The Lutheran March 2021 Digital Edition by Lutheran Church of Australia

N A TIO N A L M A G A ZIN E O F THE L U THE R A N C HU RC H O F A U STRA LIA

MARCH 2021

Be still, an d know that I am God.

VOL 55 NO2

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Christian

meditation

LUTHERAN

CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

Enjoying a red-let ter day

EDITORIAL

Editor Lisa McIntosh p 08 8267 7300 m 0409 281 703 e lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au

Queensland Lutherans Diane Smith and Carolyn Spanagel caught up on news and views from around the LCA/NZ during a break at a COVID-safe Christian women’s fellowship event late last year. The event – known as The Red Tent in reference to women of the Old Testament – was staged at Living Faith Lutheran Church Murrumba Downs, in the Moreton Bay area north of Brisbane.

Executive Editor Linda Macqueen p 08 8267 7300 e linda.macqueen@lca.org.au

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Most treasured Bible text: Philippians 4:4 ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!’

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Zion Lutheran Church, Glynde SA Retired, English conversation classes assistant and prayer ministry (both volunteer) Most treasured Bible text: Psalm 145:1,2 ‘I will proclaim your greatness, my God and king; I will thank you for ever and ever ... I will praise you for ever and ever.’

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Most treasured Bible text: Mark 16:16

OF AUSTRALIA

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

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March Special features EDITOR'S

let ter

What does the word ‘meditation’ mean to you? Does it evoke feelings of suspicion or fear, thoughts of New Age or Eastern religions and images of chanting Buddhist monks, silent remote retreats or mountain-dwelling yogis? Sure, many would have heard Christian devotional practice referred to as ‘a meditation’, but what does Christian meditation actually involve? What’s the scriptural basis for this practice? And what did Luther say in his writings and teachings about the subject? These are some of the questions we look at this month – an ideal topic as we continue to journey through Lent. This edition is by no means an exhaustive explanation of Christian meditation, but rather an invitation to you, as it has been to me, to begin to explore it – and to discover the entreaties throughout Scripture to engage, if you have not already done so. Through my research and in speaking with and interviewing some LCA/NZ leaders and members passionate about contemplative prayer, I have realised how little I knew. I have come to see the vital role Christian meditation can play in our faith journeys and its great and varied physical, emotional and spiritual benefits for those who participate in this form of worship. And that’s the crux of the matter. For while there are many structures for Christian meditation – whether using prayers, sayings, Scripture verses and/or songs to concentrate our thoughts, whether silent or spoken, solo or in a group, guided or self-led, in retreat or everyday life – it is always a way of praising and communing with God and keeping him and his word central in our thoughts. That’s the difference between Christian meditation and that of secular or other religious traditions. God, in Christ, is our focus. This is about being still and really getting to know him, as we are encouraged in Psalm 46. It’s about listening to the Father, allowing his Spirit to work in us and his Son to reveal himself to us. This is the ‘heart stuff’, the experiential side of our relationship with God. It is something we may too easily ignore if we concentrate only on the ‘head stuff’ of doctrine or dogma.

Christian meditation: Meeting Christ in Scripture

Be still and really get to know God

Ruminating on God’s word

God’s word brings life in PNG

Gifts to fellow pastors 25 reflect God’s love

Regulars 13

Heartland

Dwelling in God’s word

Go and Grow

Church@Home

#youngSAVEDfree

The inside story

Directory

Sudoku

Your voice

Prayer calendar

Of course, along with our theme features and study, your March edition is full of Church@Home content, news, views, resources and columns (and Going GREYT! will be back next month). I pray these pages will be full of blessings for you.

Lisa

PS – Remember, The Lutheran is now also available as a digital edition, so why not encourage people with online access to subscribe via this cost-effective and convenient format, or give a subscription as a gift? Print subscribers can access the digital version at no extra cost, too! Just go to www.thelutheran.com.au/subscribe Our cover: iStock.com

JES U S I S G OD'S LOVE. HE G IVES U S NE W HE ARTS TO L AY AS IDE O UR OL D WAYS, TO B EL IE VE AND FOL LOW HIM, TO L IVE WI T H HIM E VERY DAY.

heartland

RE V JOHN HENDERSON

Bishop Lutheran Church of Australia

GOD OUR RESCUER AMID LIFE’S STORMS ‘When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed’ (Proverbs 10:25 – The Message). One day, while driving across the western plains of New South Wales in the mid-summer, we were suddenly caught in the most terrific storm. It seemed to come from the smallest of clouds, yet it blew a gale and pelted horizontal hail and rain at us. Instantly, the road was under water and drains became raging torrents. Debris flew past and tree limbs crashed. Blinded, all we could do was pull up on the highway with our hazard lights on, hoping that no-one would run up the back of us. It was only a local storm and soon over, but for that short while it transformed the peaceful countryside into a world of danger. In 1975 I visited Darwin soon after Cyclone Tracy and saw the devastation

TH E BI BLE I NTRODUCES US TO A GOD W H O PATI ENTLY AN D LOVI NG LY RESCU ES H IS PEOPLE OVER AN D OVER AGAI N . 4

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left in its wake. It must have been terrifying for those who experienced it. I think of those in Fiji and the Pacific who have been struck twice recently, first by Cyclone Yasa and then Cyclone Ana. Sometimes we can feel like the world itself is in the midst of a storm. Not necessarily a meteorological event, but an event involving change, loss, danger and destruction (think COVID-19). We might think the ground itself is moving under our feet – a sensation New Zealanders know all too well. Truly, the world has been like this ever since humankind’s fall into sin. We might long for an imaginary halcyon time when everyone is happy and fulfilled. But history shows that whenever human beings come close to happiness, or whatever it is they seek, it doesn’t last. There is more substance in the promise than in the actual delivery. The Bible contains evidence of that over thousands of years of human history. Just when the people get it good, something – often what they themselves do – brings it all crashing down. In response to the chaos self-seeking humans bring upon themselves, the Bible introduces us to a God who patiently and lovingly rescues his people over and over again. It’s a true miracle that we have survived and are still here to share the good news of God’s love for humankind. We owe him everything. However bad the

storm may seem to us, God remains in control (see, for instance, Matthew 8:23-27 and Acts 27:18-26). His word is constant whatever happens. He does not need our endorsement or approval. We contribute nothing to his power and might. All the same, we struggle to accept our complete and utter dependence on him. Some even choose to deny his existence. But without him, we could not even take the next breath needed to finish reading this sentence. If God were to withdraw that breath, we would simply cease to be. So, the storm itself is not our greatest risk. Our greatest risk is forgetting God. Storms will come and go – sometimes more than once. The word of the Lord, however, remains forever. Your life might feel like a whirlwind. You might think the church you love is being tossed around by the winds of change and human desire. Sometimes the only thing to do is pull up, put the hazard lights on and wait for it to blow over, as we did on the road that day. But once the storm had passed, and we had checked for damage, we could go on our way once more. Have confidence that this is God’s world. We are and remain God’s redeemed children. As baptised believers, we belong to God’s family, his church. We will survive and be the stronger for it. All thanks and praise to him.

CH RISTIAN

meditation:

M EETI N G CH R IST I N SCR I PTU R E BY LISA MCINTOSH

Christian meditation is an ancient practice dating back thousands of years, to the first days of the church. And it was part of the tradition of those of the Jewish faith long before that. There are many biblical references to meditation, from Genesis through the New Testament, with many specific mentions in the Psalms. In fact in Psalm 1, God’s people are urged to meditate on his word – on his law – ‘day and night’. Martin Luther, too, practised, taught and wrote on meditation. He reformed and simplified the medieval monastic model as he did so, according to LCA Pastor Tim Jarick, in his paper ‘Mysticism, Monks and Marty: Meditation in the Lutheran tradition’. Pastor Tim, Chaplain at Pacific Lutheran College at Caloundra in Queensland, explains that Luther put praying to God for guidance first before reading the Scriptures in his model and made the cross of Christ central to the Lutheran tradition of meditation. And yet, as Lutherans in Australia and New Zealand, many of us have grown without much knowledge of what Christian meditation is and how and why it is an important, even central, element of our faith journeys. Indeed, until recent times, many modern Christians have shied away from the practice, says Lutheran Pastor

Stephen Abraham. Pastor Stephen, who was already teaching Christian meditation when a spinal injury left him with permanent debilitating and chronic pain and forced his retirement from full-time ministry in his early 30s, uses meditation whenever his pain is severe. He has developed his own style of Christian meditation over three decades, which draws on a range of influences including the Desert Fathers (early Christian hermits, ascetics and monks, who lived in the Egyptian desert from the 3rd century); Roman Catholic priest, Benedictine monk and spiritual writer John Main; the French ecumenical monastic fraternity Taizé, Martin Luther and, of course, the meditations present in the Bible. Pastor Stephen says that in other religions meditation is about ‘controlling your mind’ or ‘mindlessly losing yourself’, whereas, in Christianity, it is about ‘giving your thoughts to God’ and ‘giving him control of your thinking’. ‘It is letting your mind-space be governed by God’s word so that the Holy Spirit can direct your daily life’, he says. ‘Meditation is something all humans share: a relaxed focus, a tool to calm mind and body, a place of solace in a busy world. The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

‘Muslims pray, but we as Christians aren’t afraid to pray or use Christian prayer in our daily life just because Muslims pray. Hindus sing, but we don’t write off all singing us “un-Christian” or an evil practice. Likewise, Buddhists meditate, but for 3000 or more years meditation has been part of the Judeo/Christian experience, even if modern Christians have shied away from it. ‘Just as Christian prayers and music are uniquely Christian, Christian meditation flows from our encounter with the Trinity as revealed in the Bible. In practice, it is a place where the Holy Spirit can guide our reflection as we focus on God's word.’ Pastor Stephen says there is no ‘one right way’ to do Christian meditation. ‘We are free in the gospel and there are no biblical instructions on exactly how to practise meditation. We only have the command to meditate (Joshua 1:8) and references to meditation throughout Scripture, especially in the Psalms.’ Pastor Anthony Price, who serves the worshipping communities of Gawler Lutheran Church north of Adelaide and is accredited as a Spiritual Director and Retreat Leader, teaches Christian meditation and offers spiritual direction. He believes there are several reasons why meditation may have become a ‘lost’ practice in the Lutheran church. ‘Firstly, maybe that’s to do with the New Age movement and that people have a perception that it’s a bit weird’, he says. ‘That’s the unhealthy forms of meditation that take us off of the word, and Jesus and the Triune God. ‘I also think there’s a fear of the unknown – people just don’t know about it.

