The Lutheran August-September 2025 Digital Edition

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

EDITORIAL

Editor Lisa McIntosh

p 08 8267 7300

m 0409 281 703

e lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au

Executive Editor Linda Macqueen

p 08 8267 7300

e linda.macqueen@lca.org.au

CONNECT WITH US

We Love The Lutheran! lutheranaunz lutheranchurchaus

SUBSCRIBE

www.thelutheran.com.au 08 8267 7300

lutheran.subs@lca.org.au

LCA Subscriptions

PO Box 731 North Adelaide SA 5006

6 editions per year

(Feb-Mar, Apr-May, Jun-Jul, Aug-Sep, Oct-Nov, Dec-Jan)

Print or print & digital

Australia $39 | New Zealand $41 Asia/Pacific $49 | Rest of the world $57

Digital only $26

DESIGN & PRINT

Design & Layout Elysia McEwen

Printer Openbook Howden

The Lutheran is produced on the traditional lands of the Kaurna and Dharug peoples.

ADVERTISING/ MANUSCRIPTS

Should be directed to the editor. Manuscripts are published at the discretion of the editor. Those that are published may be edited.

Copy deadline: 1st of preceding month

Rates: general notices and small advertisements, $22 per cm; for display, contract and inserted advertisements, contact the editor.

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

The Lutheran informs the members of the LCANZ about the church’s teaching, life, mission and people, helping them to grow in faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. The Lutheran also provides a forum for a range of opinions, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or the policies of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.

A welcoming table

Dr Brian Neldner and his wife, Eeva-Liisa picked up a couple of good reads – the latest edition of The Lutheran and Brian’s newly published memoirs, Table of Eight –while relaxing at a welcoming afternoon tea table at home recently.

Brian’s story includes his 40 years of service in support of refugee people, a career journey which started in 1955 at Bonegilla in Victoria, where ALWS began, and where Eeva-Liisa also worked, and the couple met. Now in his 90s, Brian also served with the Lutheran World Federation’s World Service arm overseas until his retirement in 1995.

Learn more about Brian’s ALWS legacy on pages 9–11 and 12.

Send us a photograph featuring a recent copy of The Lutheran and it may appear on page 2 of a future issue and on our website at www.thelutheran.com.au

People like YOU bring love to life

As this edition gives thanks for 75 years of service through ALWS, we are featuring three people who volunteer for the LCA’s overseas aid agency in this column.

Dalise Scholz

St Luke's Lutheran Church, Albury, NSW

Long-term ALWS volunteer

Most treasured Bible text: Psalm 23:1

‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’

Greg Spann

Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, Qld Volunteer ALWS ambassador and long-term supporter

Most treasured Bible text: Proverbs 3:5,6

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’

Joanne Wegener

Wyndham Hobsons Bay Lutheran Church, Vic (St Philips, Tarneit) Volunteer ALWS ambassador through Good News Lutheran College, Tarneit, Vic

Most treasured Bible text: Psalm 121:1-2

‘I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’

Let the light of someone you know shine through their photo being featured in The Lutheran and LCA Facebook. With their permission, send us a good quality photo, their name and details (congregation, occupation and most treasured text) and your contact details.

Am I allowed to say that when I found out Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) was setting a 75th birthday goal of supporting 75,000 children impacted by war and poverty in 2025 alone, I thought they had gone a little batty?

Surely, expecting our not-overly-large Lutheran family in Australia and New Zealand and friends to help raise more than $1.875 million during a cost-of-living crisis can’t be sensible.

But, as much as I wanted to say ‘tell ‘em they’re dreaming’, I didn’t. I bit my tongue and, along with many others, I’m sure, I prayed that we could and would bring love to life for far-away neighbours we’re never likely to meet, who, due to conflicts and catastrophes, face some of the toughest conditions on Earth.

Many children in places such as Ethiopia and Ukraine, Nepal and Myanmar don’t have access to enough food, an education or a safe environment. But, with just $25 – less than five café coffees these days – we can help provide one child with these essentials for a happy, healthy life. And I thank God that’s exactly what many of you are doing, through ALWS.

But what about the target of supporting 75,000 children in just 12 months? Well, read on and you’ll find out how that’s progressing …

Suffice it to say that the moral of this story is: Don’t let doubt get in the way of allowing God to do extraordinary things through and among us. As we read in Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’

Thanks to ALWS Platinum Partner LLL, this special edition of The Lutheran is going out to all ALWS supporters, as well as our regular subscribers. Welcome to you all and especially to any first-time readers. I pray that you will be blessed by what you encounter in these pages, as together we learn about ALWS history, hear from the agency’s supporters and partners, and read about the huge impact your kindness and generosity are having as we celebrate God’s gift of 75 years of ALWS.

As well as our popular regular columns, we also feature news and resources from around the church, and views from our Lutheran community.

So, if you’re not already a member of our subscriber family, why not join us today? Go to www.thelutheran.com.au/subscribe or get in touch via the email address or phone number on page 2 and we’ll set up your subscription.

Every blessing,

‘Daddy, when is “the Lutheran” coming?’

‘Thank you for 75 years of service’

Serving with open hearts and open arms

Always room at the table

Miracles and memories

Sponsoring steps and soap to success

Learning to make a difference

Touching lives, one song at a time

we bear your

Bishop Paul’s letter

Because we bear your name

When we speak of our Lutheran Confessions, we are referring to the writings of the Reformation era that are in the Book of Concord. These writings include the Augsburg Confession, Luther’s catechisms, the Formula of Concord and others.

Many people don’t realise that the collection of the Lutheran Confessions, published in the Book of Concord of 1580, actually begins with the Three Chief Symbols or Creeds of the Christian Faith Commonly Used in the Church. These are the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed.

That makes 2025 an especially significant year for Lutheran churches around the world, as Christians of all denominations commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. In the year 325, between 200 and 300 bishops representing the communities of the early Christian church gathered in what is now western Türkiye to establish clear teaching on the meaning of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

BISHOP PAUL’S LETTER

REV PAUL SMITH Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand

he could take upon himself the sin of the world. Only the Holy One of Israel could take away all sin. If he were less than fully God, then maybe we would have to add to the work of his cross to gain salvation. But as true God, he exchanges his righteousness for our sin that we would have peace with God. In our baptism, we die with Christ and are raised to new life as the beneficiaries of this ‘happy exchange’.

In the years after the Council of Nicaea, Christian churches began to include the festival of the nativity in the Christian calendar, paving the way for our modern Christmas. This was the festival of the ‘incarnation’ and Mary, the mother of our Lord, began to formally receive the title ‘Theotokos’, which translates as ‘the one who bears God’.

WITH THE NICENE CREED … THE EARLY CHURCH WAS BEARING WITNESS TO THE GOSPEL OF ALL THAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US IN HIS LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION FOR OUR SALVATION.

From the Council of Nicaea to the following Council of Constantinople in the year 381, the formula we know today as the Nicene Creed was eventually finalised and then adopted as the church’s statement of our faith in the Triune God. In 1580, the Nicene Creed was formally included among the Lutheran Confessional writings, and we use this ancient creed Sunday by Sunday as the regular confession of faith during the liturgy of holy communion.

The core matter at Nicaea in 325 was the incarnation. The council determined orthodox Christian teaching declared Jesus Christ was truly God in flesh, as written in John 1:14, ‘And the word became flesh and dwelt amongst us full of grace and truth.’ The council also rejected the teaching of Arius of Libya, who declared Jesus was only a created being.

The Council of Nicaea was making a vital distinction for salvation. Because Jesus Christ was true God on the cross,

With the Nicene Creed and these other traditions, the early church was bearing witness to the gospel of all that the Lord has done for us in his life, death and resurrection for our salvation. The work of the cross was a completed work over which the Lord himself declared, ‘It is finished!’

In Dr Martin Luther’s beautiful Christmas song ‘Vom Himmel Hoch’ (from Heaven Above LHS 23), he teaches us to pray this theology of the incarnation that is at the heart of the Nicene Creed:

Welcome to earth, Thou noble guest, Through whom the sinful world is blest! Thou com’st to share my misery; What thanks shall I return to Thee?

In Christ,

Ah dearest Jesus, holy child Make Thee a bed soft undefiled, Within my heart that it may be A quiet chamber kept for Thee.’

BY JONATHAN KRAUSE

To thank God for 75 years of service, our Lutheran Church’s aid agency, ALWS, set out to support 75,000 children with school, food and safety through 2025. You’ll be amazed at what happened next …

The ALWS team was still a long way away when Taju saw us.

He ran down the muddy cow-patted track, waving his arms, smiling and shouting. We felt like we were the Prodigal Son, and Taju was the dad welcoming us home. (Except there was no fatted calf for feasting, only a goat - but it was far too precious for its milk and kids and manure fertiliser to be sacrificed for a stew!)

Taju’s home in Golocha Jara in Ethiopia is a long way from where you’re sitting right now, reading this special ALWS 75th anniversary edition of The Lutheran. Yet Taju and his children’s story shows the blessing God provides when we work together to bring love to life, especially to those forgotten by the world.

Taju arrived in this village seven years ago, after drought destroyed his farm. ‘We only had half a hectare of land,’ he explains. ‘The soil was all gone away, and only stones remain.

We felt so sad when we had to leave. We had to leave all of our family behind, and now we have to try to fit into the new community here.’ The changing climate has brought extremes of weather to Ethiopia.

Drought after drought. Broken by downpours so brutal that any topsoil not blown away is washed away. This means subsistence farmers like Taju can’t feed their families.

‘I know for children it is good to have more meals per day, but as yet we cannot afford this,’ he says.

Ethiopia is one of the 20 least-developed countries in the world, suffering further right now not just from drought, but also from serious internal conflict that further threatens people’s livelihoods.

This is why our help from Australia, through ALWS and local Ethiopian partner LWF, to support children with food, school and safety, is so precious.

‘NOW, IT IS NOT ONLY ME, BUT MY CHILDREN ALSO KNOW ABOUT “THE LUTHERAN”. IF THEY NEED NEW CLOTHES, THEY SAY TO ME: “WHEN IS THE LUTHERAN COMING”?’

While Ethiopia is the world’s largest Lutheran country, with more than 11 million Lutherans in 4,000 congregations, our Australian ALWS action is directed to those who need help most – regardless of religion, race, politics, age or gender.

