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ve to life... y bringing lo l i m a f eran
Grandmas on Harleys Long drop loos
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School walkathons Kids with crayons... … just some of the ways our Lutheran family says:
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welcome… One of my all-time favourite movies is Love actually. I watch it every Christmas. The bit I love the most is at the airport, where family and friends meet those returning home. People of all shapes and sizes and nationality and age greet each other with kisses and hugs and laughter and tears. The joy of having their loved one home safe is so great it doesn’t fit into just words. My work life takes me on aeroplanes way too many times. Ministry colleagues from the Cambodia Lutheran Church learn about the Longest Lutheran Lunch—an event the ladies from Murray Bridge retirement villages, revved by Pastor Greg Page from Holy Cross congregation (photo front cover) will share with the community, Unity College, Concordia Kindergarten and other Lutheran outreach activities.
Yet I still get excited at the thought of coming home and being greeted by a loved one. The fact they see me as special enough to be worth a trip through traffic, and outrageous airport parking prices, makes me feel precious.
Editor: Rosie Schefe Phone: 0427 827 441 Email: rosie.schefe@lca.org.au
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Phone: 08 8360 7270 Email: lutheran.subs@lca.org.au www.thelutheran.com.au We Love The Lutheran! As the magazine of the Lutheran Church of Australia (incorporating the Lutheran Church of New Zealand), The Lutheran informs the members of the LCA 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. The Lutheran is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association and as such subscribes to its journalistic and editorial codes of conduct. Design and layout: Openbook Howden Printer: Openbook Howden
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I like that. The fact Jesus can see to the heart of me and still welcome me as precious. This special edition of The Lutheran, like this year’s Longest Lutheran Lunch, has the theme ‘You’re welcome!’ And you are. You’ll see that as you explore stories of the Lutheran family working to welcome people just as Jesus did. From Alice Springs to Cambodia, bush dance to Devonshire tea, Longest Lutheran Lunch to Christian Life Week, teachers to teens, families to seniors … … we’re everyday people, but we’re striving to be a church where love comes to life.
See full story on page 15!
EDITOR/ADVERTISING
Jesus tells the story of the father who, seeing in the distance the son who had blown his inheritance on partying and wild living, ran to him to welcome him home with open arms. Jesus says this is how you and I have been and will be welcomed by our Father in heaven.
When I look at the life of Jesus, I am inspired by the way he welcomed those he met. Jesus welcomed the little children his disciples wanted to turn away. Jesus welcomed the tax-collectors and prostitutes that society frowned down on. Jesus welcomed the crowds that followed him through the countryside, feeding and healing and talking with them too.
Stumbling sometimes, yes, but getting up again, knowing that more than ever our world needs to experience the message Jesus lived: ‘You’re welcome!’ Jonathan Krause Volunteer, Coordinator Longest Lutheran Lunch Guest Editor
In a special way Jesus welcomed those who felt lost or lonely or broken.
PS: Your feedback on this special issue is very welcome.
Simply email: jonathan-krause@hotmail.com Vol 48 No9 P275
This God stuff by Kaylene Campbell
I was a sad girl with a bad frame of mind. I thought suicide was the only way out … … but, God helps me through
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I was a sad girl with a bad frame of mind.
I released my sorrows through self-harm and I thought suicide was the only way out. I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to.