‘ IT IS A PL ACE W H ER E TH E H O LY S PI R IT C A N G U I D E O U R reflection AS W E F OCUS O N GO D ' S WO R D.’

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‘And I have to think about my role as a church leader. If I wasn’t really experiencing it myself, I wouldn’t have been teaching it. So while we as pastors may have learnt about it, if we haven’t experienced it in a lifetransforming way, we may not have taken on board the centrality of meditation. And Luther is a fine example, who tells us and teaches us how important it is for us.’ Kathy Worthing, a member of the World Community for Christian Meditation state executive for South Australia and leader of a Christian meditation group, believes this contemplative ministry form is having a revival among everyday Christians – including in the LCA/NZ (see also page 8). ‘Recent spiritual writers such as John Main, Laurence Freeman, Joan Chittister and Richard Rohr have been at the forefront of the resurgence in the practice of Christian meditation, taking it beyond the monastery walls and into the lives of everyday Christians’, she says. ‘As Laurence Freeman said in A Pearl of Great Price, Price, “Our world sorely needs the silent infrastructure of contemplation woven into the institutions and frenetic schedules. It needs the healing and transforming power that only the spirit can set free in us and among us”.’ Pastor Anthony, who had a life-changing experience through attending a retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius in 2009 says he came to realise that it’s an important element of our faith-life to have a heart – or experiential – connection with Scripture, as well as a head – or intellectual – one. ‘When I came out of seminary I was very focused in knowledge and doctrine, so that came easily to me’, he says. ‘But when we’re talking about meditating on

TH E M AI N B EN EFIT O F CH R ISTIA N M ED ITATI O N ‘ IS TO CH R IST H I M S ELF ’.

experience

Scripture, these are matters of the heart. So I needed to grow in that and exploring traditions, such as those of the Jesuits who specialise in meditation and prayer, has really just opened up to me the matters of the heart. It was interesting for me later on to do some research on Luther and discover an experiential emphasis in relation to Scripture from him that some people miss out on.’ Pastor Anthony took a year out of parish ministry in 2012 to complete a Master’s degree in Spiritual Direction with the University of Divinity. He has led retreats using his Lutheran adaptation of The Ignatian Exercises, a retreat program written by Ignatius of Loyola, a Spanish Christian layman at the time who would later become the founder of the Jesuits. The program features Christian meditations centred on the Scriptures, the gospels and various prayers. He believes the main benefit of Christian meditation ‘is to experience Christ himself’. ‘He says, “I am with you always”, so it enables us to experience him and his love and helps us to grow in faith, to grow in hope, to grow in love – real love in action as we join Jesus in his mission’, Pastor Anthony says. ‘The word meditation literally means “to chew on”, so it belongs to all of us as human beings. Jesus says, “Do not worry”, and worry is a form of meditation; it’s something that we ruminate again and again. So we all naturally meditate, but in terms of Christian meditation, the all-important aspect is, “Where’s the emphasis? What’s the content that we’re meditating on?” ‘For us as Christians, it’s the God that we believe in, the Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit, and where we experience him most centrally is in Scripture, through God’s word.’ Pastor Stephen has written a Christian meditation program with the hope of making the practice easy for time-poor people. For a copy, you can email him at stephen.abraham@lca.org.au He also has produced YouTube meditation videos, which can be watched and heard at www.youtube.com/c/ StephenAbrahamMusic/videos and songs on online social audio platform SoundCloud, which are available for free at https://soundcloud.com/stephenabraham/ sets/breathing-scripture/s-pv895

W H AT IS CH R ISTIA N M ED ITATI O N? • Christian meditation is a verbal activity – literally saying God's word to one's self. • It’s a different way of abiding in God’s word, resting with him, and receiving the guidance of the Holy Spirit. • Meditation is not a means of salvation. It doesn’t make you ‘better’ than other Christians. • There are two broad types of Christian meditation – guided meditation and self-guided meditation. • While guided meditation is a relaxation exercise in which someone else’s voice guides your awareness and focus, self-guided meditation involves just you and words from Scripture, a prayer or a song. • Generally, any Bible verse which encapsulates a key theme of that passage/chapter and that lends itself to breathing and memorisation can be used.

SO M E I M PO RTA NT TI PS F O R M ED ITATI O N • Make it a daily routine and dedicate time to meditation in your calendar • Find a quiet place, away from distractions, get physically comfortable and mentally relax. • Have a scriptural point of focus. • Always start in God’s name: ‘In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen’ – thereby claiming your baptism and identity as a forgiven child of God. • Meditation opens you up spiritually, so ask for God’s protection as you begin by quoting Scripture. From ‘Christian Meditation’, by Pastor Stephen Abraham

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B E STI LL AN D R EALLY

G ET TO KN OW GO D B Y K AT H Y W O R T H I N G

Kathy Worthing, far left, leads a Christian meditation group, joined by Sharon Kruger, Goldie Schulze and Jane Skinner, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide.

The practice of Christian meditation is not well-known in our Lutheran congregations and schools. We have tended to focus more on the intellectual side of our faith (the head) than on the spiritual side (the heart). But there is much to be gained through practising Christian meditation, which aims to connect us with the Godcentred core of our being.

that meditation opens them to greater awareness and attentiveness to God, others and themselves. Meditation is a form of prayer that assists us towards being continually transformed to be more like Christ, and less centred upon ourselves, leaving the ego behind.

I have been practising Christian meditation for more than four years and have been thankful for the journey upon which God has led me. I have experienced many Significantly, Christian meditation, once well-established transformations and experiences of in the contemplative traditions of the communion with Christ, but all in God’s church, is making a return among own time. I discovered that I have been everyday Christians – including CH R ISTI A N carrying with me many layers of protection Lutherans. M ED ITATI O N … in the form of insecurities, attachments, But just what is Christian meditation? D R AWS U PO N A fear and a lack of confidence. It draws upon a deep desire and By learning to be still before God and willingness to enter into a more intimate D EEP D ESI R E A N D listen, I have found that Christ has gently relationship with God. It is not centred W I LLI N G N ES S TO changed me, bringing me not only closer upon the individual meditator but ENTER I NTO A to him but also closer to whom he wants upon God. me to be. The Christian meditator seeks to be still M O R E I NTI M ATE and silent, to listen to God and to simply R EL ATI O NS H I P be in his presence. To do this, many W IT H GO D. sit upright when they meditate to focus without becoming drowsy and repeat a word or phrase to keep their mind from wandering. Many say the biblical word ma-ra-na-tha (‘Come, O Lord’) silently to aid their focus. Others prefer to repeat the name of Jesus, or to say ‘Lord, have mercy’. For those repeating ma-ra-na-tha, each syllable is said silently with even stress as the word is repeated slowly to help silence our thoughts. Experienced meditators will do this for 20 or 30 minutes, but those new to the practice may want to start with 10 or 15-minute sessions. This can be done in groups, but is also done by individuals once or twice each day in a quiet place. Many wonder what to expect when meditating. Do not expect anything. Trust the process. Many find

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Kathy Worthing is a member of the WCCM state executive for South Australia and leads a Christian meditation group meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide.

H OW TO FI N D O UT M O R E

For those looking for structure, advice or a group to meet with, a good place to begin is with the ecumenical WCCM (World Community for Christian Meditation), which has branches in Australia and New Zealand. For more information, go to www.wccmaustralia.org.au

G I N N I L L E DW O R D W S ' D O G

CHRISTIAN O I N T A T I D E M My father, Pastor Reini Mayer, is valued for his clear gospel focus on preaching Christ for us, and justification by faith. He says I preach sanctification (how forgiveness from Christ lives itself out in us) much better than he did. My son Andreas, who is now studying for ministry, already works in evangelism on a university campus. I love how the Holy Spirit takes what is good and adds to that through successive generations.

God’s Spirit also works through Christian meditation. This includes any contemplative practice that allows the Holy Spirit to centre and grow us in Christ. It’s about God’s Word (which includes Jesus Christ) and God’s love coming alive in us. Read Psalm 1:1-6. What is the contrasting way to happiness offered in verses 1 and 2? For the Jewish people the law was a gift from God. What does verse 2 invite them to do? The word for meditate means to mouth words quietly, under your breath. What happens if you try doing that with a favourite Bible verse or phrase? Could this be a practice to use instead of some of the other things you mutter under your breath? As New Testament people, everything is focused through Christ and the gift of forgiveness freely given to us. As we spend time meditating on Jesus and his gift of forgiveness to us, what will our lives start to look like in verse 3?

Read Psalm 46:10 – ‘Be still and know that I am God’.

by Michael Mayer

What is the invitation here? What is the connection between our stillness and knowing God? Think of a situation where you usually ‘lose it’ or get stressed. Prayerfully picture yourself in that situation but do that in God’s presence. Look at yourself. What do you notice? Is there anything you want to tell God about what you notice? Does the Holy Spirit have any message for you? An alternative meditation activity is to place your hands on the part of your body where you know God, or need to know God more. Let your hand rest there and be prayerfully still for a couple of minutes. What happens? How can you take some of this strength with you back into the pressure situation? Read Romans 8:26-27. This text reminds us that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don’t know how to pray, but the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. When do you sigh? What is that expressing? The connection between God’s Spirit and breathing (or wind) goes all the way back to Genesis 1:2 and 2:7. Our breathing can be a help to being with God. As you pray, picture God’s Spirit coming into you. As you breathe out, release what needs to be let go of to God. Use a short Biblical phrase or words and say them silently as you breathe in and out. If you go off on a thought tangent or daydream, just come back to your phrase and your breathing. As you meditate on these verses, know that you are a dearly loved child of God.

