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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.
Reading can be the best medicine!
Due to turn 96 later this year, Pastor Edwin Koch had a recent stay in hospital brightened up when his son Richard visited with a copy of the latest edition of his favourite magazine, The Lutheran. The church has been Pastor Edwin’s life and, when he is able, he still loves attending church at St Johns at Southgate in Melbourne, with his wife Gladys. Richard Koch took the photo.
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
Dorothy Brinkmann
Zion Lutheran Church Walla Walla NSW
Secondary school teacher (on sabbatical), ALWS volunteer, church layreader
Most treasured Bible text: Psalm 139:9,10
‘If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.’
Des Kalisch
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Hampstead SA
Retired HR consultant, LCANZ Council for Local Mission member
Most treasured Bible text: Isaiah 55:11
‘So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.’
Emma Brew-Bevan
Pilgrim Lutheran Church Magill SA
Tutor and research assistant in Criminology at Flinders University, chairperson at Pilgrim Lutheran Church Magill
Most treasured Bible text: Proverbs 31:25
‘For she is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.’
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.
As we approach the 21st Regular Convention of General Synod of our church, some people are anxious. Some are anxious about the possibility of change. Some are anxious that things won’t change. Others are anxious about not knowing what will happen next. And, as we look outside ourselves, at the world – at the wars, the suffering, the poverty, the abuse of many kinds, the destruction of homes and communities, whether by bombs or environmental disasters, the degradation of the earth, and so on – more anxiety.
We can despair, disengage from it all and wait to die (or for the world to end). Or we can turn our eyes to the cross. We can – as we read in 1 Peter 5:7 – cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us! And we know what comes next if we head to St Paul’s letter to the Philippians (4:6): ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’
So, give God your worries, and pray. When we pray, we can thank him and ask for what we need – perhaps that’s freedom from stress, and for a calm mind and an untroubled heart. And we can pray for hope –which, if we stop and think about it, we already have, through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
In our prayers, we can also ask God to show us what we can do – how we can help with things that are within our realm of influence and according to our gifts and abilities. All of us can pray for others, for peace, for healing, for reconciliation.
We can also be a neighbour in practical ways to the people in our lives and our communities according to our time and talents. Someone we know might need a listening ear. They might need a kind word or some encouragement, or to be invited or included. They might need someone to offer a cuppa or share a meal with them.
Those small acts might just offer the chance for the Holy Spirit to create mission opportunities in future. In time, we might also be able to share with the people we sit alongside ‘the reason for the hope we have’ (1 Peter 3:15,16). Many of you are already doing this and much more. We thank God that members of our Lutheran family are engaging in local mission opportunities, connecting with and serving their neighbours and wider communities.
What is happening by the power of the Spirit is encouraging, it’s inspiring and it can remind us how much we have to be thankful for and how relatively little most of us have to be anxious about.
So, while we’re including in these pages things you’ll need to know about our upcoming General Synod and other happenings across the LCANZ, we’ve dedicated more space to share some of the many wonderful things going on in local mission in our faith communities. I hope you are blessed by reading them, as I was.
And remember … Feeling anxious? Cast, pray, be a neighbour. God’s got this!
Reaching out with open arms
How do you share the gospel?
‘God was already up to something’
Building community –one serve at a time
Little church with a big heart for neighbours
‘It’s the Father’s ministry’
Age no barrier to friendships
Way Forward Framework released Regulars Because we bear your name: Bishop Paul’s letter
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following pages may contain images of people who have died. Our cover: iStock.com
Because we bear your name
Like most little children, my daughter Felicity loved stories. She progressed through the standard children’s bedtime books, through to the Narnia Chronicles by C S Lewis, then even to ancient Viking sagas. Today, she is a passionate editor for an Australian publishing company, working with authors to get their stories shared and cherished.
Felicity also learned how story carries community and gives people a common focus. It is no coincidence that she is known among her family and friends as a ‘people-gatherer’. She is good at getting people together to share their stories in new friendship groups.
As Christians, we, too, are people of ‘story’. There is a well-loved hymn that features the line, ‘tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and his love’. To use the word ‘story’ does not diminish the truth of the gospel. The word ‘story’ highlights the telling and sharing of this message passed down to us from the early Christians. In his letter to the Corinthians, St Paul writes about passing on the story. ‘For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures’ (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).
BISHOP PAUL’S LETTER
REV
Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him’. This is my message for you.”’
When we get together for the Convention of General Synod in October this year, we are being ‘community people’ of the story we are sent to tell. This is our common identity as people of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. We gather to find purposeful ways to pass on the good news of God’s grace that we have received. The convention summarises this call with the theme, ‘The Gift of God: It’s grace that unites us’.
WE GATHER TO FIND PURPOSEFUL WAYS TO PASS ON THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD’S GRACE THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
Our ‘story’, as a Lutheran church in Australia and New Zealand, is the telling of people travelling to the ends of the earth to share the good news of ‘Jesus and his love’, especially with the indigenous peoples of our countries on either side of the Tasman Sea. The pioneer Lutheran Christians in this part of the world were mission workers who came to share the hope of the gospel with Australia’s First Nations peoples.
In the Easter story written in Matthew’s gospel, we are reminded of being sent for the ‘telling’ of the old, old story that changes our hearts: ‘ … the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.
Martin Luther once wrote an ancient Latin prayer into a German hymn, for faithful people to sing and pray, seeking the Lord to fight for us. His words are found in number 866 in our Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement. But the prayer is not simply asking the Lord to fight for us, to destroy others. Instead, the prayer calls on the Lord of mercy, to fight for peace. This is the peace that keeps our hearts and minds in all that Christ Jesus has done for us.
As we get ready for our LCANZ 2024 Convention of General Synod where we gather for the telling the old, old story to one another, let us pray this ancient Latin prayer to the Lord of the cross and the empty tomb:
‘Grant peace, we pray, in mercy, Lord, peace in our time, O send us! For there is none on earth but you, none other to defend us.
You only, O Lord, fight for us. Amen.’
Martin Luther, Lutheran Hymnal and Supplement 866
In Christ,
PAUL SMITH Bishop, Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand
REACHING OUT
As we’ve shared previously, the LCANZ this year has begun a new approach to funding local mission endeavours, through the Local Mission Fund. And, despite a tight timeframe for applications in the fund’s first year, the interest and inspiration that the availability of these grants has generated has been heartening for the church. I understand, too, that some congregations are looking forward to getting their plans together to apply for a grant next year.
The LLL’s Mission Outreach Grants (see page 26), are still going strong in their 15th year, too.
I guess we shouldn’t be too surprised at this heart for local mission within our Lutheran family in Australia and New Zealand. It has long been evident in what’s been going on in our congregations, schools, aged-care communities, agencies and auxiliaries.
BY LISA MCINTOSH
doing something or to start doing something in this space. Church building closures at the height of the COVID pandemic reminded us not only that the church is actually people but also that our call as Christians – to share love, life and faith with our neighbours – often necessitates us getting out of the relative safety of the four walls and into our local communities.
WE SHOULDN’T BE TOO SURPRISED AT THIS HEART FOR LOCAL MISSION WITHIN OUR LUTHERAN FAMILY.
Despite a view among some that we spend too much time ‘navel-gazing’ as a church, members are already reaching out with open arms to their neighbours –sharing food, friendship, hospitality and hope through regular ‘all welcome’ events including Mainly Music and community meals. But we can all benefit from learning about ideas that have worked elsewhere and the encouragement to keep
Being prepared and equipped for mission is also important. There has been strong interest and significant numbers of people taking part in the LCANZ’s Gospel Fluency Workshops, which give practical steps about contextually appropriate faith-sharing. (You can learn more about them on pages 6 and 20.)
Meanwhile, there’s great enthusiasm showing up through the ‘Prepared to go’ workshop pilot in South Australia, which is designed to generate a desire to engage ‘outsiders’ and to demonstrate simple ways to make connections and create opportunities to share faith.
In the following pages, we share just a few examples of how members of our church are getting ready for or engaging in local mission – taking their place in the community into which God has placed them.
HOW DO YOU share THE GOSPEL?
BY JOANNE CHAMBERLAIN
Other than quoting Scripture, sharing the gospel is a foreign concept for some of us. We may even find ourselves using language that really doesn’t make sense to people who don’t know about God. And that’s especially true in a world that sees Christianity differently now from times past. Now, it is often criticised or received cynically.
And yet there’s a real need in our communities for the message of the gospel – the good news – to bring life and joy to people often desperate for hope. When you begin to unpack the ‘why’, ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ of ‘gospel fluency’, the concept of sharing the gospel becomes considerably clearer – and somewhat easier.
That’s what the LCANZ’s Gospel Fluency Workshops are designed to do. And to date, more than 500 people have attended, and been inspired by practical tools to help them share the gospel with people around them.
Meanwhile, after noticing one of the youngest participants – a primary school-aged child – furiously scribbling notes during a workshop, the presenter inquired what they were doing. ‘I’m trying to write everything down so I can share it with my friends at school tomorrow’, came the excited reply.
WHEN YOU BEGIN TO UNPACK THE
‘WHY’, ‘WHO’,
‘WHAT’,
‘WHEN’
AND ‘HOW’ OF ‘GOSPEL FLUENCY’, THE CONCEPT OF SHARING THE GOSPEL BECOMES CONSIDERABLY CLEARER.
The workshops are engaging and practical and encourage us to see the gospel message in a new light. The message of God’s love for us, how he carries us through challenging times, how that’s reflected throughout the Bible and what that means for us right now – it’s all relevant to anyone we meet.
After a recent workshop, one participant reflected on being motivated to take up an opportunity God had given them: ‘This has prompted me to speak to someone who has been on my heart for a while. They asked some time ago about baptism, and I’ve never really followed up. This has challenged me to do something about it.’