For the families in Taju’s community, support started with employing the local community members to undertake conservation projects.

The Ethiopian Government has set a maximum rate of pay of $2 a day. This seems nothing to us here in Australia, but in Ethiopia, there is a proverb: ‘If you earn more than a dollar a day, you are rich.’

Taju made the most of his opportunity. ‘I constructed dams and stone bunds,’ he says.

‘I earn 196 Birr ($2) for each cubic metre of dirt I dig. This takes one day.

‘I used the money I earned to buy chickens and goats. We have six chickens, and they produce 40 eggs per week that we sell in the market. Each egg sells for 13 Birr ($.07 AUD). I would like to have more chickens, but first, we need more support.

‘My nephew, who is four years old, became sick and had to be in the hospital for six months. We used our “Cash For Work” money to help pay for this.

6,250 CHILDREN

‘I want good things for my children, to receive a great position through education.

‘Now, it is not only me, but my children also know about “the Lutheran”. If they need new clothes, they say to me: “When is the Lutheran coming”?’

Taju’s story demonstrates how Lutheran support is helping provide children with food (eggs), school (Taju’s goal of education) and safety (his nephew’s hospital visit).

What’s really exciting is our Lutheran family's response to the step-of-faith goal of supporting 75,000 children, at an average $25 each, with this kind of love and care.

Students at Good Shepherd Lutheran School at Para Vista, South Australia, came up with the idea of creating the outline of a child, and each class aimed to fill in the outline with coins to show how the $25 they raised can help one child with school, food and safety.

Good Shepherd raised $691 – enough to support 28 children, the same as a typical class size in Australia! They went further and linked this activity to a school focus on ‘God’s Big Backyard’, incorporating it into worship, curriculum units and classroom activities across both the primary school and early learning centre.

‘For

I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’ … The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Meanwhile, 1,300 Walkers in ALWS Walk My Way in Adelaide, Melbourne, Bonegilla and Brisbane stepped out to support more than 5,000 children.

ALWS Platinum Partner, LLL, generously offered a $75,000 grant to match dollar-for-dollar donations from LLL facilityholders for the 75,000 children campaign. The result? Another 6,000 children supported.

In Nepal, an Australian Government 5:1 Matching Grant inspired ALWS supporters to donate enough to support more than 12,000 children with food, school and safety.

In fact, the year-long campaign target to support 75,000 children was achieved on Monday 16 June!

So, when Taju’s children ask: ‘When is the Lutheran coming?’ … the answer is: ‘Right now, when you need us!’ Just as it has been for the 75 years since ALWS began at Bonegilla Migrant Centre, welcoming people fleeing war-ravaged Europe.

We give thanks to God for each person who has committed time, money or prayer to our Lutheran Church’s ministry through ALWS over the past 75 years. We look with confidence to God’s blessing in the future, as together we are inspired to action by these words from Hebrews 13:3b: ‘Don’t forget those who are suffering, but imagine you are there with them.’

TARGET TO SUPPORT 75,000 CHILDREN WAS ACHIEVED ON MONDAY, 16 JUNE!

43,750 50,000 56,250 62,500 68,750 75,000 CHILDREN

ALWS PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS SHARE GRATITUDE

The history of Lutheran World Federation’s World Service and ALWS has been intertwined from the very beginning, responding to the needs of refugees and internally displaced people all across the world. We have grown together, improving our response capacities, helping the most vulnerable populations in all of the major humanitarian crises during the past 75 years. Australian Lutherans have opened their hearts to strangers within their midst as well as far away. Our staff join me in wishing you God’s blessings and continued fruitful work together.

Ms Maria Immonen, Director, Department for World Service, Lutheran World Federation

I have long admired the Australian Lutheran World Service. Its humble beginnings in the refugee camp near Albury to a global expression of the gospel is the remarkable story of its last 75 years. Love of one's neighbour that was local and resulted in giving and care has gone global. This is a miraculous story of the power of Christian faith and action to touch a multitude of lives.

Tim Costello AO, Director of Ethical Voice Pty Ltd; Executive Director of Micah Australia and Senior Fellow of Centre for Public Christianity

Happy diamond anniversary, ALWS! Thank you for 75 years of dedicated service to refugees, the internally displaced, the poor and the marginalised, and for sharing the gifts of your sons and daughters with LWF! My colleagues and I, and the people we serve in Ethiopia, wish ALWS another 75 years of success in advancing God’s mission on earth with love, compassion and service.

Sophie Gebreyes, Country Director, Ethiopia Program

Happy 75th anniversary, ALWS. CDRM&CDS is grateful to be a partner and witness the achievements of 75 years of ALWS. May God, in his infinite mercy, grant ALWS many more blessings in the years to come.

CDRM&CDS Indonesia

On behalf of the Australian Council for International Development, I extend warm congratulations to ALWS on its 75th anniversary. For decades, ALWS has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice, compassion and human dignity – putting faith into tangible expression for communities facing the challenges of poverty and injustice. The work supporting vulnerable communities has transformed lives across the globe. This milestone is a testament to the enduring vision and a very faithful group of supporters. We look forward to continued collaboration in the years ahead, building a fairer, more inclusive world.

Matthew Maury, CEO, Australian Council For International Development

I express my sincere gratitude for the unwavering support and partnership extended by ALWS to LWF’s Burundi Country Program. ALWS has played a pivotal role in improving the livelihoods and climate resilience of more than 4800 households (with an average of six people in a household in Burundi) across the poorest provinces in Burundi. Your contributions have been instrumental in the success of our programs, providing long-term support to those in need. Thanks to ALWS, we have been able to reach displaced persons returning to Burundi, offering them hope, a future and opportunities for rebuilding their lives. I am deeply moved by the tangible difference we have made together.

Martine Nibasumba, Country Director, Burundi Program

I am continually in awe of the extraordinary things that ALWS does in the cause of the gospel of our Lord. I join with Dr Brian Neldner, who expressed his hopes for this agency of world service in his memoirs A Table of Eight (see also page 12), may it ‘long endure as a “witness through service” of Christian faith and the Lutheran ethos’, to the glory of our gracious and compassionate God.

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith

A 75-year story of caring for the vulnerable

Our church’s legacy of care through Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) began at the end of World War II.

With Europe in ruins in the second half of the 1940s, millions of displaced people sought refuge and safety in new lands. Australia was one of the nations that opened its borders, seeking new workers to help our country prosper. Over the next 20 years, more than 300,000 people – many of them Lutheran – came to Australia seeking a new life.

After braving the sea voyage to Port Melbourne, weary families boarded a train for the rattly eight-hour journey to Bonegilla Migrant Centre, a converted army camp near Wodonga in northern Victoria.

Recognising the need, our Lutheran family reached out with open hearts and open arms to welcome the arriving refugees. Helping them find their feet. Listening to their worries and supporting them as they started new lives in Australia.

FROM

taken on the role full-time, becoming a vital presence in the lives of new arrivals.

In 1950, the newly formed Lutheran World Federation (LWF) established an Australian office with Pastor Muetzelfeldt appointed to the position of Australian representative. This new office was known locally as ‘Lutheran World Service –Australia’ (LWS-A).

POST-WAR

EUROPE TO CONFLICT ZONES

ACROSS THE GLOBE, AUSTRALIAN LUTHERANS HAVE WORKED THROUGH ALWS TO CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE FOR 75 YEARS.

At the heart of this effort was Pastor Bruno Muetzelfeldt, the Lutheran pastor in Albury, who was appointed chaplain at Bonegilla under an agreement between the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (UELCA) and the Australian immigration department. By 1948, he had

The first major wave of assistance focused on those fleeing Central Europe, brought to Australia under the Displaced Persons Program.

A second wave, primarily from Eastern Europe, faced funding challenges. In response, LWF created a travel loan scheme, allowing sponsors to bring out loved ones left behind. Families repaid the loans after resettling – a testament to their resilience and determination.

By 1955, LWS-A had supported the resettlement of 2,350 people. To meet growing demands, caseworker Brian Neldner joined the team.

The faithful and compassionate service of LWS-A struck a chord across Lutheran communities in Australia, eventually prompting the creation of a historic intersynodical immigration board that coordinated the service of the Evangelical Lutheran

Right: Helping refugee children to go to school has long been a goal our Lutheran family has supported through ALWS. This has included the 2019 GRACE (Give Refugees A Chance with Education) Project and this year’s ALWS 75th Anniversary pledge to provide school, food and safety for more than 75,000 children impacted by war and poverty.

ALWS TIMELINE

Pastor Muetzelfeldt begins visiting Lutheran migrants at Bonegilla Migrant Centre.

The Australian Representative’s Office of Lutheran World Service is formed (also known as LWS-A).

By this time, 2350 migrants have been helped

Brian Neldner heads up LWS-A and works to establish a loan fund for resettlement.

LCA is formed. New LWS-A head, Sidney Bartsch, encourages the LCA to move to support the global work of LWS.

First Christmas Action Appeal

LWS-A office moves to Albury.

LWS-A receives Australian government funds for the first time.

Resettlement support for refugees from Asia, after the Vietnam War

Cambodia country program commences

Official document signed on 10 July to form Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS)

On 1 January, ALWS becomes the aid and development agency of the LCA. Nepal and Mozambique country programs commence

ALWS becomes a founding member of ACT Alliance (emergency response).

Indonesia (following Boxing Day Tsunami), South Sudan and PNG country programs commence

Kenya country program commences

The first Gifts of Grace Burundi country program commences

Djibouti country program commences Mozambique country program closes

The first Walk My Way event is held. Myanmar country program commences

Somalia and Bangladesh country programs begin

The GRACE Project supports 40,000 refugee children to go to school.

Djibouti country program closes

$10 million in support achieved for the first time Ethiopia country program commences and the Cambodia country program closes

ALWS currently serves in 14 countries in development and emergency aid, thanks to our incredible supporters (see also page 13).

Church of Australia (ELCA) and the UELCA. LWS-A’s program included placing Lutheran pastors on the ships coming to Australia and then connecting migrants with a local Lutheran pastor when they were settled. This meant people had pastoral support from their homeland to Bonegilla, and then to their new home. What an amazing comfort our Lutheran family helped provide!

