The Lutheran Feb-Mar 2023 Digital Edition

We have put our hope in the living God. 1

THE REASON for our hope

LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

EDITORIAL

Editor Lisa McIntosh

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e lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au

Executive Editor Linda Macqueen

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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.

Far from home but staying connected

Robert and Ann Fitzgerald, who are members of St John’s Lutheran Church Unley, in suburban Adelaide, stayed connected with home with their copy of The Lutheran while visiting an ancient temple in Egypt. Here they are pictured at the altar of the Holy of Holies in the circa 300 BC Temple of Horus at Edfu on the River Nile. The temple, which was only rediscovered last century, had been covered in metres of sand and modern houses. A Ptolemaic temple, it is regarded as one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Egypt.

People like YOU bring love to life

Lauren Kahl

Golden Grove Lutheran Church SA

Secondary teaching and science student

Most treasured Bible text: Romans 5:6–8

‘ … But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’

Luke

Buhlmann

Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church WA

Church, youth, and ministry worker

Most treasured Bible text: 1 Peter 5:10

‘And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.’

Emma

Strelan

St Stephens Lutheran Church Adelaide SA

Videographer

Most treasured Bible text: Proverbs 3:5,6

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

Let

There’s a saying you might know that goes something like this: ‘It’s not the disappointment that gets you. It’s the hope!’ I suspect it’s a paraphrase of one referring to despair being tolerable while hope delivers the killer blow, which is credited variously to sources from Shakespeare to a John Cleese movie character, to UK football commentators, to TV’s Ted Lasso. In other words, don’t get your hopes up, and they won’t be shattered. Living by that maxim doesn’t exactly make for a joy-filled existence.

An even more familiar saying is, ‘where there’s life, there’s hope’. It’s an appropriate and somewhat uplifting refrain in light of recent natural disasters in many parts of Australia and New Zealand.

I’d suggest that there’s even more truth in the reversed expression – where there’s hope, there’s life. Along with love, hope is something we all crave. Without it, life can be incredibly tough. Seemingly not worth living even.

That’s why our faith is so critical. In God’s undeserved and all-encompassing love for us, in what he has done for us in Jesus and in what he works in us through his Spirit, we have hope. Hope for today, hope for tomorrow, hope for eternity.

Such hope enables us to survive whatever disasters and tragedies we face. It re-energises us and empowers us, lifting us up to ‘soar on eagles’ wings’ (Isaiah 40:31). And it demands that we share the good news of God’s great love for us, as St Peter says, ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ (1 Peter 3:15).

In this edition, we focus on the hope we have, even in the face of seemingly hopeless situations – and we are privileged to share some incredibly inspiring and hope-filled stories from around our Lutheran family.

You’ll notice some changes in these pages as The Lutheran enters its 57th year. As well as trialling a move to six editions to make our churchwide magazine more sustainable in the face of increasing production costs and diminishing church membership and subscriber numbers, we’ve refreshed the look and content for you to enjoy. I hope and pray that you’ll be blessed by reading this edition as much as we have been in bringing it to you.

God bless,

Our cover: iStock.com

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following pages may contain images of people who have died.

Because we bear your name

It has become more and more common in this century, to speak of the ’Lutheran ethos’ of a school or community of care in our church. This expression comes from the desire to point to the overall culture and purpose of a ministry that carries the banner ‘Lutheran’, but for some, it is not always initially clear what the words ‘Lutheran ethos’ mean.

I like to write the words ’Lutheran ethos’ in a pictorial way that highlights the heart of being ‘Lutheran’. I write the word ’Lutheran’ in a vertical line, then the word ’ethos’, horizontally across the word ’Lutheran’ connecting them through the letter h. When you do this, the words ‘Lutheran ethos’ make the sign of the cross.

In 1 Corinthians 2, the Apostle Paul focuses faith on the work of Christ Jesus on the cross of Calvary. He writes, ’When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified’.

Dr Martin Luther explains why this witness to ’Christ and him crucified’ is so central for faith. In his ‘Smalcald Articles’ in 1539 he described the first and chief article of faith: ‘That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, “was handed over to death for our trespasses and was raised for our justification” … Now because this must be believed and may not be obtained or grasped otherwise with any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us … Nothing in this article can be conceded or given up.’

These two ‘nothings’ from St Paul and Martin Luther explain everything we need to say about ‘Lutheran ethos’. To be Lutheran is to keep the work of the cross central in our witness and service.

When the cross is central, we expect sin to be at work in our world and lives. We also expect God’s means of grace to be at work for the forgiveness of sin. Where the cross is central, Christ is known as God and Lord, Saviour and friend. The cross is central where the word of God is properly distinguished as law and gospel and where God’s people strive daily to lead a holy life, even as Christ has made them holy. This is our Lutheran ethos.

In February 2023, we are gathering for the second part of our Convention of General Synod in Melbourne. Delegates will have significant matters before them, including proposals

BISHOP PAUL’S LETTER

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

regarding whether only men or both women and men are to be ordained as pastors among us. Some are troubled about what is ahead for our church. What is the future of our ‘Lutheran ethos’?

Early on Sunday 28 November 1965, Lutheran leaders from two Lutheran churches in Australia and New Zealand gathered in a common church service to proclaim ‘altar and pulpit fellowship’ between their two churches. In this moment of our history, we received a good charter for our continuing work as Lutherans on both sides of the Tasman.

Firstly, Rev Dr C E Hoopmann, honorary president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia read a preamble, ‘By the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia have been led together in the confession and unity of the one faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and of the one doctrine of his holy gospel. We accept this unity as an unmerited gift of our God, in sincere repentance for that which lies behind us since our fathers went their divided ways, and in humble gratitude for all that God in his mercy has done through each of us in the years since 1846. He has kept us and blessed us, and for this we magnify his holy name’.

Then the presidents of the two churches, Rev H D Koehne and Rev Dr M Lohe, each called on the people to this witness to Christ and his cross, when they gave identical exhortations: ‘I call upon all pastors and members of our church to practise such fellowship in the spirit of true brotherly love as the expression of our common faith and confession. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.’ Finally, during the Prayer of the Church, the people prayed for the unity of the church using a prayer written by William Laud in the 1600s.

As we gather for Synod 2023, we continue this united common faith of the ‘Lutheran ethos’ that we have received: to know Jesus Christ and him crucified. Nothing can be conceded or given up of this doctrine of the gospel. Please pray for those who gather in February, that the Lord would continue to build his church through our Christian witness and service, as people of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. In Christ,

Paul

TO BE LUTHERAN IS TO KEEP THE WORK OF THE CROSS CENTRAL IN OUR WITNESS AND SERVICE.

BY LISA MCINTOSH

KEEPING hope AFLOAT

It’s not overstating things to say that it’s been a rough few years for some in many parts of Australia and New Zealand. Even apart from the tragedies and disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, fires, droughts and more floods have destroyed lives, homes, businesses, property, land, livestock and livelihoods. Through it all, prayers, and financial and practical support from our Lutheran family are continuing to bring hope and shine Jesus’ love and light into dark days.

By the time Advent began last year, Pastor James Leach from the New South Wales Central West Lutheran Parish had been offering support, listening to, and talking and praying with people worst hit by the flood emergency in and around Forbes for several weeks.

Thanks to the support of our wider Lutheran family through donations being deposited in the LCA Disaster & Welfare Fund (see story page 25) and assistance distributed under the direction of the NSW and ACT District, Pastor James and his wife Adele had been able to prepare and share home-cooked meals, other food and drinks, gift cards, tracts and other items in the first few weeks of the crisis.

With gifts of food and on gift card envelopes, Pastor James attached a note including the following wording, along with the LCA logo (pictured below left): ‘We know you must be dealing with so much right now, but we just wanted to reach out and tell you that you are in our hearts. Please know that there are people throughout Australia praying for you … If there is any way I can provide assistance, please just ask.’

While almost 100 families have now been helped through small financial gifts, and a further 40 to 50 families have accepted prayers or food, Pastor James knew many more families were struggling and in need.

One day in December, he was wondering whether what they were doing was enough. Then a parishioner told him about a news item on Channel Ten’s current affairs and talk show, The Project. Rebecca, a local pregnant mother of three, was being interviewed about having lost the family home and almost everything in it in the floods – and then to looters. Despite having to live in a tent with her partner and children and being in and out of hospital with early labour concerns, she said she was incredibly thankful for the support of locals, including homecooked meals from the Lutheran Church.

It was the boost Pastor James needed – and evidence of ‘God’s timing’, he says. Not because of the recognition – it was the fact that ‘small gestures’ of love have meant so much to people who were suffering.

Floodwaters entered the Forbes Lutheran Church on 18 November last year. Members have since been worshipping at a member’s home – including over Christmas.

Left: A sign of

and

‘I was feeling a little bit low and vulnerable. And then I got to watch this interview on The Project of a person we’ve just been loving as much as we could – it was amazing’, he says.

Pastor James had prayed with Rebecca that her unborn baby would go to full term. He had given a reference and advocated for the family in their search for accommodation. Baby Sadie-Anne was born safely on New Year’s Eve after 38 weeks of pregnancy and, in the second week of January, the family secured accommodation for six to 12 months. Despite the house not being in the best condition or the best neighbourhood, Pastor James says Rebecca and her family are incredibly grateful to have a home – and for the ongoing support of and connection with the LCANZ.

Pastor James, too, is very grateful for donations from the wider Lutheran family. As of midJanuary, around $15,000 had been distributed, and he expects to give out about $5000 more.

He said the support of the church had been both ‘humbling and empowering’ as they have reached out to those in the community with practical and moral support.

‘We are so thankful for the support that we’ve already received’, said Pastor James, who added that he was ‘blown away’ by the response to the appeal. ‘It means more than I can express. The encouragement that has given me that the church was praying for us – it’s uplifting, humbling and empowering.

‘I was also able to put together a number of small Christmas hamper boxes for the families that we’d already helped, as a second point of contact. I figured we’d go back to those people and see where we’d already planted some seeds of hope and see how we could help again.

‘We’ve been asked by a few of the bigger families whether we could help any further, which we have. Just because we were there initially, there have been a number of doors open up where people are a lot softer to being with us.’

Adele Leach said beyond the devastation they had seen and the heartache they felt as they headed around Forbes to see people, offering sandwiches, water, tea and coffee, they were

left with a ‘feeling of privilege’. ‘[We felt] that we were welcome to step into people’s lives at their most devastated’, she said. One example was when Pastor James was contacted by the single mum of a three-year-old foster daughter, who was asking for help. ‘She told me how her daughter was really struggling because she was wondering how Santa was going to work out where to put the presents this year, as their Christmas tree had been washed away’, Pastor James said. ‘It just broke my heart. So, I organised a Christmas tree. We got decorations, and I went over and decorated the tree with the daughter.