Indeed, the blessings of shared stories through these workshops continue to inspire leaders as well as participants. One lady shared what it meant for her to be baptised at 80 years of age. Another shared how God showed up in a traumatic time in her life. People are genuinely surprised how easy it is to share your story and how God’s story, ours and other people’s stories intertwine. People leave the workshops with a purpose and a greater sense of how to share the gospel.
The workshops are now also being used as training for young adult leaders by Blueprint Ministries, which supports the faith journey of children, youth, young adults and families in the South Australia-Northern Territory District. With a growing percentage of those who attend camps coming from non-Christian backgrounds, there was a desire for leaders to know how to help young people discover or explore the gospel for the first time.
Facilitators are available to present in-person workshops for congregations or groups, or you can use the resources available to do a self-guided workshop. To find out more, see page 20 or go to www.lca.org.au/gospel-fluency
Joanne Chamberlain serves with Blueprint Ministries and has presented Gospel Fluency Workshops.
‘GOD WAS ALREADY UP TO SOMETHING’
Developing a missional culture and forming relationships that provide outreach opportunities do not happen overnight. So, foundations laid before mission gets going are essential – and build excitement and enthusiasm. That’s why, when Pastor Mark Whitfield told us his small New Zealand congregation was making connections leading to ‘emerging mission possibilities’, we asked him to share more.
BY MARK WHITFIELD
In my second week as pastor of St Paul’s Christchurch last October, I reached out to Rory, the local government community development advisor for our area. I said I was on a mission to help St Paul’s find its place in the community and learn how we might be useful to and bless our local area.
Rory showed me a big wall map and pointed to our location, right in the middle. He said there were almost no community activities happening around St Paul’s. My heart leapt for joy. It was as though a blank canvas of ministry opportunity was laid before us, except that I knew God was already up to something. We began exploring ministry possibilities.
A few weeks later Rory emailed and said a retired farming couple wanted to put a ‘Sharing Shed’ in our suburb. That shed, housing a ‘sharing’ pantry and book exchange, is now on our church land. People come and go, and local schoolkids are preparing to paint and decorate it.
WE HAVE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE AND LOVE TO SHARE. SO, LOOK EVERYWHERE AROUND WHEREVER YOU ARE … GOD IS ALREADY UP TO SOMETHING!
During the shed building, I met Greg, the community board member for our suburb. He said a community services trust was looking for a place from which to offer its programs. As a result of negotiations and some sprucing up of our place, we welcomed these people in early August. Within three days, around 200 people had come into the church.
We also have music ministry possibilities. I discovered last year that the University of Canterbury was looking for a home for its beautiful baroque pipe organ. I shared a vision for a Bach Cantata Vespers ministry and invited them to base the organ at St Paul’s. This month I learnt that the university had agreed. This ministry will present the gospel through some of the finest music within the Lutheran heritage.
We’ve made wonderful connections that are leading to emerging possibilities. We’re not exactly doing mission yet, but we’re prepping ourselves for the opportunities God is bringing
Above and top: The people of St Paul’s Christchurch have welcomed community programs into their church and a ‘sharing shed’ onto their property.
us to be alongside our community. I’ve always liked the story of Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8) and the invitation from the Lord to ‘go to the chariot and stay near it’, with the hope that someone might invite us ‘come up and sit’ alongside and tell them about Jesus.
We are the face, the presence, the heart of Jesus to the world. We have the most beautiful gift of God’s grace and love to share. So, look everywhere around wherever you are … God is already up to something! He prepares the way for conversations, opens doors to possibilities, and can even use the community sector to help us be what he created us to be –witnesses to his gospel in the world.
Pastor Mark Whitfield is Bishop Emeritus of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand.
Bake 110 potatoes. Dice 10 onions and sauté. Add 10 kilos of beef mince. When the meat is browned, add 22 cans of crushed tomatoes, 20 packets of chilli con carne mix and 14 cans of red kidney beans. Mix well and simmer until cooked. Repeat the process with two kilos of plant-based mince. Then pack it all into serving containers and load it into the car, along with six kilos of grated cheese, three litres of sour cream, and 120 assorted drinks, and drive carefully to Mahogany Avenue in the northern Sydney suburb of Macquarie Park. There, on a blocked-off street, marquees and tables have been set up to serve and feed 80 to 95 locals from the nearby housing towers who are sitting on the kerb or in deckchairs.
‘Baked potatoes with chilli con carne’ is just one of the menu offerings at Midtown Eats, a community-building ministry, so-named by the local residents. They recently moved into New South Wales’ biggest and newest mixed-tenure community, five minutes down the road from LifeWay Lutheran Church at Epping. Preparing hearty and nourishing food is one role that a group of eight LifeWay volunteers has been fulfilling on the first and third Friday evenings of the month. Equally important is gathering with the guests who come to build community over a meal in a multicultural setting where one in two households speaks a language other than English.
completed with Macquarie University, whose reference team was chaired by LifeWay’s Lead Pastor, Mark Schultz. He says the church, as part of the ‘Together for Ryde’ network of churches, was involved in the research ‘with the view of building healthy communities’ in the former housing commission residential area.
‘Community doesn’t just happen. It needs to be intentionally built’, Pastor Mark says.
Some of the key findings of research interviews with those living in high-rise apartments included that 37 per cent said they knew no-one in the building well enough to have a conversation with them, while 57 per cent had no-one they would ask for a favour or invite into their apartment.
‘COMMUNITY DOESN’T JUST HAPPEN. IT NEEDS TO BE INTENTIONALLY BUILT.’
Midtown Eats is the next step in putting into practice the recommendations of the ‘Vertical Villages’ research project
Pastor Mark says LifeWay’s presence and service at Macquarie Park is in collaboration with national Christian charity Mission Australia, which has a team based onsite, and volunteers from local Baptist, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches.
‘Through our partnership with Mission Australia, we have the opportunity to change those statistics and help build a great community and facilitate life-giving relationships’, he says.
The early-evening meals are promoted through the Midtown MacPark Community Facebook page and, most effectively, by word of mouth. ‘The first week we asked for registrations’, Pastor Mark says. ‘There were 40 initially, but by lunchtime on
Friday we got wind of there being 60 people who planned to come. So, we catered for 90 and there was not one bit of food left over. There are never any leftovers. Some residents are now taking a plate of food up to others who can’t come down.’
He says real needs are starting to be shared because those who attend know that the volunteers care. ‘One gentleman I talked to last time, had come for the first time. He was a bit nervous to come down because of social anxiety, so I sat with him, and we connected through our love of sport. That conversation then moved very quickly to the struggles of divorce and mental health. That’s the type of sharing we are seeing happen.
‘The Mission Australia Community chaplain, who is a real gift to that community and a delight to work with, told me that they cannot believe how our being there has helped to accelerate the sense of community.’
Midtown Eats is not the only place LifeWay members help to serve in such a way. The congregation has received a state government grant enabling it to provide monthly community meals in five other social housing complexes where social isolation is a key concern. While these meals for nearly 300 people a month are all funded by LifeWay, they are provided and served by teams of volunteers from six other churches, who have come together to adopt a housing complex and work to build and nurture supportive communities.
‘We share our resources’, Pastor Mark says of the ecumenical effort. ‘LifeWay applied for the grant knowing that we could not get all of the volunteers to reach our goal of providing more than 1500 meals to people by ourselves. But with each church adopting a site, those from other churches who can’t do a Friday with us for example, but can do a Tuesday night, get to mix with other Christians in the area.
‘It’s a beautiful illustration of the church working together to bring blessing.’
LifeWay chairperson and volunteer Shane Albances agrees. ‘Midtown Eats has been a wonderful example of how showing up and serving a new community for a few hours can create an opportunity for conversations, connections and
Opposite page, left and below: Apartment tower residents in suburban Sydney enjoy the food and friendship shared at the twice-monthly Midtown Eats community-building ministry, which involves volunteers from LifeWay Lutheran Church Epping.
‘[THIS] HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF HOW SHOWING UP AND SERVING A NEW COMMUNITY FOR A FEW HOURS CAN CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVERSATIONS, CONNECTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS.’
relationships’, he says. ‘We’ve had genuine interest in why we are volunteering, and this has led to opportunities for sharing my faith which has always been received positively.’
Another volunteer, Andrew, also believes relationships are the key to this service and outreach. ‘From day one, the residents joined our team of volunteers to work side-by-side in serving their own community’, he says. ‘Over food, no-one cares whether you live in the social housing, are renting, or have bought your own place. The relationship is what matters.’
Midtown Eats may only have been going since May, but the gift of community is already being witnessed. ‘Before we even have the meals ready, people from the towers are assembling in the street and chatting’, volunteer Charles says. ‘I feel very blessed to be able to share God’s love with them in this simple way.’
Another volunteer, Karen adds: ‘Seeing the local kids playing together and the parents connecting with and supporting each other is a real highlight.’
When the marquees and tables are packed up after a Friday evening meal and the only light that remains is the glow of the street light overhead, there is a group seated in a circle, still deeply engaged talking with the volunteers. No-one seems to care that it is only 11 degrees outside. As a resident thanks the team again and bids them farewell, there is only one thing left to ask, ‘What’s on the menu next time?’
Sedan in South Australia’s Mid Murray Council region is like many other country towns that have seen services and facilities dwindle in recent times. And Sue Grieger, a member of Pilgrims of Zion Lutheran Church at Sedan, says ‘the fabric of the community’ has changed greatly in the 35 years she has lived there.
‘We no longer have a school, bank or garages, and many farms have been consolidated into their neighbours’ properties’, says Sue, who with husband Peter runs the local supermarket.