In 1960, Pastor Bruno’s commitment was recognised internationally when he accepted a senior position at LWF’s World Service (LWS) headquarters in Geneva. Two years later, Capitol University in Columbus, Ohio, awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

With Pastor Bruno’s departure, Brian Neldner stepped up as the Australian representative for LWS. He was joined by Pastor Norman Sander, who served as Bonegilla’s chaplain.

As refugee arrivals declined, LWS-A adapted. The organisation redirected resources from travel loans to a new revolving loan fund that offered low-interest loans for homes and small businesses – practical support for building a future.

In 1964, Brian (later Dr Neldner) was appointed to lead a new LWS program in Tanzania. His departure marked the arrival of Adelaide businessman Sid Bartsch, who would steer the organisation through its next evolution. The dedicated service of Dr Neldner to international humanitarian aid programs was later recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2007 Australia Day Honours.

In 1966, the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) was established, and LWS-A was designated its official channel for overseas aid. This decision reflected the changing focus of LWS-A from a resettlement agency to international aid and development. The closing of Bonegilla in 1971 mirrored this changing focus. LWS-A’s office moved to Albury, but its service continued to expand beyond Australian borders.

The 1970s saw deeper engagement in international aid. In 1974, the Australian Government’s Development Assistance Bureau (now DFAT) began funding LWS-A’s work, marking a new era of partnership and professionalisation. Yet even as global efforts grew, a new wave of refugees arrived, this time from Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Central America.

Below: The first ALWS Walk My Way was held in 2017. The charity walk-a-thon events – like this one at Victor Harbor SA – support children impacted by poverty and war.

Right: Gifts of Grace were introduced in 2008. Chilli farmer Rosina in Indonesia was one who received training and seeds through ALWS.

Backed by the Australian Government and in collaboration with AUSTCARE, LWS-A once again extended a hand of welcome. Over the next 40 years, more than 2,000 families were supported through a revolving fund. Further proof of the generosity and welcome of Australian Lutherans.

By 1985, it was clear that LWS-A needed to change its governance and ownership arrangements. The primary catalyst for this change was the Australian Government’s desire to work with ‘Australian-owned and operated’ organisations. The LCA and LWS in Geneva agreed to a transfer of ownership, and the ‘new’ organisation was named Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS). In 1991, ALWS became the LCA's aid and development agency.

Architect Gary Simpson was appointed as ALWS’ first director. Under his guidance –and that of board chair Pastor Keith Nagel – the organisation expanded its reach, aiding communities in Cambodia, Mozambique, Nepal, East Timor and Rwanda.

In 1995, Peter Schirmer joined as assistant secretary, launching a community education program for schools and congregations. This program has grown, and today, ALWS resources are used by more than 70 per cent of Lutheran schools in Australia (see also pp 16,17). In 2000, Gary retired, and Peter took over as director, known then as ‘executive secretary’ of ALWS.

changing support for locals in our partner countries. These include gift-assets such as goats and chickens.

When Peter left the role, Chey Mattner became ALWS director in 2013. In 2017, ALWS held the first Walk My Way charity walk-a-thon event. Today, Walk My Way events are facilitated by Lutheran churches and schools across Australia, with thousands of Australians stepping out every year to support children impacted by poverty and war.

In 2018, Jamie Davies became director. In 2019, as part of the GRACE (Give Refugees A Chance with Education) Project, ALWS supporters helped more than 40,000 refugee children go to school, matching the number of students in Lutheran schools in Australia.

ALWS REMAINS FAITHFUL TO GOD’S CALL IN MICAH 6:8: ‘AND WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE OF YOU? TO ACT JUSTLY AND TO LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.’

Along with the rest of the world, ALWS’ service was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Yet, despite the challenges faced by everyday Australians during this time, donations to ALWS grew during the pandemic, demonstrating the compassion and generosity of ALWS supporters.

In 2022, Michael Stolz became Executive Director. The following year, ALWS reached a major milestone with its support from ALWS supporters and the Australian Government exceeding $10 million for the first time.

When the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami struck, ALWS partnered with Indonesia’s largest Lutheran church, HKBP, in an emergency response that blossomed into long-term development. That same year, ALWS joined six other Australian church-based agencies in the Church Partnership Program for Papua New Guinea – a ground-breaking collaboration backed by the Australian Government.

In 2008, our Lutheran family embraced the first Gifts of Grace catalogue – an array of Christmas gifts that provide life-

From post-war Europe to conflict zones across the globe, Australian Lutherans have worked through ALWS to care for the most vulnerable for 75 years. Whether rebuilding after the tsunami, supporting refugees from Myanmar and Ukraine, or fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa, ALWS remains faithful to God’s call in Micah 6:8: ‘And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’

That is the ALWS way. Serving alongside the most vulnerable with open hearts and open arms.

– Collated by ALWS staff and volunteers

Dr Brian Neldner, who worked for Lutheran World Service for 40 years, launched his memoir Table of Eight (inset) during ALWS 75th anniversary events this year, including (pictured) at the North Adelaide event at the former ALC campus in May.

ALWAYS ROOM AT THE TABLE

When Barossa Valley-raised Brian Neldner attended a national Lutheran youth assembly in Indooroopilly, Queensland, in 1955 as a young man, little did he know it would change the course of his life.

The engineering trainee, who worked for the electricity trust in South Australia, decided to answer a call publicised there for a young man to serve as a caseworker in the Lutheran chaplain’s office at the Bonegilla immigration centre near Albury-Wodonga, close to the Victoria-New South Wales border.

He was interviewed by the chaplain, Lutheran Pastor Bruno Muetzelfeldt, on his way back to South Australia. When Brian’s father heard about the job on offer, he asked his son what a caseworker was. Brian didn’t really know either, but it was suggested by others that perhaps he would be helping to move luggage for new arrivals at the migrant camp, which was receiving displaced people and refugees from Europe post-World War II.

and his team provided gave birth to a Lutheran World ServiceAustralia office and what would later become ALWS.

For Brian, now Dr Neldner and aged in his 90s, it was the start of a 40-year career in Lutheran World Service, which took him from Bonegilla to Africa and the Lutheran World Federation in Geneva, and many other places in need of humanitarian aid.

After being encouraged for years to share his memories of a life of humanitarian service, it is fitting that Brian’s memoir, Table of Eight: A life in service to humanity, was launched for the ALWS 75th anniversary year.

TABLE OF EIGHT OFFERS ‘A PROFOUND INSIGHT INTO THE MOTIVATION FOR THE ORGANISATION THAT BRIAN GAVE HIS LIFE TO’.

‘My father said, “It doesn’t sound like much of a job, but if it’s for the church, it must be good, so God bless you”,’ Brian explains. Of course, Brian would do much more than portering for those who came to Bonegilla – often with very little – and the pastoral care and welcome for ‘the stranger’ that Pastor Muetzelfeldt

Already a subscriber? Why not give The Lutheran as a gift to a friend, family member or neighbour?

Six editions per year – Feb-Mar, Apr-May, June-July, Aug-Sep, Oct-Nov, Dec-Jan

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith says that Table of Eight offers ‘a profound insight into the motivation for the organisation that Brian gave his life to’.

‘(Brian) writes, “For Lutheran World Service it is the call to aid all in need as enshrined in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the rock on which Lutheran World Service is built (page 7)”,’ Bishop Paul says.

‘It is the “word of the Lord”, such as this story from Luke chapter 10, that calls Australian Lutheran World Service into being and inspires its purpose and passion.’

To purchase a copy of Table of Eight, contact ALWS by phone on 1300 763 407 or via email at alws@alws.org.au

Miracles and memories

Among the many moving life stories shared by former residents at Bonegilla migrant camp, the mention of miracles never seems far away.

There were miracles of survival for those whose families actively opposed the Nazis during World War II and for those who endured poverty, near starvation, political repression and religious persecution in the aftermath of the war.

Ultimately, to make it through a long, difficult sea journey to a new life on the other side of the world required a few more miracles for the sick and elderly.

Some who came to Australia as refugees or migrants in the 1950s or 1960s and lived at Bonegilla returned for the first time to what is known as the birthplace of ALWS as part of a 75th anniversary weekend earlier this year. The visits brought back floods of memories – from big spiders in the shower block and

Former Bonegilla residents Ursula Beck, Brian Neldner (who worked at the former migrant centre), Wilhelmina Dutschke, Herbert Rösch and Alfred Borchert at the ALWS 75th anniversary weekend.

BY LISA MCINTOSH

strange birds that ‘cackled’, to the smell of mutton that sea travellers had to eat en route to Australia.

Wilhelmina Dutschke, whose mother had Jewish heritage but survived doing office work for the Germans during wartime while being part of the Dutch underground, lived at Bonegilla with her husband and young family for six months in 1960. She believes it was also a miracle that she could return to Bonegilla for the anniversary events. Unable to travel by herself from her home in Minyip in Victoria’s Wimmera region, she had told her vet how disappointed she was at not being able to attend. She was thrilled when vet clinic staff offered to drive her the more than 450 kilometres to Bonegilla and back, even taking part in activities. Talk about the kindness of ‘strangers’! ‘It’s just good to be in this gathering,’ she says. ‘But it’s a miracle that I’ve been able to come here again. I’m just so grateful.’

ALWS WORKS IN 2025

BY JONATHAN KRAUSE

For more than a century, LLL has supported the Lutheran Church of Australia by providing its schools, congregations and agencies with funding to grow their ministry and mission. Now, as ALWS marks 75 years of service, a Platinum Partnership between LLL and ALWS is unlocking new ways to bring love to life together – across Australia and around the world.

Partnership is more than just words on a page.

It’s feet on the footpaths of North Adelaide. Training in the conference room of The Gabba in Brisbane. Getting hands cold and wet selling drinks at the Adelaide Walk My Way. Soap-making in a shed in Ethiopia.

As Platinum Partner of our Lutheran Church’s overseas aid agency, ALWS, LLL is providing precious support for ALWS Walk My Way, training for teachers in Lutheran schools at ALWS Ambassador Boot Camps, and direct support for ALWS projects in countries like Ethiopia.

ALWS Executive Director Michael Stolz says the LLL Platinum Partnership is crucial. ‘These are challenging times,’ he says.

on our own. I think of the Ambassador Boot Camps, where ALWS trains teachers from Lutheran schools to be advocates for the poor and messengers of Jesus’ compassion in their school community.

‘Teachers come away from the training equipped and passionate about teaching and inspiring the thousands of students in their charge about how the Lutheran Church brings love to life through ALWS.’