‘All of the drywall and insulation has been removed from their house due to the flood damage, so you could see from one side to the other. When I asked the little girl where she wanted the tree, she said, “Right here”, pointing to the middle of the house. When I asked, “Why’s that?”, she said, “Because no matter where I am in the house, I’ll be able to see the Christmas star, and that will make me happy”.’ And then there has been great support from the wider community – people outside the church with whom Pastor James and Adele have connected. When Pastor James reached out via social media to locals for a spare second-hand Christmas tree for another family, he ended up with 13 under his verandah!

NSW–ACT District Administrator Russell Veerhuis said what has happened in the Central West Parish is ‘the church in action’. ‘This is an example of the church getting out there and loving people, fulfilling our call as Christians to love all people, not just other Lutherans’, he said. ‘This is the church in action.’

Ways to donate can be found on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/disaster-welfare

For more stories about flood responses and support in Lutheran communities in other areas, see the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/category/news

‘THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE CHURCH GETTING OUT THERE ... FULFILLING OUR CALL AS CHRISTIANS TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE, NOT JUST OTHER LUTHERANS.’

Far left: Adele Leach (right), wife of Pastor James Leach, joins the clean-up effort with Forbes Lutheran Church elder Jennifer Purdie, whose own house was flooded.

hope

cause for great joy, baby SadieAnne was born safely on New Year’s Eve to a family which lost their home in the floods in central New South Wales. Mum Rebecca, who had been ill during the pregnancy, is very grateful for the support of the LCANZ.

Thank you!

Ashkiro is 17 and living in famine-threatened Somalia. She was born with ‘disproportionate dwarfism’ and can no longer walk. Yet through the support of our Lutheran family, she is achieving her dream of going to school!

Ashkiro’s mum, Fatuma, says:

‘I sometimes wake up in the night, only to see my daughter wailing and shaking uncontrollably. I have to comfort her until she sleeps, this has been saddening for me.’

When day comes, the pain for mum and daughter remains.

Ashkiro’s condition makes her unable to move from one place to another, and people around her have despised her for showing an interest in school.

Despite this, Ashkiro remains eager to learn and has never let go of her dream of schooling and one day becoming a mathematics teacher.

A Lutheran World Federation (LWF) mobilisation team, supported by Lutherans from Australia and NZ through

To help, or invite

ALWS, found Ashkiro and took her to the Education Assessment and Resource Centre.

Ashkiro began intensive physiotherapy exercises to aid her movement, then had sessions on compensatory motions.

LWF supported her to find a place in school and provided a wheelchair so she could get there. If ever Ashkiro is too ill to go to school, LWF provides her with teachers who teach her at home through an Individual Educational Plan. Ashkiro says:

‘I sometimes feel empty whenever I miss class due to sickness. I am passionate about learning and accomplishing what other children are able to do ... I won’t be despised for my dwarfism, and I won’t let my spirit and determination be broken by anyone until I achieve my dream!’

ALWS guest speaker: 1300 763 407 * alws.org.au

Through ALWS, you provide food aid to families in Somalia threatened by famine and support 2,000 children like Ashkiro who live with disabilities to go to school.

an

‘I won’t let my spirit be broken by anyone until I achieve my dream!’ Ashkiro

‘My thirst for education sometimes forces my mother to carry me on her back to school, yet she never sees me as a burden.’

– Ashkiro

Photo: LWF Somalia

YOUNG PEOPLE BACK IN VIEW... and inspiring with hope

BY CHRISTINE MATTHIAS

Along the roadside, a crowd gathered.

Jesus, leading his disciples and those who wanted a piece of the action, heard someone crying out over the din of those closest to him. ‘Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!’ This was Bartimaeus, a man who couldn’t see, asking for the opportunity – begging for the chance – to see and be seen.

Some wanted Bartimaeus to be quiet, but Jesus stopped and brought silence. All the clamouring voices paused while he called Bartimaeus to him. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’, Jesus asked. The blind man said, ‘Rabbi, I want to see’. ‘Go’, said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus along the way.

This story from Jesus’ ministry as recorded in Mark 10:46–52 has parallels today. For decades, the church has been crying out for young people to take part in the journey of Jesus towards discipleship and hope. Often, we hear the refrain, ‘Where have our young people gone?’. And yet we forget that we were those same young people once. ‘Jesus, have mercy on us! We want to see you! We want to be seen by others!’

Now with God’s great timing, the church, which may have become blind to some amazing young people in this current generation, can see them again. And hear them. Because it is their faith, their hope, their love that will lead us into the future. Not so surprisingly, there are young people in our midst who are longing to follow Jesus and lead the church. Perhaps if

we, the clamouring crowds, would gently step aside, the faith of those calling out will heal us all.

Last September’s LCANZ Young Adult Forum is still reaping benefits for participants. The forum gave young adults an opportunity to spend a weekend together learning about the church. Churchwide leaders gave presentations on topics such as public theology, the work of Jesus through the Lutheran church today, the purpose of General Synod and the topics to be discussed at this month’s in-person sessions in Melbourne.

It was an extraordinary, uplifting weekend – and not just for the 24 participants. The LCANZ leaders involved unanimously say they were inspired by the passion, interest, support and dedication of these young adults.

LCANZ Church Worker Support Manager Dr Chris Materne found it ‘truly heartening’ to meet a committed group of young people ‘who truly care about their church’.

‘Their passionate faith and the commitment they showed to live it out in their lives was inspiring’, she says.

‘They wanted solid answers to deep questions and, clearly, they are thinking deeply about the role in society of our church and Christianity more broadly. We need to hear their voices and work to support them to continue to build the church – not forgetting the past but building on it to enable them to share the eternal gospel message in a changing world.’

Below left: Five young people represented the LCANZ’s Queensland District at the Young Adult Forum. They are (clockwise, from left): Max Mayer, Stefan Volejnik, Christian Hansen, Elijah Friebel and Greta Matthias

Below: From the Victoria-Tasmania District, (from left) Hayley Simons, Sean Doyle and Georgia Maroske attended the forum. (Not pictured – Summer Schultz)

Dr Tania Nelson, the LCANZ’s Executive Officer for Local Mission, agrees, saying she was encouraged by the vision and leadership skills shown by the participants. ‘The calibre, thoughtfulness and conscientiousness of the young adults give me added assurance and hope that God’s mission will prevail as the next generations reach out in new and creative ways with the good news of Jesus’ love to our largely secular society’, she says.

This hope resonated beyond the forum weekend as participants from Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria were able to make connections and find ways for future networking.

After the forum, participants were encouraged to arrange a meeting with their LCA district leaders. In early November, the Queensland participants met their district leaders and then were invited to present to Queensland’s District Assembly. At the assembly, they shared their experiences which instigated an excellent time of discussion and questions from the more than 30 leaders in attendance. The buzz in the room was palpable – as was the sense of hope for our church.

LCA Queensland District Bishop Mark Vainikka said he was ‘delighted’ to meet with the young adult representatives who attended the Churchwide Young Adult Forum from his state.

‘The passion, insight and love for the church that the young adults embodied was a joy to observe’, he says. ‘I wasn’t surprised, however, since all the young adults I have met in our district have been insightful and inspirational. I have realised that I have a lot to learn from our young adults.

‘As we were about to have our District Assembly, which is a meeting of the district’s senior executives and members of our governing councils, we invited the young adults to share about the forum there as well. They interacted with the assembly participants with insight, good humour and

confidence, sharing their observations about the church, our challenges and joys.

‘As I listened to them speak so confidently about their faith and their church, it became obvious to me that these young adults are not our future; they are our present. But if we don’t empower them to engage with the church in a way that is meaningful for them today, they will not be with us tomorrow.’ Young people are indeed the ‘present’ of the church, even though, as Bishop Mark points out, sometimes they are referred to as simply its future. We must not underestimate the passion and leadership skills with which God has already gifted them. If we encourage them to use their gifts for God’s glory and the spread of his kingdom, we will have many reasons to remain full of hope for the future of our church.

Christine Matthias is the Grow Ministries resource coordinator and was one of the organisers of the LCANZ’s Young Adult Forum.

Right: At last year’s Young Adult Forum, the SA-NT District was represented by 11 participants. They are, from left, back row – Ben Ridley, Benjamin Huckel and Eloise Quinn-Valentine; middle row – Emma Strelan, Lauren Kahl, Anny Ferguson and Rose Vonow; front row – Beth Mann, John Hillier, Noah Hahn and Lucy Rathjen

Below right: (from left, clockwise) Martin Scharlach, Gwen Sellner, Luke Buhlmann and Steph Swift represented the WA District at the LCANZ young adult event.

…

THE CHURCH, WHICH MAY HAVE BECOME BLIND TO SOME AMAZING YOUNG PEOPLE, CAN SEE THEM AGAIN ... BECAUSE IT IS THEIR FAITH, THEIR HOPE, THEIR LOVE THAT WILL LEAD US INTO THE FUTURE.

‘THERE IS help –AND THERE IS hope ’

BY LISA MCINTOSH

Despondency. Hopelessness. Despair. These are feelings that can take over our whole existence. People in their throes may believe life is not worth living.

The death of a loved one can start us down that path, as can serious illness, the breakdown of a marriage or close relationship, a loss of independence due to age or disability, the destruction of home and property through natural disasters, the failure of a business, work redundancy and other causes of financial insecurity.

As a financial counsellor with more than 20 years of experience in listening to, working alongside, guiding and empowering people with serious money problems, Jan Bean has seen first-hand the pain of despair and hopelessness and how debilitating financial stress can be. Even if people know that they can seek help, Jan says some are too embarrassed to do so.

‘People are often anxious and that blocks their brain from thinking clearly and making good decisions around their finances’, Jan says. She says domestic and family violence and other traumas are prime examples.

‘The most common factor in financial stress is that Centrelink payments are below the poverty line’, Jan explains. ‘This is compounded as rents and power prices soar.

‘One client I saw had a job, she had a boyfriend and was renting a nice little unit. Everything was fine. Then she started to lose her eyesight. So, she lost her job. She lost her boyfriend and then she lost her unit because she couldn’t pay. She was living

in her car in the front yard of a friend’s place. So, that was all within a few months!

‘That makes you think this can happen to anybody. How close are we to being destitute or losing our house or our rental? Nothing is secure here on earth. So, as God said, do not store up riches on earth.

‘Also, for those on say, middle incomes and who have a job, who aren’t managing, they probably feel like they should be managing.

‘I saw a retired couple and he had been a chief executive officer of a small-to-medium business. He was losing his hearing and was forced to retire before he was ready. Their mortgage was in default and the bank was encouraging them to sell. When he first walked into my office, the husband was like a broken man. He was leaning over, head drooped, really embarrassed and had no hope.’

However, Jan says, just listening to people and sharing with them the tools they can use to begin to ‘right the ship’, take back some control and have their dignity renewed, can make all the difference. It can also restore hope.

‘As we worked together and started looking through all the bank accounts, he started taking on some of those things himself’, she says of the former CEO. ‘I slowly did less and less for him and then by the time I’d worked with them for over a year, he could walk out with his head held high because he worked through the whole thing, and they were able to get a good result.