Pilgrims of Zion has 20 active adult members who worship in what, these days, seems a big church building. In 2013, the parish merged with Mannum, based around half an hour away, to form Mid Murray Parish. At that time, the parish had two pastors to serve seven congregations, one resident in Cambrai, 10 kilometres to the south. But since 2020, they have had just one minister, who lives in Mannum, to serve six.
‘For the first time in more than 140 years, there is no resident minister in our area of any denomination’, Sue explains. ‘As a result, as a congregation, we have had to consider how to provide effective ministry to our members and be the church in the community – one that is not so pastor-centric.’
‘BEING SMALL IN NUMBER IS NO BARRIER TO SEEKING OUT OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.’
Pilgrims of Zion may be a little church, but members have a big heart for their neighbours. In 2022, they decided to offer a free ‘democracy sausage’ sizzle at the local hall on federal election day, to engage with the local community. Sue says it’s surprising how many people are suspicious of a free sausage, so they offered a donation box for charity!
‘One voter said they didn’t realise the church was still open’, Sue says. ‘This comment got us thinking: “How can we improve our visibility?”. Anyone who knows Sedan knows it’s hard to miss the church as it’s right in the centre of town. So, when we had some electrical work done, we installed lights to highlight the front at night. But we also needed other ways to let people know the lights are still on!’
Since 2023, the congregation also has hosted a free breakfast on Australia Day in front of the church. Sue says attendance numbers outside of church members ‘aren’t huge’, but says they know such things take time to gather momentum.
As part of their efforts to engage with the community, Pilgrims of Zion Lutheran Church members host Anzac Day breakfasts and church services (top) and Australia Day breakfasts (above).
With the local war memorial being on church property, since 2014
Pilgrims of Zion has hosted an ANZAC Day service. They provide a barbecue breakfast, followed by a 9am service. All proceeds from the breakfast are donated to Legacy.
Other initiatives include an active parish Shed Men group and, together with the Cambrai congregation, they host Carols by Candlelight, and provide the catering for the Sedan Swap Meet, as a fundraiser and to engage with the community.
‘Being small in number is no barrier to seeking out opportunities in your communities. The church is us, the people, not the building’, Sue says, referencing a line from a sermon at a recent church anniversary. ‘We give thanks to God for his blessings to our community for over 150 years.’
In addition, she says a quote from the late English Anglican priest William Temple sums up the inspiration for the outreach efforts of this little church with a big heart: ‘The church exists primarily for the sake of those who are still outside it.’
When Ros O’Donohoe from Good Shepherd Para Vista in suburban Adelaide explains the story of the inspirational ‘Meet and Eat’ ministry, there’s a phrase that comes up again and again. ‘It’s the Father’s ministry.’
These words are a testament to the faith Ros draws on as she and a team of helpers prepare and serve dinner for 80 to 90 people at the church hall every Monday apart from public holidays. Congregation members also eat with the guests and gauge prayer needs.
Some who come for the food, friendship and singalongs have been sleeping rough. ‘All who come are a joy to have’, Ros says. ‘The addicted ones or the broken souls who didn’t want to be in this position, those who didn't have a basic education; those are the dear ones I will protect.’ A collaboration with the homeless charity Orange Sky means guests can have clothes washed and dried while they eat and use shower facilities.
by the end of the week, Pathway had an abundance of food, so God kept the food flowing.’
Meet and Eat had its origins in a smaller, simpler ministry, the seed of which was planted in 2008. Ros and her late husband Barry, who died in 2013, received a prophecy that God would start a new ministry through them.
It began with morning teas for several of Ros and Barry’s neighbours who had lost spouses to cancer. Some of them were hostile towards the church. ‘Eventually, we asked if they would come to “a hall”, for me to cook them soup and toast’, she says. ‘They agreed but there was to be “no church talk”.
‘WHEN THE FATHER STARTS A MINISTRY, HE HAS ALL THE RESOURCES.’
Much of the food served at ‘Meet and Eat’ comes from Pathway Community Centre at nearby Modbury North. The congregation contributes about $150 each month. ‘The church has been enormously supportive’, Ros says. ‘Basically, we don't need more money … it’s the Father’s ministry. The church put in a new kitchen, which is such a blessing. And one day a Good Shepherd member asked to help, indicating that he loved to cook – praise God!’
There are two or three soups each week, and the resident ‘chef’ prepares meat and vegetable main courses, followed by dessert. But things don’t always go to plan. ‘When the freezer stopped working, all the food had to be trashed’, Ros recalls. ‘But I believed the Father would supply what we needed. And,
‘We called it “Soup night” at first. Yet, whatever it’s called, it’s always the Father’s ministry. When the Father starts a ministry, he has all the resources.’
The food, friendship and faith on offer change lives. By 2011, 12 ‘grumpy neighbours’ were being welcomed by six Good Shepherd members, sharing soup and laughter. ‘All of my original grumpy neighbours later asked for Jesus’, Ros says. ‘They experienced love and acceptance.’
Ros explains, too, that, as a small child, her back neighbour saw a picture of Jesus with the words, “Suffer the little children to come unto me”. ‘Her fear was that the man in the picture would make her suffer. I couldn’t change that, despite being her neighbour for 35 years – yet soup and love changed her heart at 93 years of age! She needed what we had.
Praise God!
‘So, the greatest blessing is to see others finding salvation over a bowl of soup. That energises me to work with joy.’
The ‘Meet and Eat’ ministry at Good Shepherd Para Vista in suburban Adelaide serves food and friendship to 80 to 90 people most Monday evenings.
Below: Singalongs with ukuleles and other instruments hit the right note for the visiting Lutheran school students and
Visits to residents of Harbor Village have become a much-loved part of the school calendar for Year 1 and 4 Buddy Classes at Encounter Lutheran College in Victor Harbor, South Australia.
The Early Learning to Year 12 school is located approximately 100 metres up the road from the independent living retirement village, which is administered by Victor Harbor Lutheran Homes Inc. Every second week of the school term, about eight residents of Harbor Village eagerly gather in the community’s recreation room, anticipating the arrival of the students for ‘Friday Fun’ sessions.
Activities at the sessions range from crafts and board games to exploring old farming implements and singing along with ukuleles. These activities align with seasonal events, themes, or the residents’ interests. Children often leave with smiles, while residents enjoy the company and feel fulfilled by the interaction.
The sessions provide a platform for both young and old to share knowledge and learn different perspectives. The integration of younger and older people also allows for the integration of older ways with newer thinking. Residents who have fond memories of board games, reading books and doing craft often find themselves challenged by the newer application of graphics and interactive games, recorded readings of
THE VALUABLE AND MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE CHILDREN AND THE RESIDENTS – THE LATTER OF WHOM ARE AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS ‘VILLAGE FRIENDS’ – OFFER TIME AND INTEREST TO BOTH COHORTS AND ENRICH THE LIVES OF EACH GENERATION.
favourite stories shown on a TV screen and the creativity that comes with current-day craft projects. For the children, it’s an opportunity to share their knowledge with an older friend or to learn something new.
As the program gains momentum, the residents’ confidence grows, with many rediscovering a natural affinity for engaging with young minds, having backgrounds as former teachers, Sunday school leaders or librarians, or through their roles as parents and grandparents. Despite initial hesitations by some residents, the enthusiasm of their peers encourages them to participate and return each fortnight. The valuable and meaningful connections between the children and the residents – the latter of whom are affectionately known as ‘village friends’ – offer time and interest to both cohorts and enrich the lives of each generation.
Residents have been heard to ask what they could offer the students, or question what the students would want from the interactions, but the reality is that there is a great deal that the residents can give back to their younger friends.
Being seen as ‘village friends’ by the students, rather than being defined simply as ‘seniors’ or ‘the elderly’, has resulted in the residents of Harbor Village opening up a world of new conversations and connections with the Encounter students.
Right: Every second week of the school term, residents of Harbor Village at Victor Harbor in South Australia, meet students from nearby Encounter Lutheran College for activities including board games and crafts.
their ‘village friends’.
PRAYER POINTS
1–7 SEPTEMBER
All fathers, those who are missing their dads and those who have longed to be fathers, as we mark Father’s Day (1 Sept)
8–14 SEPTEMBER
Those congregations, schools, aged-care communities and other faith families who are endeavouring to reach out with the gospel
15–21 SEPTEMBER
An end to discrimination preventing universal suffrage on the anniversary of NZ’s 1893 Electoral Act, which gave women the vote (19 Sept)
22–28 SEPTEMBER
The LCANZ’s pastors, as they prepare to meet at the General Pastors Conference in Adelaide (29 Sept–2 Oct)
29 SEPT–5 OCTOBER
All delegates, staff, volunteers and visitors, as they prepare for and begin their service at the LCANZ’s General Synod (4–7 Oct)
6–12 OCTOBER
Those who struggle with mental health issues and those who support them, during National Mental Health Month in Australia
13–19 OCTOBER
People working in aged or disability care around Australia and New Zealand, during Australia’s National Carers Week
20–26 OCTOBER
Members of Bethlehem
Murbko SA, who will hold the closing service of their church (27 Oct) and other congregations in the same situation
27 OCT–2 NOV
Lutherans in New Zealand, on the anniversary of the signing of He Whakaputanga, the nation’s Declaration of Independence, in 1835 (28 Oct)
DWELLING IN GOD’S WORD
How can we help people encounter Jesus? Put another way, how can we tell others about Jesus? Perhaps you have heard the word ‘evangelism’. To evangelise means to share the gospel. It is not about conversion as that is the job of the Holy Spirit. We simply need to follow, speak, act and be who Jesus calls us to be.
What is your definition of evangelism?