Pastor Michael Mayer is an accredited spiritual director and serves the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church Ashmore in Queensland. The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

Ruminating

ON GOD’S WORD BY PAU L I N E S I M O N S E N

‘Look how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these’ (Matthew 6:28-29). Can you see Jesus, sitting on the hills above Lake Galilee, people all around him, listening? Can you see him gesturing towards a scattering of wildflowers, drawing people’s attention to the flowers’ simple beauty? I wonder where Jesus got this idea from – to compare the wildflowers with King Solomon’s regal finery, as an example of God’s loving provision. Jesus was a contemplative! He spent time looking, noticing and reflecting on what he was seeing. He gazed at God’s creation and noticed how it demonstrated so much from God’s word. He reflected on what he learnt at the feet of the rabbis in the synagogue, considering how God outworked that teaching in human lives. In his father’s carpentry business, he pondered as he sawed and sanded.

He connected God’s Torah truths with everyday life and so could speak parables of God’s kingdom. Remember all those times in the gospels when Jesus withdrew by himself to pray (for example, Luke 4:1, 4:42, 5:16, 6:12 and 9:18)? I’m sure a lot of that time was sitting silently in his Father’s presence, listening, looking, pondering … contemplating! Contemplation has been described as a ‘long, loving look’: slowing down to ponder what one is looking at – whether a Bible verse, an idea, or a flourish of lilies. Contemplation is countercultural in our world. We are people of the fast click, of ‘surfing’ the net, skimming over images and text. We pause briefly on what catches our attention but click on immediately if it doesn’t hold us. Perhaps many of us read the Bible that way, too. Quickly read my devotion or verses for today, then go! Contemplation isn’t that. It’s going in slowly, with an open, noticing attitude and pausing on something that grabs our eye, ear, mind, or heart. Stopping there; giving the Spirit of God time and space to speak. Waiting quietly, patiently, receptively. Contemplation, like meditation, has a long Biblical heritage. Do a word search in Psalm 119 for the number of times the psalmist says he will ‘meditate on God’s law’! Think of young David, up there in the hills around Bethlehem, tending his father’s sheep. What did he do in those long solitary hours? Reflected on the Hebrew scriptures, pondered the creation around him, thought deeply about God, wondered how it all related to his life … and wrote songs and psalms expressing these personal meditations. David contemplated! These words – contemplation and meditation – have been taken over by western culture dabbling in New Age and Eastern religions and we as Christians are often understandably wary. It’s good to clarify that we are speaking of Christian meditation. So what is it? In New Zealand we have lots of dairy farms and I often drive past and see cows lying down, chewing their cud.

Jesus' ministry involved much contemplation, which is evident in his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, including the well-known ‘flowers of the field’ reference (Matthew 6:28-29).

Cows usually spend more time chewing during rumination than when they eat, breaking down grass so it can nourish their bodies. Likewise, when we ruminate on God’s word, we wait with an open heart for the Holy Spirit to feed us with the truths he highlights for us.

That’s the best image of meditation I can think of. The cow has spent the morning eating grass and now sits quietly, regurgitating semi-processed grass so it passes more readily through the cow’s four(!) stomachs. Cows usually spend more time chewing during rumination than when they eat, breaking down grass so it can be absorbed and nourish them. This describes Christian meditation: ruminating on God’s word. Taking in a portion of Scripture and pausing; chewing on it, re-reading it (several times, maybe in different translations), waiting with an open heart for the Holy Spirit to highlight truths from those verses that God wants you to hear today. Allowing the living word to speak life to you right in the middle of your busy day. Why? Because God wants you to hear his word. He is always speaking, but we so rarely pay attention. Prayerful Christian meditation slows us and opens us to hearing and receiving God’s word. All this is, of course, the work of God’s Spirit in us and through his word. Inevitably we humans turn it into our ‘work’: I must meditate to ‘hear God’! But it is the Spirit who draws us, opens the word to us and gives us receptive hearts. It’s like any Christian practice we do in response to God giving us new life: prayer, regular devotions, worship, service … These too are the Spirit’s work in and through us, growing us to be more like Jesus. This is the grace and kindness of a God who wants to communicate with his beloved children. Christian meditation has many forms. One ancient practice is lectio divina or ‘holy reading’, encountering Christ the Word in Scripture. It is simple, word-centred, Spirit-directed and leads us to Jesus. A helpful introduction to this form can be found at https://bustedhalo.com/ministry-resources/lectio-divinabeginners-guide.. Through it, the Holy Spirit fills me beginners-guide

PR AYER FU L CH R ISTIA N M ED ITATI O N S LOWS US A N D O PENS US TO H E A R I N G A N D

receiving GO D’S WO R D.

with stillness and peace. This is the joy and delight of Christian meditation! Dietrich Bonhoeffer explained meditation well in his book Life Together: Together : ‘Silence is nothing else but waiting for God’s word and coming from God’s word with a blessing, but everybody knows that this is something that needs to be practised and learned, in these days when talkativeness prevails … Often we are so burdened and overwhelmed with other thoughts, images, and concerns that it may take a long time before God’s word has swept all else aside and come through. But it will surely come, just as surely as God has come … and will come again … This stillness before the word will exert its influence upon the whole day … Silence before the word leads to right hearing and thus also to right speaking of the word of God at the right time.’ Dr Pauline Simonsen is Dean and a lecturer at Christian training provider Emmaus at Palmerston North in New Zealand. She is also a guest speaker, spiritual director and retreat leader and a member at St Lukes Lutheran Church. The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

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L U T H E R A N

We’re inviting Lutherans of all ages and life experiences to come to Central Australia to grow our community. Bring yourself, bring your family, bring your faith, bring your gifts, skills and talents - and we’re sure you’ll discover a God-designed place just for you.

Come for 6 months, 12 months, or stay for a lifetime. Our community needs pastors, teachers, nurses, social workers, trainers, trades and maintenance people. There are loads of employment opportunities in the Centre, so your partner will find a job too. Plus, there are endless ways you can volunteer! The Lutheran Church in Central Australia employs more than 200 people, across the Alice Springs Lutheran Church, Finke River Mission (including the Historical Precinct and Hermannsburg Store), Lutheran Care, Yirara College and Living Waters Lutheran School. Together we are already a vibrant Lutheran community enjoying Christian service, fellowship and growth. All we need to complete us is you. Interested? Contact Wayne Beven (Finke River Mission Operations Manager) for information about opportunities and lifestyle for Lutherans in the Centre. Email lcica@lca.org.au

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ES R ESO U RC ... O T U O FOR Y

E A ST E R J OY I N C U LT U R A L C E L E B R AT I O N S BY M AT T A N K E R A N D BAS A H U TA BA R AT

‘Selamat Hari Paskah’ means ‘Happy Easter’ for members of the Batak churches of Indonesia. Easter is an all-day celebration despite being a regular workday for most in this predominantly-Muslim South-East Asian nation. Women play a particularly important role in traditional observances which, in many places, begin at 5.00am.

P R E - D A W N P R AY E R A N D S O N G In rural areas, women gather to re-enact the journey of ‘Mary Magdalene and the other Mary’ who rose early to anoint the Lord on the first Easter day. With lanterns in hand, these modern-day ‘Marys’ march to the cemetery to sing and pray. They next process to the church where the children are already hunting for Easter eggs and together celebrate the resurrection until around 8.00am. Food is an important feature of Batak celebrations and, after this first Easter worship, they enjoy a traditional Batak cake called ‘lapet’. (Here’s a recipe if you want to try it: https://45all.blogspot.com/2016/12/bugis.html https://45all.blogspot.com/2016/12/bugis.html))

W O R S H I P, F O O D , F A S H I O N , L E A R N I N G … YO U N A M E I T ! At 10.00am the congregation returns for worship which typically lasts several hours. The importance of Easter is further emphasised through afternoon activities, which typically involve a traditional food festival, along with events such as choral performances and fashion shows which encourage people to dress well for worship. Indonesian Christians are eager to learn more regarding faith and so seminars are often held on Easter Sunday. Games such as ‘Name that hymn’ are also enjoyed, as a musician plays part of a hymn and participants vie to name its title and its number in the hymnal!

EN CO U R AG EM ENT FACI NG PERSECUTION These activities do more than celebrate an important day on the liturgical calendar. Christians in Indonesia take encouragement from their Easter celebrations to persevere in the faith in the face of grave persecution, being renewed in the sure hope of the resurrection. As St Paul says, ‘If we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his’ (Romans 6:5).

Pastor Matt Anker is the LCA/NZ’s Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission and Rev Basa Hutabarat is executive secretary of the National Committee of Lutheran World Federation churches in Indonesia. For more about the Easter traditions of the LCA’s partner churches, visit www.lcamission.org.au The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

A F L E X I B L E W AY F O R A L L AG ES TO G R O W BY J O N O G R A ETZ

L C A C H I L D Y O U T H & F A M I LY M I N I S T R Y

CO U RS E C A N WO R K I N M A N Y S I T U AT I O N S Grow Disciples is easily adapted to suit whatever group size, location, frequency of lessons and ability of leaders you may have.

We are always looking at new approaches to children’s ministry at Trinity Bordertown, so early last year when we heard about a new confirmation program from Grow Ministries, we decided to learn more about it. As soon as COVID-19 restrictions would allow, we arranged for Christine Matthias and Jodi Brook from Grow to visit and offer a deeper insight into the Grow Disciples course and what it can offer students and facilitators. Christine and Jodi inspired our congregation, along with some visitors from Mt Gambier and Millicent, with their explanation, including how the course relates lessons to our daily lives.

