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Grannies share ‘mother lode’ of wisdom

Going GREYT! 1 Peter 4:10

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

by Helen Beringen

Bringing together the teaching skills of retired teachers with the learning needs of children, many of whom are refugees, has been a match made in heaven for one northern suburbs school in Adelaide.

All it took was a school principal with a big heart, an inspiring online English program helping disadvantaged children, and a team of grannies.

This band of friends from the Bridgewater Lutheran congregation in the Adelaide Hills were retired educators who still had lots of love and learning to share. And share it they have – with 25 refugee students from the Blair Athol North Birth to Year 7 School’s remedial English program.

Over the past year, 73-year-old Gillian (Gill) Stevenson and friends Sheri Paschke, Judi Bell, Betty Lores and Julie Grierson have run weekly intensive English coaching sessions via the internet meeting system Zoom for the students, which also continued through COVID-19 restrictions. ‘It was very much on the cards before COVID struck – what has been an amazing blessing has been the development of the Zoom platform’, Gill explains. This allowed the program to go ahead online!

Teaching is in her blood for Gill, and her husband of 53 years, retired Lutheran Pastor Alex Stevenson, whose first career was in teaching before he was called to the ministry. It is a gift shared by their son Darren who, as principal of the Blair Athol school, was inspired to trial the program, known as the Granny Cloud, in which UK grandmothers provide English language support to Indian disadvantaged children. (You can learn more here: http://thegrannycloud.org/)

At Darren’s school, about 100 of the 500 students are part of the intensive English program, which focuses on acquiring conversational English and literacy.

That’s where Gill and her team of retirees come in. They help the students practise their conversational English, and share their stories and background with the children, through photos, words and books. Helping the children with other literacy skills, like reading, is also a focus.

In turn, the students have written about their journey from where they were born, to their coming to Australia.

‘One of them wrote about what it means to them to be in Australia, saying “I love being here because I feel safe”’, says Gill. ‘It highlights the fact that we take it for granted so much. It just reinforces how precious our country is, in that we can feel safe here in our environment and beliefs, and not fear war and death. It highlights the liberty we have here. What we can do is share the love of God, and we are sharing God’s heart in our actions and words.’

As Gill adds, ‘God has just taken this and blessed our involvement’. The outcome has been beyond their expectations. ‘It’s a win-win’, she says. ‘The school is appreciative. While there is lots of coordination involved, they are also so passionate about this program.’

The program also has been greatly appreciated by the students, 80 per cent of whom are refugees.

Gill shares the success story of one student who had been a reluctant learner, introverted, angry and grieving before taking part in the program. ‘But she has emerged like a butterfly’, says Gill. ‘She has grown in her confidence and has developed so well in her English that she is going into the mainstream school program. It is amazing what can happen as their confidence grows.’

Tapping into the wisdom of the retired educators is also a good way for them to keep active and reinforces their confidence as teachers.

‘What has happened here is that we have this incredible reserve of knowledge in retired teachers’, Gill says.

The program doesn’t even have to interfere with the lifestyles of the retired grandmas, including the grey nomads among them. All they need is a good internet connection. ‘Most of us grannies are caravaners, and I have even done a lesson from Wilpena Pound (in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges)’, Gill says. ‘It is just extraordinary when you can show the children the hills in the background and tell them a bit about Australia, sharing the land and culture.’

The teaching team members were thrilled when they were finally able to meet the students late last year.

‘Meeting them for the first time in November after COVID restrictions were eased, we were just overwhelmed’, Gill says. “They gave us the most beautiful thank you cards and a morning tea from the school’s kitchen garden.’

Gill and her team have been amazed by the response and interest generated by the program.

‘Every disadvantaged school should have a team of grannies helping with their English conversation and much, much more’, she says.