Read Matthew 28:19,20. Why do you think God asks Christians to make disciples in the first place?
As his disciples, Jesus calls us to disciple others so that they may encounter him and his grace. We are sent out with God’s blessing, knowing that he will be with us always.
Have you ever had someone ask why you believe in God? Have you ever thought about what your answer would be?
Take some time to reflect on what you might say. You may wish to write it down.
It can be a daunting task to share something so personal, especially in a world in which being a Christian and sharing your faith is not always accepted, or when you are not sure how people will react.
The text 1 Peter 3:8–17 is a good template for preparing for evangelism.
Read it and consider which verses best apply to our contemporary world.
Think about how you first encountered Jesus. Think about who shared the gospel with you and helped you along your journey of faith.
How did those people do this? How important is your faith to you now because they took time to tell you about Jesus’ love and forgiveness? How important was the time they spent with you?
It is important to us to make time for people when we are sharing our faith with them so we can help them on their journey of encountering Jesus.
Read Acts and critique the evangelistic techniques of some biblical evangelists. What would help people encounter Jesus today? What wouldn’t work so well?
Acts 2:14-40 Peter addresses the crowd following Pentecost. Acts 8:26–40 Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 20:7–12 Paul in Troas
BY JODI BROOK
Our personalities may determine how we will best be able to help others encounter Jesus.
• For some people a wonderful or amazing thing happened to them that changed their life dramatically and they feel compelled to share their faith story with as many people as they can.
• Some are gifted evangelists who can’t help but share Jesus’ love with everyone.
• Others can invest their time in meeting with people and sharing in conversation. This is such a gift to have the time to listen to someone’s story and help them find their place in God’s story. Never underestimate the power of listening.
• Some are good at learning and passing on their knowledge. They are able to teach others and help them understand what they believe in.
• Others will invite people to hear the word of God. They will pray for the Spirit to work through God’s word to create faith.
• And some people are able to respectfully debate topics because of their knowledge and their respect for people’s opinions. This can help people discern the truth. In an unbelieving world that looks for proof, these people are invaluable.
What one of the above statements best describes how you might help people encounter Jesus?
The Holy Spirit is always at work in us as we build relationships with people and share our faith.
The Spirit is the only one who brings people to faith. All we need to be is a vessel to help them hear the word of God and encounter Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear Father, Please help me to ‘always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks me to give a reason for the hope that I have’. Please help me to share that explanation with gentleness and respect. Have your Spirit work through me to help the people I meet encounter Jesus. Amen.
Jodi Brook is the LCANZ’s Local Mission Coordinator.
ALWS – Australian Lutheran World Service – is our Lutheran Church’s aid and development agency. As a Lutheran family, we come together to give practical hands-on help to people hurt by poverty, disaster and conflict. Our focus is those most in danger and at risk of being forgotten. In 2023, $8,191,847 of aid provided care to 412,847 people. Thank you!
ALWS works hard to take as much care of your donations as you do. This is especially important when times are tough. In 2023, ALWS overheads (essential fundraising, administration and accountability costs, as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 15.4 per cent. This is below the five-year average of 15.8 per cent.
From
My
Projects supporting and educating people
412,847 lives blessed! Independent and thriving Safe and supported 84.6%
2023 saw disasters strike families in places like Ethiopia, Somalia, Myanmar, Ukraine and Israel/Palestine. You provided emergency care to 93,253 people like Takele in Ethiopia: ‘ …. we are receiving aid and hope we can get support so we can work on a small business and garden farming so we can rebuild our shattered lives.’
Dedicating a gift in your Will to ALWS is a visionary way to keep on touching the lives of people in need. In 2023, these gifts provided $1,056,351 for ALWS action. The added blessing is that this is a powerful way of showing friends and family the values you hold precious. For a FREE Lives You Touch booklet, call 1300 763 407
Kindness from people like you through ALWS supported 50,267 people to grow their income to provide for their families. Pontien, a farmer in Burundi, learned modern farming methods: ‘We will have more food for the family and will be able to ensure our children can continue their education to university!’
ways
TWO MONTHS TO GO
Framework released; members flock to local gatherings
In the wake of the release of the Way Forward Detailed Framework, LCANZ members attended local information sessions in encouraging numbers.
More than 1000 people attended the first 11 face-to-face gatherings – six of which were held in South Australia, two in Queensland, one in Western Australia, one in New South Wales and one in Victoria. More than 90 people attended the online gatherings held for the Victoria-Tasmania District. The Lutheran Church of New Zealand will host events across various locations in September.
The framework, which will come before our General Pastors Conference and Convention of General Synod in September and October this year, is the fruit of the most collaborative and consultative projects in the history of the LCANZ.
The Way Forward project resulted from a directive from the 2023 in-person sessions of the 2021–23 Convention of General Synod. Delegates voted by a strong majority to direct the General Church Board and College of Bishops (GCB-CoB) to find a way for the LCANZ to operate as ‘one church with two different practices of ordination’ and to report back with a detailed framework to the 2024 General Pastors Conference and General Synod.
The full framework and an executive summary of the framework can be downloaded from the Way Forward webpage at www.lca.org.au/detailed-framework
The district face-to-face gatherings, which are part of the Preparation and Prayer phase of the project, have offered attendees the chance to hear a presentation about the framework, as well as to discuss the information and ask questions, all in a setting of prayer and worship.
NSW-ACT District Administrator Russell Veerhuis said a gathering at Henty in the NSW Riverina, which was attended by 56 people, was ‘a wonderful example of community engagement’, and included representatives from all
congregations in the region. ‘Discussion was held in a beautiful spirit of engagement and care’, he said. ‘What a wonderful example of being church together.’
At St Petri Nuriootpa, in South Australia’s Barossa Valley (pictured), District Bishop Andrew Brook and Assistant Bishop Adrian Kitson gave a presentation about the framework to more than 250 people from 31 congregations. SA-NT District Administrator Angela Rogers said attendees ‘engaged in active conversation with each other, listening to what others thought, sharing ideas and caring for each other’.
As part of their preparation for the Churchwide convention, General Synod delegates were also urged to attend a district gathering and three webinars specifically developed for them, which began on 14 August. For more information about remaining face-to-face and/or online gatherings, go to www.lca.org.au/preparation-prayer/#dates-venues or contact your district office.
Delegates or other church leaders wanting to present a Way Forward information session in their congregations are invited to use resources created for this purpose. You can download them at www.lca.org.au/preparation-prayer/#congregationalresource-pack
WAY FORWARD MAJOR MILESTONES
MARCH 2023
Make appointments:
The project management team and eight working groups were appointed. The working groups are comprised of people from across the church who are experts in their respective subject areas.
JUNE 2023
Call for models/frameworks:
The entire church was invited to submit models for the Way Forward that aligned with the intent of the General Synod resolution.
JULY-SEPTEMBER 2023
Evaluate frameworks:
During this phase, the frameworks were evaluated and shortlisted for further consideration and development.
OCTOBER 2023JULY 2024
Enhance frameworks:
The shortlisted frameworks were further enhanced to meet the requirements of the General Synod resolution, and shaped to reflect church members’ feedback.
JULY 2024
The Detailed Framework was released – the result of the most consultative, collaborative project in the LCANZ’s history.
AUGUSTSEPTEMBER 2024
Preparation and prayer:
Face-to-face and online meetings and resources are made available for the wider church to prayerfully prepare for the proposal to go before General Synod.
SEPTEMBEROCTOBER 2024
General Pastors Conference and General Synod: General Pastors Conference will review the proposal, which Synod delegates will debate and vote on.
A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP PAUL SMITH
ON BEHALF OF GENERAL CHURCH BOARD AND COLLEGE OF BISHOPS
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ of the LCANZ, Grace and peace in Christ to you.
The Way Forward Detailed Framework is now available for download directly from the link below. The document itself explains the background of this project:
At the 2023 in-person sessions of the 2021-23 Convention of General Synod, delegates voted by a strong majority to direct General Church Board and College of Bishops (GCB-CoB) to find a way for us to operate as 'one church with two different practices of ordination' and to report back with a detailed framework to the 2024 General Pastors Conference and General Synod. The Way Forward Project appointed by GCBCoB has diligently worked through the theological, constitutional and governance requirements to allow this directive to be accomplished.
The Framework will come before our General Pastors Conference and Convention of General Synod in September and October this year. Delegates and members have been encouraged to attend one of the face-to-face or livestreamed/zoomed information and discussion events being organised by the districts. Dates and venues have been available online at www.lca.org.au/wayforward/ preparation-prayer/#dates-venues
Delegates also had the opportunity to learn more about the Framework at a special delegates webinar in mid-August.
Many people have contributed prayerfully and faithfully to this work, with the hope that we will together glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15).
May the hand of God bless our labours undertaken in the name of our Lord.
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Smith
LCANZ Bishop
on behalf of General Church Board and College of Bishops
In the wake of the release of the Way Forward Detailed Framework, LCANZ members attended local information sessions in encouraging numbers, including at Henty in New South Wales (pictured), where delegates and other members from the NSW-ACT District met in a ‘beautiful spirit of engagement and care’.
way forward Detailed Framework
THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THE WAY FORWARD DETAILED FRAMEWORK, WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN FULL AT: www.lca.org.au/wayforward/detailed-framework
IMPASSE
Despite more than three decades of theological study and debate within the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ), we remain divided on whether or not the Scriptures permit the ordination of women. There remain two widely held views on ordination within the Church.
TOWARDS A WAY FORWARD
At the 2023 in-person sessions of the 2021-23 Convention of General Synod, delegates voted by a strong majority to direct General Church Board and College of Bishops (GCBCoB) to find a way for us to operate as ‘one church with two different practices of ordination’ and to report back with a detailed framework to the 2024 General Pastors Conference and General Synod. The Way Forward project appointed by GCB-CoB has diligently worked through the theological, constitutional and governance requirements to allow this directive to be accomplished.