‘THAT’S WHERE THE LLL PLATINUM PARTNERSHIP WITH ALWS IS SO POWERFUL. IT ENABLES ALWS TO DO THINGS WE COULD NOT DO ON OUR OWN.’

‘We have droughts, floods, conflict around the world, a cost-of-living crisis for many here in Australia and a changing Lutheran Church. In the face of such challenges, some may feel overwhelmed and turn inward.

‘That’s where the LLL Platinum Partnership with ALWS is so powerful. It enables ALWS to do things we could not do

Another way in which LLL supports the work our Lutheran family does through ALWS is this year’s $75,000 matching appeal. The appeal, which ties in with ALWS’ 75th anniversary, matches dollar-for-dollar any donations from LLL facility holders to the ALWS ‘75,000 children’ Appeal.

The response from LLL account holders has been overwhelming, donating the $75,000 to be matched more than a month before the 30 June deadline! What’s exciting about the partnership between LLL and ALWS is that it is more than just words on a page and dollars transferred between accounts. LLL CEO Ross Smith says staff are encouraged to ‘add their personal

‘[LLL’S SUPPORT OF ALWS] DEMONSTRATES THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF PEOPLE UNITED IN FAITH, WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A COMMON PURPOSE. THIS PARTNERSHIP IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF OUR MISSION IN ACTION.’

efforts to our corporate support of ALWS’. ‘They step out in the ALWS Walk My Way, receive the same training as teachers do when they attend ALWS Ambassador Boot Camp and volunteer their own time to offer their expertise and energy for ALWS, including volunteering and selling ice-cold drinks to participants at the Adelaide Walk My Way,’ he says.

‘This exemplifies LLL’s commitment to “empowering steps of faith”. It demonstrates the incredible power of people united in faith, working together towards a common purpose. We are proud to support the vital work of ALWS.

‘This partnership is just one example of our mission in action.’

Recently, the entire staff of LLL and all board members heard firsthand the impact of their partnership in a remote community in Ethiopia.

Here, a group of young women have received Lutheran support to build an aloe vera soap-making business.

The aloe vera is planted on slopes at risk of erosion. It’s hardy enough to survive the tough conditions and helps prevent runoff in extreme weather.

The young women were trained how to make the soap and received all the safety gear needed to protect them from one of the product’s key ingredients – caustic soda.

They now produce 50 bars of aloe vera soap per batch and make enough profit to support their families, as well as saving money each week in a group bank account. As their balance grows, they can provide low-interest loans for members to start new businesses.

This is very similar to how hard-working visionary people, like readers of The Lutheran, who save their money with LLL, enable LLL to provide loans at a competitive interest rate to support Lutheran churches and schools to expand their mission, while building the wealth of those who choose to invest with them.

The young women in Ethiopia plan to use their profits to buy a milling machine, so members of their community can have easy, cheap access to grind their crops into flour.

Keyro, one of the group members, describes the project’s impact as life-changing.

‘The “Lutheran” has a good reputation with me,’ she says. ‘I left school in Grade 7 and had no idea how to change my life. But now with this training, I can.’

Changing lives. This is the true power of the partnership between LL4L and ALWS – and Lutheran schools and the wider Lutheran Church. Together is how we bring love to life.

BY CELIA FIELKE

ALWS has a rich history of working in partnership with Lutheran schools, a collaboration evolving from the close connection that has always existed between our church and its schools.

The work of ALWS, grounded in the same Christian beliefs and values which underpin Lutheran Education Australia, means that together we can help grow relational and adventurous students who have hearts of compassion and purpose.

In an increasingly inward-looking world, it is more vital than ever for our church to give our young people authentic opportunities to develop empathy and understanding, especially toward those whom the world has forgotten, marginalised or ignored. We encourage our young people to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, serving and meeting the needs of communities, both locally and globally.

‘[THE BOOTCAMP] WAS LIKE AN ANSWER TO A PRAYER I DIDN’T KNOW I WAS ASKING … WHEN I ATTENDED THE ALWS BOOTCAMP AND REFLECTED ON IT, IT’S LIKE TWO WORLDS COLLIDED.’

ALWS’ work is closely aligned with the LCA’s strategic priorities, such as equipping people for mission in their communities and the wider world, protecting the dignity and safety of the vulnerable, nurturing a passionate and collaborative gospel culture, supporting strong leadership and overseas partnerships, and strengthening unity and innovation across the church.

ALWS seeks to inspire and equip more than 44,000 students and their families by providing resources, presentations, activities and fundraising events to support schools to bring love to life through action.

This work is not done in isolation. ALWS values all our partnerships and collaborations, aiming to build a greater sense of shared ministry. This is not only with schools, but also with many churchwide and educational organisations that enable us to serve.

ALWS seeks to support the work of our amazing Lutheran school staff by running professional development workshops and providing resources. Examples of this are the Ambassador Bootcamps (ABCs), which are designed to empower staff to inspire their students, and training in some of our curriculum unit offerings.

Felicity Hampel, Lutheran school teacher and ALWS ABC participant, says the bootcamp was ‘like an answer to a prayer I didn’t know I was asking’. She says: ‘I have been seeking the next step in my teaching journey, and when I attended the ALWS bootcamp and reflected on it, it’s like two worlds collided … my love for teaching and developing empathy in my students + service learning/serving God = my calling and vocation in life.’

Working more closely in partnership with schools has been an important focus in recent times for ALWS. Having a deeper understanding of ALWS, as well as empowering advocacy and action, means students feel they can make a difference. Fostering a sense of service to others with no expectation of reciprocity is an important learning. When students hear stories and develop empathy, they are inspired to act.

One of the most effective events that schools have embraced is Walk My Way. Schools can adapt this to their context,

timing and community. The creativity and excitement this can generate for schools has been inspirational. When schools take this initiative, it allows ALWS to engage with not only the students but also their families and the broader Lutheran community. These are opportunities to highlight how the parts of the church body are working together to bring love to life.

Immanuel Lutheran Primary School at Gawler in South Australia partners closely with ALWS, with staff members seeing opportunities to nurture compassion in students and develop empathy, through presentations offered by ALWS, connected curriculum units and fundraising opportunities to support the world’s most vulnerable.

In 2024, the school supported a Burundi farm partnership costing $5,200 and a school kitchen garden ($756). The school has run a successful kitchen garden program as an integral part of the curriculum for many years. Students connected with farmers’ experiences, as they understand the challenges of growing food and preparing it for eating or selling. This allowed students to more easily imagine how difficult these activities would be without the necessary equipment, training, appliances or favourable weather. Connecting their experiences with a family in Burundi, who relies on these activities for their survival, became a real empathy driver for students to want to take action.

Some students became so motivated that they organised pop-up markets. Their fundraising activities culminated in a 13-kilometre Walk My Way event. Also supported by the local church community, the school raised approximately $14,000.

Immanuel Lutheran School Principal Daryl Trigg says connecting with ALWS over this time gave the community a focus. ‘Learning went much deeper, and service was more authentic as time was given to develop connections and understanding,’ he says

This year, Immanuel was part of the Barossa and Regions Lutheran Education (BARLE) schools. About 360 Year 5/6 students from six Lutheran primary schools, plus some Year

FOSTERING A SENSE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS … IS AN IMPORTANT LEARNING. WHEN STUDENTS HEAR STORIES AND DEVELOP EMPATHY, THEY ARE INSPIRED TO ACT.

8s from Faith Lutheran College Tanunda, came together for an event to support the ALWS 75th anniversary goal to give 75,000 children what they need for a healthy life. After shared worship, this event involved students participating in a loop walk, as well as interacting with peers to tackle a series of group challenges, based around life’s essentials. They built a shelter, fed farm animals, planted seeds, collected water, collected items needed for health and hygiene and made a soccer ball. These tasks gave a glimpse into some of the challenges faced when impacted by poverty. ALWS provided support through student workshops, teaching and learning materials and staff development.

Year 5/6 students from St John's Lutheran School at Jindera in New South Wales completed the ALWS ‘What’s my Business?’ curriculum unit that empowers students to put their faith into action while growing empathy and social justice awareness.

Students explored how charitable giving can build more resilient communities and create lasting change. They then became young entrepreneurs, using a $25 loan from the school to develop a small business idea (e.g. scrunchies, handmade cards, toy cars and keyrings). The unit finished with a Christmas market day, at which students sold their products to the wider school community. More than $1300 was raised, and funds were used to buy ALWS Gifts of Grace.

Principal Anna-Marie Bothe and teachers Gabrielle Cotter and Dominic Boddy say the unit was ‘very impactful’, and that it brought the school community together and ‘grew compassion in our students’.

Celia

is

1 PETER 4:10

In Going GREYT! we feature stories of some of our ‘more experienced’ people within the LCANZ, who have been called to make a positive contribution in their retirement. We pray their examples of service will be an inspiration and encouragement to us all as we look to be Christ’s hands and feet wherever we are.

BY HELEN BRINKMAN

Weaving compassioninto beautiful gifts

The community of the Albury and Wodonga ‘twin’ cities area, which straddles Australia’s Murray River and the New South Wales-Victoria border, has a history of being big-hearted.

Albury is today home to Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS), while the settlement of Bonegilla, fewer than 15 kilometres from Wodonga, was the birthplace of the LCANZ overseas aid agency. So, with humanitarian service seemingly woven into residents’ DNA, it’s no surprise that the region boasts a special team of people with nimble fingers, willing hands and hearts for helping others.

The members of the craft group of St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Albury, are quietly supporting the work of ALWS by sharing their sewing skills to create beautiful tote bags from bright Kenyan fabrics. These unique creations are gifted to ALWS ambassadors as part of the organisation’s Ambassador Boot Camp (ABC) training workshops for Lutheran school teachers, says ALWS Community Engagement Officer Celia Fielke.

‘The ABC is where we equip our teachers with a deep understanding of ALWS, humanitarian aid and service learning in schools,’ she says. ‘We seek to inspire them to be the drivers in their school communities to create awareness and encourage their students to have an impact in the world.’

‘The bags are a reminder for the ABC participants – with their beautiful, authentic African colours and material – of the importance of understanding, compassion and action. We are

‘ THE BAGS ARE A REMINDER … OF THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION AND ACTION. WE ARE ALL UNIQUE CREATIONS OF GOD, AND WE ALL DESERVE OPPORTUNITY, DIGNITY AND LOVE.’

all unique creations of God, and we all deserve opportunity, dignity and love.’