‘THERE IS HELP –EVEN IF YOU’RE IN ABSOLUTE FINANCIAL CRISIS. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL LISTEN ... AND THERE IS HOPE.’

Financial counsellor Jan Bean, far right, is married to Pastor Peter Bean, right. She formerly volunteered with Teen Challenge, staying overnight with people going through drug rehabilitation, and with St Vincent de Paul Society’s Fred’s Van mobile food service in the streets of Adelaide. Now semi-retired, she is currently volunteering with St Vincent de Paul in Mount Barker as a financial counsellor.

‘He was back in a position of empowerment and for me to see that, it gives me tingles now thinking about the change in them. Just by giving people knowledge about the financial system and options and their own choices, many people then can do what they need to do to get themselves back on their feet.’

Jan believes the pressure from society for everyone to keep spending and accumulating things, no matter what their individual situation might be, is one of the main causes of financial stress.

‘The consumerism pressure in society is always encouraging you to get more, buy more, beyond what your means are’, she says. ‘With most people I see, being in financial hardship is often circumstantial. It could be a marriage breakup, a loss of a job for unknown reasons, or illness that contributes.

‘And if they don’t seek help, it can become worse and worse. And that can affect relationships, marriages and families, and it could affect their mental health.’

She believes that 90 per cent of people under monetary stress leave it very late to seek help – some may not even know financial counselling services exist, especially if they’ve never needed them before.

Jan’s path to becoming a financial counsellor began about 25 years ago when she started volunteering at the then Lutheran Community Care (now Lutheran Care) in South Australia as an emergency relief interviewer. Seeing her gifts and abilities in action in that role, her boss suggested she be trained as a financial counsellor, and she eventually landed a part-time paid position. And she loved it from the start.

A lifelong Lutheran who now worships at St Michael’s Lutheran Church Hahndorf, in South Australia, she says her desire to care for people now in a voluntary capacity in semi-retirement comes from her values and Christian faith.

‘My faith is important. The fact that I have Jesus in my life and Jesus saves me, died for me and loves me, is the key thing. Jesus walked simply in life. So, it’s natural that I also walk more

simply in life. I want to help people, to share the love of God. I love working with the people I see; I just love them all. My heart goes out to them.’

Jan says that while hearing the stories of people’s struggles and crises is ‘always a challenge’, she mostly finds the process of journeying with people uplifting, especially when she asks God to be the ‘sponge’ which absorbs the hurts and any sense of hopelessness.

‘It’s very heavy to listen to a lot of stories’, she says. ‘But God is there with me to take on those stories. He’s the one who absorbs all the mess. I don’t have to take on board everything because I can’t. I listen and I help to empower them and help them take the next steps. God has them in his hand. He’s the one – I don’t have the power to change people. It is so important for all of us to listen to other people’s stories before making any assumptions about their situation.

‘But there is help – even if you’re in absolute financial crisis. There are people who will listen, and there are services that are free. And there is hope. So please talk to someone you can trust. You don’t have to do it on your own.’

And, of course, Jan says, ‘You’re not alone. God is always with you, too’.

This story has been adapted from the Messages of Hope program ‘Financial Stress’, which is available as an audio program and as a transcript of the interview by Celia Fielke at www.messagesofhope.org.au/financial-stress-2/

• Lifeline in Australia (13 11 14) and Aotearoa New Zealand (0800 543 354) offer crisis mental health support

• Lutheran Care provides financial counselling in South Australia and Northern Territory – phone 08 8269 9333 or visit www.lutherancare.org.au

• Australia’s National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007 and https://ndh.or.au) also offers financial counselling

GOD HAS THEM IN HIS HAND. HE’S THE ONE – I DON’T HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE PEOPLE.

Is God calling you to the Centre?

Will you bring your family, faith, gifts, skills and talents to Central Australia?

Goodbye bleak rainy winters. Hello sunshine! Low humidity, great for health

Long-established (140 years) and respected Lutheran heritage

Schools, childcare, medical clinics and hospital, supermarkets, restaurants

Daily flights to most capital cities

Endless outdoor activities ... golf, hiking, 4WDing, camping

People who live amid the vast landscapes of the Red Centre often feel a deep connection with the wonder of creation. God can build on this spiritual openness to connect people with the message of Christ.

When Lutheran missionaries arrived at the Finke River in 1877, Aboriginal people gradually became ready to hear new stories about God the Creator and his son Jesus. Today there are around 6,000 Aboriginal Lutherans in the heart of Australia. The Lutheran Church in Central Australia employs more than 200 people through Alice Springs Lutheran Church, Finke River Mission (including the Historical Precinct and Hermannsburg Store), Lutheran Care, Yirara College and Living Waters Lutheran School.

There are ministry roles available with Alice Springs Lutheran Church and Finke River Mission, while Yirara College and Living Waters Lutheran School are looking for teachers and ancillary staff. Inquiries from volunteers are always welcome, too. What’s life like there? Read the testimonies of people who’ve served God in Central Australia at finkerivermission.lca.org.au

Interested? Contact Wayne Beven (Finke River Mission Operations Manager) for more information via email at lcica@lca.org.au

LUTHERAN CHURCH IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

Time with God

Introduced during a time of COVID-related church closures and restrictions, our devotional pages under the Church@home banner have been very popular with many readers. But spending time with God throughout the week isn’t only a blessing when we can’t get to church on a Sunday. It’s an important boost for our faith every week. Therefore, you’ll continue to find support for your devotional life on these pages – and the LCANZ has plenty of other resources which we’ll highlight for your information, too.

DEVOTIONS

The cross is our sign of hope

Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14b).

Read Isaiah 7:10–25.

I recently heard a Christian woman speak about a period of great suffering in her life, where she prayed for and received a very tangible sign of hope from God amid her despair. In today’s reading, we find how common it is in Scripture for God to give signs to his people in their suffering to remind them of his faithfulness. God commanded Isaiah to go to King Ahaz and urge him to remain steady in faith because war was about to erupt around him. God offered Ahaz a sign. He said it could be as big or small as he liked, but King Ahaz didn’t take God up on his offer. He said, ‘I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test’. Although King Ahaz sounds a bit stoic and slightly pious to ‘not put God to the test’, his sentiment was not a good way to respond to God. Why? Because King Ahaz didn’t want to accept God’s sign and depend fully on God. If he did, he would be required to wait in hope for that sign to be fulfilled. Even though Ahaz lacked faith, this story reminds us of God’s character. God cannot be anything other than faithful and merciful; his graciousness is not dependent on how fickle his people are. Even when they didn’t want to receive his mercy, God overarched their story so that his name could be magnified and proclaimed on all the earth (Romans 9:17). Despite King Ahaz’s hard heart, God gave his people a sign so shocking that when it came to pass, it couldn’t be counted as anything but a miracle from God. What was this sign? ‘Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.’

BY KIMBERLEY PFEIFFER

As Christians living in these end times, we know God has already redeemed us through his Son, who was born of the virgin, as Isaiah prophesied. Like King Ahaz, our faith can grow weak when we do not trust completely in God. Our hope is found by way of the cross. Through Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, he has won for us new life in him. We have hope in our own sufferings because, by our own crosses, we are encouraged because we know that through it, God is with us and for us and will be to the very end of the age.

Merciful God, grant us the faith to trust in your promises and cling to you in hope. Help us along life’s way, especially when we are suffering. Grow our faith in you so we can remain firmly grafted in your love now and in eternity. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.

All the obstacles removed

With a scorching wind [the Lord] will sweep his hand over the Euphrates River. He will break it up into seven streams so that anyone can cross over in sandals (Isaiah 11:15).

Read Isaiah 11:10–16.

What a wet, wet year we had in 2022. John 1:16 proclaims grace upon grace. In Australia, last year was about flood upon flood. If you are a victim of these floods, you can be assured that you have been prayed for many times across the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. Many government and community agencies are offering practical help. Hopefully, you have been able to access this. No doubt, you have faced or will face many obstacles in recovery. Yet things just take time, not least in a fully employed economy still recovering from COVID interruptions.

God’s word knows a fair bit about obstacles. Isaiah 11 is a chapter on the restoration and removal of these obstacles. It may not be directly talking about the floods, but as with all God’s words, it’s not irrelevant to the practical, and we best not only spiritualise it.

The early part of Isaiah 11 speaks of the branch coming from the stump of Jesse and paints a beautiful picture of peace: lions sitting with yearlings and the cobra not striking the child. But that picture of peace needs to be operationalised. And so, the branch, Jesus, goes about removing the obstacles. It’s picture language of drying up a sea that divides and separating

BY PASTOR MATT BISHOP

a river into seven shallow, small streams (verse 15). A highway to transport us, rather than rough ground (verse 16).

The seven streams are the corollary of the seven gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2,3. These gifts at work in your own life are how Christ removes the obstacles. And they flow from the spiritual realms into the practical – even to filling out insurance claims and undertaking site works, as tedious as that is! The Lord is with us in all things.

Lord, in mercy, keep your seven gifts of the Spirit from the flood of baptism flowing in our lives: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, reverence of you and delight in the reverence of you. Rebuild the lives of all affected in Australia by floods this year and last year, use your church to assist in both spirit and practice. Amen.

To receive the LCA daily devotion each morning in your inbox, go to www.lca.org.au/communications/enews and select Daily Devotions from the Churchwide list after entering your email address. These can also be printed off from the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion

LECTIONARY READINGS

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/ 70579-daily-bible-readings-for-2023 or as a printed booklet through the LTM office (phone 08 8360 7222) for a donation of 20c per copy.

PRAYER POINTS

1–4 FEB

Those affected by floods and those assisting them

5–11 FEB

Delegates of the LCANZ’s General Synod and the Young Adult Forum consultants

12–18 FEB

Next week’s online Festival of Learning, run by ALC

19–25 FEB

That Lent, which starts this week, will be a time of prayer, reflection and repentance

26 FEB– 4 MAR

Nurses and other medical staff as they care for the sick and injured

5–11 MAR

Those who serve on the LCANZ’s commissions on worship, social and bioethical questions, and theology and inter-church relations

12–18 MAR

People whose homes have been hit by war, famine or other crises and those who work to deliver aid and relief

19–25 MAR

People who volunteer their time and talents in in their churches and communities

26 MAR– 1 APR

Genuine reconciliation between First Nations Australians and New Zealanders and other citizens of the two countries

The foundation of our hope

BY RICHARD FOX

Serving in ministry at Messages of Hope, we are contacted by many people who ask, each in their way, ‘Where is hope for me?’ Faith in God and what he has done and is doing for us is the sure foundation for our hope as Christians. The sure hope that truly helps is that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.

But often people who need hope aren’t looking for faith in Jesus Christ because they are unaware that he is the source of the true hope they seek. I pray that many people will hear about and believe in the sure hope of Jesus Christ.