W H AT D O G R O W D I S C I P L ES S ES S I O N S I N C LU D E ? Each session provides a chance to chat with the kids about their week and the questions they took home for their parents after the previous lesson. There is an interactive learning section which explains the lesson theme and Bible verses that relate to it, and an application section that explains how the theme and readings apply to the participants. The session concludes with a lesson overview, time for students to devise questions to discuss with their parents and prayer. The course encourages communication. It is all about children building their faith and relationships with their parents, pastor, mentors, leaders and the congregation.

Trinity holds sessions Wednesdays after school for about 90 minutes, studying one lesson each week. Along with Pastor Murray Smith, we have four groups of two leaders each, which helps share the workload, brings different perspectives to lessons and gives the kids a chance to build relationships with more congregational members. We are also planning a families’ and mentors’ lunch once a term.

W H AT A R E S O M E O F TH E B EN EFITS? We are still very young with our journey but already are seeing an eagerness in students to actively participate in discussion and Bible reading and to ask some really thought-provoking questions. Grow Disciples is a great tool to share our faith with the next generation and to walk beside them as they learn to grow their faith in our Lord. What a blessing! Thanks be to God. Jono Graetz is a member of Trinity Bordertown, in South Australia.

S H AR I N G G R ACE TH RO UG H CO M M U N IT Y D ES P I T E COV I D C A N C E L L AT I O N St John’s Unley had a Christmas Tree Festival planned for December 2020. COVID restrictions in SA in November forced them to cancel. Instead, they joined a local community market to sell the plants, produce, food and craft that had already been made. Their help grew as they raised $1666.79 for the ALWS Grace Project – to support 64 refugee children at school for a year! Add your support and help more kids to go to school. Go to www.alws.org.au/what-you-can-do/ donate/?c=the-grace-project to donate or phone 1300 763 407.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

G O D I S AT WORK THROUGH HIS PEOPLE BY TA N I A N E LS O N

Are you worried about our church because congregations are shrinking or even closing, while others are without a pastor? And what about the people who may miss out on hearing the gospel because of these trends? Despite our fears, God is at work in our church and our communities. There are green shoots of growth in his kingdom. These include new congregations being planted by people like Jacob and Kate in Canberra, and Matt and Becca in Rockingham, Western Australia.

YO U R S U P P O RT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE They can’t do this alone though – they need your support to bring love to life in new places, in new ways, to new people. That’s why you’ll soon hear in your congregation how to share in this exciting outreach through Local Mission’s appeal. Your prayers and donations will enable: • A congregation like yours to be supported in missional training

MEET OUR CHURCH PLANTERS Jacob and Kate moved from Adelaide to Canberra for work in 2013 – the year they were married. They have been involved in Immanuel Woden Valley’s journey as a sending church and Jacob co-led the congregation’s first missional community. He is now employed by their church while completing theological studies. A statistician, Kate is also a member of the LCA’s Committee for New and Renewing Churches.

people experienced the love and hope we receive from Christ.’

Jacob says: ‘Canberra has the second-highest percentage of non-religious people in Australia – imagine what would change if more

Matt says: ‘Did you know 1.2 million West Australians don’t know the gospel of Jesus? Church planting is the best way to change that.’

NEW WEBSITE S H O W C A S ES M I S S I O N O P P O R T U N I T I ES

Matt and Becca are newly married and live in a growing WA area. With a background in youth and young adult ministry, Matt is completing his Master of Theology through Australian Lutheran College and working with Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church in their church planting journey. Student Becca is a gifted violinist and enjoys joining Matt in ministry.

• A church planter to be mentored by a team member from the LCA/NZ’s New and Renewing Churches department • A sending church to receive a grant to support the fledgling church plant

W H AT E L S E C A N YO U R S U P P O RT D O ? As well as enabling our LCA/NZ church planters to share the good news of God’s amazing love, your prayers and gifts support the vital mission work of Cross-Cultural Ministry, Ministry with the Ageing, Grow Ministries and Lutheran Media. Dr Tania Nelson is the LCA/NZ’s Executive Officer – Local Mission.

www.newandrenewingchurches.org.au

New and Renewing Churches has a new website. A department of LCA/NZ Local Mission, New and Renewing Churches serves the kingdom of God by supporting church planting and missional renewal. Executive Officer – Local Mission Dr Tania Nelson says: ‘We desire to go as God’s people and form missional communities and congregations across Australia and New Zealand. We know that God’s love comes to life when God’s people grow in his grace and go out into the world with his love. Will you join us?’

THERE’S PLENTY FOR THE KIDS

EASTER AN OPPORTU N IT Y TO S H A R E H O P E Why does a society, that probably now identifies as predominantly nonChristian, still celebrate Easter? What is Easter really about? If you’ve ever asked, been asked or thought about that question, a video discussion between Pastor Noel Due, Celia Fielke and Pastor Richard Fox may help. Go to www.messagesofhope/easter to watch the six-minute video. There is also a one-minute video entitled ‘What is Easter about?’, as well as podcasts and booklets to help you contemplate and share the message of Easter with others. For more on Lutheran Media ministries, read the adjacent stories.

M O R E T H A N 9 0 0 W AY S TO B E G O D ’ S VO I C E O F LO V E BY A N N E H A N S E N A table was set out in the church with a variety of tracts – bookmarks, text cards, leaflets. A woman had been standing there for some time just looking at one particular text card containing a Bible verse. I went over to her to see if I could help or encourage her to take it, when she said: ‘This verse is just what I needed – can I take it to display at my home to remind me that God does love me?’ How often do we see a Bible verse or a message or reflection that comes to us just when we need it? That’s the Spirit of God working to comfort us, to give us peace and healing, and to restore our souls. Many Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) resources can be used to speak to people and be given to them ‘at just the right time’. Be God’s messenger of love sharing Bible verses and thoughts with those who come to our hearts and minds. LTM has more than 900 resources to be used for every occasion. Among them are new Easter and Lenten tracts to share with friends, family and neighbours, enabling us to be God’s voice of love this Easter. Check out the website: www.ltm.org.au Anne Hansen is LTM Development Officer.

You can also invite children to know more about Easter (www.happyland.com.au www.happyland.com.au). ). There’s an online Easter calendar with Easter ‘eggs’ to open which contain activities and videos about Easter. There’s also a small booklet, ‘The Easter Story’, that you can order. There are five-minute videoed children’s messages available, too.

W H AT T H E Y S AY A B O UT LUT H ER A N MEDIA PROGRAMS … ‘Just wanted to encourage you all! Your program with messages of hope is great! Keep up the wonderful work. I heard the program with a lady interviewing another lady about her daughter killed by a driver and her forgiveness process. Excellent!’ – Lindsay You can watch the ‘Healing the Jagged Edges’ video of the interview Lindsay is referring to at www.messagesofhope.org.au Lutheran Media’s outreach ministries are changing people’s lives by bringing the gospel to them. You can support them at www.lutheranmedia.org.au/ support-us/donations/ or by phoning 1800 353 350.

CHURCH

@home

www.lca.org.au/churchhome

PSALM 23:4

EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY, I WILL

fear no evil ,

FOR YOU ARE WITH ME.

Home worship nurtures faith An active home-worship life, including regular devotions, helps nurture our faith – and that of the members of our families. We pray that you will receive blessings from the devotional materials contained here and in the Church@Home resources collection collated and shared on the special webpage at www.lca.org.au/churchhome www.lca.org.au/churchhome.. There are also other faithbuilding and practical resources available through this webpage. If you have internet access and a printer, why not print some and mail or deliver them to those who may otherwise miss out?

Lisa

DEVOTIONS FOR HOME WORSHIP These reflections are from a fresh set of devotions written for our LCA/NZ family and friends to help us to keep our eyes on Jesus. They can be used by families and individuals as part of the Church@Home resources. You can find these and more on the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/daily-devotion

Peter’s epiphany ‘He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God”’ (Luke 9:20). Read Luke 9:18–22. Who do you want Jesus to be for you? We human beings are notorious for trying to make God in our image – a reflection more of our culture and values and needs than of God’s being. Jesus, my friend and buddy; Jesus, the wise hippy dude; Jesus, the church high priest; Jesus, the liberation radical; Jesus, the kindly shepherd, Jesus … ? There are usually elements of truth in all these images of Jesus, but none of them reveals him truly or fully. Who do you say he is? Who do you want him to be? Our post-modern culture might like to say that Jesus is ‘whoever you want him to be’ – your interpretation, your truth, your belief, your need. But Jesus isn’t a cipher for our own desires and ideas. Jesus comes to us on his terms, not on ours. While he is the greatest crosscultural missionary ever (think of the Samaritan woman at

BY PAULINE SIMONSEN the well!), he never compromises or fudges his identity or his calling. The disciples find this out when he quizzes them about people’s take on him. ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’ And then, pressing his question home: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Peter has his epiphany moment: a sudden insight that Jesus is the promised Messiah of God. But Jesus won’t let that insight be hijacked by Peter’s desires and ideas. He immediately explains what God’s Messiah must be and endure: suffering, rejection, execution, and finally resurrection. Jesus is the suffering servant king. What have we projected onto Jesus that says more about us and our needs and desires? What might Jesus say to you and me through his word, to clarify his true identity and calling? How might this revelation of who he is (‘I AM’!) challenge and change our walk as his disciples? Lord, continue to give us epiphanies to see you straight and true, on your terms, not our own. And give us the courage to follow you. Amen.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

DEVOTIONS FOR HOME WORSHIP

It’s upside down!

BY JILL LANGE-MOHR

‘Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”’ (Luke 6:20). Read Luke 6:20–26. The Beatitudes give us a vision of an upside-down kingdom. It’s the opposite of what the world thinks is right. Jesus explains to his disciples the qualities that make a happy life. There are four blessings on people with four attributes and four woes on people with the opposite characteristics. So why is this the opposite of what we would think life should be? The world offers short-term gratification but not the eternal joy and happiness that believing in Jesus offers. Jesus boldly says that those who want to follow the world’s ways will not be ultimately happy. Jesus emphasises the central ethic of his kingdom – love – and the importance of obedience to his teachings. These blessings are to encourage his followers in the face of mounting persecution. In short, this is a message on how we should live, including the need for repentance. Jesus is encouraging his disciples (us) that God will bless them when the world hates them. Live by Christian values and not the world’s values.