Craft group member Leigh Caldwell was excited to join fellow members in delivering their first batch of 59 bags to the local ALWS headquarters in May. ‘We think they look marvellous, even if we do say so ourselves! That glorious fabric sews up beautifully,’ she says.

Age is no barrier for the craft group, which ranges from 65 years old to the mid-90s, and varies between eight and 12 members each session, depending on the day.

‘We love meeting with each other and sharing our lives,’ says Leigh. ‘It is such a great little community, and we look forward to our meetings. We enjoy doing our own crafts, and we love working together on projects like the ALWS bags and birthing kits for [women in] Papua New Guinea.’

Group members each earned their Certificate I in sewing machine maintenance, says Leigh, as there was always a machine that needed fixing!

Another member, Christine Nicholson, says being involved in the project has given her such a sense of achievement to know it will benefit others here and overseas. ‘It is also important in our society to have connections with others,’ she says. ‘People can feel isolated these days. Helping others definitely feels wonderful. Having a coffee, a chat and working together for a common cause is so uplifting.’

Fellow volunteer Patricia O’Brien agrees. She was delighted to join the craft group’s latest project. ‘I am a sewer and have been all my life, so it was a pleasure to help out ALWS and get to know fellow sewers over a cup of tea,’ she says.

And teamwork makes the dream work, according to Sandra Parry, who says the group collaborated on all aspects of the project. ‘To work as a team was very rewarding and satisfying,’ she says. ‘We had a “conveyor belt” system that worked so well! It’s a joy to be part of such a wonderful group of ladies.’

Group member Olive Severin shared her joy at being involved with such an enthusiastic group of women who share many

craft skills and love to help others. ‘There is such a sense of achievement to complete a project like the bags, and sharing the chat, the laughter and the many cuppas and food during the journey,’ she says.

St Luke’s craft group has been going for more than 20 years, starting in the early 2000s with making aprons for the annual church fete and cushions for the church pews. The ALWS team asked the local group to sew the tote bags after COVID stopped an Adelaide sewing group from helping out.

Longstanding member Dorothy Dunkerton, also a pastoral carer at St Luke’s, recalls the days when the group first came together to support each other, learn new skills, and share company over coffee, cake and shared recipes. ‘We choose what we want to achieve for ourselves, knitting, crochet, card-making, beading, and joining in group projects,’ says octogenarian Dorothy.

‘We give crocheted and knitted knee rugs to our members who are experiencing difficulties or going into care. We love our coming together to socialise, to share our love for each other, to help solve our problems, and laugh together. I wouldn’t miss it.’

The colourful bags have also been used as thankyous to people who support ALWS and are sometimes gifted to Lutheran World Federation teams overseas.

And, as St Luke’s congregation heads toward its centenary next year, its craft group continues to reflect the legacy of love, compassion and action in its community. And they are also looking forward to another ALWS sewing project next year.

– with thanks to ALWS Supporter Care Officer Amanda Lustig

Helen Brinkman is a Brisbane-based writer who is inspired by the many GREYT people who serve tirelessly and humbly in our community. By sharing stories of how God shines his light through his people, she hopes others are encouraged to explore how they can use their gifts to share his light in the world. Know of any other GREYT stories in your local community? Email the editor lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au

Above: Members of the craft group of St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Albury, in New South Wales, support the work of ALWS by sharing their sewing skills to create beautiful tote bags (top right) from bright Kenyan fabrics. Bearing a special group tag (inset top), the bags are then gifted to ALWS ambassadors and supporters.

Above middle: St Luke’s Albury craft group members Sandra, Dorothy and Christine. Sandra describes working as a team on the ALWS project has been ‘very rewarding and so satisfying’. ‘We had a “conveyor belt” system that worked so well! It’s a joy to be part of such a wonderful group of ladies,’ she says.

Top left: Craft group members Olive, Leigh, Dorothy, Sandra, Pat and Jill contributed to the first batch of 59 tote bags delivered to the local ALWS headquarters in May. Leigh says, ‘We love meeting with each other and sharing our lives … we love working together on projects like the ALWS bags.’

Photos: Amanda Lustig

Dorothy and Robin Mann share some of Robin’s songs at this year’s Adelaide Walk My Way, during the launch of Dr Brian Neldner’s book Table of Eight (see also page 12)

Like ALWS, Lutheran husband-and-wife musicians Robin and Dorothy Mann also turn 75 this year. Across more than 110 songs, seven songbooks and multiple albums, Robin’s compositions have blessed Christians across Australia, New Zealand and the world, while Dorothy’s angelic vocals have taught many of us how to sing them. The much-loved duo are also ambassadors for the ALWS Lives you touch program and share what motivates their music and advocacy.

Robin, how did you come to have a ministry as a musician?

I always liked songs, playing the guitar and singing harmonies to the radio. I was going to be a pastor, but perhaps my brain, or my personality, didn’t fit the bill. An angel called Dorothy helped me find a better way! Not preaching sermons but singing songs. My journey in music would have been utterly different, maybe not have even happened, if we hadn’t got together.

Dorothy, where did your partnership with Robin begin?

Robin and I met in Sunday school. We became an ‘item’ when we were 16 and started singing together. A year after we were married, we were invited to be part of a worship music group at Scots Presbyterian Church. That became the band Kindekrist. We were three Presbyterians and three Lutherans, but we played in every denomination and released three albums.

Robin, where do your songs come from?

Most often for me, there’s a Bible text that begins the process, though not always. A good example is ‘Walking Down the Road’, one we sing when we are presenting with ALWS. This kicked off at a youth camp in the Adelaide Hills. We went for a walk on the Saturday afternoon with our kids, 5 and 3 at the time, and they used cowpats as stepping stones. Luckily, the cows hadn’t been there for a while, so it wasn’t too messy!

Why is music an effective way of sharing God’s word?

Music is a very important gift. A central reason for the gift of music is to praise and tell the story of God. It is a way of communicating that is different from anything else. We can communicate with music when we’re unable to communicate with just words. Songs use both sides of the brain. It’s both an emotional and a reasoning thing. It’s one of the great gifts – part of creation – and music is everywhere.

What do you try to achieve through your songs?

The songs I write are mainly intended to nurture the faith of Christians, just like the sermons that pastors preach. I think songs can help us grow. They get words into our heads and keep them there. If the words are a good reflection of Scripture and focus on the beautiful things God does for us, songs can do much more than make us feel good.

Why do you think your songs have become so popular?

I’ve always believed in encouraging people to sing together. That’s why I aim to provide tunes that are singable – not always simple, but ones that people easily pick up and readily relate to. Likewise, to communicate with songs, let’s use language that people understand. Let’s talk plainly, sing plainly. Jesus used the language of the day and everyday images. Let’s follow him.

In 2019, Robin, you were awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by the University of Divinity. How did that make you feel?

I was delighted and honoured to receive the award. It’s a real honour to get it. At the same time, I feel it’s a bit unusual, as it’s an academic award, and what I’ve done is not academic. On further reflection, though, the University of Divinity giving this award is saying that it is an area that’s important, and that’s great. So, I’m receiving it on behalf of lots of people who have been writing and playing music in all sorts of ways.

Where did your spirit of serving others begin?

We came from fairly ordinary Lutheran families, and neither of our families had much money. Dorothy’s mum very much had the spirit of helping others. We can’t really remember when we started supporting ALWS, which I guess means that it became part of our lifestyle.

Why do you help people through ALWS?

One of my favourite Bible texts is Mark 10:45: ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served: he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people.’ To be Christians, followers of Jesus, means we aim to have lives that reflect his. ALWS exists to serve people, especially those who are forgotten, so we have always supported the work of ALWS. We love seeing that this little community here is supporting a community overseas where help is needed. It’s ‘prayer in action’ stuff – not just expecting God to fix things. It’s his Spirit empowering us to be a part of his work. We are God’s hands and feet.

You visited ALWS projects in Indonesia in 2023. What did that teach you about the help we give as a Lutheran family?

Our visit showed us the down-to-earth nature of the work of ALWS. The lives of people can be transformed by a little financial help. The Savings and Loans Project means a little business can grow, so a child can afford to go to university. A community group was supplied with some equipment, which cost $170, so they could make banana chips to sell. Not only does this small investment enable a small financial reward, but it also means a community-building event happens when they meet to make the chips.

Left: While Indonesia is a mainly Muslim country, six million Lutherans live there. But ALWS projects serve people regardless of religion, race or gender. Many of the islands are vulnerable to flooding, and Victor (pictured with Robin and Dorothy) is the head of a sub-village where Robin and Dorothy helped plant mangroves to prevent erosion. Photo: ALWS

Below left: In 2023, Robin and Dorothy visited ALWS projects in Indonesia. Lutherans from Australia supported the women pictured with Dorothy to start a craft gallery. The women say they now have enough food to feed their families, and plan on growing their business so they can loan money to people who need help. Photo: ALWS

Below right: Robin lives with Multiple Sclerosis, but that didn’t stop him from walking the 26 kilometres of the first-ever ALWS Walk My Way – and writing and performing its theme song! Photo courtesy of Robin and Dorothy Mann

You are ambassadors for the ALWS Lives you touch program, encouraging people to leave a gift in their will to keep helping others through ALWS. Why?

ALWS feels personal, not like a big corporation. We also know ALWS is a worthwhile charity, and that lots of money isn’t ‘sucked up’ in administration. We know our help gets to those people who need it.

Dedicating a gift in your will is an important decision. What led you to that?

We made wills ages ago and included ALWS then. A couple of years ago, we redid parts of our will to make it more specific. We have a house, and our super, and realised our children don’t need that much money, as they are well-established. So now we are leaving a third of our will to ALWS.

You both turn 75 in the same year as ALWS. That’s a lifetime of service …

Yes. We know ALWS does great work, and we are happy we can help that work continue. Dorothy does say, though, that her mum lived to be 100, so ALWS may be waiting a while for the gift in our will!

Discover more about leaving a gift in your will to keep helping others through the ALWS Lives you touch program: 1300 763 407 * alws.org.au/livesyoutouch

Your values live on in the

When ALWS worker, Julie Krause, visited Indonesia and shared her family photo travel album, something very special happened.