Some people might use the word ‘hope’ in place of the word ‘wish’. For example, I wish it would rain. Or I wish it would stop raining. However, hope is so much more than what we wish for and is fundamental to who we are and how we approach life. If we don’t have hope, we can despair. Hope is a way forward. And there is only one true hope that can fill that need.

What do you hope for? You might like to list what you wish and hope for and pray about them to God.

The next question to consider is ‘where do you put your hope?’

On a Messages of Hope program entitled ‘3 dollars in the bank’, a woman named Kerry shares her battle with hopelessness. ‘I remember sitting at church one day thinking, “What do I do?”’, she says. ‘I’ve got no job, I had an awful marriage breakdown and a nasty divorce, and I remembered my dad saying to me, “Leave it up to God”. I was sitting in church looking at the crucifix up on the wall thinking, “What am I going to do?”, and then I just thought, “You know what? That’s what I’m going to do. I’m just going to let go and just leave it up to God”.’ Hope is where God leads us through the trials we face in life.

Read Romans 5:3–5, particularly noting verse 4. How does God bring good things out of difficult situations?

Hope comes from God. And we know from Scripture and often learn from experience that placing our hope in him can bring many blessings.

Read Isaiah 40:31. What happens for those who ‘hope in the Lord’?

There is a song based on Psalm 62, otherwise known as ‘My soul finds rest in God alone’, which contains the lyrics: ‘The fields of hope in which I sow are harvested in heaven.’

Read Psalm 62. In verse 5, the psalmist speaks about where our hope comes from. In the following verse, the reason for this hope is explained. Why can we be hopeful?

You may like to use Psalm 62 as a regular prayer, for this week, month or even throughout the year. Hope is not something just for us personally. God calls us to share the hope we have in him with others.

Read 1 Peter 3:15. What does this verse tell us about our calling as Christians? And how does Peter suggest we live out this calling? Name two attributes he asks of us as we share the hope of Jesus.

Whom do you know who is looking for hope to deal with what is happening in their life?

We are like beggars, telling other beggars, where to find food. And not just physical food, but the Bread of Life, who gives us hope. Jesus Christ.

To conclude, pray Romans 15:13. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pastor Richard Fox is the director of Lutheran Media. You can watch, listen to or read Messages of Hope at www.messagesofhope.org.au or www.messagesofhope.org.nz

Kerry’s story is at www.messagesofhope.org.au/3-dollars-in-the-bank

Many people are looking for hope to cope with, deal with and be set free from the things happening in their lives that may make them feel despondent, that they have no hope.

Go and Grow

HOPE SHINES THROUGH

As Pastor Richard Fox suggests in this month’s Bible study on page 15, people often know they need hope even if they don’t know they need Jesus – the true source of what they are seeking. That’s why one of the LCANZ’s major outreach ministries, shared through an expansive range of media and resources, is called ‘Messages of Hope’.

Through radio messages, videos, electronic documents and printed booklets, Lutheran Media shares Messages of Hope on more than 70 different issues, challenges and questions people may face in their lives. Weekly interviews and discussions are available for listening or watching on topics such as stress, grief, anxiety and depression, relationships, parenting, guilt, fear, ageing and dementia, anger, loneliness, crisis and suffering, as well as some big faith questions.

ACROSS THE AIRWAVES

There are more than 1,200 radio stations and frequencies that carry the 30-second, one-minute and 15-minute radio messages and podcasts that are also available on digital music and audio streaming services iTunes and Spotify. The listening audience for Messages of Hope is estimated at 7 million people, with a potential audience of more than 20 million people across Australia, New Zealand and the world.

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS MISSION

UPLIFTING VIEWING AND READING

Along with radio spots and audio podcasts, Messages of Hope (MoH) are shared through videos. There are 30-second, one-minute and short-story videos available through the MoH website and on the free video-sharing website YouTube at www.youtube.com/messagesofhope

In addition, Lutheran Media produces and sources electronic documents and booklets on many topics as another way of sharing hope-filled messages, and it provides other resources such as greeting cards to order.

You can partner with Lutheran Media’s Messages of Hope by making a one-off or regular tax-deductible donation at www.lutheranmedia.org.au/donation or by phoning 1800 353 350.

Social media users can follow Messages of Hope on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, and share the posts with friends and family.

• Messages of Hope in Australia: www.messagesofhope.org.au

• Messages of Hope in New Zealand: www.messagesofhope.org.nz

CHANCE TO CELEBRATE LEARNING TOGETHER

Australian Lutheran College’s (ALC) Festival of Learning is back this month (February) as an exclusively online event, allowing attendees to participate from anywhere.

Registrations for the three-day event are now open and close at noon (ACST) on 20 February. With the theme ‘Holy and dearly loved – called and clothed’, the Festival of Learning 2023 is being held from 21 to 23 February.

The festival recognises that the LCANZ has a rich history of gathering as a community to learn together. ALC and its prior incarnations have always been an integral part of this learning culture, and this festival offers a unique annual opportunity to celebrate and learn together.

WIDE RANGE OF PRESENTERS

Keynote speakers for the event, which includes the ALC Opening Lecture for 2023, will be LCANZ Bishop Rev Paul Smith; Uniting College for Leadership and Theology Principal Rev Professor Vicky Balabanski; and ALC Principal Rev James Winderlich. Elective presenters will include Professor Peter Sherlock, University of Divinity Vice-Chancellor; Western Sydney University Senior Lecturer Dr Alison Short; Flinders University’s Professor Sarah Wendt; ALC Visiting Scholar Rev Jo Bertil Vaernesbranden from MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society in Oslo; and leaders from festival partners LCA Local Mission and Lutheran Archives.

Both full and four-elective pass registration packages are available for the festival. Access to general sessions, including keynote presentations, chapel and conversation hours, is included in both registration options, while the number of elective sessions participants have access to depends on their package. Full registration costs $150.00 (concession – $100), while a four-elective pass costs $80. A late fee of $10 applies after 14 February.

Find out more and register at https://alc.edu.au/festival-of-learning

PRAYING WITH OUR GLOBAL PARTNERS

Since 2017, LCA International Mission has produced a prayer guide/devotional resource for the season of Lent. By interacting with this guide, we hope that members from LCANZ will join with our mission partners, as together we meditate on God’s word and pray for his global mission.

The 2023 ‘40 Days – a Lenten devotion & prayer guide’ carries the theme of the names given to Jesus. We pray that, by using this theme, readers will reflect on who Jesus is and all that he did during his earthly ministry. We may then reflect upon all that Jesus does for us as his precious children.

Each devotion is written by LCA International Mission partners from Australia, New Zealand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, America, Germany and Madagascar. Readers are then invited to pray for the ministry of our partners, with the help of prayer prompts.

‘40 Days – a Lenten devotion & prayer guide’ is available to download via the LCA International Mission website at www.lcamission.org.au/pray or can be ordered as a printed copy by emailing lcaim@lca.org.au or phoning 08 8267 7317.

GROWING KIDS IN CHRIST

BY JODI BROOK

Grow Kids is a new resource designed to help you as you help to ‘grow kids’ in knowing Jesus and responding to his love through worship and service.

Designed as a teaching curriculum, Grow Kids offers opportunities to tailor sessions to suit your audience. Menu items will help to provide your group with the best experience. And while the resource contains helpful suggestions, you can make changes to meet the needs of the children in your care. Menu items can be used in any order. They can be used or adapted to provide a session that helps to grow kids.

SUNDAY SCHOOL OPTIONS

Grow Kids can be used as a Sunday school curriculum. Marjorie Ridenour, from St Paul’s Lutheran Church Hahndorf, in South Australia, says it is ‘perfect’ for her congregation, which has a ‘handful of children ranging from 1 to 9 in age’.

‘We were often struggling to find an appropriate activity for our lesson’, she says. ‘Grow Kids takes care of this, so any of us can deliver our lesson easily. I tried out the Advent sample lesson, and our children loved the activity. Further, our little ones went from Sunday school into church and the lesson was restated throughout the worship service. It worked beautifully.’

DEVOTIONS, MESSY CHURCH AND MORE

If you are looking for a school classroom devotion, with Grow Kids you can use the ‘Story of the Week’, the prayer and the blessing. There are background notes about the Bible story to help understand its context and the delivery of the stories ranges from a simple re-telling to a creative drama.

Children also can be introduced to basic faith teachings with a catechism focus in Grow Kids. Each session has a ‘Catechism Spotlight’ in which a portion of Christian teaching that relates to the story and the week’s focus is discussed.

Grow Kids also offers all the necessary elements to use for Messy Church.

Prayer Weencourageyoutoinvitetheparticipantstopray.Youmayliketobeginwiththefollowingprayer, andalsoincludesomeoftheparticipants’highsandlowsassharedatthebeginningofthesession. DearJesus,thankyouforcomingintotheworldanddyingforusonthecross,sothatthings couldbemaderightagainaftersincameintotheworldandintoourlives.Helpustobesorry forthebadthingswedoandtobesurethatyouforgiveus.Amen.

inGenesis3.ThefirsttwochaptersofGenesis (verses8-25)describeGod’sperfectcreation.InthegardenofEdentherewasperfectharmonybetween humansandothercreatures.Theirdifferencescomplementedoneanotheranddidnotleadtofearand suspicion.Similarly,manandwomancomplementedeachotherandlivedinharmony.Allcreatureslived happilyunderGod. Sadly,thisidealstatedidnotlast.Throughtheserpent,sinenteredtheworld.Thedevil’smethodof temptingthewomanwastypicalofthewayheworks,andithasbeenrepeatedthroughouthistory.His subtlequestionsraiseddoubtsaboutwhatGodhadsaid,andchallengedGod’struthfulnessandmotives. Evefellintothetrap.ShebegantoquestionGod’swarningaboutthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodand evil(2:7).TheknowledgeAdamandEvegainedthrougheatingthefruitdidnotbringhappiness;itbrought disharmony,guilt,andshame.However,Goddidnotrenounceorannihilatehiscreation.Hespokethe firstgospelmessagewhenheannouncedthatthewoman’soffspring(Christ)wouldcrushtheserpents head(3:15).Christwoulddefeatthedevil.

kids

GET HELP

Blessing Encourageparticipantstoblesseachother,usingthefollowingwords(oryoucanmakeupyourown). (Name),mayGodkeepyousafewithhislife-givingwords,sothatyoustaystronginfaith.