We shouldn’t be surprised by God’s upside-down approach to the way he does things. A baby born to be Saviour of the world can’t even get a decent, clean room for this momentous event? That’s upside down. And they all lived happily ever after? Only in heaven for those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Dear Father God, help us to always keep our focus on you and your kingdom and not the ways of the world. Amen.

The world is not a stage ‘Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it’ (Matthew 6:1a). Read Matthew 6:1–6,16–21. Today’s text follows directly after the Sermon on the Mount and the call to love our enemy. On the mountain, Jesus told us to let our light shine and be the salt of the earth. He told us to let our good deeds be seen so that people may glorify God (Matthew 5:16). In this text, he tells us to give, pray and fast in private; to do otherwise means no reward in heaven! Is he contradicting himself? No! He was declaring what his kingdom would be like. And his kingdom was not in opposition to worldly kingdoms but in opposition to the devil himself and his manifestations.

BY MARTIN OLDFIELD

One of the manifestations was the penchant for slavishly obeying the law. Another was the religious leaders of the time who promulgated such thoughts. Giving alms to the poor ostentatiously, praying overtly and fasting to the point of neglect were common methods of proving one’s righteous demeanour. He didn’t tell us not to help the poor, pray or fast – he simply told us to do it in the right spirit – to further the kingdom, not feed the ego. Why not spend time in prayer looking for his guidance about what he would like you to do to further his kingdom? Dear Dad, I’ve got no doubt that there are many things that I am doing that, if I am really honest with myself, are feeding my ego. Please bring these to my attention and redirect my energy to doing those things that glorify you, not me. Amen.

rise again

WE HAVE FALLEN, BUT WE WILL . WE ARE IN DARKNESS NOW, BUT THE LORD WILL GIVE US LIGHT. MICAH 7:8B CHURCH

@home

Searchlight ‘God is light; in him there is no darkness at all’ (1 John 1:5b). Read 1 John 1:1–7. Don’t we wish we could see God? Here we have a book written by an eyewitness! While we can’t see these things ourselves, we have a blessing with the firsthand testimony in this letter! With such a preamble, we surely must sit up and listen to this message. God is light. In him, there is no darkness at all! Amen! Hallelujah … but wait, there’s a challenge! Read on: ‘If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth’. We read, again and again, about the light shining in the darkness. We can’t hide away little parts of our lives we think no-one can see. The kindness we deny someone.

God’s patience

BY SAL HUCKEL The habit we think is secret. The behaviour we think we can justify. It’s time to admit to ourselves, and maybe to others, that the Light is indeed shining in these places, and we need to clean them up. God promises that if we do this, and we walk in the light, we will have fellowship with one another and be purified from our sin. If. We have to choose this. Lord, I ask you to shine your light in my life. In your grace and mercy, illuminate changes I need to make, paths I need to take, and forgiveness I need to seek. May my confession of sins this week include all the secret darkness of my heart, and may I be fully restored to walk in the light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BY PASTOR MARK LIESCHKE

‘Leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down’ (Luke 13:8,9). Read Luke 13:6–9. Jesus does not just give us one crack at coming to faith. He patiently continues to work within us, his field, bringing the fruits of his death and resurrection to us over and over and over again – the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, new life in the flesh, the ability to bear fruit for him. As we think about our individual weaknesses and mistakes, we may wonder at times if God’s patience with us might come to an end and our time of grace might be over. We might feel as if we have been expected to produce more fruit than what we have and wonder whether we should have been more faithful than what we have been. Doubts and questions can arise in our minds about our being true believers and authentic disciples. Focusing on ourselves can bring serious fears. But turning to see who Jesus is and what he has done, and continues to do, gives us hope and security. He never stops working in us and on us. His word is always available to us. We have not had his baptismal promises stripped from us. Communion with him at his holy supper is there for us regularly. We have constant access to these gifts of God, which he says we need. They turn us from worthless, fruitless plants into trees laden with abundant produce. When the gardener digs and fertilises, and when the gardener takes time and is patient, good things can happen in his garden. When Christ provides for his people, when he

forgives, nurtures, encourages, and feeds his children, they are given every opportunity to grow and bear fruit. His patient, persistent cultivation gives us hope for the future. He is committed to serving us so that we, in turn, can produce fruit for him. Lord Jesus, thank you for your patience with us. Come to us each day with the reminder that we are precious to you. As we look back and see our mistakes and weaknesses, cover us with your forgiveness and give us a new start every day. In your name, we pray. Amen.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

In this column we hear from young people in our church about the ministries and mission they are part of – and how we in the LCA can better engage with youth in our communities.

FREE

trade ministry

IDEAS

At her home church in suburban Adelaide, Josephine Matthias serves confirmation students as the program’s games and activities coordinator and a small group leader. This experience in supporting young people in her congregation led the 18-year-old chemical engineering student to participate in a global conference TH IAS of young Lutherans passionate about youth work and sustainability. H I N E M AT by J O S E P online church service where I read the opening liturgical sentences in English after they were heard in Portuguese and Hungarian. For the concluding online service, we each had to bring something green to hold up for a screenshot ‘photo’ to make a 'forest' of humans. We talked about how the word of God is the rain which helps us to grow.

Last year I had the incredible opportunity to represent the LCA/NZ in the international ‘Like a Tree’ conference run by Mission EineWelt, the partnership, development and mission arm of Germany’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria. The conference involved young Lutherans from around the world who are leaders in youth ministry and interested in sustainability. The conference theme was a reference to Christians being like trees, standing together in God’s forest. We were all created to look after God’s creation and called to share the word of God with others and support them in their growth as Christians. During the nine days of the conference, we talked about our calling as Christians through the topics of sustainability and youth work. The conference was meant to be held in Germany, but due to COVID travel restrictions, it was staged online via seminars and a website. Before the conference began, we each had the task of creating a video introducing ourselves and our involvement in youth ministry. These helped us to get to know each other, as did the 24-hour challenges we were given throughout the conference. For one challenge, we had to find a song about sustainability, so I wrote an original composition called ‘Save the World’. Another challenge was to write a poem. We began the conference with an

Our other main topic was sustainability and we looked at the United Nations’ 17 Sustainability Development Goals. We discussed how churches around the world are already working towards these goals. Our final topic was youth ministry around the world, with each region sharing about the ministry in their churches. It was so refreshing to meet other young Lutherans who are passionate about their faith, and active in their churches. We have remained in contact and continue to share ideas for youth activities. Mission EineWelt and Like a Tree also staged a global worship event after the conference and I was blessed and honoured to be a part of the planning team. Creating the service to allow people from around the world to ‘meet’ together even while apart was very exciting. After all, we are all trees in God’s forest. Josephine Matthias is a member of Good Shepherd Para Vista in South Australia.

How can the LCA engage more effectively with young people? I think that the way to engage young people is to offer more opportunities for mentoring and conversations. These allow young people to have a sense of belonging in their church community because relationships are being built and they know that other members care about them. Along with this, young people love the chance to use their skills.

Prayer call for Myanmar Members of the LCA/NZ are being urged to pray for peace in Myanmar, where the military staged a coup d'etat and took control of the country last month. Following an overwhelming victory by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in elections held last November, the military disputed the result, detained elected leaders including Ms Suu Kyi, and instigated a 12-month state of emergency. LCA International Mission works closely with four churches in Myanmar through the Federation of Lutheran Churches in Myanmar and Pastor Matt Anker, LCA Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission, has invited Australian and New Zealand Lutherans to join in praying for a ‘peaceful resolution’ to the unrest in the South-East Asian nation. ‘Please join us as we pray for a peaceful resolution to this latest unrest in Myanmar, and for our brothers and sisters in Christ as they live in times of increased uncertainty and insecurity’, Pastor Matt said. ‘May our Heavenly Father send his holy angels to watch over the churches of Myanmar and the entire country and use this moment as an opportunity for the gospel of

Members of the LCA/NZ are being urged to pray for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar, where there have been public demonstrations following a military coup last month.

forgiveness, life and salvation to be proclaimed even more widely in this troubled country.’ Pastor Matt said one of Myanmar’s church leaders shared with him details of the situation there recently, including the public demonstrations which began in response to the coup. The church leader, who asked not to be named, said: ‘This public demonstration is not about favouring [the] NLD party which recently won the election. It’s about the people who don't want to go back to our nightmares under military regime. We feel that our votes for the

country were neglected and disregarded by one single command from the army leaders. Many Christian churches, organisations and local NGOs [have issued] statements opposing this military coup. And Christians are not fearing at this time of need [to] stand up for the truth and welfare for the people of Myanmar. We invite all our brothers and sisters from Christian and non-Christian communities to protest this inhuman action by the military.’ He said: ‘Please continue to pray for the people of Myanmar as we have peaceful demonstrations around the country.’

2018 GENER AL SYNOD DELEG ATE POSTAL VOTE Delegates to the LCA’s Convention of General Synod in 2018 are being asked to vote in a postal ballot ahead of this year’s Convention. General Church Board has authorised the Secretary of the Church to submit to the delegates of the LCA’s 19th General Synod a postal vote to authorise changes to the LCA’s bylaws.

The ballot requests that 2018 delegates approve changes to the bylaws to enable Conventions of General Synod to take place by meeting in person or by electronic means. The changes to the bylaws will allow procedures in transacting business and nominations and elections to be amended to suit the form in which the meeting takes place.