Julie highlighted the photo of a Lutheran lady in SA who had dedicated a gift in her Will to keep on helping people through ALWS.

The Indonesian lady you see holding Julie’s photo album is Muslim. When Julie told her what the Lutheran lady had done, the Indonesian lady put her hand on her heart and said:

‘I’m just so touched that these people, who don’t even know us, care about us – even after they die.’

ALWS supporter Loris was happy to share why she dedicated a gift in her Will to ALWS:

‘I often think how much I would love to be able to give hands-on help and how satisfying that would be.

Seeing that is not possible, I console myself that I have been blessed, and therefore I can help financially. Leaving a gift in my Will to ALWS means the support I have given in my lifetime will continue helping rebuild lives when I am no longer here.

Knowing how little is lost in administration costs gives me the satisfaction of knowing my gift will have the greatest possible impact.’

Your Will can also demonstrate to those you love the values most precious to you. Dedicating a gift to help others, after you have taken care of your family, is a powerful message about bringing love to life. This is especially so for those of us who are Christians, and whose families may have ‘drifted’.

Some people feel discomfort planning and talking about their passing. Preparing a legal Will. Sharing your wishes. Explaining what is important to you and why.

Yet, this is one of the most precious gifts we can give our family – making things easier at a difficult time.

When you choose to leave a gift in your Will to help people through ALWS, you can:

1. Dedicate your gift to Lives you Touch, so your gift helps NOW where your kindness is needed most OR

2. Allocate your gift to the ALWS Living Water Legacy Fund, where your gift is ethically invested, with only the proceeds used each year, so your gift keeps on giving for life.

FREE BOOKLET

To see how you can touch lives with a gift in your Will, simply contact ALWS on 1300 763 407 or email Julie at juliek@alws.org.au for your free booklet or to have a confidential chat.

PRAYER

POINTS

3–9 AUGUST

Awareness of the needs of indigenous communities, on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 Aug)

10–16 AUGUST

Peace among nations on the anniversary of the end to World War II hostilities in the Pacific (15 Aug)

17–23 AUGUST

Safety and resilience for all humanitarian aid workers as they respond to crisis and care for the most vulnerable (19 Aug)

24–30 AUGUST

Congregations seeking support through the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund, which is open for expressions of interest until 29 August

31 AUG–6 SEPT

Generous hearts to support poverty alleviation and sustainable development on the International Day of Charity (5 Sept)

7–13 SEPTEMBER

All fathers, those who are missing their dads and those who have longed to be fathers, as we mark Father’s Day (7 Sept)

14–20 SEPTEMBER

Government ministers at all levels in Australia and New Zealand on the International Day of Democracy (15 Sept)

21–27 SEPTEMBER

Global ceasefires, peace efforts, and conflict-resolution that allow humanitarian access on the International Day of Peace (21 Sept)

28 SEPT–4 OCT

Good stewardship, sustainable care and thankfulness for God’s creation, as the Season of Creation (1 Sept–4 Oct) concludes

Overwhelmed and inspired!

BY STEPHEN SCHULTZ

In an increasingly chaotic world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, and that can lead to paralysis and helplessness. We can think the needs are too great to respond.

When I spent a week at Kakuma refugee camp back in 2019, I definitely felt overwhelmed at the scale of the operation. In the middle of the desert was a place that once hosted a town of 8,000 people and now was home to 60,000 people in the town and a further 190,000+ people in the refugee camp.

Hundreds of refugees were still arriving in the camp on a weekly basis, nearly 30 years after it had been established. I found it confronting to see this scale of human need.

At that time the Lutheran churches were responsible for providing primary education at Kakuma. Our entire Lutheran education system in Australia has around 22,000 primary enrolments. The primary enrolments for Kakuma refugee camp are around 60,000! We visited one school in Kakuma with 3,300 enrolments. The smallest class was 130. The largest was 217. It was overwhelming!

Read Matthew 14:13–21. The disciples wanted the crowd of thousands sent away to take care of their needs. How did they respond to what Jesus asked of them? Was it a reasonable request?

How would you have responded if you were there? What resources did they have? Are the resources we have more or less than they had?

I wasn’t just overwhelmed by what I saw at Kakuma. I was also inspired. I was inspired by the way our Lutheran churches had been first on the scene and were still present. I was inspired by the coordinated and concerted effort of multiple aid organisations working in harmony to meet this human need.

I was inspired by the resilience of humanity. These refugees needed help, but were not helpless. The women we met were resourceful as they sought to provide an education for their children. The children themselves attended to their studies with a discipline that would be the envy of most of our Lutheran schools in Australia. I was inspired by the difference it makes to be in community.

Read Hebrews 13:1–3. How can love be expressed internally in our faith communities? How can love be expressed externally by our communities?

Is your faith community intentional in its internal and external expressions of love? Who are the ‘strangers’ and ‘imprisoned’ ones that God is calling your community to serve and love?

I had many takeaways from my time in Kakuma. One of them was the global responsibility we have as the LCANZ to be engaged in these spaces. I was so proud of the work ALWS had been doing in being our hands and feet as the church on the ground in these places. The gospel was clearly being enacted.

The need is still overwhelming but our contributions to this point in time have made a significant impact. We have answered the call of Jesus: ‘You give them something to eat’. ALWS is one vital mechanism we can use to help us respond as a community to the overwhelming needs in our world. The example of ALWS at work can help inspire us to think of others.

Read Romans 13:8–10. How can you fulfil the debt to love one another?

Are there limits to the way we can love? What are some practical ways we can love our neighbours – locally and globally? How can we hold each other accountable to this outstanding debt to love?

God has met our overwhelming need to be loved through sending his Son, Jesus. Jesus loves us and inspires us. Jesus resources us with everything we need to be his church and to embrace the overwhelming needs in our world.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for your love for me and for our world. Thank you for the challenge you issue us to ‘give them something to eat’ and to ‘love our neighbour as ourselves’. Thank you for equipping us with everything we need to respond to every need. Lead us to have your heart for our world. Amen.

Pastor Stephen Schultz is the LCANZ’s Assistant Bishop and the Assistant Bishop for Mission for the South Australia-Northern Territory District.

ngregat i onal l i f

SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES

Ten grants supporting missional efforts in congregations and school communities from South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria were awarded in the inaugural round of funding.

Immanuel Lutheran Church Kadina, in SA, received a seed fund grant to host outreach events with evangelist Ian McCormack. Project coordinator John Meier says while the mission outreach has been ‘a very positive venture’, it is only ‘part 1 of our outreach’. The congregation has followed up with Alpha course meetings, and ‘will continue to take up the task of being witnesses to those … in our community’.

St Petri congregation at Nuriootpa, SA, received a major project grant to develop a regional learning hub. Pastor Adrian Kitson says, ‘Following consultation with local Lutheran churches and community leaders about the needs and desires for learning in our region, our first-year program was designed to support mission and ministry learning in the areas of Biblical studies, worship and child, youth and family.’

GOT A BRIGHT IDEA FOR MISSION?

Does your congregation, school or church agency have a bright idea for local mission that needs financial support to become a reality? The LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund may be able to help.

The fund, which launched last year, opened on 1 July for expressions of interest for the 2026 allocation of grants. A total of $400,000 will be available, with seed funding grants of up to $10,000 each and major project grants of up to $100,000 each. The fund supports church entities seeking new ways to reach their local communities with the gospel.

WHAT WILL THE GRANTS SUPPORT?

Funds will be allocated to resource and equip people for mission, and support projects with a potential flow-on impact for the wider church. The Fund is administered by the Churchwide Office, in collaboration with the districts. This collaboration is aimed at helping identify support and resources most needed by the church.

Successful projects will enhance the missional culture of the LCANZ. The ability to sustain the project beyond the funding period needs to be outlined in applications. Support, coaching and project monitoring will be provided to approved applicants.

FURTHER DETAILS

For more information, including fund guidelines, selection criteria and expression of interest forms, visit www.lca.org.au/local-mission-fund or contact Jodi at jodi.brook@lca.org.au

Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the 2026 grants close on Monday, 29 August 2025. Entities whose EOIs are successful will be invited to submit a formal application.

SAFE CHURCH SERVICE DESK AVAILABLE

The LCANZ has launched a new Safe Church Service Desk to streamline and improve support for all Safe Church-related inquiries. You can now contact the Safe Church Service Desk through any of the following methods:

Website: www.lca.org.au/service

Email: safechurch@lca.org.au

Phone: 1800 418 588 (Australia only)*

* For people based in New Zealand, a 0800 number will be introduced soon. For now, contact the Safe Church Service Desk via the Churchwide Office reception at +61 8267 7300.

The new Safe Church Service Desk is your primary point of contact for any questions about the Child Safety Standards, Safe Church training, background screening checks and day-to-day safety management.

HELP FOR PEOPLE IN CRISIS

BY JOANNE CHAMBERLAIN

People often ask how they can support someone going through a crisis. Whether it’s addiction, grief, relationships, parenting or even identity, there is a message of hope that Christ brings to every situation.

Lutheran Media has recently re-launched some of our popular booklets with updated language and information to support today’s audience. They’re a great resource to share in aged-care facilities, community centres, home visits and churches. Do you know someone who needs to hear hope in the world today?

REPORTING ABUSE OPTIONS

For anyone wishing to report abuse or the risk of harm, or to make a formal complaint, the LCANZ contact details remain as follows:

Phone

1800 644 628 (Aus) 0800 356 887 (NZ)

Mobile (text message only) +61 (0) 438 320 218

Post PO Box 519, Marden SA 5070 Australia

Email complaints@lca.org.au

NEW BOOKLETS AVAILABLE

• Take heart in your grief

• Why do bad things happen?

• Journey through addiction

• Now you’re talking

3–9

11:1–11

107:1–9, 43

10–16 AUG Isaiah 1:1, 10–12

50:1–8, 22,23

8:1–4,22–31

80:1,2, 8–19

• Managing your money

• Talking openly with kids

• Where’s God in all of this?

Go to www.lutheranmedia.org.au/resources and select the topic you’re interested in to access our free PDFs and booklets.

Joanne Chamberlain is Lutheran Media Communication Coordinator.