•AsetofpicturesofpartsofGod’screation Read Genesis 3 ShowappropriatepicturesasyoureadaboutGod’screatingstory. Godmadeourworld.Godmadethegroundandthewater,thegrassandthetrees.Godmadethe bugsandfishandbirdsandanimals. ThenGodmadetwopeopletoliveinhisworld.HenamedthemAdamandEve.GodaskedAdam andEvetohelphimtakecareofeverythinghehadmadeintheworld thegroundandthewater, thegrassandtrees,thebugsandfish,thebirds,andanimals.God’sworldwasverybeautiful–much morebeautifulthanitisnow.Andeveryonewashappy–muchhappierthanwearenow.Adamand EvecoulddowhatevertheywantedinGod’sbeautifulworld,exceptonething.Godtoldthemnotto eatthefruitofonespecialtree. SomethingspoiledGod’sbeautifulworld.Doyouknowwhatitwas?Itwasn’tthegroundorthewater. Itwasn’tthegrassorthetrees.Itwasn’tthebugs,orthefish,orthebirds,ortheanimals.Itwasthe devil.Onedaythedevilcamealong.Thedevillookedlikeabigsnake.ThedeviltoldAdamandEvetodo theonethingGodhadtoldthemnottodo.Theyatefruitfromthespecialtree.That’swhenthings werespoiled. Theworldwasnotsobeautifulanymore.Peopleandanimalsgothurtanddied.Sincethattime, peoplearen’tsohappyanymore. Ourstoryhasanunhappyending,doesn’tit? don’tlikestorieswithunhappyendings.NeitherdoesGod.Andthat’swhyGodsentJesustomakethingshappyagain.ShowGenesis3inyourBible. AdamandEveweretheveryfirstpeopleintheworld.TheirstoryisintheveryfirstpartoftheBible. ShowtherestofyourBible.TherestoftheBibleshowshowGodworkedtogiveusahappyending.

Youwillneed • An illustrated Bible

SERVING CONGREGATIONS AND CHILDREN

Meghan Pfeiffer, from Mount Barker Lutheran Church in South Australia, says her congregation was ‘looking for a resource that could work alongside our leaders – something they could just dip into for ideas or follow more closely if they were having a busy week or came across a particularly challenging set of readings’.

‘We like that we can access Grow Kids digitally and it is helpful that it follows the church seasons and lectionary readings’, she says. ‘We are genuinely thankful for what has been prepared and we feel confident that it will serve our congregation and its children well in the future.’

Jodi Brook is director of Grow Ministries. Grow Kids is available at www.growministries.org.au through the Intergenerational or Children’s Ministry resources tabs or via the store menu.

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

REFLECTING ON JESUS’ WILLING SACRIFICE

BY ANNE HANSEN

Jesus died willingly for the forgiveness of our sins so that we can have eternal life with God forever. What do you understand about the previous sentence? What strikes you as read it again? For me, the word ‘willingly’ stands out. How could anyone willingly suffer pain, agony and humiliation for another person?

Fortunately, I wasn’t put into that situation, but the Son of God, our Saviour Jesus Christ, faced that exact situation. There was no other way that the curse of sin in our lives could be paid unless it was done by someone sinless.

Imagine the extreme love of Jesus for his Father to willingly die on the cross and to willingly go through it all for you and me. It is beyond love!

Lent begins early this year with Ash Wednesday on 22 February. Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) has again produced a Lenten devotional, which this year is entitled ‘Beyond Love’. This free resource contains a devotion for each day in Lent leading up to Easter Sunday and is ideal to use as part of your daily devotional life. Available on the LTM website at www.ltm.org.au, it can be used as a flipbook or downloaded for printing.

MANY WAYS TO REACH OUT RESOURCES READY FOR EASTER

Lutheran Tract Mission also provides many other resources for use over Easter. These include explanations of the meaning of Shrove Tuesday (and a good recipe for pancakes), the history behind hot cross buns, Easter stickers, an Easter chatterbox and activity books for children. There is also a new tract that shares how to fold a palm leaf into a cross – a great activity and gift for the congregation on Palm Sunday.

CONNECTING WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS

If you have a heart for better connection with neighbours from other cultural backgrounds, the LCANZ’s Cross-Cultural Ministry Conference for 2023 is sure to inspire you.

This two-day event will be held in May in Melbourne and will feature keynote speakers and workshops and focus on the concept of getting out of our church buildings and into our neighbourhoods.

LTM resources can be used by schools, aged-care facilities, hospitals and congregations and for outreach into your local community. We aim to provide different ways for our church and its people to reach others with God’s amazing love. See our website at www.ltm.org.au to find what you need for your ministry.

And please let us know and share with others your stories of tracts reaching people in your community. We encourage you, too, to pass on any new ideas as to how tracts can be used.

Hansen is development officer of Lutheran Tract Mission.

CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY CONFERENCE

Theme: Moving into the neighbourhood

Date: 5–6 May 2023

Where: Quality Hotel Melbourne Airport, 265 Mickleham Rd, Tullamarine Vic

See the LCA Cross-Cultural Ministry webpage for booking details at www.lca.org.au/cross-cultural-ministry

Anne

INTRODUCING OUR new pastors

These three newly ordained graduates from Australian Lutheran College come from a wide range of backgrounds but will all be stepping out in faith to begin their first pastoral ministry parish assignments in 2023. Read on to get to know them a little and discover more about their ministry journeys.

JEREMY SMITH

Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My family has been an incredible gift from God, especially the example of the faith of my parents and grandparents and the continual support and dependability of my parents and siblings.

Who are the most influential people for you now? Apart from my family, Katie and other long-term friends continue to help me through challenges and to understand how God works in my life.

What did you do before you went to ALC? I studied computer games programming and spent several years in games development while also working part-time at a conference centre.

Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My brother helped me understand my sense of call, but my entire family and my experiences leading Christian Life Week camps were great sources of encouragement.

AGE: 30

FAMILY: Wife Katie Smith

HOME CONGREGATION: St Johns Corinda Qld

VICARAGE: Faith Warradale SA, with Pastor Tim Klein

ASSIGNED TO: Immanuel Kadina, part of Maitland Parish SA

What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? 1 Corinthians 2:2. It’s easy to get caught up in the complexity of theology, but this verse is a hope-filled reminder that draws me back to the heart of the gospel – Jesus Christ and him crucified for us.

The most important thing people need to know about God is … what he has done for them (deliverance from sin, death, and the power of the Devil), and what it cost (the suffering and death of Jesus, his Son).

Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to? Walking the baptismal journey with people, especially supporting parents in their role of handing on the faith to their children and in helping young people understand all that they have received through baptism.

What is your favourite leisure activity? Katie and I enjoy going for walks to look at birds, bugs, and other wonders of God’s creation, and playing video games.

What is your favourite movie? It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I do enjoy The Princess Bride

If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? There would be a lot of great people I would love to talk to as a witness of the faith, such as Paul, Mary, or Luther (perhaps with both our ‘Katies’!), but I would also like to chat with my grandmother, Neva, again.

MY FAMILY HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE GIFT FROM GOD ESPECIALLY THE EXAMPLE OF THE FAITH OF MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

AGE: 31

FAMILY: Wife Nicola and son Henry

HOME CONGREGATION: Pilgrims of Zion Sedan SA

VICARAGE: St Pauls Glenelg SA, under the supervision of Pastor Tim Ebbs

ASSIGNED TO: Bordertown Parish SA

Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My parents

Who are the most influential people for you now? There are a lot of people who guide and influence me.

What did you do before you went to ALC? I worked in retail, more specifically in the fresh produce department of a supermarket. Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My participation in the 2017 Grow Leadership program, along with Pastor Neville Otto, whom I met during the program.

What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Psalm 119:105. It reminds me that all we know about God comes from his word and that his word tells us how we should strive to live a holy life.

The most important thing people need to know about God is … that he is a loving and compassionate God above anything else!

Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to?

Encouraging people on their faith journey by walking alongside them; serving people through God’s means of grace – welcoming them into God’s family through baptism, and reminding them of that grace through the Lord’s supper. What is your favourite leisure activity? I am a sports fanatic, so anything to do with playing or watching sport.

What is your favourite movie? I’m not really into movies, but Forrest Gump definitely stands the test of time.

If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be, and why? Bruce McAvaney, as he seems to be a sports nut, which would resonate with me. There are also people in biblical times – such as Judas or Jonah – whom I would want to ask why [they did what they did].

EDWIN SHOESMITH

Who were the most influential people in your life as you were growing up? My grandfather played a key role in mentoring me, he would always be willing to help me.

Who are the most influential people for you now? Close family and friends. What did you do before you went to ALC? I was a theatre nurse in Toowoomba, then moved into clinical support for an orthopaedic company working with surgeons in theatre.

Who or what encouraged you along the journey towards beginning pastoral studies? My father was a big player in my taking the first step to contact ALC, along with Bishop Paul Smith. During my time at ALC, Dr Stephen Pietsch and Dr Andrew Pfeiffer were both hugely involved in my discernment for pastoral ministry.

What is your most relied-upon Bible verse and why? Isaiah 40:1–11. Because of Christ, our warfare is ended, we can find comfort in him and share that comfort with others.

AGE: 33

FAMILY: Wife Fiona and children

Paxton, 4, and Chester, 18 months

HOME CONGREGATION: Emmanuel

Lutheran Fellowship Toowoomba Qld

VICARAGE: St Petri Lutheran Church

Nuriootpa SA, with Pastor Adrian Kitson

ASSIGNED TO: St James Lutheran Church

Hervey Bay Qld

The most important thing people need to know about God is … that you are forgiven.

Which privilege of being a pastor are you most looking forward to?

Ministering to those in times of need

What is your favourite leisure activity? Hunting and fishing

What is your favourite movie? The Lord of the Rings amongst many others

If you could chat with any famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why? J.R.R Tolkien – I would get a nice scotch, sit down in a comfortable chair, and ask him to ‘tell me a story’.

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.

Celebrating community connections

BY HELEN BRINKMAN

Originally a shy farmer’s daughter from the Wimmera region of Victoria, Jill Schefe has been recognised for her efforts as a vibrant community connector through the Lutheran Church of Australia’s Servant of Christ Award.

Born Jillene Heinrich, the eldest of three children, she grew up on a wheat and sheep property in Kaniva, not far from the South Australian border. After finishing school, drought in the Wimmera led her to spend a year droving sheep.

Despite her grandmother’s belief that girls shouldn’t pursue further education, Jill, now 73, undertook two years of theological studies at Lutheran Teachers College in North Adelaide to become a deaconess. ‘The term “deaconess” comes from the Greek word “Diakonia”, which means servant’, explains Jill. ‘It is a ministry of word and service.’

The modest study cost of $450 included two years of tuition and board. On graduating in 1969, she was assigned to the Metropolitan Missions Committee for the next three years and worked six days a week across various parishes in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, including Tea Tree Gully, Cheltenham, Port Adelaide and Hampstead under four different pastors.

‘Every day was a new challenge, and my work changed all the time’, she says. ‘It helped me overcome my natural shyness. I realised that shyness was pride turned inwards, so reliance on my Lord was my call.’

Jill taught religious education in schools, led confirmation classes and Bible studies, the latter with the youth and

women’s fellowships, as well as taking adult instruction in the Christian faith and visiting members or the unchurched and serving in other ways when required.

Her mentor and pastor of one of her first parishes, Clarrie Janetzki, had said at the time, ‘You are the only bible some people are ever going to know’.

