A service to mark the Conclusion of Placement of Rev Gay Loftus was held in the Smithton Uniting Church, Tasmania on Sunday April 12. The service was attended by approximately 40 people, mainly from Smithton.

Gay served for eight years in the West Coast Patrol/Circular Heads Ministry making many connections with the communities of Smithton and Queenstown.

Gay’s ministry will be missed as she has quietly but faithfully helped people from the western part of Tasmania to see the presence of God in their lives.

During the afternoon tea following the service, the local people expressed their deep appreciation for the ministry that Gay had exercised in their midst over the past eight years.

Retired Patrol Minister, Rev Meg Evans came across from Victoria to share with the local people in Gay’s concluding service.

The service was also attended by Rev Carol Bennett, the Synod Liaison Minister (Tasmania), who is based in Launceston.

On Saturday 11th April, Gay attended the local quilting group of which she has been an active member. The group gave her 40 squares for a patchwork quilt. Each square had been made by a member of the group and had a personal message and image for Gay.

Pictured, left to right: Mr David Reeve, Rev Douglas Jones, Rev Gay Loftus.