THE FRAMEWORK
The Way Forward Detailed Framework (Framework) offers an approach whereby both practices of ordination can exist within the LCA. The Framework has five key parts:
Part A: The Church makes the commitment to maintain its identity and form.
Part B: The Church changes its teaching to allow for the ordination of women and men.
Part C: The Church makes a commitment to pastors and pastoral ministry candidates that they will continue to be received and welcomed by the whole church in a respectful environment.
Part D: The Church makes a commitment to congregations and parishes that they may call a pastor who best aligns with their ministry plans.
Part E: The Church introduces a tenure-based provision for nomination for the roles of bishop and assistant bishop.
The Lutheran Church of Australia and the Lutheran Church of New Zealand are commonly referred to as the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (‘LCANZ’ or ‘Church’). To align with the Constitution, however, further references to the Church in this document will be ‘LCA’. 1 2 3
4
Above: Almost 70 people came together in a spirit of mutual respect and enthusiasm at Cummins on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula for the first face-to-face framework gathering in July.
IMPLEMENTATION
The Framework offers practical solutions and steps to implement the changes required to introduce the ordination of women in the LCA. Attention is given to what changes might be required by congregations, parishes and District and Churchwide agencies. The Framework also articulates the many areas of church life in which no changes are required. Fundamental principles of the implementation processes include respect for all pastors and people of the Church, and a churchwide program of pastoral care.
5
PROPOSALS
The Framework includes the proposals to be put to General Synod 2024 developed in response to the resolution of the 2021-23 General Synod.
Commitments of the Church: In working through all these issues, the Church commits to respectful dialogue and pastoral care in the gatherings of the Church. In particular, the Church commits to continued study of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, acknowledging that the divergent views of the role and service of women in the Church are upheld by faithful sisters and brothers in Christ. Moreover, the Church will always provide for concerns of conscience when providing for the official public worship gatherings in the life of the Church.
www.lca.org.au/convention-general-synod-2024
We know our General Synod delegates have a great responsibility, representing the members of their home congregation as they prepare, talk with those they represent, listen to Synod presentations, consider the information they receive before and at Synod, discuss, deliberate, take part in the debate and vote during Convention, report back home afterwards and, of course, pray throughout the process. And the LCANZ thanks them for their dedicated service. But while the role of delegates is critical to the functioning of the synodical process of the church, did you know that all members have a part to play?
RESOURCES FOR YOU TO ...
INSPIRED BY HOPE
BY JOANNE CHAMBERLAIN
As we wrestle with issues in the church and the world today –some that we may consider big issues and others that are not so big – there seems to be a recurring need and desire for hope.
Earlier this year, people were invited to send in short videos about hope that the LCANZ’s pastoral care working group could use to promote hope throughout the church. It was so encouraging to hear honest thoughts on both what challenges us, and also where we find hope. People reflected on key Bible verses that sustain them, and how prayer and deep conversation with God matter.
A key verse that comes to mind as I reflect on this is Psalm 27:8: ‘When you said, “Seek my face”, my heart said to you, “Your face, Lord, I will seek”.’ Another relevant text is Ephesians 3:20,21: ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.’
You can find the videos on the pastoral care resources page at www.lca.org.au/pastoral-care-resources in the Reflection on hope section.
PASTORAL CARE NETWORK EXPANDED
LET’S
BE OPEN TO SHARING GOOD CONVERSATIONS
I recently attended a meeting at which we were able to openly share how we were feeling about recent events in the LCANZ and concerns about the direction of the church. It was the most beautiful time in which people could express their beliefs without judgement and show the genuine heart of the group for care. A real God moment!
Are we, as a church, allowing good conversations in which conflicting beliefs can be shared, owned and valued?
The collation of videos about hope has been prepared as a study guide for groups and congregations to help them to reflect on hope. Consider this an opportunity to start good conversations about how we can share a future hope with each other. For pastoral care resources about the theme of hope and the video study guide, go to www.lca.org.au/ pastoral-care-resources
As we approach General Convention of Synod, you are encouraged to access pastoral care through your pastor or congregation pastoral carers. To support your local pastoral carers, a churchwide network of carers has been trained and is available for you. Contact pastoralcare@ lca.org.au and a pastoral carer will be provided for you.
Resources specifically developed for the preparation and prayer phase leading into General Synod have also been included in weekly service materials on the LCANZ’s worship planning page at www.lca.org.au/ worship/wpp
Joanne Chamberlain is a member of the LCANZ’s pastoral care working group.
GOOD NEWS! THERE’S HELP TO SHARE FAITH
Do you ever feel awkward, ill-equipped, unqualified, or unprepared to share the gospel? Do you know someone who is curious about the gospel, Jesus, or the Christian faith, but you just aren’t sure of the next steps? Do you wish you could more freely share the gospel in a natural way with your friends, family, workmates, or neighbours?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, a Gospel Fluency Workshop might be a great blessing for you and your congregation!
Offered by LCANZ Local Mission, the workshops are designed to give you a vocabulary, context and practice in sharing the good news in words and actions with those around you.
WHAT DO THE GOSPEL WORKSHOPS INCLUDE?
• Time for prayer and an introduction to the importance of prayer in sharing the gospel
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
The workshop runs for around two and a half hours, so it fits well into a Saturday morning or weekday evening. You can request an in-person facilitation of a workshop for your congregation or a local cluster of congregations.
• Biblical explorations equipping to be confident in God’s mission and call
• A practical way to map your relationships for the sake of the gospel
• An introduction to the critical importance of listening in gospel-sharing
• The chance to grow in gospel fluency through practice and reflection on your own situations
• An introduction to practical next steps for people who are curious about Jesus or the gospel
• Many helpful resources for further training or study
DO YOU SPEAK JESUS? BY
In the LCA lectionary readings at the time of writing, we are reading through the book of Acts. I think every time I open and read Scripture, I read something new. God is amazing how that happens. The apostles were living in a time of excitement as the story about Jesus was told, but it wasn’t safe. We read how they were imprisoned, told to stop preaching, flogged and some, like Stephen, even stoned. It was a toxic atmosphere in which the majority and the officials were against the gospel. Does it sound a little like the atmosphere of the world today? One thing we forget is the power of the gospel, the power of the Holy Spirit to work in and through us to share the saving love of Jesus.
As I am writing this, I am listening to a Newsboys song: ‘I speak Jesus’. If you haven’t heard it, I encourage you to listen to the words. The name of Jesus has the power to change hearts and lives. Back in the time of Acts when the church was just beginning, and the gospel was being shared, the church was growing exponentially. A word shared about Jesus, a life lived for Jesus and a heart to witness can bring about growth in our neighbourhoods and congregations for Jesus.
Alternatively, a facilitator’s outline, including PowerPoint slides, is available. There is training and coaching by Zoom to prepare local facilitators to lead the workshop in their own context. A video of a live workshop (filmed at St Paul’s Lutheran Church Box Hill in Victoria) is also available as a resource for congregations and individuals.
See the resources section on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/gospel-fluency
RESOURCES
Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) has many resources to help you share and witness to the saving grace of Jesus. To share about Jesus with those who have never heard, start small with a carefully chosen tract but make it personal and talk about it. Share your story of Jesus in your life. Go to the LTM website at www.ltm.org.au and check out the Exploring Christianity category.
These may give you the opportunity and the confidence to be an apostle and ‘speak Jesus’ in your neighbourhood!
Anne Hansen is LTM Development Officer.
ANNE HANSEN
HELP – AND HOPE –WHEN MOST
BY TANIA NELSON
NEEDED
Julie has been a supporter of Messages of hope for several years now. After hearing Messages of hope on the radio, she ordered a booklet about forgiveness from Lutheran Media and later several booklets on grief –both for herself after the passing of her husband, and for some of her friends.
Julie told us that she had been having a really hard day and was not coping very well when she straightened some books on her bookshelf and the ‘Grief’ booklet literally fell into her lap. She said it was just what she needed. She confessed that she couldn’t even go to church because the pain of her grief was too much. The booklet spoke of the exact things that Julie was experiencing. She told us that ‘the grief booklet has been more help than any other resource’.
SEASON OF CREATION WORSHIP FOCUS
KEEN TO SHARE GOD’S GOODNESS
A few weeks later we spoke with Julie again and she reiterated that she couldn’t believe how the booklet appeared right when she needed it most. She is keen to share her story with others. She wants everyone to know that helpful and practical Christian resources are available for all from Lutheran Media. And she also wants everyone to know that God does deliver and that his timing is perfect. God is good, all the time!
Lutheran Media has introduced a new booklet to our collection –Grief: Where Sadness and Hope Meet. Go to www.lutheranmedia. org.au to order the booklet or call us on 1800 353 357 for a copy.
Tania Nelson is Lutheran Media Manager.
The LCANZ’s Commission on Worship, in collaboration with Lutheran Earth Care Australia and New Zealand has made available Season of Creation worship resources for 2024. Congregations are encouraged to begin this season of prayer and action for the environment with a special service in September. The Season of Creation is an ecumenical response to the environmental crisis impacting the world. It is celebrated between 1 September to 4 October as an alternative to the regular time after Pentecost. Each year has a themed focus connected to the environment, to raise awareness and inspire responsible environmental action. The 2024 theme is ‘To hope and act with creation’, based on Romans 8:19–25.