And they give all the glory to God, summed up in a favourite Bible verse from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter 3, verses 20 and 21: ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’

Would you like to explore how you can help the program? Contact Gill Stevenson at gastevenson7@gmail.com

Helen Beringen is a Brisbane-based writer who is inspired by the many GREYT people who serve tirelessly and humbly in our community. By sharing stories of how God shines his light through his people, she hopes others are encouraged to explore how they can use their gifts to share his light in the world.

Know of any other GREYT stories in your local community? Email the editor lisa.mcintosh@lca.org.au   

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Five signs your character is slowly imploding

After the upheavals, uncertainty and suffering faced by many in the past year due to the pandemic, fires, droughts and floods, it’s not surprising that mental health has become a hot topic. For community leaders, the danger of burnout may be great as they try to serve others in difficult and trying circumstances. That’s why LCANZ Pastor Adrian Kitson says it’s important for pastors and other church leaders to reflect on their mental health and watch out for …

Five signs your character is slowly imploding

Sound a bit dramatic? It’s not. I reflect on my journey as a pastor and leader and hear this as God’s gentle leading for the impossible never-ending task of serving God’s people. I share it to bless the many pastors and ministry leaders whom Jesus loves in our dear LCANZ.

This is all about self-awareness. There are few better friends for a leader than self-awareness. I suspect you have seen leaders who think they’re doing well, when in fact, everyone around them knows they are not.

How do you not become that leader? Here are five signs I’ve watched in my own life and seen in the lives of others that help me determine whether my character is in check or slowly imploding. They are a reflection on a podcast by Carey Nieuwhof, a Canadian pastor and leadership mentor (www.careynieuwhof.com).

1 – THERE’S A GROWING GAP BETWEEN WHAT YOU SAY PUBLICLY AND HOW YOU LIVE PRIVATELY

Character rarely implodes suddenly. Instead, there’s almost always a slow erosion until eventually, it happens. Consequently, wise leaders keep an eye on gaps between what they say publicly and how they live privately.

When you preach grace but snap at your partner, kids, church members or staff, that’s a problem. When you say you care about people but don’t make time for anyone in need in your personal life, that’s an issue.

What’s the solution? If your partner, kids or close associates see a growing gap between what you say and what you do, and tell you, listen up! They will help you never say publicly what you’re unwilling to live privately.

Be honest about any flaws you have and speak from your weakness as much as your strength. And if you have a growing gap that needs to be addressed, address it. Get help. Tell a friend. See a counsellor. Get on your knees.

And in leadership, try to ensure what you say publicly is how you live privately.

2 – YOUR EMOTIONS ARE INAPPROPRIATE TO THE SITUATION

A sure sign something is wrong with your character are emotional responses that are disproportionate to a given situation.

  • You fly off the handle over small things.
  • You feel nothing when people tell you something upsetting.
  • You can’t celebrate someone else’s success.

Those could be signs of burnout or could flag something deeper – a character issue. These are signs of danger ahead.

Your character is at its best when Christ, by the Spirit and his word, take over the deepest parts of who you are – your heart, mind and soul. And when he is at the centre of you, your reactions become much healthier.

The only way my character stays at this level is if I submit my heart and life to Jesus’ word daily. We call it repentance and forgiveness – and forgiveness is available!

3 – YOU HAVE LESS AND LESS GRACE TO GIVE

When my character has been at its weakest, grace is in short supply.

There’s nothing wrong with having high standards as a leader. There’s a tremendous amount wrong when those high standards cause you to treat people like dirt.

Grace runs out in your life when God runs out in your life. If you need more grace, you need more God.

4 – YOUR LEADERSHIP HAS BECOME ABOUT YOU

Leaders serve people. They don’t believe people exist to serve them. When your character begins to implode, you forget that.

Usually at the heart of a character implosion is unresolved pain. And pain, by its nature, is selfish. When you are hurting, you completely forget about anything else.

So, if you’re a selfish leader, get on your knees, see a counsellor, get help. When that pain is resolved in some helpful way, you’ll quickly return to leading well again.

5 – YOU JUSTIFY YOUR BAD ACTIONS AND DECISIONS

There’s a certain point in the journey where you realise there’s a problem but refuse to deal with it.

