Ember Night shines bright

The first Ember Night lit up North Hobart’s Shambles Brewery, with 50 young adults gathering to build a faith community over boutique beers and shared conversation.

Ember Nights, an initiative of the Office of Youth Evangelisation, aims to bring people together once each season to share a meal and foster friendships.

Acting Director of the Office of Youth Evangelisation Sam Clear said the first event on 28 July was a great success, with a presentation from Youth Case Worker Matt Galea particularly well-received.

“Matt has worked for the past 12 years with BaptCare, specifically working with homeless or at-risk teenagers,” he said.
“His work is orientated towards long-term goals by persevering alongside them for what is often many years, and drawing them into a greater understanding of their inherent dignity, whilst attending to their everyday physical needs.”
Mr Clear said key messages of the presentation included the importance of family, and of celebrating the small successes with each other.

“People were lining up afterwards just to chat to Matt,” he said.

“He spoke at such a personal level that there was something for everyone, whether it be a challenge in their professional work, or an acknowledgment of a need to help or be helped at a personal level.”

Mr Clear said it was, overall, a relaxed and enjoyable evening, with live music from Xavier Direen, delicious food and even a spot of table tennis.

“It was simply a hive of activity,” he said.

“It’s so important to build community and faith-based friendships.”

Mr Clear said Ember Night raised $370 for the St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal. He also sent special thanks to the Lovers of the Holy Cross.

“The sisters drove down from New Norfolk to help greet, welcome and sign people in,” he explained.

“Walking through the pub at the front out into the brewery they joked that it was the first time they’d been in a pub!”

The next Ember Night is on Wednesday 13 October, at Shambles Brewery, North Hobart.

Photo: Guest speaker Matt Galea (left) with Acting Director of the Office of Youth Evangelisation Sam Clear, at the inaugural Ember Night in Hobart. Photo: Ella Tobin.