LECTIONARY READINGS

3:1–11

12:13–21

11:1–3, 8–16

12:32–40

11:29–12:2 Luke 12:49–56

24–30 AUG Jeremiah 1:4–10 Psalm 71:1–6 Hebrews 12:18–29

31 AUG–6 SEPT Jeremiah 2:4–13 Psalm 81:1, 10–16

13:10–17

Hebrews 13:1–8,15,16

14:1, 7–14

18:1–11

139:1–6, 13–18 Philemon 1–21

22–28

14:25–33

1:12–17

15:1–10

8:18–9:1 Psalm 79:1–9 1 Timothy 2:1–7 Luke 16:1–13 28 SEPT–4

16:19–31

For more prayer and devotional resources, including a listing of daily Bible readings for each day of the church year, go to www.lca.org.au/wpp/ prayers-devotions • Lutheran Tract Mission also provides the readings in a booklet, which can be accessed electronically at www.ltm.org.au/tract/ view/70648-daily-bible-readings-for-2025 or as a printed booklet through the LTM office (phone 08 8360 7222) for a donation of 20c per copy.

ALC leaves campus, new library opens

Australian Lutheran College’s (ALC) library has reopened at its new Adelaide CBD premises at 22 Pulteney Street.

The relocation of the huge ALC collection is a result of the sale of the North Adelaide ALC campus and LCANZ Churchwide Office (CWO) buildings.

College and CWO staff will relocate to the new Church House at 139 Frome Street, Adelaide, this year. However, the Frome Street building, like most in the Adelaide CBD, is not constructed to carry the weight of large library collections, which necessitated finding an alternative site for the library.

Moving the library to the new premises began in May and was completed by the end of June. The new site, located above Target on the corner of Pulteney and Rundle streets, opened to visitors on 1 July. Information on how to find the library,

opening times, public transport and parking options for visitors is available from the ALC website and at https://alc.edu.au/assets/ library/ALC-library-flyer.pdf

Sadly, ALC’s Director of Library Services over the past 10 years, Shaun Lancaster, did not have the chance to be part of the reopening, as he died suddenly on 24 June.

Meanwhile, following months of planning and preparation, ALC staff have completed their move off of the North Adelaide campus, handing the property encompassing Hebart Hall, Graebner Hall, Hamann Hall and the Lohe Memorial Library back to the LCANZ on 30 June, in preparation for its change to new private ownership on 1 July.

Due to settlement arrangements, the remainder of the campus, including the student centre, squash courts and townhouses on Archer Street, will be maintained by ALC for a further 12 months.

After a century of Lutheran theological education at the North Adelaide site, ALC staff ramped up the clearing out of campus offices and rooms in May. Surplus items were collected and taken away for repurposing, with many church groups benefitting from ALC's need to downsize.

Musical instruments, including five pianos and a chamber organ, were removed from the campus and rehomed.

A small group of current and former ALC staff gathered on the ‘Sacred Lawn’ at the North Adelaide campus, on 26 June, for a final time of reflection and a brief service of thanksgiving for the years at the site, led by ALC Principal, Rev Dr Tim Stringer.

ALC staff will work remotely until the fit-out of Church House is complete, with the new library being used as a temporary ‘home base’ to supplement working-from-home arrangements.

Lutherans recognised in King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List

Congratulations to William ‘Bernie’ Delaney, John Gerlach, Les Hampel, John Held, Chris Pfeiffer and other members of the LCANZ recognised in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List.

John Held, a member of St Stephen’s Adelaide, has been made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the General Division for ‘significant service to architecture in leadership roles’, while Chris Pfeiffer, of Tanunda, South Australia, and a member of Tabor congregation, receives the same honour for ‘significant service to the Lutheran Church of Australia, to the printing and tourism industries, and to the community’.

Bernie Delaney, a member at St Johns Southgate Victoria, is being recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for ‘service to the community through not-for-profit organisations’, while a member of Grace

The service of a

of

Birthday Honours List. Other LCANZ members who were honoured in the 2025 awards include (headshots clockwise from top left) Les Hampel, Bernie Delaney, Chris Pfeiffer and John Held.

Redcliffe in Queensland who has been involved with Lutheran schools governance for many years, former teacher John Gerlach, receives the same honour for ‘service to education’. St Petri Lutheran Church member Les Hampel, from Nuriootpa SA, also receives an OAM in the General Division for ‘service to the community of Nuriootpa’.

The late John Mertin, who was a member of St John’s Tea Tree Gully in South Australia and died in 2021 aged 85, received a posthumous OAM in this year’s honours. John, who was a past district governor for Lions Australia and a member of the community organisation for 45 years, was recognised for ‘service to the community through service groups’.

Classes a ‘joyful’ chance for growth

More than 20 students from around Australia and New Zealand attended Australian Lutheran College’s (ALC) winter classes in Melbourne recently.

Held from 26 June until 7 July at St John's Lutheran Church, Southgate, the face-to-face intensives on offer included ‘Introduction to Christian Mission’, led by Dr Tania Nelson, ‘Preaching the Word’, led by ALC Principal, Rev Dr Tim Stringer, and ‘Moral Theology’, led by Rev Richard Haar. The courses were designed as an opportunity for extra learning for Specific Ministry Pastors, theology students, congregational leaders and other interested people.

Dr Nelson, who was both a course leader and a student of the winter classes, said it was ‘a joy to participate in the intensives’.

‘We had wonderful discussions during the “Introduction in Christian Mission” intensive, where we wrestled with what it means to join God in God’s mission in my local context,’ she said. ‘Then came “Preaching the Word”. Dr Tim had us preaching from Day 1, and though we were prepared, we knew we had a lot to

Dr Tania Nelson, top left, leads the ‘Introduction in Christian Mission’ intensive during the recent ALC winter classes. She was also a student during the series of courses and said it was ‘a joy to participate in the 12-day event’.

learn. And what tremendous growth we saw in our cohort over only five days. We know we still have much to learn but feel well-equipped to begin the joyful journey of proclaiming the gospel.’

Dr Stringer also highlighted the joyful atmosphere of the 12-day event at which 23 people took one or more classes. He said students ‘spent quality time learning

together and building relationships and community that will be with us all as we continue in the distributed-learning mode in the future.’

‘There were 19 people enrolled in the preaching unit, and we heard a total of 39 sermons in five days,’ he said. ‘All of us were uplifted by God’s proclaimed word and each other’s presence and feedback.’

A weekend of giving thanks and celebrating 100 years of our current church building!

6–7 September 2025

Saturday – 2pm–5pm

Sunday – Thanksgiving service 10am, followed by fellowship lunch

For more information and RSVP by 31 August: MaryAnne Paech – 0408 822 355

0412 277 165

Continuing the practice of Kay Hoffmann

For legal services with a personal and caring touch, including:

• Wills - new and updated Powers of Attorney

• Advanced Care Directives

• Administration of deceased estates Probate/Letters of Administration applications

After-hours appointments available Home/Aged-care facility appointments available

A member of St Stephen's congregation Adelaide

Pentecost brings double blessings

Spirit on Pentecost Sunday this year, with celebrations in Geelong and Knox highlighting God’s work across generations and cultures. Living Faith Lutheran Church Geelong marked Pentecost with a combined worship service and the confirmation of 21 young people from the Greater Geelong Lutheran family (above). Meanwhile, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church Knox, in Dandenong, the congregation supported the local independent Ethiopian Lutheran Church, currently without a pastor, with seven children from four families being baptised by Pastor Peter Ghalayini. Read the full story at www.lca.org.au/pentecost-brings-double-blessings

SUDOKU

Every number from one to nine must appear in each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal columns and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. No number can occur more than once in any row, column or box. The solution will be printed in the next edition.

Due to retirement, the opportunity exists for a CPA or equivalent qualified accountant to be involved with a variety of Lutheran missions. Based in Adelaide, with some interstate and overseas travel, the role will provide hands-on financial management and reporting, along with governance, compliance and secretarial support to several Lutheran boards.

Key competencies include

• demonstrated experience of accounting, financial management and reporting

• strong commercial acumen

• foreign currency transactions experience

• board governance, compliance and secretarial support

• high levels of verbal and written communication skills

• working and interacting with various cultures and languages.

This is a role within the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand and offers the right person a unique role supporting the mission work of the church in Central Australia and overseas.

For more information, please visit http://tiny.cc/FRMFinanceSecretary, use the QR code or email bryan.elliott@lca.org.au

Written applications should be addressed to bryan.elliott@lca.org.au

Your Voice

Sharing the warmth of a common mission

I’m eager to share with our church community how heartwarming it was to have attended this year's Walk My Way event in Adelaide as part of the ALWS 75th Anniversary celebrations. Walking through the gates of the old Australian Lutheran College (ALC) from Archer Street on a perfect autumn morning, the place was already abuzz with excitement as people signed in, found old friends or made new ones, and generally got ready for the walk over a coffee, all geared up in their blue t-shirts.

The weekend really helped us regroup as a church around our common mission, and of course, with a special focus on serving others as our Lord both showed and taught us. The gospel reading that weekend included the massive haul of fish and Jesus’ words to Peter to feed his lambs and take care of his sheep. That’s our response to the good news of our Saviour Jesus – to love because God first loved us.

So, all pumped up to the pulsing of African drumming and several encouraging speeches, the enthusiastic group stepped out into the sunlit streets of North Adelaide for a good cause. The walk, of course, also saw us stepping out into the wider world ‘to give love a chance’, trusting God's blessing over the fundraising to truly make a difference in the lives of the needy and vulnerable.

Thank you, ALWS, for all the work you do and for inviting us to join you in that service so that no-one is forgotten. Blessings to you!

Rev Simon Cooper – Mount Barker SA

Blessed by a diverse pastorate

What a joy it was to see the cover of the last edition of The Lutheran with the photos of the eight pastors who have been ordained in recent months. How blessed we are to have such a diverse group of people serving within the LCA’s pastorate.

I could not help but to reflect on that further as I read this morning’s devotion on the LCA website – based on the parable of the talents. How good it is that women who are called to ordained ministry no longer have to bury their talents. Similarly, those from our First Nations, who would struggle to come to Adelaide to complete their theological training. How good it is to have the richness of their giftedness fully accepted and celebrated as we bring God’s love to life within our communities. I rejoice to see our oneness in Christ lived out in this way: ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of us (sic) are one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28).