How do you know you’ve hit that point? When you start justifying bad behaviour and decisions. You may start saying things like: ‘If you had this much pressure in your life, you’d do it too’, and ‘Nobody understands’.

Well, believe that if you want to, but also believe that your complete implosion and erosion of trust with those around you is closer than you think. Leaders who justify their bad behaviour lose their authority to lead. Conversely, leaders who recognise it and seek help almost always get better.

Hope is in seeking good conversation with trusted people – professionals, family members, friends and local colleagues.

Habits that stay close to God’s word are healing habits. They keep you serving with grace in the freedom that is yours in Jesus.

Listening to those who know and love you the most is very wise. Listening to people in your community who notice things and have a quiet humility with a challenging word are often the Lord’s instruments of gentle (or not so gentle) warning and prodding.

Ask people you trust to monitor your public words and give them permission to share their sense of you in that public space.

Set yourself boundaries in all aspects of daily life – how it begins, where you go and who you hang out with.

The best news is that Jesus hangs out with us, no matter the stage of our character. That is what I see in the gospels in the likes of Zacchaeus, Matthew, Peter, the Gerasene guy, the woman caught in the act and the men accusing her.

Jesus is our source of best character and faithful serving in his mission.

Adrian Kitson is Senior Pastor at St Petri Lutheran Church Nuriootpa, in South Australia and is the chairperson of the LCANZ’s Commission on Worship.

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Directory – May

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Prayer calendar – June dates

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Sharing stories welcomes others

by Richard Fox

Listening to people as they share their stories is a way of welcoming and embracing them. By listening and sharing we can grow together in our friendships and also as people of God.

Every week Lutheran Media’s Messages of Hope shares stories from people who have a journey of hope in Jesus Christ.

To follow are some recent and upcoming Messages of Hope programs.

Worth fighting for

‘When I was eight my mum left. I don’t know whether I felt like it then, but it’s definitely been something I’ve had to deal with since then of feeling unworthy, unlovable, not worth fighting for.’ – Sophie

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong, unloved and not worth fighting for?

Sophie shares her story of finding acceptance and a new kind of family. You’ll discover that God believes you are worth fighting for.

Foster parenting

Mother of four and foster parent Ann shares her struggles, joys, and hope. Margaret, a foster care placement support worker from Lutheran Care in South Australia, offers her support too.

Finding hope in South Sudan

What can we learn from people who live with constant challenges? Jonathan Krause from ALWS offers hope and encouragement from people living in war-weary South Sudan.

Finding connection

‘I remember just being just irritable, and angry, like I’m the worst mother in the world and then it just keeps perpetuating.’ – Nancy

Nancy is a wife, mother and police officer. The stress of juggling everything had her feeling disconnected and becoming a person she just didn’t recognise. Listen to Nancy as she offers insight and hope when you may feel like this.

You can listen to these and many other Messages of hope at www.messagesofhope.org.au. You can also listen to Messages of Hope on iTunes and Spotify or by ordering the free monthly CD. Just click the links on the website.

Pastor Richard Fox is Director of Lutheran Media.

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New learning hub ‘comprehensive and user-friendly’

by Verena Johnson

The LCANZ’s Church Worker Support Department (CWS) is excited to announce the launch of a new learning hub that can be accessed through Australian Lutheran College’s (ALC) iLearn online learning environment.

The hub has been developed by CWS in partnership with ALC.

The LCA Learning Hub is designed to provide church members with information, training, links and resources on a broad range of subjects that are essential and relevant for congregations, parishes and their leaders. It replaces the Congregational Leadership Training package but is much more comprehensive and wide-ranging in the topics and subject matter it covers.

In developing the learning hub, we tried to address all of the questions congregations and parishes are asking, as well as any information they may be seeking. There is a base level of information included on each topic, but what makes this hub so useful are the extensive resources provided to assist leaders and the links that are included for those wanting further information.