The ballot papers with supporting information were posted to delegates (at the home address listed on LCA files) last month. They must be returned to the Secretary of the Church in the prepaid supplied envelope by the postmarked date of 26 March 2021.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

Lutherans recognised in Australia Day Honours LCA/NZ members Chris Halbert and David Mattiske have been recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List. Chris Halbert, who received a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to the history of Australian Rules football, and to music, is the founding director of the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) History Centre and has managed the centre in a volunteer capacity since its establishment in 2014. A former singing teacher at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music, Chris has also been a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Adelaide choir and one of its choir librarians for approximately 18 years. Chris said she initially ‘thought someone was pulling my leg’, but was ‘delighted and honoured’ to receive the award. Project manager for the LCA’s Alive!175 anniversary event at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in 2013, Chris is passionate about church music. ‘The Lutheran Church has a wonderful musical heritage and I don’t want to be a part of the generation that loses that’, she said. Chris helped establish the SANFL History Centre to collect and preserve league memorabilia, including items from the career of her husband, former Sturt premiership captain, State and All-Australian footballer, 1961 Magarey Medallist and SANFL club coach, John Halbert. Also a member at Bethlehem, John has twice been recognised in honours lists – in 2009

SAVE THE DATE

Safe Church online webinar for congregational coordinators, chairs, pastors and other leaders

Saturday 27 March 2021 1.30pm–3.00pm AEDT

Child Protection Project Officer Mary-Ann Carver will speak about the draft LCA Child Safety Standards for Congregations, which align with and will help to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The webinar link will be sent to congregations.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

Australia Day honours recipient David Mattiske, right, with Southport RSL Deputy President Ken Orr during a visit to the Philippines, where a memorial wall immortalises David's words: ‘Let us pray that we never have another world war.’ Inset right: Fellow Order of Australia Medal recipient Chris Halbert has been recognised for her service to the history of Australian Rules football and to music.

with a Member of the Order of Australia award and 1969 as a Member of the Order of the British Empire. A member of Trinity Lutheran Church, at Southport in Queensland, David Mattiske was awarded an OAM in the General Division for ‘service to veterans and their families, and to the community’. Now 95, David was an Able Seaman aboard Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Shropshire in the Pacific during World War II, from the age of 18 to 20. Part of a team of lookouts during the pivotal Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines in late 1944, David was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal in 1995. His words are immortalised on the memorial wall of one of the four engagements of Leyte Gulf, the Battle of

Surigao Strait: ‘Let us pray that we never have another world war.’ He wrote the book Fire Across the Pacific,, which was published in 2000, Pacific and rates the relationships he and others have built with the Philippines’ embassy, ambassadors and staff since the war as ‘by far the most important thing’ he has done. David, who was made a Life Member of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) in 1964 and has been a member of the Naval Historical Society of Australia since 2000, said it was a ‘great honour’ to receive his OAM. The congratulations of the church are offered to these recipients and any other members honoured with awards.

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Heeding the call for COVID help by Jessica Smith

Staff from South Australia’s Lutheran aged-care providers didn’t hesitate to put up their hands when the call went out for personnel to assist in Victoria during the COVID-19 crisis, as part of the National Aged Care Emergency Response (NACER) program.

Care worker Monei Seduku, third from right, with fellow staff from SA’s Lutheran aged-care providers who answered the call for personnel to assist in Victoria. Photo courtesy Monei Seduku

Five staff from Lutheran aged-care facilities were deployed to Melbourne’s COVID hotspots, including three from LHI Retirement Services and two from Fullarton Lutheran Homes in Adelaide.

Department of Health that pointed out the challenges that the staff would face on the ground in nursing homes that were in dire need of staff – not one of the staff pulled out after the briefing.’

LHI Retirement Services CEO Graham Reed said that the two personal care workers and one cleaner recruited from his facility were selected from a number of volunteers, after the urgent government call-out. ‘We had several staff consider the request and the final three were selected for their resilience and sense of calling’, he said.

Graham expressed his admiration for the volunteers, saying he had stayed in touch with them during their deployment and subsequent quarantine period. ‘I am in awe of the decision that all these staff made to head over to Victoria into what they knew would be very dangerous and personally challenging circumstances’, he said. ‘They all maintained a very positive attitude in

‘All of the volunteers from LHI and other SA aged-care organisations participated in a two-hour briefing session with a representative of the Commonwealth

spite of some setbacks and appreciated the opportunity to serve.’ The LHI staff members were deployed in teams for a four-week stint working in Melbourne facilities deemed most in need, followed by two weeks in quarantine when they crossed back over the SA border. Personal care worker Monei Seduku felt ‘blessed’ to have the opportunity to serve others during the pandemic. ‘Service to humanity is the most gratifying aspect of my life’, she said. ‘Some say “Plant trees under whose shadow you do not expect to stay” and the Bible says “Blessed is the hand that giveth”.’

U R G E N T N E E D F O R WO R K E R S AT H E R M A N N S B U R G The LCA’s Finke River Mission (FRM) urgently needs workers to fill a range of positions at Hermannsburg (Ntaria) in the Northern Territory. There are positions available at the FRM Store and the Hermannsburg Historic Precinct in the Central Australian community, 125 kilometres

west of Alice Springs. Tasks range from general store work to food preparation/cook and all aspects of food hospitality at the historic precinct. For more information, contact Wayne Beven at wayne.b@finkerivermission.org.au or on 0448 336 128. See also page 12.

20TH REGUL AR CONVENTION OF GENER A L SY NOD GENERAL CONVENTION 2021

28 September – 3 October 2021 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne Vic 3006

www.generalsynod.lca.org.au General Pastors Conference 6 – 8 July 2021

Lutheran Women of Australia Convention 23 – 26 September 2021

2–38 Burvilles Road, Armstrong Creek Vic 3217

91 River Road, Horsham Vic 3400

Geelong Lutheran College

Horsham Church of Christ Convention Centre

For all bodies eligible to provide delegates to Convention, remember to elect your delegates and notify the LCA for entry into LAMP2 by 15 March 2021. Nominations for LCA boards, commissions, councils and committees must be received by 15 May 2021 as there is no ability to nominate people from the floor of Convention. All details are correct at the time of publishing. All venue and date information is subject to change due to COVID-19 or other unforeseen events.

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LCA C O MPL A IN T S 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.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

IN OUR REGION

GO D’S WO R D B R I N GS LI FE I N PN G BY HANNA SCHULZ

We know from 1 John that the ‘word of life’ is revealed in Jesus – the Word who took on flesh, lived among us, defeated death and is living still. The Bible is this word of life, it is ‘alive and active’ (Hebrews 4:12) and brings us life. It is for this word that we named our new training building in Ubuo village, Papua New Guinea – the ‘Oroi’io Madei Training Centre’. This can be translated as either ‘Word of Life’ or ‘Living Word’ Training Centre. Both translations remind us that the word brings life and is alive in Jesus, speaking to us today, across time and cultures. The centre was built to train and support people in translating God’s word into their language, for Bible-use training and supporting literacy work. Since 2015 I have worked alongside the Kope people, training and supporting them in translating Luke into Kope. I have seen the translation team members’ faith grow as they come to understand God’s word more clearly. These co-workers share their learning with their families, churches and communities. I also have become increasingly aware that neighbouring language communities do not have similar access to God’s word and I have been looking for ways to support them. A training centre seemed a good path. The path from dream to reality, from planning and fundraising to building, has been long and rocky, but steeped in prayer and with each step taken in faith. God confirmed our path, often providing what was needed just in time. For example, just as solar panels and batteries needed to be paid for, I received a gift from the sale of Peace Lutheran Church Anna Bay in New South Wales! This is love in truth and action. Despite the challenges of such a big project, especially during COVID, God raised up partners to help. Local villagers contributed through land and foundation

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

Main pic: Guests from far and wide came to celebrate the opening of the Oroi’io Madei (Word of Life) Training Centre in Ubuo village, PNG. Photo: Rachel Jasper. Inset: Local villagers assisted the building team with the building’s construction. Photo: Hanna Schulz

preparation and assisted the building team. As a result, the building was completed in three-and-a-half weeks. Local women fed hungry builders and a day before the opening, the builders and electricians worked into the evening, with the power only turned on at 10.00pm. The dedication and opening on 15 November was a huge communal effort and what a day of celebration it was! With guests from throughout the region and with much joy, we dedicated the building to the glory and work of God. In June we plan to host a Scripture-use workshop and in September a literacy workshop. Further ahead we hope to reach out to a dozen language groups through training in oral Bible storying. This is a first step in translating God’s word into their languages. Praise God for all he is doing among the Kope people and their neighbours. Pray for more workers and that he will prepare the hearts of those attending workshops. Pray that as they spread the word in their own languages, their communities may believe and, ultimately, know eternal life. Hanna Schulz is a linguist and Bible translation advisor in PNG with Wycliffe, a partner of LCA International Mission. Email her at Hanna_schulz@wycliffe.org.au To support Hanna, visit the Wycliffe Australia website at www.wycliffe.org.au/hanna or email finance@wycliffe.org.au

G I F TS TO FELLOW PASTO RS R EFLECT

GO D’S LOVE LCA/NZ pastors and members have sent support to the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) which was hard hit by the economic impacts of COVID-19. LCP President Rev Antonio Reyes, pictured here front second from right, was among his church’s leaders who visited Germany along with LCA/NZ church representatives as guests of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria in 2019.

When Pastor Matt Anker, the LCA/NZ’s Assistant to the Bishop – International Mission, called on Lutheran pastors in Australia and New Zealand to support their brother pastors in the Philippines, he says the response was ‘breathtaking’. Pastor Matt had heard from President Antonio Reyes of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) about the effect of COVID-19 church shutdowns, inadequate health facilities, isolation and the lack of a government safety net on LCP pastors. Rev Reyes also shared that for months his pastors had not received stipends as their congregations were not meeting in person, and many members had lost their incomes.

one congregation sent on a $9000 bequest they had just received so that the ministry of word and sacrament in the Philippines could continue unhindered. ‘Thanks to the generosity of our pastors and those they shared this need with, we have sent more than $35,000 to the Philippines, enabling their pastors to continue their ministry without having to seek alternative work to feed their families.’ LCP's Pastor Daniel Pondevida sums up the response of our friends in the Philippines when he says: ‘No words of heartfelt thanks can express my joy for your goodness and kindness towards us.’