RESOURCES OUT NOW
The LCA Season of Creation worship resources aim to point God’s people to the hope we have amid environmental chaos: Christ, as the world’s Redeemer, sustains all things by his powerful word and will make all things new. There are two suites of resources: the first can be used in any year, while the second is tailored for the 2024 theme. The resources are at www.lca.org.au/worship/ wpp/seasonal-resources
For more details, see the Season of Creation website: https://seasonofcreation.org
LECTIONARY READINGS
WEEK SUNDAY READINGS
25–31 AUG Exodus 1:8–2:10 Psalm 124
1–7 SEPT Exodus 3:1–15 Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45c
8–14 SEPT Exodus 12:1–14 Psalm 149
15–21 SEPT
Exodus 14:19–31 Psalm 114
22–28 SEPT Exodus 16:2–15 Psalm 105:1–6, 37–45
Romans 12:1–8 Matthew 16:13–20
Romans 12:9–21 Matthew 16:21–28
Romans 13:8–14 Matthew 18:15–20
Romans 14:1–12 Matthew 18:21–35
Philippians 1:21–30 Matthew 20:1–16
29 SEPT–5 OCT
6–12 OCT
Exodus 17:1–7 Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16
Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20 Psalm 19
13–19 OCT Exodus 32:1–14 Psalm 106:1–6, 19–23
20–26 OCT Exodus 33:12–23 Psalm 99
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/70593-daily-bible-readings-for-2024 or as a printed booklet through the LTM office (phone 08 8360 7222) for a donation of 20c per copy.
Philippians 2:1–13 Matthew 21:23–32
Philippians 3:4b–14
Matthew 21:33–46
Philippians 4:1–9 Matthew 22:1–14
1 Thessalonians 1:1–10
Matthew 22:15–22
LCA CHILD SAFETY STANDARDS UPDATED
In preparation for round two of the Child Safety SelfAssessments and Child Safety Standards Action Plans, the LCA Child Safety Standards have been reviewed to check they continue to be fit for purpose and cover all the changes occurring in child safety requirements across Australia.
The LCA’s updated Child Safety Standards were approved by the General Church Board at its June meeting.
The standards are available at www.lca.org.au/css
The online tools for submitting Child Safety Self-Assessments and Child Safety Standards Action Plans and some resources have been removed from the Child Safety webpages while they are updated.
We will have them back in place as soon as possible so congregations can begin their round two self-assessments.
Child Safety Standards Action Plans for round two are due to be submitted by 31 March 2025.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR CHURCH LEADERS?
Congregation leadership can begin preparing for round two now by:
• doing a final review of their 2022–23 Child Safety Standards Action Plans
• familiarising themselves with the updated Child Safety Standards
• starting the process of selecting assessors, ready to begin their self-assessments.
Leadership and assessors are advised to wait until all updated resources are available on the website (including the updated portal) before beginning their self-assessments. Once this has occurred, it will be announced in LCA eNews. You can sign up for LCA eNews at www.lca.org.au/lcaenews-signmeup
GROW MINISTRIES FACEBOOK
CONTENT NOW ON LCA PAGE
After several years in operation, Grow Ministries’ Facebook page has officially closed and permanently relocated to the Lutheran Church of Australia Facebook page.
Grow content will be posted on the LCA Facebook page, as part of the streamlining of LCANZ communications and so that no one misses out on hearing about Child, Youth and Family resources.
You can follow Grow Ministries at its new location, the LCA Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/lutheranchurchaustnz
NEWS FROM AROUND OUR CHURCH ...
LCANZ’s North Adelaide properties under contract
The LCANZ’s entire 1.9-hectare property at North Adelaide is under multiple contracts, with the total purchase price exceeding the various market evaluations.
The property was listed for sale in late March, with expressions of interest (EOI) closing on 15 May. All successful EOI applicants were assessed on predetermined selection criteria and have agreed to all LCANZ terms and conditions of sale.
Settlement conditions have been negotiated, with settlements for differing lots occurring over the next 48 months. Vacant possession will be provided over various sections of the site between July 2025 and July 2026.
Brett Hausler, Executive Officer of the Church, said that purchase contracts ‘will support the LCANZ in potentially purchasing a new building for the Churchwide Office and ALC but also provide the opportunity for other Lutheran entities interested in co-locating’.
Potential locations for the new workplace for ALC and the Churchwide Office are being investigated. It is hoped that the new
The LCANZ’s entire 1.9 hectare property at North Adelaide – including Australian Lutheran College’s Hebart Hall (above left) and Churchwide Office (above right) – was under multiple contracts at press time.
location will provide opportunities to actively streamline operations, create a collaborative and supportive workplace environment, and foster a living missional culture.
‘God has blessed the LCANZ with the outcome of this sale, which has exceeded our expectations’, Mr Hausler said.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
‘We look forward to where God leads us next, as we explore options for the new home for ALC and the Churchwide Office, as well as investing the balance of the proceeds to continue to support the operations of the ALC as well as supporting mission and ministry across the LCANZ.’
Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission
The LCANZ’s General Church Board is calling for expressions of interest for the position of Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission.
The Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission is required to be an active Lutheran pastor in good standing within the Lutheran Church of Australia, well-trusted across the church, with high-level interpersonal, leadership, communication and organisational skills, and with an interest in inter-church relations and building strong relationships with our overseas partner churches.
The position is based at the Lutheran Church of Australia Churchwide Office in North Adelaide, with regular interstate and overseas travel. Remuneration and conditions are according to the regular LCA provision for pastors.
The position description is available on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/calls-employment-volunteering/
For more information regarding LCA International Mission, please visit the website at https://lcamission.org.au/ Inquiries and applications to: The Secretary of the Church at soc@lca.org.au. Applications close 17 September 2024. It is anticipated that the successful applicant will commence call duties in January 2025.
Changes to LCA insurance
LCA Insurance is undergoing changes aimed at improving its insurance program, strengthening its sustainability into the future and keeping costs as low as possible.
LCA Insurance and Risk Manager Lucinda Osborne said, that with these goals in mind, it had set up a Discretionary Aggregate Deductible Fund to manage property insurance for congregations and LCA agencies. ‘This means we put an amount into a trust to pay claims and only purchase insurance over and above this amount to pay for claims when and if we exhaust our trust funds’, she explained. ‘If we don’t exhaust our trust funds, then we can build these funds to do further work to ensure we can maintain our insurance costs at a reasonable level into the future. At this stage, this is only for our property insurance, but it could lead to bringing in more of our insurance classes in the future.’
Congregations with questions relating to their LCA Insurance invoice, can contact the team via the website at www.lcainsurance.org.au/contact-us or email insurance@lca.org.au
Lutheran nurses association closes
by Bob Wiebusch
The Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia (LNAA) is closing. Members unanimously decided to close the association which operated for more than 30 years, with the news being shared through the final edition of the organisation’s In Touch newsletter in July. LNAA’s funds have been transferred to support pastoral care nursing.
LNAA was established in 1991 as an auxiliary of the Lutheran Church of Australia and a support group for Lutheran nurses. It has members throughout Australia. It was the brainchild of the late Pastor Doug Tscharke, who, at the time, was chaplain at the Lutheran Homes complex in Glynde in suburban Adelaide. He was concerned that, while the pastors of the church have national and district pastors conferences and zone meetings, and the church’s teachers have their regular conferences, there was no comparable structure to provide support for the growing number of Lutheran nurses serving both in the church and in the wider community. The inaugural meeting was convened by the then-director of nursing at LHI, Mrs Val Matters. The founding president was the late Lynette Wiebusch. The aims of LNAA have been:
• to encourage members to see their profession as a service to Christ, caring for the sick and infirm, promoting health
and giving an opportunity for Christian witness to the world
• to provide spiritual support and practical guidance for members, foster their deeper spiritual understanding, and provide opportunities for the study of practical and ethical issues related to their work
• to provide opportunities for discussion, mutual sharing, moral support, social contact and fellowship among members
• to communicate with members via a regular publication
• to keep members informed of opportunities for service in the church
• to support nurses facing difficulties in the workplace, especially student nurses.
While LNAA has achieved most of its objectives, it has not been able to attract new and younger members. Over the years, it has had a wide range of excellent presenters at its meetings, for which a Continuing Professional Development certificate has been available for practising nurses. These have included: health and climate change, continence control, Alzheimer’s disease, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, ethics of organ transplants, legal issues facing Christian nurses, and health and medicine in Bible times.
Pastor Bob Wiebusch has served as editor of In Touch and is a former editor of The Lutheran
New Telstra offer for congregations
The LCANZ has negotiated phone, landline, cybersecurity and internet connectivity packages with Telstra for its agencies. The LCANZ's partnership with Telstra utilises our collective buying power to secure benefits for all entities of the church. The offer covers congregations, aged-care and community services, schools and early childhood services, and churchwide and district offices and agencies. For more information, go to www.lca.org.au/telstra-partnership
Former Lutheran Nurses Association presidents with Dorothy Tscharke (centre), wife of the late Pastor Doug Tscharke.
From left: Kris Reeve, Val Matters, Sylvia Hutt and the late Lynette Wiebusch. Inset: Megan Materne
New district bishop’s service ‘all about Jesus’
For newly installed New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory District Bishop Richard Schwedes, taking on the role that also includes providing oversight for the Lutheran Church of New Zealand is ‘all about Jesus’.
And so, it was appropriate that ‘It’s all about Jesus’ was the theme of Bishop Richard’s installation at LifeWay Lutheran Church Epping in suburban Sydney on 28 July.
More than 150 people gathered in person for what Bishop Richard described as a ‘joyful celebration service’, while hundreds more watched and joined in worship online through 400 logged-in devices.
The service theme was influenced by Colossians 2:6–17, with LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith reminding worshippers that, as Christians, we live discovering the answer to two questions: ‘What has Jesus done for us (i.e. everyone)?’ and ‘What has Jesus done for me?’