We have tried to make the LCA Learning Hub as user-friendly as possible by including a short introductory video on how to navigate it as well as a handy master index.

Two new training courses also have been included through the learning hub – the ‘Workplace Health and Safety Training’ and ‘Managing Mental Health’ courses.

Check out this valuable and helpful new learning hub, which can be accessed at https://ilearn.alc.edu.au/ – see ‘Who can access it?’ for more details.

Verena Johnson is a Church Worker Support officer.

What they say about the LCA Learning Hub

‘My initial reaction was relief that the LCA was committed to implementing ongoing training, accessed through eLearning. Well done to you and the team setting it up. It has a professional feel about it and was easy to understand.’

– Wendy W, Gawler SA

Who can access it?

People who have had previous access to the Congregational Leadership Training will have automatic access to the new LCA Learning Hub.

Those with an LCA email and LCA portal access can simply go to the ALC iLearn page and log in using their LCA email and password. Others will need to contact CWS (churchworkersupport@lca.org.au or 08 8267 7300) for an enrolment key which will enable them to enrol and log in using an email and password that they will then set up.

Hopes for the hub

CWS Department Manager Dr Chris Materne says: ‘While our team couldn’t get out to visit congregations in 2020, we worked hard to compile the resources and information now accessible via this new hub. Our prayer is that it will support all those in leadership across the church as they navigate an increasingly complex compliance and training landscape.’

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Lay preacher training designed to support congregations

Following a request from the LCANZ College of Bishops, Australian Lutheran College (ALC) has developed and recently launched an online Lay Preacher Training module to support congregational lay preachers – both current and future.

The content is derived from ALC’s pastoral training program, providing both coherency and consistency between the pastoral office and the service of lay preachers.

LCANZ Bishop John Henderson said there was an ‘increasing need in congregations without a called pastor to receive the ongoing ministry of the word’.

‘This training is intended to help better prepare lay preachers and support them in their service during pastoral vacancies and other circumstances of need’, he said. ‘ALC’s willingness to respond to the changing needs of the LCANZ is a great encouragement.’

Who can undertake the training?

This training module provides those interested in lay preaching an opportunity to discern their call as a lay preacher, without any expectation for anyone to become a lay preacher at the end of the training. With the recommendation of allowing up to three months to complete the content, participants work through sessions within ALC’s iLearn system at their own pace. All participants need a mentor pastor to journey with them and support their learning, as well as provide feedback on sermons written at the end of the training module.

While the training is available for anyone to undertake, it should be noted that lay preachers within the LCANZ are approved and appointed by district bishops following consultation between district bishops, local congregations and lay preaching candidates, who are usually locally identified.

How to find out more

To discuss any queries about the module, email training@alc.edu.au, or visit the training and registration page on the ALC website: www.alc.edu.au/training/professional-development/lpt-enrolment

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Witnessing without saying a word

by Anne Hansen

About three times a year a gentleman from an Asian bakery in Adelaide’s Central Market visits the LLL in North Adelaide to choose tracts for his customers. He has a display set up on a wall and customers can come in and take what they want. He buys about $150 worth of tracts each time, choosing mostly the text cards and postcards with Bible verses. He says, ‘People like the Bible texts’.

What a witness!

As Christians we are called upon to share the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words. Jesus’ words are words of life to share and show love and concern for those in need – even for those who don’t think they need Jesus.

Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) has the words to share God’s love, joy, comfort and peace. Maybe you can be like the baker and just put our resources out on display – no words of your own necessary! Maybe these words will be enough to bring someone to Jesus.

There are more than 900 LTM resources available. Check out our website at www.ltm.org.au

Anne Hansen is Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer.

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Reaching out in Christ’s name

by Jodi Brook

‘Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God’ (Romans 15:7).

Reaching out in Christ’s name reflects Jesus’ command to his disciples in Matthew 28:19,20: ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always.’

These verses show a way of life that is the responsibility of all of us. It suggests a way to live in this present age – we are Jesus’ disciples in today’s world. It is up to us to reach out with the love of Jesus.