Colleen Fitzpatrick – Joslin SA

‘Thank you for your ongoing support’

Having worked for Lutheran World Federation (LWF) for 40 years, I have experienced the positive impact of its humanitarian aid, which has been strongly supported by our Lutheran church in Australia since its inception. One of the major reasons for the founding of the LWF in 1947 was to provide aid to the one in six Lutherans – eight million people – who became refugees or displaced persons as a result of World War II.

At the second LWF assembly in 1952, by which time most Lutheran refugees had been resettled, it was decided that LWF should continue, internationally, to provide humanitarian aid to those in need ‘irrespective of race, creed, nationality or political convictions’, as enunciated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. This became the rock on which Lutheran World Service, and, later, Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS), would be built. The injunction in Matthew 25:34–45 was also emphasised in the decision at that assembly. Where ALWS has provided aid, it has done so with local partners, including Lutheran churches and Christian councils. Through these collaborations, it has enhanced the capacity of the local partners on the ground, in their congregations, villages or towns, which is a hallmark of our approach. I have experienced this strength and the support of my home church throughout these decades, including for the recent launch of my memoirs. I commend the members of our congregations, our school communities and other groups in our church family for their enduring support to ALWS and may this long continue as a 'witness through service' of the Christian faith and the Lutheran ethos.

Dr Brian Neldner – Port Noarlunga SA

Opinions expressed in letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. Shorter letters will be given preference over longer letters. Subscribers’ letters will be given preference over those from non-subscribers. Letters longer than 300 words and those containing personal attack will not be published. No more than two letters from the same author will be published in a calendar year. Some letters may be edited for clarity.

80 TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

DEDICATION SERVICE

St Paul's Centre at St Paul's Lutheran Church

1201 Riversdale Road, Box Hill, Vic Sunday 14 September 2025, 9.30am followed by a community lunch. You are welcome to celebrate with us.

GET HELP

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, visit www.anrows.org.au/get-support or call 1800 RESPECT (24-hour National Sexual Assault Family Domestic Violence Counselling Service), or Lifeline Counselling (24 hours) 131 114. In an emergency, call 000 HIDDEN

For more details and to register, go to: www.lutheranmedia.org.au/events . Headstones restored and engraved . Foundation Stones . Bronze Plaques . Member of MMM of SA Inc 179 Flinders Street, Adelaide 5000 08 8223 2473 www.schubertandsons.com.au

www.preventdfv.lca.org.au

LCANZ COMPLAINTS

Many complaints can be resolved before lasting hurt is caused, by addressing them quickly in a non-threatening manner and by raising the issue directly with the relevant person or organisation in a thoughtful and courteous manner. If this is not applicable or possible in your situation, you may lodge a complaint with the Professional Standards Department in any of the following ways: Phone the free-call number (Aust 1800 644 628 NZ 0800 356 887), email complaints@lca.org.au or write to Confidential, PO Box 519, Marden SA 5070.

Directory CALLS

Extended

• Rev Simon W Cooper

Immanuel College Novar Gardens SA to Immanuel Lutheran Church Novar Gardens SA

• Rev Simon W Cooper

Immanuel College Novar Gardens SA to Onkaparinga SA

• Rev Paul A Hage

Redeemer Toowoomba Qld to Greensborough Vic

• Rev Paul A Hage

Redeemer Toowoomba Qld to Wodonga Vic

• Rev Peter D Heintze

Mallee SA to St Pauls Hahndorf SA

• Rev Damien J A Martin

Barossa North SA to Barossa North SA (Realigned)

• Rev Kees C Sturm

Townsville Qld to Redlands Qld

• Rev Rodney D Witmitz

Hallett Cove SA to Manawatu NZ

Accepted

• Rev Paul A Hage

Redeemer Toowoomba Qld to Wodonga Vic

• Rev Damien J A Martin

Barossa North SA to Barossa North SA (Realigned)

Declined

• Rev Paul A Hage

Redeemer Toowoomba Qld to Greensborough Vic

• Rev Joel E Pukallus

South-West Queensland to Manawatu NZ

• Rev Rodney D Witmitz Hallett Cove SA to Manawatu NZ

www.eckermanns.com.au 08 8366 7988

INSTALLATIONS

• Rev Sue M Westhorp – Installed to St Paul’s Box Hill Vic on 18 May 2025 by Vic-Tas District Pastor for Congregational Support Brett Kennett.

• Rev Nicholas K Kitchen and Rev Mathew L von Stanke – Installed to LifeWay NSW (Epping, Newcastle, Illawarra and Westside) at LifeWay Epping NSW on 1 June 2025 by NSW-ACT District Bishop Richard Schwedes

• Rev James N Leach – Installed to St Paul’s Caboolture Qld on 22 June 2025 by Qld District Second Assistant Bishop Luke Spilsbury

• Rev Michael D Dutschke – Installed to Para Vista SA on 29 June 2025 by SA-NT District Assistant Bishop for Mission Stephen Schultz

ROLL OF PASTORS

• Rev Anthony L Fox (Emeritus) – Resigned from the LCANZ Roll of Pastors, effective 14 June 2025

• Rev Peter J Noble – Resigned from the LCANZ Roll of Pastors, effective 4 June 2025

• Rev Louis D Pfeiffer (Emeritus) – Resigned from the LCANZ Roll of Pastors, effective 14 June 2025

IN MEMORIAM

• Mrs Olga Roennfeldt nee Reuther, widow of Pastor Ivan Roennfeldt, died on 6 June 2025, aged 100 years. Her funeral was held on 17 June 2025 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Woolloongabba Qld. The livestream recording of her funeral service is available at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Nx4dO2UAErI

ADELAIDE ACCOMMODATION

Self-contained 1 or 2-bedroom city cottages and 3 or 4-bedroom beach houses – 4 Harriett's Cottages can now be found via www.noblebnb.com.au

Make contact via the website and form or phone Noah on 0404 608 196

In Memoriam

Rev Marinus Hofman born 9 July 1929 (Krabbendijke, Netherlands); married Alice Hofman nee Commeraat 29 Aug 1951 (she died 22 Jan 2023); ordained 13 Dec 1970 (Albert Park SA); served Albert Park SA (1970–1971), Cabramatta/Liverpool NSW (1971–1975), leave of absence (1975–1978), Wollongong NSW (1978–1987); retired 1 Aug 1987; died 1 June 2025 (Cairns Qld); funeral 17 June 2025 (Trinity Lutheran Church Cairns Qld); mourned by children Marinus, Arie, Herman, Jan and Anton, and families

Aubrey Podlich

Rev Aubrey William Podlich born 28 Sept 1946 (Boonah Qld); ordained 18 Jan 1970 (Boonah Qld); married Merrilyn Joy Podlich nee Gough 21 Aug 1971; served Murray Bridge SA (1970–1973), Gladstone Qld (1973–1978), Dysart Qld (1978–1984), South Ipswich Qld (1984–1995), Kalbar Qld (1996–1997), Fassifern Qld (1997–2008); retired 30 Mar 2008; died 28 May 2025; funeral 6 June 2025 (Dugandan (Boonah) Lutheran Church Qld); mourned by wife Merrilyn, children Dean, Shane, Nathan and Kirsten, and families

Leon Philippi

Rev Leon Frederick Philippi born 19 Jan 1927 (Bruning Nebraska, USA); ordained 20 June 1954 (Bruning Nebraska); married Theophilia nee Stolz 25 Sept 1954 (Christ Church Sydney NSW) (she died 30 Oct 2017); served Papua New Guinea (1954–1972), Ropeley Qld (1972–1977), Maryborough Qld (1977–1991); retired 26 Jan 1991; died 27 June 2025; funeral 14 July 2025 (St Paul’s Lutheran Church Caboolture Qld); mourned by children Esther, Timothy and Christine, and families

messagesofhope.org.au/hope-for-kids

Parents and grandparents play a special role in sharing Jesus with children. Go to www.messagesofhope.org.au/hope-for-kids

‘‘Put these words of mine in your heart and soul… Teach them to your children.’

DEUTERONOMY 11:18,19

to find colouring sheets, activities and more.

Grab a show bag to introduce Jesus to your special loved one.

Sharing hope for 80 years

Phone FREECALL 1800 353 350

luthmedia@lca.org.au

youtube.com/messagesofhope @luthmedia

Lutheran Media Manager

‘Before your help, our lives were filled with worry and despair. No matter how hard my wife and I worked, often our harvest was not sufficient to meet our family’s basic needs.

Now, the training I received in effective farming techniques, land processing and seed selection means every time I see a newly abundant harvest, my heart is filled with gratitude. Smiles of happiness radiate on the faces of me, my wife and children.

Every kind act you do has a huge impact on our lives.

May God reward the Australian people for supporting us. We hope more and more poor people will feel the change you have supported, not only for us but also for future generations. Thank you.’

Yohanes Yunius Bate'e, Indonesia

You can bless others like Yohanes by dedicating a gift in your Will to keep on helping people through ALWS. As you do, those you love will see the values precious to you live on.

1300 763 407 * alws.org.au

alws@alws.org.au

Thank you!

You might not have imagined worms as part of your Lutheran ministry through ALWS in a place like Ethiopia …

That is, until you sat down and talked with farmers like Teyib and his wife Zeytu, as I did. They told me ‘the Lutheran’ had taught them to build a worm box (the size and shape of a coffin), and fill it with cow manure, leaf litter and dirt.

Once the Lutheran-supplied worms went to work, they converted this no-cost waste into high-value organic fertiliser. Crop yields increased. Expensive chemical fertilisers were no longer needed. The damage to health that those chemicals caused was stopped.

Teyib explained that they now even have a business selling worm compost to other farmers:

‘The other people in the community see this idea of worm compost, and they love it. They want to be like us. Now, most in our village use it. Even the neighbouring villages hear about it and want to

use it too. People like to buy our products because they know it is organic. The government officials especially want our produce. This means our income is improved.’

This close-to-the-earth, environmentally friendly, smellof-an-oily-rag way of equipping people to break free of poverty is typical of the ways our Lutheran Church brings love to life through ALWS…

… and has done for 75 years. Meeting people where they’re at. Knowing them as individuals. Helping them to help themselves. Just as Jesus did.

While Teyib and Zeytu offered me a handful of worms in thanks, I’ll just use words – thank you. Your Christian kindness is a blessing ALWayS!

Jonathan Krause, ALWS Community Action Manager