‘ TH EI R G I F TS R EFLECT TH E LOV E TH EY H AV E R ECEIV ED FRO M TH E LO R D’

Pastor Matt says that, while the scale of generosity he has witnessed in this example is ‘breathtaking’, he has been more surprised by the words of thanks he has received from LCA/NZ pastors who ‘were grateful for the opportunity to support their extended family in this way’.

‘He asked if we would consider buying a month’s supply of rice for each of their pastors to help them get by – the cost of which was A$7000’, Pastor Matt says. ‘Although this is not the usual work of LCA International Mission, it was an appeal I couldn’t ignore. Calling to mind the Apostle Paul’s encouragement in Galatians 6:10, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”, I wrote to our pastors and asked them to consider supporting their brother pastors in the Philippines by donating $60 to help one family.

‘Their words reminded me that their generosity is not of their own doing, but instead is born of gratitude for the abundant generosity of our Heavenly Father who did not spare his own Son, but willingly gave him up for us all that we might have forgiveness of sins and life in his name’, Pastor Matt says.

‘Literally within minutes of hitting the send button on the emails, our pastors started to donate and they didn’t stop! Within a couple of days, we were beyond the goal of $7000 and still the donations continued. Some pastors shared this need with their congregations and

‘Thanks be to God for his generosity in Christ that enables us to be bearers of his generous love to others.’ others.’

‘Their gifts reflect the love they have received from the Lord, a love which is so generous it overflowed their own lives and reached all the way to the Philippines.

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

Photo: ALWS/David Modra

Walk for the children! WHERE WILL YOU WALK?

WHY YOUR WALK MATTERS

GOOD NEWS! After COVID-19 cancelled ALWS Walk My Way last year, it’s time to step out in 2021 to help refugee children get back to school!

Your walk will help refugee children get back to school and to catch up on what they missed because of COVID-19 closedowns.

Join the main Walk My Way in the Barossa Valley on Saturday 1 May, enjoying vineyards, Lutheran churches and Barossa hospitality …

Our Walk My Way aim is to support 10,000 children plus show our Australian community what it means to be a church where love comes to life.

… or do your own Walk your Way wherever you are, whenever you like.

Through ALWS you help make sure no child is forgotten – giving special care to children with disabilities, orphans and older students who have been left behind.

Can’t manage 26 km? Do it in stages beforehand. Woof your Way or Wheel your Way. Each step you take, each $26 you raise, supports a refugee child in school for one year.

$26 helps get a refugee child back to school for one year! Photo: ALWS/Helene Wikstrom

Best of all, no-one can ever take away the education you give a child – you are a blessing ALWayS!

When: Saturday 1 May Where: Barossa Valley SA REGISTER NOW: walkmyway.org.au * 1300 763 407

Walking together to bring love to life! LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA

DIRECTORY CALLS

Declined

Extended • Rev Simon W Cooper • Rev Good Shepherd Lutheran College Noosa Qld to Morphett Vale SA

Accepted • Rev Nathan J C Glover • Rev St Andrews Lutheran College Tallebudgera Qld to Emmanuel Fellowship Toowoomba Qld • Rev Neil M Guthrig • Rev Leave of absence to Tarrington Vic • Rev Eugene G Minge • Rev Tea Tree Gully SA to Pakenham-Lakeside Vic • Rev Heath A Pukallus • Rev Leave of absence to Warrnambool Vic

• Rev Matthew P Bishop • Rev Installed at St Paul’s Blair Athol SA on 31 January 2021 by Bishop David Altus

• Rev Joel S Cramer • Rev Salisbury SA to Holy Trinity Lutheran Primary School Horsham Vic

• Rev Christopher M Johnson • Rev Installed at Woolloongabba Qld on 31 January 2021 by Bishop Paul Smith

• Rev Mike C Neldner • Rev Caboolture Qld to Wodonga Vic

INSTALL ATIONS • Rev Lee S Kroehn • Rev Installed at Our Saviour Rochedale Qld on 17 January 2021 by Bishop Paul Smith

• Rev Joseph D Theodorsen • Rev Installed to Top End NT on 7 February 2021 by Bishop David Altus • Rev Mark M Winter • Rev Installed at Hope Vale Qld on 7 February 2021 by Bishop Paul Smith

• Rev Leon N Rosenberg • Rev Installed at Ferryden Park SA on 17 January 2021 by Rev Stephen Schultz

• Rev James H Luk • Rev Installed at Morley WA on 14 February 2021 by Bishop Mike Fulwood

• Rev Stephen J Noblett • Rev Installed to Southern Flinders SA on 24 January 2021 by Bishop David Altus

• Rev Nigel J Rosenzweig • Rev Installed at Victor Harbor SA on 14 February 2021 by Bishop David Altus

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.

9 7

9 6

February's solution 1

8 7

2 8

www.eckermanns.com.au 08 8235 3900

3 7

Lutheran Singles Connect

Are you looking for friendship? Hoping to meet your soul mate? Finding it difficult to meet other single or single-again Christians? www.lca.org.au/singles 0438 049 572

Helping single and single-again Christians to get in touch

WILL YOU JOIN US TO PLANT A NEW CHURCH? JACOB & KATE are passionate about getting the gospel out to people who don’t yet know the love and hope we have in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit’s work, they and other church planters in the LCA/NZ are seeing the green shoots of a revival growing.

You can support this exciting outreach work through the LCA’s Local Mission appeal, which is coming to your congregation soon. www.lca.org.au/local-mission www.newandrenewingchurches.org.au

YOUR DONATION ENABLES: A CONGREGATION LIKE YOURS TO BE SUPPORTED IN MISSIONAL TRAINING A CHURCH PLANTER TO BE MENTORED BY A NEW AND RENEWING CHURCHES TEAM MEMBER A SENDING CHURCH TO RECEIVE A GRANT TO SUPPORT THE FLEDGLING CHURCH PLANT

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

YOUR VOICE Advice might help us relate better to society

I've found by listening that more people than I expect are, to varying degrees, spiritual. Yet our church attendance numbers are dropping. When asked, most are not anti-church and many are appreciative of what our church stands for. They just feel that mainstream Christian churches don't relate to them. Is it their fault (in our eyes) they feel like that? I know our church is running new programs and ideas to counter this trend and such initiatives deserve acknowledgment and congratulations – but we still face declining attendances. In the commercial world, expert analysts are hired to explain to clients how modern society operates, what our collective and changing values are and how we communicate and absorb ideas. So why don't we engage a firm whose core business is understanding modern society? Let’s ask them to look at our church culture, structures and how we go about our business in general. Ask them to help us relate more effectively with Australian society, as well as our present church membership. There is no suggestion of changing our core beliefs, just how we can communicate them better. We can't help people with their spiritual journey if we don't relate to them. If we don’t know where they are, we will never reach them. And we will never walk together. Mark Weier – Pittsworth Qld

Option for change ‘heartening’ I was heartened to see the letter ‘“A united way forward” for our church’ (The (The Lutheran, Lutheran, December 2020) proposing a way to resolve the matter of women’s ordination, as per the principles agreed on at union. This matter is clearly not going to go away, nor can supporters of either position achieve the required two-thirds majority needed at synod, despite a very clear and consistent majority, at successive synods, in favour of change. It makes sense that the forebears of the LCA/NZ could acknowledge and anticipate matters of division, beyond union being achieved, and provide principles to retain unity when divergent views cannot be resolved as a teaching of the church. We are in the fortunate position of having the principles provided for and our church leadership should act to operationalise them as soon as practicable. Denise Grieshaber – Indooroopilly Qld

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

Answer call to journey as ‘one in Christ’

For decades a cloud has hovered over the ordination of both women and men in our LCA/NZ. This cloud generates a feeling of shame to be pro-women’s ordination. It portrays the issue as women sinfully wanting to be powerful like men; for egotistically wanting to preach God's word. It tells us that ‘the world’ is influencing theology; that the ordination of women is a ‘feminist agenda’. We are told that women are ignorantly mistaken in interpreting the call of the Holy Spirit to speak the gospel message and to serve as pastors, and that men in weakness have been wrongly influenced to support the freedom of women to also be called, ordained servants of our Lord. We live under this cloud, held there by the shadow of judgement. Yet the misery of the cloud is in the selective denial of the good news that spread through the ancient cultures of Jesus’ time. The cloud supports the world’s default to those former ways, the old attitudes and restrictions, rather than fully embracing and promoting the new freedom announced by Jesus, the Christ, our Lord. This letter is to encourage people to emerge from the shadow of the cloud. To feel joy. To remember that we, Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female, are one in Christ, with no exceptions and no subtext of exclusions. We are not bucking God's system. But if you feel unsure, check the Draft Doctrinal Statement for Synod 2018 (www.convention2018.lca.org.au/ (www.convention2018.lca.org.au/ ordination)) and be reassured. ordination Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, may we journey towards Synod 2021 with hope, joy and the vibrancy that comes with the Holy Spirit among us. Be encouraged and encourage others. May the Light of the World keep shining on us and lead us all to full freedom in Christ very soon. Iris Gladigau – Mount Torrens SA

COVID ‘challenge to care for creation’

The oppressive theme of last year was how difficult COVID-19 had made our lives – job loss and financial hardship for some and many things we wanted to do and couldn’t – Sunday worship, flying, parties and visits of grandchildren. So we long to go back to 2019. I am wondering whether we Christians need to look at things through the eyes of faith. Do we need to reflect on 2020 as a sign from God which demands reflection and a response? Is God giving us a warning from the future – a bit like he did with Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah? For them, it was interpreting the localised political storm clouds. For us, it is much bigger. The planet and its people are on a path to disaster. We cannot go on with unlimited GDP growth in consuming resources and then junking them, or disastrously experimenting with our climate by polluting our atmosphere with more than 30 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually (source: International Energy Agency). The science is incontrovertible. The new climate future has begun and is increasingly destructive. Our challenge is our response. Did God gently stop us in our tracks last year so that we can reset our priorities? We have realised that wellness rather than consumption is the key to a fulfilled life; that relationships are the core of our lives – being connected deeply to family and friends, supporting and being supported by one another, being the body of Christ together. We have been given an awesome challenge by God – as big as the one given to Isaiah and Jeremiah. To be prophetic voices. To be at the forefront of people demanding that we stop treating God’s creation as a slave to be exploited. That the new future creation normal be human and creature-friendly.

