members of Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Guild Ropeley celebrated 75 years of faithful service to their Lord and their church on Sunday 22^nd May 2022. A special church service was held with Pastor Jing Luan officiating. A processional with the crucifier holder, Shae Burchmann, Pastor Jing and the present Ladies Guild members entered the church. Pastor Jing in his sermon on the day spoke about God doing good things every day and today was the celebration of the 75 years of Ladies Guild Immanuel Ropeley.

Members of the local churches, from Ropeley, Laidley, Lockrose, Gatton and invited guests including Mrs. Shirley Horrigan President of Lutheran Women of Queensland attended the service. Shirley Horrigan congratulated the Guild on their achievement and celebration.

After the service, an excellent hot meal was served courtesy of the Ropeley Ladies Guild. The hall decorated with memorabilia photos, white table clothes and red serviettes where much reminiscing went around the tables and Shirley Reimann had us in fits of laughter with her jokes.

The very first meeting of the Guild was formed on the 25^{th of} May 1947 with twenty-one ladies meeting (and as was custom back then all dressed in hats and gloves). At the second meeting forty financial members attended. Fees then were one shilling (today the fees are WMZ $2.00, LWA $5.00. LWA Magazine $14.00, LWQ $4.00, LWQ Newsletter LWQ $4.00)

Secretary of the present Immanuel Ropeley Ladies Guild Mrs. Shirley Reimann’s mother was a foundation member. Shirley today is a strong advocate for the small guild of six current members. Shirley made the statement “I wonder if all those lovely, devoted ladies who were foundation members of our guild even thought that 75 years on, some of their descendants would be celebrating this milestone anniversary.

The Ladies work extremely hard for their small congregation, catering for many funerals, catering for Faith Lutheran College Plainland senior classes, doing up Good Sarmatian shoe boxes for Christmas for those countries less fortunate than ours. The ladies also support the aims of Lutheran Women of Australia and Lutheran Women of Queensland.

Ladies of Ropeley, we applaud you for you dedication and diligence in serving your Lord and your church over many years, congratulations. We look forward to the 100^th anniversary of Immanuel Ropeley Lutheran Church in February 2023.

As president of West Moreton Zone, I commend you on your dedication over the years and a big congratulations for all the work you have done and continue to do. Your faithful meeting around God’s word each month shines your light in the Ropeley district. May God hold you all in the palm of His Hands.

Shirley Klinge

President West Moreton Zone.