Then, one particularly terrible night I was talking to a friend. ‘You know what helps me when I’m going through a bad time?’ she said. ‘You might think it’s weird … but, God helps me through.’ ‘You might think it’s weird … but, God helps me through.’ What was my friend talking about? Religious stuff? Weird! Sure, I knew about all this through RE in primary school, but my family isn’t religious at all, so it wasn’t something I really knew about. However, at that time I was lonely, I was desperate and I was open to anything. I was open to this weird God stuff. Looking back now, I know that God sent my friend into my life to share his word and introduce me to our amazing Creator and his inspiring Son. So what happened next? Well, she called me and we spent two hours on the phone talking about all this God stuff. Listening to her talk and hearing her passion, her love, I wanted that. I wanted that feeling she was describing—the love and forgiveness. And and most of all, I wanted a friend. So I prayed. I got down on my knees and tried something new. ‘Hello? Are you there? I know I haven’t been the best person around …’ I stayed there for an hour, just praying, talking to God and asking for help, for forgiveness. My heart felt full. I was crying good tears, and for the first time in a while I knew everything would be okay. Three years, a change of schools and some interesting new friends later I was still bumbling along with this God stuff, and, gosh, I felt like I had hit a brick wall. Do you know how hard it is to believe in something when your family doesn’t understand
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what on earth you’re talking about? My best friends? Well, the first is all into reincarnation and the second is Wiccan. I love them … but I can’t talk about God or the Bible with them, and they certainly couldn’t answer my questions. I was stuck. So I prayed, and before I knew it I was making a new friend, a Christian friend! We talked about all sorts of things—God and more. It was glorious! Thanks, God!
However, we made it, and I soon found myself in the car, heading off to my first CLW. I had a Men in Black suit in my suitcase, right beside my Bible, and excitement growing inside me. I was ready for an adventure. First impression: everyone is smiling! I can’t stop smiling either. We are all so happy! Second impression: goodness gracious, I want that man’s bow tie! By the end of that first day, I had shed many secret tears because of
As we hung up, I felt something growing inside me, something I hadn’t felt in a very long time - hope However, that wasn’t all. God had a surprise in store for me that was just what I needed, and my new friend was going to show me. ‘Hey, are you coming to CLW?’ ‘CLW? What’s that?’ ‘Christian Life Week. Only the most amazing camp ever!’ She had my attention. Some serious talking and Google-searching later, I found myself asking my wonderful parents if I could go on this bucketload-of-fun camp, and guess what? They said yes! Of course, it wasn’t going to be easy for us; it was a tad expensive for a small family of dairy farmers.
the love and kindness people were giving me. For the next week I was surrounded by a fun, funny, loving community of amazing people. I didn’t know such a wonderful place existed, and I was so thankful to have a whole week there. Thanks, God! I was laughing, crying, singing, dancing, and among it all getting in touch with our awesome God, learning new lessons and taking that important time to be alone with God. CLW was an experience that changed me. Like a much-needed alarm in the morning, it woke me up. For a whole week my heart was full and my smile a permanent addition.
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Sure, I was the shy girl and spent more time quietly sitting than joining in, but I eventually opened up—and guess who made some groovy new friends? Me! I talked and listened, sang some wonderful songs (that are now on my iPod) and made some beautiful new friends. The worst part? Saying goodbye to it all and going home. I left on a high, happy and empowered. I had new memories, friends and an envelope full of beautiful ‘fuzzies’ (encouraging notes from CLW friends and leaders), which are sure to make me laugh, smile and cry all at once. Of course, after I got home I felt a tad lonely again. ‘What now?’ I asked. Well, I checked my emails and responded to a Lutheran Youth of Queensland (LYQ) representative, who asked about churches. I had only ever gone to church through school, and I now wanted to find my own church. Okay, let’s see what you’ve
w girl s —a ne nk re I am smile, tha e h , o S t anent ve go m I’ r . e d p o G nds with a some ie e r f w g a to our ar t, amazin feeling he I am a full , and ed! amily f d bless n a ly ib d incre ! s , G od Thank
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got for me this time, God. I soon had a reply. The LYQ people told me about a lovely man who is the pastor at my local church and who occasionally goes to CLW. Well, I was sold! The very next Sunday I was off to church. (I had no idea my local Lutheran church was five minutes down the road … silly little me!) I felt happy and excited, and I loved it! The uncomfortable chairs, the music, the people and amazing messages that are delivered week after week … I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to go to such a lovely church. And those finance troubles we had over CLW? Well, the ladies fellowship kindly helped us out with that.
If you feel troubled, and need support:
Christian Life Week
Lutheran youth leaders across Australia and New Zealand run 40+ camps, welcoming and inspiring around 2000 young people, each year. Find out more: New South Wales admin@nsw.lca.org.au New Zealand admin@lutheran.org.nz Queensland aaron.glover@lyq.org.au South Australia / Northern Territory fiona.weckert@sa.lca.org.au Victoria / Tasmania Jemimah.Juers@vic.lca.org.au Western Australia serica.yurisich@wa.lca.org.au
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636 Lifeline 13 11 14
My questions were answered… God had given me something I had no idea I needed
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s r e h Obtefore
s e v l e s r ou
“Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.”
