Sunday 27 August 2017 was a very happy day for Hermannsburg, visitors and family who gathered to witness the ordination of Ingkaarta Neville Doecke.

The 6 August 2017 marked the world premiere of a new film about the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir entitled The Song Keepers.

People at Engawala felt the calm presence of the Holy Spirit over the community knowing that the Finke River Mission bush camp was close by.

A 90-minute independent documentary entitled ‘The Song Keepers’ will premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival in early August 2017. 

On 25 June 2017 ladies from six different communities got together for the 2017 Finke River Mission Women’s Bible Study Camp at Ti Tree, 200 km north of Alice Springs.

Ivan Christian first arrived at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) in 1977 to teach in the Finke River Mission (FRM) outstation schools.

Palm Sunday 2017 saw eight men and women confirmed and one baptised at Titjikala Lutheran church, 120km South of Alice Springs.

Ladies from the Alice Springs and Hermannsburg Lutheran churches shared their history and knowledge with Yirara College staff during professional development sessions earlier this year.

In 2016 Jimmy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Still serving as a faithful Pastor until he was hospitalised, he died at Pmara Jutunta (6 mile) on 30 November 2016.

On Sunday 12 February, 20 young men and women were confirmed at ‘Martin Luther’ Lutheran church Amunturrngu (Mt Liebig), 300km west of Alice Springs.