‘I felt so enriched by working in different parishes. As they introduced me to different types of ministry, each pastor modelled different ways of ministering’, Jill says. ‘I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction into evangelism and later as a pastor’s wife. You were just all the time engaging with people.’

It was at a birthday party in April 1972 that Jill met her future husband Clarrie Schefe, who was a seminary student. Engaged in July of that same year, Jill completed a six-week course in preparation for her role as a pastor’s wife before they married in Tea Tree Gully in February 1973.

After their marriage, Clarrie was assigned to Ceduna as their first parish in 1974. During their three years on the west coast of South Australia, their first son, Paul, was born. After contending with the outback dust and even a dog urinating in the Koonibba church during a service, her husband was called to Biloela in Central Queensland in 1976 to establish a Lutheran nursing home and Lutheran primary school.

The Biloela parish was 250 kilometres long and included four congregations and a preaching place. ‘We spent nearly 11 years in Biloela’, says Jill. The couple had two more children, Warren and Cassandra, while there and now have six grandchildren. Jill continues to stay connected with her grandchildren and even teaches confirmation lessons to her granddaughter Jessica, 14, via video call.

Throughout her journey as a pastor’s wife in various parishes, including Dimboola in Victoria, Jill has found ways to connect with people. ‘In Dimboola I rode my bike for exercise incorporating visiting parishioners as well’, she says. Jill adds that it was ‘easy to chat over the fence’ in their front yards, or perhaps stop in for a cuppa.

HER MENTOR AND PASTOR OF ONE OF HER FIRST PARISHES SAID, ‘YOU ARE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE ARE EVER GOING TO KNOW’.

She and Clarrie moved to the Glasshouse Mountains in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland in 2003, before he officially retired in 2010. And while Jill is officially retired, she still receives an honorarium for her care of the parish, including teaching, visiting the sick, aged and the isolated, as well as distributing private communion, hosting Bible studies and affirming folk in their faith.

Whether it be a women’s fellowship or a Bible study group, or organising confirmation classes and parish visits, she strives to keep in contact with members of the parish, even despite COVID restrictions over the past few years.

‘COVID can’t stop you in your spiritual growth, you’ve got to think outside the square’, says Jill. ‘During COVID, the parish has not had a full-time pastor and I started sharing the daily devotions, adding items related to our local parish, and adding hymns and images and sharing them.’

Jill also writes letters and designs cards as a tangible way of making connections. ‘Necessity is the mother of invention. I learnt to use my own resources to keep in contact with everyone when everyone was alienated’, she says. ‘My commission is to be adhesive.’

Jill feels blessed to have so many opportunities to share the gospel. However, she was overwhelmed to receive the Servant of Christ award. ‘I didn’t realise simple acts of kindness would be recognised’, she says. She was nominated by Glasshouse Mountains congregation for her unwavering dedication and service to their congregation and the wider church.

Last month, for the first time in five years, the whole family was able to come together (minus one ill member) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Clarrie’s ministry, and an early commemoration of Jill and Clarrie’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was a special moment for the couple, who have spent their lives connecting with and serving their communities.

Jill says Philippians 4:13 reminds her of the source of their strength: ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’

Top left: Jill Schefe volunteers in a variety of ways for her church and community, including being involved with local transportation for people living with disability.

Top right: Parents of three and grandparents of six, Jill and Clarrie Schefe (centre front) in January gathered with extended family for an early celebration of their Golden Wedding Anniversary, along with marking 50 years since Clarrie’s ordination as an LCA pastor.

Above: Jill served as an LCA deaconess across various parishes after graduating in 1969 (left) and in 2022 (right) was recognised for her decades of church and community service with a Servant of Christ Award.

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

The Inside Story

‘Please pray for our Synod’: LCANZ Bishop

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith has urged the wider church to pray for the delegates, officials, organisers and volunteers who will meet for the in-person sessions of the LCANZ’s Convention of General Synod in Melbourne from 9 to 12 February.

The call for prayers comes in the lead-up to the meeting, which continues the 20th LCA convention opened with online sessions in October 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adjourned until this month, the convention will consist of two full days of business at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, bookended by part-days with gathering and closing worship services.

In his ‘Because we bear your name’ column in this edition of The Lutheran (see page 4), Bishop Smith speaks of ‘our Lutheran ethos’, in which ‘the cross is central, … the word of God is properly distinguished as law and gospel and … God’s people strive daily to lead a holy life, even as Christ has made them holy’. Bishop Smith is calling on the Lutheran family in Australia and New Zealand to pray for those who will meet as Synod and that God will continue to build his church ‘through our Christian witness and service’.

‘In February 2023, we are gathering for the second part of our Convention of General Synod in Melbourne. Delegates will have significant matters before them, including proposals regarding whether only men or both women and men are to be ordained as pastors among us. Some are troubled about what is ahead for our church’, he says.

‘As we gather for Synod 2023, we continue this united common faith that we have received: to know Jesus Christ and him crucified. Nothing can be conceded or given up of this doctrine of the gospel. Please pray for those who gather in February, that the Lord would continue to build his church

through our Christian witness and service, as people of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.’

As part of convention preparations for delegates, in November-December last year the church hosted three ‘town hall’ online sessions on the ordination proposals to go before General Synod. The town halls were open to all church members; however, only delegates and alternates could pose questions electronically.

More than 235 people attended the sessions as delegates or Synod consultants, while a further 164 people viewed the livestream of the sessions, facilitated by LCANZ Executive Officer of the Church Brett Hausler and General Church Board (GCB) member Charmaine Harch. Bishop Smith, and GCB members Tim Wiebusch and Pastor Tim Stringer made up the panel which addressed participant questions. Written responses to questions from the three sessions have been prepared and are available to

read on the General Synod website at www.generalsynod.lca.org.au/town-hallsessions-qa/

Meanwhile, the offering from General Synod will support a Finke River Mission (FRM) project revising and reprinting Lutheran song and hymnbooks in Central Australian Aboriginal languages.

Along with other volunteers and FRM staff, Pastor Rob Borgas, who formerly served as an FRM support worker, has been working on the revision of hymnals in three languages – Pitjantjatjara, Western Arrarnta and Alyawarr. In addition, the Pintupi-Luritja language worship resource will be revised. Congregations can donate to the offering via the LLL (details below) or, if they prefer to put their offering on the plate during worship, can send a cheque made out to ‘LCA Synod’ or cash to Synod with their delegate.

To donate to the Synod offering:

Name of account: LCA Synod

BSB: 704942 Acct number: 100698743

Panellists Bishop Paul Smith, top right, and Pastor Tim Stringer, bottom, along with LCANZ Executive Office of the Church Brett Hausler, top left, who acted as one of the facilitators, take part in the ‘town hall’ sessions held for General Synod delegates ahead of this month’s convention.

Kunpry Peipei from Mutitjulu reads from the current Pitjantjatjara hymnal. The hymnal is among four Aboriginal languages resources being revised and reprinted – a project which will be supported by the Synod offering.

Lutheran family rallies for flood-hit communities

LCANZ members are rallying in support of flood-hit communities, with $41,074 donated to the relief effort via the church’s Disaster and Welfare Fund, as of 17 January.

The LCANZ’s General Church Board in December authorised the release of $40,000 from the fund to the NSW and ACT District to be distributed in the areas of greatest need, particularly around the towns of Forbes and Eugowra. The Lutheran church at Forbes was flooded and may not be able to be used for many months, according to NSW and ACT District Administrator Russell Veerhuis. Since floods hit the region in mid-November, Central West Lutheran Parish Pastor James Leach and his wife Adele have been supporting locals with visits, home-cooked meals, other food and drinks, gift cards, tracts and other needs (see story pages 5,6)

Floodwaters have since inundated South Australian towns along the River Murray and the Lutheran church at Forster (pictured) and Camp Kedron at Lake Bonney were closed

in December. South Australia – Northern Territory District Administrator Angela Rogers said she knew of Lutheran farming families impacted in South Australia by the rising water levels prior to Christmas. She encouraged LCANZ members to pray for those impacted, donate through the Disaster and Welfare Fund and, when and where practical, support the economies of rural communities. SA-NT congregations were also asked to take a retiring offering in support of the affected communities.

Areas of each state and territory and New Zealand also have had flood events in the past 12 months and with the clean-up and recovery efforts in some parts expected to take months, more support will be needed. Under the terms of the LCA Disaster and Welfare Fund, any funds not used in support of the Forbes appeal can be directed to other purposes, including other flood-affected areas as needed.

Ways to donate can be found on the LCA website www.lca.org.au/disaster-welfare

LLL Australia Expressions of Interest for Board Directors

Established in 1921, LLL Australia (LLL) is a successful charitable organisation serving the Lutheran Church of Australia with financial and administrative services, including a deposit and loan facility for the church and its members. As the first charitable Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) in Australia, LLL is regulated under the Banking Act and by APRA.

LLL is governed by an independent Board of Directors. During the next 12 months, two current long-serving directors will retire, and the Board is seeking expressions of interest from church members for this moderately remunerated position. Ideal candidates will demonstrate experience as a Non-Executive Director as well as a suitable mix of the following skills and experience:

• Board governance and leadership, in particular a capability and interest in chairing the Board or a Board committee.

• Banking experience including banking, treasury, capital management and loans management.

• Legal experience with general banking, contracts, debt structuring and church property trust knowledge.

• Regulatory experience including with APRA and audit compliance.

• Technology including cyber security in a banking context.

• Accounting, finance and audit knowledge.

• School and/or aged-care industry sector experience.

Practising Lutherans are encouraged to apply.

Please send your expressions of interest to Hattonneale at boardsearch@hattonneale.com.au

Under LCA policy, all congregations are required to submit a Child Safety Plan to ensure they are meeting their legal, ethical and synodical obligations to be a child-safe congregation.

Thank you to all those congregations who have already submitted their plan.

Contact your District Professional Standards Officer (see www.lca.org.au/ psd for contact details) if you need help preparing your plan, or contact Mary-Ann or Nicole at the Churchwide Office: 08 8267 7300, css@lca.org.au

Nominations call for Lutheran nurses award

Nominations are open for the Lutheran Nurse of the Year award for 2023. The award recognises faithful and outstanding service during the preceding calendar year by a registered or enrolled nurse who is an active member of a Lutheran congregation in Australia or New Zealand.

It comprises a certificate and a $100 monetary gift. Nominations may be submitted by congregations, schools, aged-care facilities or other bodies or agencies within the LCANZ. The award was launched in 2020, to mark the 200th

Celebrating our 150 Anniversary

The Lutheran FEB-MAR 2023 26

anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, who is recognised as the founder of modern nursing. The inaugural winner in 2020 was Angela Uhrhane of Wodonga, in Victoria. Last year’s joint recipients were Fred Miegel of Alice Springs and Gillian Mibus of Adelaide.