Bishop Richard said the service reflected the diverse range of people and contexts who have not only been part of his faith and service journey so far but also the diversity of the congregations and ministries God is working through in the NSW-ACT and NZ Districts. ‘Ultimately the reason we gathered
is because of Jesus and to focus on Jesus, and if it is about Jesus, it is about God’s love and mercy for all people’, he said.
‘The best thing about the day was that, although everyone had come to be a part of the installation, they left with a lot more – and something even more significant – a focus on Jesus who gives us life, love and joy.’ Music for the service included traditional
and newer hymns and songs, as well as singing from Chinese and Papua New Guinean groups. People from NSW, ACT and New Zealand assisted in the service. Bishop Richard succeeds Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus, who served as district bishop since 2018 before retiring. The installation service can be viewed at www.youtube.com/live/26NlZDmQ_1c
Receiving memorial scholarship ‘a privilege’
Ronda Mugford is this year’s recipient of the Australian Lutheran College (ALC) Margaret Pech Memorial Scholarship.
The scholarship was established by the late Pastor Hermann Pech and his wife, Elizabeth, in memory of their daughter Margaret, to support a woman studying theology at ALC.
Margaret, who lived her 40 years with cerebral palsy, never let disability and disadvantage deter her. A woman who loved life as she loved her Lord, she died suddenly on Palm Sunday 1990.
Since 1995, 30 women have been the recipients of the Pech’s generosity.
Ronda (pictured with ALC Principal Rev Dr Tim Stringer), who recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Research Methodology, said receiving the
scholarship was a privilege. ‘My study at ALC has been a “growth spurt” experience, needing and receiving support, training, trimming and nourishment, all of which have been generously given in the spirit of Christian community’, she said.
‘Margaret and I … grew up in the same climate of Lutheran values and traditions. My focus study at ALC has been how this rich Lutheran history and heritage in
my family and community has served to shape personal and spiritual identity.’
Ronda, whose profession has been as a teacher – mostly in Lutheran schools, has been a lifelong member of Langmeil Lutheran Church in Tanunda, South Australia. She attended the Lutheran school in Tanunda, as have her children and grandchildren, and sees ‘the generational continuity of faith and wisdom experience as an encompassing blessing and also as a responsibility’.
‘Margaret was especially gifted with innate courage, faith and motivation’, she said. ‘These are just the attributes that we see the need to explicitly teach our children. Margaret would have been the expert curriculum writer. She continues to be an exemplar of our inherent identity potential as children of God.’
Above: Recently retired NSW–ACT District Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus (second from left) and his successor, Bishop Richard Schwedes (third from left), with their wives Jenny and Veronica at Bishop Richard's installation into the role, which includes oversight of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand. Above right: Pastor Richard Schwedes was installed as NSW-ACT Bishop by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith at LifeWay Lutheran Church Epping last month.
Sunday 27 October 2024, 2pm
All past pastors, members and families are invited. Afternoon tea provided. Please bring a chair. Attendees are welcome to visit the cemetery before the service commences. The service will be telecast in the hall and available to view online from Tuesday 29 October. Please email for details.
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
www.preventdfv.lca.org.au
SOLICITOR
SARAH K. HOFFMANN
0412 277 165 shoffmann.solicitor@outlook.com
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
Outreach grants provide support
The strong relationship between LLL and its customers continues to benefit Lutheran communities around Australia, with its latest round of Mission Outreach Grants awarded in support of local projects that make a real difference to congregations.
LLL Mission Outreach Grants have provided $1 million in funding for more than 60 projects since 2010. These grants, as well as sponsorships, school bursaries and support for camping ministries, are made possible by the missional purpose that LLL shares with its investors.
LLL CEO Ross Smith attended the recent synods of the South Australia–Northern Territory and Queensland districts to award Mission Outreach Grants, while grants were awarded in Victoria–Tasmania and New South Wales–ACT districts earlier this year.
St Michael’s Lutheran Church in Hahndorf, South Australia, will use its grant to undertake an upgrade of its livestreaming capabilities, with new cameras and other production equipment. St Michael’s has been broadcasting weekly services for more than 10 years, with many people inspired by this vital outreach ministry.
Three congregations in Canberra have been able to install new digital signage after they shared a grant totalling $25,000. Holy Cross Belconnen, Woden Valley’s Immanuel, and Good Shepherd in Tuggeranong used the grant to help fund the purchase and installation of modern LED signage which enables them to communicate more effectively with their local communities.
by Jason Phelan
The remaining grants will help foster connection between congregations, their partner colleges and local communities.
Our Saviour Lutheran Church at Rochedale, Queensland, will hire a community connections facilitator, and Wodonga Lutheran Parish, Victoria, has installed a ministry coordinator with the support of LLL grants. Our Saviour, which is based at Redeemer Lutheran College, and Wodonga parish, which is part of the Victory Lutheran College campus, are committed to strengthening ties with their respective school communities.
LLL says it is delighted to be able to support these endeavours thanks to the missional hearts of its customers.
Congregations are encouraged to apply for future Mission Outreach Grants through their district office. Stories about previous Mission Outreach Grants and the projects LLL is able to support thanks to its missional partnership with depositors are available in its Together in Mission online publication at www.lll.org.au/tim
Jason Phelan is LLL Communications Officer.
Representatives of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, in Queensland receive a Mission Outreach Grant from LLL CEO Ross Smith (far right) at the Queensland District Synod.
Wodonga Lutheran Parish’s new Ministry Coordinator Lisa Enever, with Pastor Joshua Muller.
Directory
CALLS
Extended
• Rev Matthew S Anker
LCA Churchwide Office (Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission) to Lutheran Mission – Australia
• Rev Carl P Richter
Mildura Vic to Cummins SA
• Rev Kees C Sturm
Townsville Qld to Cleve SA
Accepted
• Rev Matthew S Anker
LCA Churchwide Office (Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission) to Lutheran Mission – Australia
• Rev Simon J Mackenzie Goombungee–Maclagan Qld to Port Lincoln SA
• Rev Carl P Richter
Mildura Vic to Cummins SA
Declined
• Rev Robert J D’Antoni
Tingalpa-Mt Cotton Qld to Cleve SA
• Rev Nathan E Hedt LCA Churchwide Office (New and Renewing Churches) to Para Vista SA
• Rev Mathew L von Stanke LifeWay Newcastle NSW to Golden Grove SA
INSTALLATIONS
• Rev Tim C Castle-Schmidt – Installed to Nunawading–Waverley Vic on 21 July 2024 by Vic-Tas District Bishop Lester Priebbenow
• Rev Nathan J C Glover – Installed to Faith Lutheran College Plainlands Qld on 15 May 2024 by Qld District Bishop Mark Vainikka
• Rev Mark A Hampel – Installed to Chinchilla Qld on 10 December 2023 by Qld District Second Assistant Bishop Luke Spilsbury
• Rev Stephen K Jaensch – Installed to Northern Downs Qld on 16 June 2024 by Qld District First Assistant Bishop Ben Hentschke
• Rev Joshua L Pfeiffer – Installed to Tarrington Vic on 28 July 2024 by Vic-Tas District Bishop Lester Priebbenow
• Rev Richard P Schwedes – Installed as NSW–ACT District Bishop on 28 July 2024 at LifeWay Epping NSW by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith
• Rev John W Strelan – Installed to St Johns Unley SA on 28 July 2024 by SA–NT District First Assistant Bishop Adrian Kitson
ROLL OF PASTORS
• Rev Matthew S Anker – Resigned and granted a peaceful dismissal from the LCANZ Roll of Pastors, effective 24 July 2024
• Andrew C Bettison – Change of call eligibility status from General Ministry Pastor to Pastor Emeritus from 30 June 2024
• Rev Samuel P Davis – Granted 12-month extension of his Leave of Absence to 18 July 2025
• Rev Dr Michael A Lockwood – Leave of absence approved to 1 July 2027
• Rev Shaun C Manning – Resigned and granted a peaceful dismissal from the LCANZ Roll of Pastors, effective 18 July 2024
• Rev Darryl J Mattner – Granted 12-month extension of his Leave of Absence to 18 July 2025
• Rev Geoffrey P Schefe – Restored to the LCANZ Roll of Active Pastors as of 18 July 2024 and approved for assignment
IN MEMORIAM
• Mrs Ruth Olga Rathjen nee Hartwig, widow of Pastor Arthur Rathjen, died on 17 July 2024. Funeral service was held at Tanunda Lutheran Homes Chapel SA on 23 July 2024, followed by committal at Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance SA on 26 July 2024
• Mrs Valmai Stiller, widow of Pastor Hugo Stiller, died on 11 July 2024. Funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church Glynde SA on 24 July 2024
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 www.eckermanns.com.au 08 8366 7988
In Memoriam
Karl Heinz Kirsch born 16 May 1935 (Finschhafen PNG); ordained 21 June 1959 (Langmeil Tanunda SA); married Adelheid (Heidi) Therese Hoehne Kirsch nee Herrmann 13 Jan 1960 (Logaweng PNG); served New Guinea (1960–1970), Pittsworth Qld (1970–1981), Cleveland Qld (1981–1989), Logaweng Seminary, Finschhafen PNG (1989–1991), Swan Hill/ Hopetoun Vic (1991–1995), Traralgon/ Latrobe Vic (1995–1998); retired 30 June 1998; died 22 June 2024 (Cleveland Qld); funeral 4 July 2024 (St James Lutheran Church, Cleveland Qld); mourned by wife Heidi, children Philipp and Bernard, and their families Karl Kirsch
In Memoriam
August Adolf Julius Fricke born 31 Dec 1942 (Oerlinghausen, West Germany); ordained 9 Feb 1969 (Pittsworth Qld); married Betty Margaret Fricke nee Seefeld 13 March 1971 (Concordia College, Toowoomba Qld); served Pittsworth Qld (1969–1971), Ingham Qld (1972–1977), Wynnum Qld (1977–1994), Gympie Qld (1994–2008); retired 27 July 2008; died 19 June 2024 (Gympie Qld); funeral 28 June 2024 (St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Nambour Qld); mourned by wife Betty, children Bettina, Martin, Daniel and Luise-Marie, and their families
August Fricke
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.