Eastside Lutheran College has been famous for its pet sheep – patrolling (and fertilising) the oval, and welcoming visitors! In Luke 15, Jesus asks the people of his time to imagine they had 100 sheep. When one sheep goes missing, the 99 are left behind in order to seek the one lost. Two years ago there was a beautiful sandstone church in Hobart. It was dearly loved by its members, who had fond memories of their children and grandchildren being baptised, confirmed and married there. But now there were only a few regular worshippers left. What to do? What to do? Somebody suggested that they sell the church. After all, beautiful as it is, it’s only a building; the church is the people who worship there. Though they longed to hold onto the building and all the precious memories it held, the people believed that God was calling them to a new beginning. So the members of St Peter’s sold their sandstone church and began to worship on the other side of the city, at Eastside Lutheran School. Young school families started to connect with the congregation. A few months ago five young people were confirmed and 25 people were received into membership. God calls us to think of others before ourselves, to be strong, brave and faithful, and not cling to the past. Is there something new God is calling you to be, wherever you are? When the lost sheep is found, Jesus says, ‘…you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbours and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.”’ Luke 15:5,6 (CEV) The Lutheran family in Hobart will invite their friends and neighbours to celebrate the Longest Lutheran Lunch with them as a school and church community. (Let’s hope it’s snags and not lamb chops on the barbie!)
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Welcomed & refreshed
by Karen Hawes
What a blessing it is for our family to be Lutheran! What an exciting Spiritfilled journey the Hawes family has been on over the past 18 months! We never felt like strangers at Eastside Lutheran College. Our children were welcomed and greeted with much excitement and care in such a loving way by the Eastside students during their first weeks at their new school. Our four children had been unhappy and struggling within our local state schools. Our Christian family was stressed and near crisis, experiencing the effects of bullies, drugs at school, and unforgiving and destructive worldviews and ideas.
God answered our prayers for harmony and happiness by leading us to a Spiritfilled, safe and caring community.
Eastside Lutheran College has provided our family with many new opportunities as, I believe, God is using our talents and abilities in various ways to his glory. We have been refreshed in God’s love and the Holy Spirit . God’s presence is so alive and present at Eastside College and among St Peter’s congregation. St Peter’s members are a welcoming community, who have provided our family with ongoing loving support
and encouragement . The truth of God’s word speaks to us like never before and our family has grown stronger in faith. With our son Andrew preparing for confirmation, our family was moved through God’s guidance to become members of St Peter’s Lutheran Church.
God is exceedingly good! He has called us to a new, exciting ministry. Praise the Lord!
The ‘hereafter’ starts now by Suegini Blunt
My family and I live in a little seaside town on Hobart’s eastern shore. We are big believers that when you live in a small community you need to be a part of the life of that community. So for us that meant that our two boys went to the local primary school.
There were many things in that school environment that didn’t sit well for us, especially the way the students treated each other. Later, in despair, I happened to mention to a friend that I might home-school my children, as there just wasn’t anywhere I felt that my children could grow and be nurtured. She said that I must look at her school where she was working as
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a part-time counsellor. To be really honest, I had never even heard of Eastside Lutheran College!
From the moment that we met the principal, Ralph Zapar t, and saw the children playing at recess, my husband and I were sold. It seems really strange to say, but there was the feeling of love, compassion and inclusion right from the start. Staff knew our names, they took an interest in our lives, and they made us feel like family.
I have been a member of another Christian church for my whole life, but it didn’t ever feel quite like I belonged there. I felt that really I was there because it was a ritual. I even
switched off in most services and thought about the groceries I’d be getting on my way home (sorr y, Lord!). Through participating in the weekly college chapel services, we decided to join the St Peter’s Lutheran community, as I felt I belonged.