Nominations must be lodged with LNAA secretary Mrs Rose Howard, with supporting documentation, by no later than 31 March 2022. More information and nomination forms are at www.lca.org.au/ministrygroups/lutheran-nurses/

Sunday 4 June 2023

Service at 10.30am, followed by a pooled luncheon • All very welcome

call us

th For

100celebrationsAnniversary

th

Sunday 23 April 2023, 11am

(Cuppa available from 10.15am) Service followed by a pooled luncheon All welcome

Please RSVP if attending by 14 April: Pastor Peter Traeger – 0431 084 408 or Taryn Grieger – 0427 702 377

IS CHANGING IN 2023

Six editions • Digital-only – $26 Print or print+digital – Aus $39, NZ $41, Asia/Pacific $49, Rest of the world $57 www.thelutheran.com.au/subscribe 08 8267 7345 lutheran.subs@lca.org.au

ADELAIDE ACCOMMODATION

Self-contained 1 or 2-bedroom city cottages and 3 or 4-bedroom beach houses – 4

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.

Seeking unity despite difference

Despite many years of prayerful consideration, there remain different theological interpretations on the matter of ordination in the LCANZ today. We all make the same confession of faith that Scripture alone is the authority to guide us. We respect the deep convictions and integrity of each side of the debate. How are we to move forward and not continue this debate which leaves us divided?

St Paul’s Box Hill presents a proposal to achieve this, hoping for a healthy and respectful discussion at the Convention of General Synod. It has been said that our proposal represents a ‘winner takes all’ approach. This is certainly not our intent. Rather, in a new approach, we present a proposal that unites the LCANZ and doesn’t prioritise one position at the expense of another, accepting our differences.

For the sake of the gospel we share and for peace and unity, we propose the LCANZ allows two practices of ordination while reaffirming one Lutheran teaching on the ministry. We draw on the wisdom of our forebears in the Theses of Agreement Article 1.4(e), which provides a process for dealing with a long-standing impasse such as this.

We are all saddened by people leaving the LCANZ over the ordination issue. Our proposal maintains the unity, of the church and retains the practice of each congregation having the ability to call a pastor to serve them with the means of grace. This maintains our structure as a synodical body of member congregations making decisions and walking together in mission and ministry.

We have lived together since union with many differences on theological matters while maintaining our confessional integrity. We seek to follow this same course and to grow together as a strong church of grace in witness to Christ.

Ben Gargett – chair, Box Hill Lutheran Church Vic

‘Let’s seek peace in place of division’

I support women’s ordination, however, a serious loss of our peace and unity is too costly. When I worked overseas as a volunteer, I learnt this lesson. I experienced God giving me other ways and know that he is firmly in control.

When I went overseas, I was full of zeal to make sure I did what God wanted. I had my own ideas, and I was challenged one prayer time by a loving but pointed thought that came to me … ‘Get over it or go home’. It wasn’t until I was prepared to give up my zeal and wait on God that some really fulfilling things happened. I experienced division in the field that affected me in a hurtful way because someone was too zealous and tried to take over from God. I had to stop working with that person because of the hurtful things said to me. I was then isolated through no fault of my own. Division does that. Over-zealousness does that. Feelings of ‘it’s time’, ‘others are doing it’, ‘we can make a difference’ and ‘it is God’s will for now’ causes that. I was hurt and isolated because I didn’t fit with the other person’s vision of ‘God told me’.

I ask very lovingly that people please consider the timing of pushing for women’s ordination. Can it wait for another time? Would we really feel justified before God in allowing a serious division to occur? God will get his will done with or without us. The real question for me was, ‘is it just for my own feelings or is it what God wants at this time?’ I support women’s ordination. I am uncomfortable supporting division. Can we instead seek peace and pursue it?

Colin Pridham – Mawson Lakes SA

Lutherans ‘can change – and have in the past’

Back in 1929, at a conference of Lutheran pastors at Murray Bridge, South Australia, Chairman Pastor E Fischer gave a paper on ‘modern dance’ and the ‘sinful practice of artificial birth control’, headlined as ‘Birth control condemned’ in The Advertiser of the day. Then synods in Queensland, Tanunda and Gawler in 1930–31 condemned any birth control practice as ‘criminal and sinful’, ‘a violation of God’s will, and is severely punished’ and stated that ‘all Christian people should reject it’. Multiple biblical texts quoted ‘supported’ this doctrine/teaching, starting with ‘be fruitful and multiply’. At the time, some 30 newspapers around Australia headlined this attitude. It all changed in 1968, two years after LCA union, when a General Synod at Albury with 400 delegates agreed upon and released an official statement on birth control. This included the use of medically advised contraceptive methods. It stated: ‘it was the responsibility of Christian parents to have planned parenthood’ and to ‘space their children so that they do not endanger the health and life of the mother and the welfare of the children’ and possibly cause ‘irreparable harm to their physical, mental, ethical and spiritual life – and also the welfare of the community and the nation’. This change took 38 years … is it not time for a change to provide for both female and male ordination in the LCA? It is 56 years since the union. Change is overdue!

(Note: Pastor Fischer started congregations in WA and was my maternal grandfather).

Edwin Schoell – Knoxfield Vic

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

7:30pm

Wednesday 22 February 2023

Ash Wednesday

Eucharist

Guest Preacher Rev Nathan Hedt Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut BWV199 for soprano solo, strings, oboe, violoncello piccolo and continuo Kate Macfarlane (soprano)

St Johns Southgate 20 City Road Southbank 3006 Telephone (03) 9682 4995

www.stjohnssouthgate.com.au

Director of Music: Graham Lieschke

9am Sunday 16 April 2023

2nd Sunday of Easter Festival Service

Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen BWV66 for 3 soloists, choir, strings, 2 oboes, trumpet and continuo

7:30pm

Thursday 18 May 2023

Ascension Day

Vespers

Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein BWV128 for 3 soloists, choir, strings, 3 oboes, 2 horns, trumpet and continuo

St Johns Bach Choir and Orchestra directed by Graham Lieschke

The St Johns Bach Cantata Program is an ongoing program presenting the cantatas and choral music of JS Bach in the context for which it was written, liturgical Lutheran church services.

Directory CALLS

Extended

• Rev Wayne B Boehm

Pastor Emeritus to North Adelaide SA (12 months interim locum ministry 0.6 FTE)

• Rev Glenn J Crouch

St Pauls Kalgoorlie-Boulder WA to Esperance WA

• Rev Greg J Fowler

Golden Grove SA to Nunawading-Waverley Vic

• Rev David W Haak

Bethesda Beenleigh Qld to Trinder Park Aged Care Woodridge Qld

• Rev Paul A Hannola

Tuggeranong ACT to NunawadingWaverley Vic

• Rev Steven L Hibbard

Maitland SA to Port Lincoln SA

• Rev Nich K Kitchen

Auckland NZ to Birdwood SA

• Rev Damien J A Martin Truro SA to Cleve SA

• Rev Ben C Pfeiffer

Mount Barker SA to Alice Springs NT

• Rev Ben C Pfeiffer

Mount Barker SA to Horsham Vic

• Rev David J Schmidt

Director Mission and Ministry, Qld District to Para Vista SA

• Rev Ken J Schultz

Oakey Qld to St Andrews Glynde SA

• Rev John W Strelan

St Stephens Adelaide SA to Redcliffe Qld

• Rev James M Winderlich

Principal, Australian Lutheran College to Zion Glynde SA

Accepted

• Rev Glenn J Crouch

St Pauls Kalgoorlie-Boulder WA to Esperance WA

• Rev Dr Stephen J Hultgren

Australian Lutheran College (1.0FTE) to Lecturer – Biblical Studies at ALC (0.5FTE)

• Rev Thomas D Pietsch

Australian Lutheran College (1.0FTE) to Lecturer – History at ALC (0.5FTE)

• Rev Dr Andrew K Pfeiffer

Australian Lutheran College (1.0FTE) to Lecturer – Pastoral Theology at ALC (0.7FTE)

• Rev Ben C Pfeiffer

Mount Barker SA to Alice Springs NT

• Rev Peter J Noble Gladstone/Rockhampton Qld to Hobart Tas

Declined

• Rev Adam W Eime

Peace Lutheran College Cairns Qld to Trinity Lutheran College Ashmore Qld

• Rev Adam W Eime

Peace Lutheran College Cairns Qld to Pacific Lutheran College Caloundra Qld

• Rev Greg J Fowler Golden Grove SA to Alice Springs NT

• Rev Paul A Hannola Tuggeranong ACT to NunawadingWaverley Vic

• Rev Dr Adam D Hensley

Australian Lutheran College (1.0FTE) to Lecturer – Biblical Studies at ALC (0.5FTE)

• Rev Fraser A Pearce

Bethlehem Adelaide SA to North Tasmania Tas

• Rev Ben C Pfeiffer Mount Barker SA to Horsham Vic

• Rev Dr Stephen J Pietsch

Australian Lutheran College (1.0FTE) to Lecturer – Pastoral Theology at ALC (0.5FTE)

• Rev David J Schmidt Director Mission and Ministry, Qld District to Para Vista SA

• Rev Ken J Schultz Oakey Qld to St Andrews Glynde SA

• Rev John W Strelan St Stephens Adelaide SA to Redcliffe Qld

• Rev James M Winderlich Principal, Australian Lutheran College to Zion Glynde SA

INSTALLATIONS

• Rev Peter Ravikumar installed to St Paul’s Lutheran Church St Marys NSW on 13 November 2022 by Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus

ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES FOR 2023

70 YEARS

Rev Elmore Leske (25/1/1953)

Rev Edwin Koch (15/2/1953)

Rev Hartley Hage (1/3/1953)

60 YEARS

Rev Gordon Gerhardy (6/1/1963)

Rev Gordon Watson (17/10/1963)

Rev Martin Kriewaldt (15/12/1963)

50 YEARS

Rev Barry Gladigau (7/1/1973)

Rev Clarence Schefe (7/1/1973)

Rev Graham Maas (14/1/1973)

Rev Michael Semmler (16/12/1973)

40 YEARS

Rev John Henderson (2/1/1983)

Rev Colin Huf (2/1/1983)

Rev Leon Rosenberg (2/1/1983)

Rev Timothy Kowald (9/1/1983)

Rev John Weier (2/2/1983)

Rev Lionel Rohrlach (11/12/1983)

Rev Michael Uebergang (11/12/1983)

Rev Mark Doecke (18/12/1983)

Rev Andrew Pfeiffer (18/12/1983)

• Rev Peter Ravikumar installed to Our Saviour Lutheran Church Springwood NSW on 20 November 2022 by Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus

• Rev Matthew J Huckel installed to Moorabbin-Dandenong Vic on 27 November 2022 by Bishop Lester Priebbenow.

• Rev Charlie Mach and Rev Ronald Lee installed at Antioch Lutheran Church Qld on 18 December 2022 by Bishop Mark Vainikka

• Rev Peter B Hage installed to Perth WA on 1 January 2023 by Bishop Mike Fulwood

• Rev Andre D Meyer installed to Morphett Vale SA on 15 January 2023 by Bishop David Altus

ROLL OF PASTORS

• Rev Jade Bauer – The status of Jade Bauer on the LCANZ Roll of Pastors has lapsed, and he has been removed from the Roll.