To God be
BY HELEN BRINKMAN
Whether it’s a home-baked cupcake, a home-grown pumpkin, or a handmade bracelet, giving glory to God comes in many forms for retired teacher Anne Kotzur.
Life is a whirl of baking, gardening and volunteering for the mother of four and grandmother of eight.
Despite celebrating her 80th birthday this past month, she’s as busy as ever supporting her family, her local Our Saviour Lutheran family in Rochedale, Brisbane, and even families as far flung as Ukraine and Ethiopia.
Her dance card is full with giving – everything from weekly cupcake bake-offs for Our Saviour Sunday school children, to distributing the 40 pumpkins grown in her own backyard.
It’s also in receiving that Anne gives thanks to God. She is thankful for the handmade ‘Swifty’ bracelet made for her birthday by a student at the local school where she volunteers, as much as she’s thankful for the $500 birthday donation she’s sending off to the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) to support Ethiopian families. It was just what she wanted for her birthday!
The donation came from the high tea celebration her church friends hosted to honour her coming of age – becoming an octogenarian, that is. She didn’t want presents but suggested that people could instead donate to the latest ALWS campaign supporting Ethiopia.
Supporting ALWS has been a lifelong effort for Anne.
‘TO GOD BE THE GLORY –THAT’S THE MAIN THING I WOULD SAY, JUST TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS EVERY DAY.
‘Ever since I was a little girl, my grandparents always had a bowl on their Christmas and Easter tables for gifts to support Australian Lutheran World Service’, she recalls.
‘So, I grew up under the banner of ALWS and I always have had a heart for this organisation.’
In May this year, Anne was among the volunteers at the registration desk checking in almost 900 walkers taking part in Brisbane’s Walk My Way Ukraine which supported Ukrainian families displaced by conflict. About $190,000 was raised.
‘It was such a joy for me to see so many young families with little children, strollers and scooters, as well as older people too’, she says.
‘It brought joy to my heart seeing people come to walk to support families in Ukraine. The reason I wanted to support it was so children could get back to homes and schools, so schools could be repaired and school bomb shelters built. That was my motivation. I love the way ALWS partners with different agencies to help in these situations.’
The Rochedale community remains the hub of Anne’s world. It’s where she was born in 1944, the eldest of three, to mum Pearl and dad Colin Francis, who were local farmers, cultivating paw paws, potatoes, tomatoes and more.
As an adult, she’s still in the same family home in Rochedale that she and husband Elmore moved into 54 years ago. Elmore died four years ago after 52 years of marriage. ‘I give thanks as we had a wonderful life together and I am very grateful for those years’, Anne says.
The only time she moved away was when, as a 21-year-old graduate teacher, Anne answered a church call for teachers at the Hope Vale mission school in northern Queensland.
‘I always had a heart for mission and for Aboriginal people. I loved teaching and loved the children, so when there was a call out for teachers at Hope Vale, I went, she says.
The journey was eventful, with Anne driving to Cairns along with then Lutheran Church President F H Schmidt and driving the final leg of the journey to Hope Vale with then Queensland
Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, who shouted her lunch at Palmer River on the way. It was at Hope Vale that Anne met farm manager Elmore Kotzur. Two years later they married and moved to nearby Wujal Wujal, where they had their first two sons. They returned to Rochedale in 1970 and were later blessed with two more sons.
Anne went back to teaching when the boys were at school, retiring about 16 years ago. Retirement has allowed Anne to put more time back into her home and community. She still gardens, cooks and visits. She also volunteers every Wednesday for the breakfast club at the local state school, organised through the school’s Scripture Union chaplain.
Anne is inspired by her favourite text: ‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).
‘I thank God that he helps me each day. And I can still walk, garden, mow, and help at church and be involved with my church family’, she says.
‘Because my dad and mum were farmers, I have a farmer’s heart still. I’ve got a big crop of 40 pumpkins this year, as well as oranges, passionfruit, bananas and tomatoes, and I’m trying to grow rosellas to make into jam. I like to bake too. For each Sunday morning tea, I make a batch of little cakes, and I like to make slices for Messy Church once a month.’
She comes away from her weekly hospital visits to the sick giving thanks, and grateful for the beautiful attitudes of those she visits.
And every day she gives thanks, having experienced breast cancer twice, five heart bypasses, open heart surgery and a stroke. She’s grateful for God’s wonderful healing hand which has made her well and grateful for his goodness daily. ‘To God be the glory – that’s the main thing I would say, just to give thanks to God for his goodness every day’, she reflects. ‘Wake up each day and thank God for his goodness. He is good all the time and his mercies are ever new each day.’
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
Top left: Anne and Elmore Kotzur on their wedding day. The couple was married for 52 years before Elmore’s death four years ago.
Top right: Family time is precious for Anne Kotzur, second from right, who has four children and eight grandchildren.
Above middle: Anne Kotzur is a longtime supporter of Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) and volunteered at this year’s Walk My Way Ukraine event in Brisbane. She is pictured here with Elle Cooper, a fellow Our Saviour Rochedale member who did the walk to raise money for Ukrainian children affected by war.
Above: Anne loves baking and makes a batch of little cakes for Sunday morning teas at Rochedale, including for Sunday school children.
Above left: Children from the Our Saviour Rochedale congregation made crosses to support the ALWS Walk My Way Ukraine event which Anne volunteered for.
LET’S GET QUIZZICAL
You’ll find most – if not all – of the answers to these questions in the pages of The Lutheran (as well as below the Sudoku).
1. What is the name of the current phase of the Way Forward project, which continues until the Convention of General Synod?
2. Which congregation is LCNZ Bishop Emeritus Mark Whitfield serving as pastor?
3. Who is the recipient of this year’s ALC Margaret Pech Memorial Scholarship?
4. The Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia recently closed. For how many years was it an auxiliary of the LCA and support group for Lutheran Nurses?
5. When were LLL Mission Outreach Grants first awarded?
6. How much funding have they provided in that time and how many projects have they supported?
7. The LCANZ is offering workshops designed to equip people to share the Christian faith. What are they called?
8. When are LCA Child Safety Standards Action Plans for round two due to be submitted?
9. When is the Season of Creation celebrated this year?
10. Where will you now find Grow Ministries Facebook content?
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.
IN A FEW WORDS …
‘If you live by the same values and priorities [Jesus] had, you will find evangelism happening naturally. It becomes a lifestyle and not a project.’
AUTHOR AND SPEAKER BECKY PIPPERT
‘The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to him, the more intensely missionary we become.’
ANGLICAN PRIEST AND MISSIONARY HENRY MARTYN
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.
QUIZ ANSWERS
Paul’s Lutheran Church Christchurch NZ
Ronda Mugford 4.
years
2010
$1 million supporting more than 60 projects 7. Gospel Fluency Workshops 8. By 31 March 2025 9.
How do you find a sense of belonging?
What defines our identity as Christians?
What is it like to be a parent in today’s world?
How do you support a family through challenges?
Be inspired by interviews and discussions on these questions through Messages of hope in August and September. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, and read PDFs and booklets on these at www.messagesofhope.org.au
Cards, booklets and study guides available at www.lutheranmedia.org.au
Share gospel posts from www.lutheranmedia.org.au/social-media
Worship online at www.lutheranmedia.org.au/worship
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‘Before, I struggled a lot to support my children.
I am running a hairdressing salon here. I plait hair and sell beauty products to sustain my family. This is how I feed my family and pay the school fees of my children. That’s why I am happy I have learnt business skills from LWF (Lutheran) training.
I have learnt the importance of saving and business management. For example, I am very careful with the capital that I started the business and the kind of profit I am making.
I am sending my gratitude to those who supported me.
I urge them to also support those who didn’t receive training. I am pleading with well-wishers to support us with starting capital. Without this, business can be very challenging.’
Ayen Jok Thon, South Sudan
You can bless others like Ayen Jok Thon 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. alws.org.au * 1300 763 407
ALWayS for those forgotten
TaniaNelson
Photo:
Sudan/Achuoth Deng
‘Before the support, I was traumatised … now, I am happy and busy working. As a result, I am sending my two children to the village school!
Thank you!
‘My two legs are sick, and I cannot walk much as I am a villager.’
When you live in a remote part of Ethiopia, threatened by climate extremes, conflict and poverty … disability puts you at the highest risk, and in the greatest danger of being forgotten.
For Ager Feleke Baye and her family, life was a constant challenge until Lutheran kindness arrived from someone like you, through ALWS and LWF Ethiopia. Ager shares:
‘Our life is based on farming, and we have faced many shortages and scarcities of basic needs. During the rainy season, we often starve … The conflict in our area has made our problems worse, as we can’t move freely, work, or trade.’
Then Lutheran action touched Ager's life.
You trained Ager in compost preparation, seed selection, income-generating and self-aid activities.
You also supported Ager with six two-month-old chickens, 14 kilograms of chicken feed and a small loan to start a poultry business.
Ager then worked hard to earn extra income in the ALWS program’s soil and water conservation activities, so she could buy fertiliser for her crops.
The result is much more than chicken feed!
‘You came to my house, knocking on my door, and gave me all this help to support my life. What can I say, but may God support you, Australia!’
