What does the future hold for Christian witness to miners in Beaconsfield post the disaster and a miraculous rescue?
That's the questions the Rev Chris Thiele and other members of the West Tamar Anglican Church in town are asking after the amazing survival of miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell and the death of their colleague Larry Knight.
"I haven't preached to them," says Mr Thiele, "but I've earned the right and they're now asking me questions".
In an interview with Anglican Media, Mr Thiele tells how he spent almost every day by the side of the Webb, Russell and Knight families following the accident on Anzac Day.
He was with the families when the two miners were released and led the funeral for their fallen workmate at St John's, Launceston (of which the rector is former Sydney Anglican Ross Nicholson).
Mr Thiele says during the crisis he decided to do what he could to help the families, union members and mine staff.
"My policy was to go to see people rather than waiting for them to come and see me" I didn't spend my time sitting in the church," he says.
"I had the privilege of going to the mine with the Webb and Russell families,.”
The Anglican minister says the moment when Todd and Brant came out of the mine shaft was electric.
"Film and photos will never capture the emotion," he says.
After the moving experience of seeing the families reunited, Mr Thiele had to put his mind to run the funeral of Larry Knight.
"I was praying that they weren't set free at ten to one because people wouldn't know whether to celebrate or grieve."
Mayor says ministry will continue
Another committed Christian involved in the rescue was Barry Easther, the Mayor of West Tamar, who became a familiar face on television over the two weeks.
Councillor Easther, who is an active Anglican layman in the West Tamar parish, says when Mr Knight was found dead his hope for finding Todd and Brant alive faded very quickly.
"It was not until I witnessed an old miner being interviewed on TV that I had a reality check," he says.
"His words were " "never give up hope'."
"From that point on I prayed for a miracle," he says.
Councillor Easther said during the 14 days all of the local churches were open and many people came along.
On one occasion 40 members of one family turned up to the Anglican church at midnight to pray.
"Only God knows how many hearts have been opened to his love during this time," says Mr Easther.
Mr Easther says the local churches' role in the recovery process will be very important.
"Jesus' commandments "to love our neighbour as ourselves' and "to love one another as I have loved you' have been very visible in Beaconsfield during this time of crisis and we must ensure that the ministry commenced is continued. I am confident this will bear fruit," he says.
Mr Thiele agrees the church will have a major say in what happens next.
"I've been asked to join several of the committees," he says.
"Quite a few of the family members have booked me up to speak to them about spiritual matters" they're saying things like "I'm coming back to church'".
He says his challenge now is to how to interact with the working-class miners.
"We might have to make church look different for miners. We want to present the gospel in a clear and relevant way" it might mean a home church."
"For some people it'll wear off" but for others it'll be real," he says.
"We've got to pray there's opportunity to present the gospel in a real way to the working class, something the church hasn't been good at in the past."
By Kym Fuhrmann