• Rev Wayne B Boehm – Change in call eligibility status from General Ministry Pastor to Pastor Emeritus from 25 December 2022

• Rev Wayne L George – resigned from the LCANZ Roll of Pastors, effective 7 November 2022

• Rev Peter J Janetzki – Change in call eligibility status from General Ministry Pastor to Pastor Emeritus from 13 November 2022

• Rev Peter Laihia – Granted Leave of Absence, effective 25 December 2022 to 1 October 2025

• Rev Gus M Schutz – Change in call eligibility status from General Ministry

Pastor to Pastor Emeritus from 25 December 2022

• Rev Joseph D Theodorsen – Leave of Absence extension approved to 31 December 2023

IN MEMORIAM

• Mrs Claire Tscharke nee Hermann, widow of Pastor Len Tscharke, died on 14 December 2022. Her funeral was held on 21 December 2022 at Golden Grove Lutheran Church, Wynn Vale SA.

25 YEARS

Rev Jimmy Brown (20/6/1998)

Rev Graham Poulson (27/6/1998)

Rev Simon Cooper (6/12/1998)

Rev Robert Edwards (6/12/1998)

Rev Peter Ghalayini (6/12/1998)

Rev Brett Kennett (6/12/1998)

Rev Rolf Lungwitz (6/12/1998)

Rev Keith McNicol (6/12/1998)

Rev John O’Keefe (6/12/1998)

Rev Leslie Pfeiffer (6/12/1998)

Rev Richard Taylor (6/12/1998)

Lionel Otto

Rev Lionel Otto born 22 Dec 1940 (Toowoomba Qld); married Janet Marlene nee Rosenzweig 4 Jan 1964 (St Peters Nuriootpa SA); ordained 26 Jan 1964 (Trinity Toowoomba Qld); served Biloela Qld (1964–1969), Cooma NSW (1969–1973), Mannum SA (1973–1980), Glenelg SA (1980–1984), Church Development and Youth Ministry SA (1984–1990), NSW District President (1990–2006), LCA VicePresident (1990– 2000); retired 26 Jan 2006; died 22 Dec 2022 (Bedford Park SA); funeral 4 Jan 2023 (Aberfoyle Park SA); mourned by wife Janet, children Louise, Anne, Chris and families

In Memoriam

Reggie Baldock

Rev Reggie Baldock born approx 1950 (Papunya NT); ordained 21 June 1998 (Kintore NT); married Jacqueline Nakamarra (no date or location on record) (She died 3 Aug 2022); served Kintore Aboriginal Congregation NT (1998–retirement); died 24 Dec 2022 (Alice Springs NT); funeral yet to be confirmed as at 12 January; mourned by his and Jacqueline’s children and families

In Memoriam

ORDINATIONS

Joel D Grieger (second from right), whose first parish is Bordertown in South Australia, was ordained as a General Ministry Pastor on 4 December 2022 at Pilgrims of Zion Lutheran Church Sedan SA by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith (second from left). He was also joined in his ordination service by Pastor John Gerhardy and his vicar father Pastor Tim Ebbs. Photo: Jessica Ebbs

Edwin D Shoesmith (centre) was ordained as a General Ministry Pastor on 11 December 2022 at St Petri Lutheran Church Nuriootpa, South Australia, by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith (far right). Ed, whose first parish is Hervey Bay in Queensland, was also joined in his ordination service (from left) by SA District First Assistant Bishop Andrew Brook, his father Pastor Darryl Shoesmith, and his vicar father Pastor Adrian Kitson.

Mark Reid

Rev Mark Mantjantja Tjiweri Reid born 1 July 1948 (East of Warakurna WA); married Molly Dixon (no date or location on record); ordained 20 June 2008 (Imanpa NT); married Jennifer Wongaway 2008 (no location on record); served Imanpa Aboriginal congregation NT (2008–approx. 2012); Mutitjulu NT (from approx. 2012–retirement); died 7 Jan 2023 (Mutitjulu NT); funeral yet to be confirmed as at 12 January; mourned by children

Desmond, Lester and Rebecca

Jeremy D Smith

(third from right) was ordained as a General Ministry Pastor on 18 December 2022 at St John’s Lutheran Church Corinda Queensland by his father, LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith (third from left). Jeremy, whose first parish is Kadina South Australia, was also joined in his ordination service by Corinda’s Pastor Michael Jarick, his vicar father Pastor Tim Klein, Pastor William Heidrich and Queensland District Bishop Mark Vainikka. Photo: Ben Smith

Specific Ministry Pastors

• Francis Leung - Ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor on 27 November 2022 at LifeWay Lutheran Church Epping NSW by Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus

• Theodor Prucha - Ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor 4 December 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church North Adelaide SA by Bishop David Altus

• David P Jarman - Ordained as a Specific Ministry Pastor on 18 December 2022 at Lutheran Aged Care Albury NSW by Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus

Servant of Christ Award

The Servant of Christ Award honours lay people of the Church by recognising those who give outstanding service. Districts, committees, agencies and congregations are invited to submit nominations for the award. Award guidelines and nomination forms are available from the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/soc or from the Office of the Bishop.

Please submit nominations to soc@lca.org.au or by post to ‘Servant of Christ Award’, Lutheran Church of Australia, 197 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006, no later than Friday 21 April 2023 For inquiries, please contact Chelsea Bellamy at chelsea.bellamy@lca.org.au or phone 08 8267 7300.

Photo: Monica Schiller

Coffee Break

MAKE A CUPPA AND PUT YOUR FEET UP – IT’S TIME TO RELAX

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).

1. Where and when are the in-person sessions of the LCA’s 20th Convention of General Synod being held?

2. Name the three General Ministry Pastors who are taking up their first parish assignments in 2023.

3. What is the tagline of the Lutheran Church of Australia?

4. Which season of the church year begins on 22 February and what is that day otherwise known as?

5. How many days does the season last and what is unusual about the way the days are counted?

6. In what year did the LCA come into being?

7. What is the name of the LCANZ’s Child, Youth and Family Ministry department?

8. How many districts are there in the LCA and what are they?

9. Which two sacraments do Lutherans observe?

10. What are the names of the church’s two education and training bodies?

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.

Community Engagement Manager

Applications are invited for an exciting new role in growing ministry

Australian Lutheran World Service reaches out in love, for justice. Impacting lives across the world, ALWS has served as the overseas aid agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia since 1947.

Emerging at an exciting time in our history, ALWS invites suitable candidates to consider taking on the role of Community Engagement Manager, leading a small, committed and highly talented team within the organisation to implement key elements of its strategic vision by growing community awareness and diversifying income sources over the coming years. Ideally commencing in early 2023, the Community Engagement Manager reports

directly to the Executive Director and plays a key role in the leadership of ALWS.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a practising Christian who supports a Lutheran understanding of the gospel

• Have a passionate heart for international humanitarian aid

• Possess proven leadership capability, management skills and experience collaborating with community stakeholders

• Have proven fundraising experience

ALWS is committed to diversity and is an equal opportunity employer, with flexibility of employment location.

A competitive, flexible salary package will be negotiated based on the capability of the successful candidate.

Interested applicants should first contact the Executive Director, Michael Stolz at michaels@alws.org.au to discuss their application and receive a copy of the application package.

Applications for this position close COB

Wednesday 15 February 2023

ALWS is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, and as part of the application process will undertake rigorous screening, including referee checks, criminal record checks and working with children checks, where applicable.

IN A FEW WORDS …

‘Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.’ – DESMOND TUTU

‘A whole stack of memories never equal one little hope.’

– CHARLES M SCHULZ

How can you restore a relationship?

How do you survive a disaster?

Your Messages of Hope discusses these questions through February. And in March, we ask: Where do you find freedom from anger? And how do you make sense of suffering? Listen at www.messagesofhope.org.au (&nz), iTunes, Spotify and on one of hundreds of radio stations.

Worship online or by DVD at www.lutheranmedia.org.au/worship

Enter the Calendar Photo Competition – www.lutheranmedia.org.au

Cards, booklets and guides available at www.lutheranmedia.org.au

Reach millions of people with hope through media by giving a donation today (tax deductibility available).

Phone FREECALL 1800 353 350 luthmedia@lca.org.au

STA G E 2 NURIOOTPA • FOUR AVAI LA B LE • BE QUICK

‘Before help from LWF*, I was just using the spear to catch the fish. I would bring some home, but not very many. I felt that the hunger would overwhelm me and my family. We had so little to eat. Then I saw some others with nets and thought I would ask.

God was good to me!

Now with the net, I have more time and get many more fish!

Before I had to walk everywhere with the spear to get the fish – a long way, but now the net makes it easier, and I get more fish!

I feel the hunger is now much less, and I am thanking the generous people and say, “May God bless you”, when I am sitting with my family with full stomachs!’

Stage 2 Nuriootpa, due to complete June this year has excellent on-site facilities, pet friendly yards and the low maintenance lifestyle you are looking for. Kickstart your retirement now, it’s proving to be very popular.

... it’s time to start living, call today 08 8563 7777

Deng Ahou Ajak

LWF = Lutheran World Federation, your partner in South Sudan

You can bless others like Deng 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

*

A Holy Land Tour Where the Bible comes to Life

An experience from Pastor Brian

‘The trip was hassle-free. What a privilege it was to visit and be in places that I had read about so often in the Bible. We had such a wealth of experiences on tour. We headed home feeling greatly enriched, so allow me to encourage you to go!’

An experience from Sandra H

‘I think we were all gasping for adequate words – I recall thinking over and over “it’s like a walk through the Bible”. No matter how well-versed you were with the Bible, you could not escape the encapsulated feeling of actually walking your way through the pages and feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit. We walked in their steps, we lay on the same stones,we bathed in the same waters, oh my, it still gives me goose bumps as I write.’

An experience from Lyn

‘The tour was amazing, and I learnt and experienced so much. Our tour guides were fantastic.’

For bookings and travel information:

Trish Cortizo

Olive Tree Travel 0421 638 453 or 1300 55 08 30

trish@olivetreetravel.com.au www.olivetreetravel.com.au

Or Graeme Lienert 0419 909 909 egtravel@icloud.com

Graeme Lienert

Mr Graeme Lienert, APM, Assistant Commissioner of Police (retired). Frequent traveller to Israel and neighbouring countries. The son of a Lutheran minister, Graeme has led many tour groups to Israel since his retirement. He has established invaluable local knowledge and relationships that will enhance your Holy Land tour. If you would like to know more, phone Graeme Lienert on 0419 909 909

Gale Mashiach

A Tour Manager and registered guide with Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, Gale has been leading groups of pilgrims throughout the Holy Land for many years. Internationally recognised for her knowledge of local issues and is well acquainted with the history of modern and biblical Israel. Gale travels widely, to share her understanding of the Holy Land and what it means to Christian pilgrims.