Through the warm and friendly welcome we experienced, I felt that these were some wonderful people I’d like to spend the ‘hereafter’ with.
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‘LCC was always there for me’ – Karen was part of the team that created the mural representing the cultures welcomed at Lutheran Community Care.
Always there for me
by Miranda Cirocco
When Karen walked through the door of Lutheran Community Care (LCC), she was angry. Life had never been easy on Karen and she took her frustrations out on the staff trying to help her. She knocked chairs around and yelled when she couldn’t get the immediate support she demanded. The LCC team talked with Karen, sent her home with an emergency parcel of food, and made appointments for her to speak with a financial counsellor and a case manager. Karen had a good upbringing but from a young age had dabbled in drugs. At 17, she discovered she was pregnant, soon after her parents kicked her out. Sadly, she suffered a miscarriage at 27 weeks. She struggled to find a place to sleep, always looking for somewhere safe and warm. ‘This was in 2003 when there were more empty buildings in the city’, Karen says. ‘You just have to sleep with one eye open. There are a lot of people on drugs, or drunk, and they can take your things.’ As time passed, Karen faced new challenges. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, then needed four surgeries, including a complete hip replacement. In the face of these 8
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hardships, she found her hope fading and she made two attempts at suicide. ‘LCC was always there for me’, she smiles. ‘They would send me magazines and books while I was in hospital and call me to see if I was okay. The friendships I have formed and people I have bonded with have been great.’
be support for me when I got home. I must have done something right because they gave him back to me when he was 36 days old. It was the longest month of my life, but it was a great present when I got him back three days before my birthday.’ Recently Karen was part of the local community who helped create a
“The friendships I have formed and people I have bonded with have been great” When Karen discovered she was pregnant again, she discussed her fears about being a single mother with LCC staff. When her son was born, she was determined to be a good mother: ‘I thought I did everything right. I spoke with a psychiatrist and saw a mental health team, but they took him away from me when he was five days old.’ Karen was sent to the Glenside Mental Health Campus for 42 days. She could visit her newborn son only one hour each day. ‘The LCC manager visited me while I was there, and I knew there would
mural for the front of LCC at Blair Athol. The mural represents the vibrancy of cultures and different walks of life that all come together there, and highlights the fact that everyone has something to give. As for Karen, with the continuing support of the Lutheran Community Care team that first welcomed her, she’s working hard to build a new and productive life for herself and her son. She says, ‘I’m not angry anymore... Having a child changes everything.’
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WALK THE TALK! The Year 1’s at Living Waters Lutheran School in Alice Springs were most concerned… The children had just been part of a chapel devotion following an ALWS (Australian Lutheran World Service) Awareness Day, where they’d learnt about why children in Cambodia needed help. They were really affected by the fact children had no clean water to drink, but what really got them was:
“Lots of people have no toilets with a seat … … they can’t even afford toilet paper!”
God’s hands and feet, which in turn was inspired by a verse from the worship song Because we bear your name: Keep us from missing out on life Give hands that help and single sight And feet that walk your way Because we bear your name. (John Kleinig) Supported by their buddies in Year 5, the Year 1s became lively advocates for the poor to their families and community. Together they raised an amazing $2915. Living Waters has 330 students from Transition to Year 6. They are made up of 24 different nationalities, from all five continents of the world, now learning together in Australia’s Red Centre.
The devotion was part of the Year 1 Christian Studies unit, where they were looking at the functions of the church, and service in particular – how the Lutheran Church brings love to life.
This cultural mix means the school is fortunate to have Ingeburg Dell’Antonio as their Coordinator of Spirituality. Ingeburg was born in Zambia, and is the product of five different cultural backgrounds. In recent years she travelled to Rwanda as a volunteer, visiting schools, kindergartens and catch-up centres, and working with teachers, aid workers, volunteers, orphans and former street children.
Inspired to action, the Year 1’s decided to do a Walkathon. This fitted in perfectly with their study theme of being
Ingeburg says, ‘Rwanda was a powerful eye opener, seeing ordinary people be God’s hands and feet and doing
Fired with passion to help others, students at Living Waters take a well-earned break after their massive walkathon!
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