Rev Geoff Burger – Cumberland Park SA

Lutheran Confessions ‘deserve respect’

I am not concerned so much with the issue of the ordination of women as I write, but with integrity in our treatment of the Confessions of the church. It was disappointing to read yet again the often-repeated assertion that in speaking of the public ministry the Confessions ‘make no reference to gender’. I refer to the letter ‘“A united way forward” for our church’ (The Lutheran,, December 2020). Lutheran It could also have been said that the Confessions make no reference to the sexual orientation and practice, the age, the colour of hair, or even the faith, or unbelief of the candidate for the public ministry. Why would they? These things were not issues for the reformers at the time. They simply took for granted that what had been the normal practice down the centuries was not under threat and would continue. Is it really acceptable to argue from what a document does not say? Or, do our Confessions deserve more respect than that? Rev Rob Strelan – Oakden SA

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Do we have the right to reject God’s call?

I rejoice in the gospel of God’s saving and liberating grace for all people. At the same time I am very sad that the church I love and belong to is saying to over half of its members that they cannot spread this liberating gospel as ordained pastors of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. I think this is un-Lutheran, legalistic and hypocritical. It is taking a couple of unclear verses about women out of their context, and trumping the gospel which appears on almost every page of Scripture. God is calling and gifting women in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand to be pastors. If God is calling and gifting women to be pastors, what right do some people have to reject that call? Doesn’t this amount to rejecting God and the work of the Holy Spirit? To continue to decline to ordain women is both discouraging those who are called by God, and depriving the whole church of the unique gifts the Holy Spirit has given women to share. God wants all people to be saved and makes clear that the only way to be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ. But to find this faith St Paul says preachers must be called and sent. God is calling women. The time has come to acknowledge this call and to send women as well as men to share the gospel so people have every opportunity to believe in Jesus and be saved. Come, Holy Spirit, reform, renew, revive and refresh your church: begin with me. Amen.

Rev David Christian – Littlehampton SA

Opinions expressed in letters are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or the Lutheran Church of Australia. 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.

LETTERS S FROM MEMBER Z OF THE LCA/N

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.

LCA eNews will bring you the latest news and updates.

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 23 April 2021.

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. 114. In an emergency, call 000 000..

For inquiries, please contact Chelsea Bellamy by email or phone 08 8267 7300.

GET HELP

HIDDEN

HURTS

HEALING

LUTHERAN CHURCH

HEARTS

OF AUSTRALIA

LCA PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE

w w w.preventdf v.lca .org.au

We know you love The Lutheran … now there’s a new way to enjoy our award-winning LCA/NZ magazine with our

new digital edition! edition!

It makes a great gift too – and current print subscribers can register for digital access at no extra cost!

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11 issues

This prayer calendar for next month can serve as an encouragement to each of us to lift up our fellow LCA/NZ members and faith communities to God every day. Please feel free to cut it out and keep it handy.

April 2021

S U N D AY

M O N D AY

T U E S D AY

P L E A S E P R AY F O R …

W E D N E S D AY

T H U R S D AY

F R I D AY

S AT U R D AY

The general wellbeing of our broader communities, that we as the Church would be a source of hope

People whose homes, lives and livelihoods have been devastated by bushfires and floods, including those in WA

Those participating in Lutheran Youth of Victoria’s online Easter camp and the NSW District TPM Easter camp at Warrambui

Christians around the world who are celebrating the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday

The students and school community of St Peters Lutheran College Springfield Qld, including Principal Craig Schmidt

The members and leaders of St Paul’s Lutheran Church Beaudesert in South-East Qld

The Christian communities and all people of Myanmar, China, the US, Russia and any nations facing civil unrest.

Members and leaders of Good Shepherd Tuggeranong ACT and Pastor Paul Hannola

Students, staff and community of Lobethal Lutheran School SA, including Principal Stephanie Kriewaldt

Those who are coordinating and facilitating the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines and those administering them around the globe

Pastor Ray Morris and the members and leaders of St John’s Lutheran Church Caloundra Qld

Manager Timothy Pietsch and the volunteers and supporters of Wantok Place, the LCA/NZ’s Museum of PNG Artefacts

Frontline healthcare workers and those working in quarantine facilities in countries where coronavirus case numbers are continuing to grow

Students, staff and community of St Andrews Lutheran College Tallebudgera Qld and Principal David Bliss

Members of the LCA/NZ’s College of Bishops, which is scheduled to meet today

People who are experiencing any kind of persecution because of their faith

Pastor Greg Pietsch and members of Holy Trinity Dandenong, Dandenong Sudanese Fellowship and St James Moorabbin Vic

Stamps for Mission National Project Director Peter Nitschke, national committee members and State stamps receivers

Leaders and campers at Blueprint Ministries (SA-NT) NOVO camp, which begins today at Morphett Vale for people in school years 7–12

Members and leaders of St Stephen’s Lutheran Church Katanning and Trinity Lutheran Church Narrogin WA

The children, educators and community of Vineyard Lutheran School Clare SA and Principal Geoffrey Strauss

Awareness and understanding about our responsibilities to care for God's creation on Earth Day

Manager Steve Burger and those who serve and attend events at Araluen Lutheran Camp, Anglesea Vic

Members and leaders of Ceduna, Denial Bay and Koonibba Lutheran communities in SA, including Pastor Andrew Vanderwal

Our nations’ servicemen and women and those who have lost loved ones or suffered harm or injury in wars, as we mark ANZAC Day

The staff, students and community of St Mark’s Lutheran School Mount Barker SA and Principal James Heyne

A commitment to kindness in our churches and communities on the eve of international Pay it Forward Day

The Lutheran pastors of Victoria and Tasmania, who are scheduled to meet in District Pastors Conference in Ballarat Vic

Those preparing for this weekend’s ALWS Walk My Way in SA’s Barossa Valley as they endeavour to help support schooling for refugee children

Tomorrow’s Lutheran Women of WA and Lutheran Women of Victoria conventions scheduled for Kalgoorlie and Shepparton respectively

The Lutheran M A R C H 2 0 21

DISCOVER MORE AT

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

YOUR FAVOURITE COMPETITIONS ARE ON AGAIN NOW! The Lutheran Media Calendar Photo Competition is happening again this year. Send us your best original and inspiring nature or landscape photo. Go to www.lutheranmedia.org.au/image for more details. Entries close 11 June 2021. The Lutheran Media Short Movie Competition has also begun. Create an original and engaging movie of shorter than four minutes in length that tells an encouraging and inspiring story. Go to www.lutheranmedia.org.au/competition for details. Entries close 3 September 2021.

LISTEN

Join Richard and Celia each week through March for conversations on our purpose in life, our identity, and finding hope in these uncertain times. Tune in on local radio or go to messagesofhope.org.au or messagesofhope.org.nz

WATCH

LATELY?

Worship live or in your own time with St Michael’s Lutheran Church from Hahndorf South Australia or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church from Toowoomba Queensland at www.lutheranmedia.org.au/worship. You can also order weekly worship DVDs or join us on our Lutheran Media Facebook page at facebook.com/luthmedia

PLAY

HAVE YOU LISTENED TO YOUR

Family fun at happyland.com.au Enjoy the Happyland app. Download it from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad. Happyland stories are now also available to watch on the website.

As COVID-19 keeps challenging, it's vital that children in refugee camps aren't forgotten. Just $26 can support a child at school for a year a blessing ALWayS!

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THANKS

YOUR DONATIONS AND PRAYERS ARE HELPING TO COMMUNICATE CHRIST AND HIS MESSAGE OF HOPE TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

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Photos: RDRS Bangladesh/Sultan Manik

2018

2020

Thank you!

Look what your kindness has GROWN!

These photos show where you are helping Rohingya people forced from Myanmar. They must now live in the world’s largest refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Through ALWS, our Lutheran family has supported the planting of 30,000 tree seedlings inside the camp, plus 20,000 seedlings in the local community hosting the refugees. Before your help, trees had been cleared to build the camp and supply firewood. This caused landslides, made the extreme heat worse and depleted the water supply. The environmental destruction made life even harder for people simply seeking safety. Now, as you can see, new forests are emerging! Jakaria is a Rohingya refugee benefitting from your help: ‘Previously, we had to wait under extreme sun, because there was no shade anywhere. ‘Thanks to the project, the saplings planted here have grown big and give us shade now. Every day, refugees give blessings for this help.

‘There are also many very useful, fast-growing and locally adapted saplings like neem, which have herbal and medicinal uses. We are eagerly waiting for these plants to grow so we can use them.’

The work our Lutheran church supports in the camp is aimed at helping those people who may otherwise be forgotten. That’s why you also supply learning materials for the poorest children, dignity kits for teen girls, supplementary foods for pregnant women and work grants for people living with disability (see photo). Your ALWS help is delivered by local partner RDRS Bangladesh, working with LWF, multiplied in value by church support from the Czech Republic! Through ALWS, you also support Rohingya people forced to live in Displaced Persons Camps inside Myanmar. Your support to them – especially the children, and to the local community – is vital during this time of crisis. Thank you for helping people who lost so much. Your love, come to life, is a blessing ALWayS!

Growing together to bring love to life! LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA