REV Peter Taubner has retired after dedicating more than 40 years of service to the Uniting Church community.

In reflecting on his life and career, Rev Taubner said his schooling took place in the western suburbs of Brisbane. After graduating he went on to complete a Church-based Youth Education Assistance Course at University.

He was confirmed into the Uniting Church in 1977 and in the same year became involved in the Toowong Methodist Circuit, where he was a Sunday school student, a Sunday school teacher, and then he became a Youth Group member and leader.

“In order to prepare for this, I participated in a year of voluntary service under the Order of St Stephen with the Uniting Church Australian Department of Christian Education,” he said.

“The course was an apprenticeship style process with weekly study at Alcorn College in Brisbane and a part-time work component.

“After graduating, I was appointed to the Ipswich Central Parish Mission as a Youth Worker. “

He went on to work in many places throughout the South East corner. He was the first supply youth worker to complete studies in Maryborough.

“After having worked as a youth worker in the Uniting Church for over 20 years, I became a candidate as a Minister of the Word, from the congregation of Beenleigh,” Rev Taubner said.

“Then after a little over three years of further study at Trinity Theological College in Brisbane, and after completing supply ministry and field work in the congregations of Kalbar and Peak Crossing, I was ordained as a Minister of the Word in July 2007.”

Over the years he has been involved in baptisms, weddings, school chaplaincy, and he has also supported the elderly and the sick through challenging times.

“In 2016, I relocated my services to Rosewood, a town which I was fond of for its friendly community and country feel,” he said.

“Working with the church parishes, the community and its people it has been an enjoyable time and I have got to know many families in the area.

“Within the Rosewood area, I have also worked at Walloon and Haigslea, also lovely places that have been a pleasure to be a part of.”

Outside of his passion for the Uniting Church parish, Rev Taubner has two daughters Hayley and Candice, and just recently welcomed his first grandchild, Otis.

In addition to his love for family, in 2018 Peter married Jeanette Gillam and the couple spent two months away on a honeymoon in Europe.

“I was blessed to have met and married Jeanette,” he said.

“She and my family have been a continuing positive thread in my life, particularly as I have been recovering from cancer.

“At this point, we have both decided to retire and seek wider and more relaxing goals and objectives, perhaps some joint supply opportunities may come our way.”