So how do we do reach out in Christ’s name to children, young people and families in the wider community? Here are some ideas of how to promote Christian evangelism through household hospitality and the ministries of your congregation.

As individuals

‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’ (Matthew 19:14).

Wherever you are, welcome children and young people.

  • Learn the names of the children and young people of your congregation and of those you meet. Greet them using their name.
  • Consider being a mentor of a young person or newcomer of your congregation.

As families

‘Sitting around a table goes much further to connect people to one another than simply sitting in the same pew.’ – Rev Dr David Anderson, Vibrant Faith in the Congregation

  • Welcome families into your home and share your faith rituals and traditions. Be intentional about talking about your Christian faith.
  • Say grace before your meal, share your favourite Bible story or verse. Pray for them.
  • Share how God has been working in your life this week.

As a congregation

‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect’ (1 Peter 3:15).

Think about offering a special ministry that is welcoming of new and non-Christian families. Invite families from your local community. Consider running Messy Church or mainly music to serve them. Grow Ministries can assist you to find a resource that may work for you and have fact sheets that can help.

  • Consider offering worship on a Friday or Saturday evening, which might be a more accessible time to families with children and/or young people.
  • Include events on your youth calendar to which students can invite their friends. Provide opportunities for congregation members to volunteer at these events to support those in youth ministry.
  • Be a presence and provide a service at community events like festivals or local markets.
  • Include stories of local community heroes in your church publications.
  • Get involved alongside children, youth and families in service activities either at your church or those organised by your local community.

Jodi Brook is Director of Grow Ministries.

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No mystery in bringing love to life

by Jonathan Krause

What’s shaped like a wine bottle and wrapped in newspaper and sells for $16?

If you said a bottle of wine, you’d be wrong. In fact, the answer is the most expensive kilogram of plums sold in Australia this year!

Yet, the purchaser – Julie Krause (pictured) from ALWS – was still very pleased with what she’d bought. Why? Because it was part of a mystery auction organised by the Lowbank Lutheran congregation in South Australia’s Riverland … and the more than $1400 raised was donated to support refugee children go to school through ALWS!

How does a mystery auction work?

The mystery auction is a simple idea. Congregation members donate items to be auctioned – but wrap them in newspaper, so no-one knows what they will be bidding for!

Gifts for children are wrapped but have age and gender suitability marked. Kids can bid but are limited to a maximum of $5, provided they have mum or dad’s approval.

(The only things at Lowbank not wrapped were a wheelbarrow load of pumpkins, watermelons and rockmelons brought in by ute.)

Once the bidding starts, the fun is infectious, and people don’t mind what they pay, or what they get, because all the proceeds do something so wonderful for refugee children.

To make sure everyone was in the right mood to be generous in the mystery auction, the people of Lowbank blessed attenders with beautiful Lutheran hospitality, including coffee, cakes and classic Lutheran cheese’n’bacon toasties (of which your reporter ‘sampled’ six!), worship, an ALWS presentation from Julie Krause, and a sausage sizzle (left), followed by a dessert of homegrown watermelon and grapes.

Do you need lots of people for it to succeed?

Lowbank is not a large congregation, with around 50 members. They don’t have a pastor and the farmer members, yarning before service, reckon God keeps forgetting to send rain their way.

Yet despite these challenges, they overflow with energy and enthusiasm to go and grow.

Through their mystery auction, harvest thanksgiving and Sunday school, the 50 members of Lowbank supported the same number of refugee children to go to school for a year!

This is how, when we worship and work together to bring love to life, both here at home and for those far from home, God blesses our efforts. And that’s no mystery at all!

Jonathan Krause is ALWS Community Action Manager.

Just $26 supports a refugee child’s education for a year. Your kindness can help train teachers, supply schoolbooks and uniforms and provide extra care for children with special needs. Go to alws.org.au or phone 1300 763 407 to donate today and be a blessing ALWayS!

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