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Religious Diversity in Australia’s Outback: A Glimpse into Church Life in Yuendumu
Explore the religious tapestry of Australia’s Outback with a fascinating look into the church life of Yuendumu, showcasing the vibrant religious diversity found in this remote community.
A Glimpse into Religious Life in Australia’s Outback
Credit: Matthew Abbott for The New York Times
The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to receive it via email. This week’s feature is contributed by Julia Bergin, a journalist based in the Northern Territory.
The serene setting of the Baptist Church in the outback town of Yuendumu provided the backdrop for a recent Sunday service. Amidst the arid landscape, twenty parishioners, comprising eight men and twelve women, gathered outdoors in plastic chairs, leafing through a 64-page song booklet to choose the next hymn.
“Number 34!” suggested one worshiper, sparking a flurry of page-turning and good-natured banter. With no formal choir, the congregation raised their voices in unison, accompanied by the gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar.
Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located approximately three hours north of Alice Springs, is home to two churches: the long-standing Baptists, who settled in 1947 following the establishment of Yuendumu as a government ration and welfare settlement, and the newer United Pentecostal Church.
This community reflects the diversity of Christian denominations in Central Australia, with Catholics, Lutherans, and Mormons also present. Each group brings its unique approach to practicing their faith in these isolated Indigenous settings.
For some, music takes center stage, while others focus on translating scriptures into Indigenous languages or commissioning local artists to depict biblical stories in a culturally relevant manner. Overall, churches in these remote areas are characterized by their informal, laid-back atmosphere and do-it-yourself ethos.
At the Yuendumu Baptist Church, the congregation is led by Pastor Eddie Jampijinpa Robertson, an elder from the local Warlpiri tribe. As songs were sung and prayers recited, Pastor Robertson maintained the rhythm, tapping his foot and knee in time with the music. Parishioners of all ages took part in readings and prayers, seamlessly transitioning between English and Warlpiri.