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Reunions for overseas mission servants

Since 1886, more than 1000 people have been called and served as missionaries of the Lutheran church in Australia in other parts of the world.

Most of these overseas missionaries served in Papua New Guinea in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. In the years since many of the returned missionaries have met for annual reunions.

In February and March, there will be reunions for people based in South Australia and Queensland who have served in this way. The reunions are opportunities to renew friendships and relive experiences with people who shared them and understand the impact they had on their lives.

The 2024 reunion in South Australia will be held at Tanunda Lutheran Home in the Barossa Valley on Sunday 10 March, while the Queensland gathering will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at Toowoomba, on Saturday 24 February.

LCANZ’s International Mission Department has begun recognising, collecting and preserving the fascinating stories of those people who have served as our missionaries. You can find their stories presented in a timeline format at https://lcamission.org.au/timeline-missionaries/

If you would like more information or if you are one of these missionaries, or one of their children or friends, and would like to add to the story collection, please contact Erin Kerber at LCA International Mission by email at erin.kerber@lca.org.au or phone 0447 354 122.

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Worship life a priority for Lutheran schools

by Libby Krahling

Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) has launched a new website and print resources to support worship and devotions in LEA learning communities.

Throughout 2023, the Worship and Devotions Project team engaged with staff in all regions to determine how best to encourage and support staff and students in their faith life. The team identified the need for clear, practical guides in everyday language, as well as supporting resources that assist staff working with students of all ages to implement devotions in classrooms and regular worship services.

The resulting LEA Guides to Worship and Devotions provide a general overview of both worship and devotions, as well as detailed advice specific to the Early Years (0-3 years, pre-school and Junior Primary), Primary and Secondary communities. The guides were printed and distributed to every LEA early childhood service and school in Australia late last year, with additional copies made available to school boards and pastors of supporting congregations.

LEA Director, Associate Professor Lisa Schmidt, said: ‘Lutheran schools and early childhood services, as part of the mission of the Lutheran church, are communities of worship and service, sharing and living the good news of Jesus Christ.’

The guides’ content is at https://worshipanddevotions.lutheran.edu.au/

The site, also launched late last year, features digital and downloadable versions of each guide, as well as a host of resources for Bible stories, Bible themes, seasonal and special occasions, prayers, planning, music and much more.

Libby Krahling is LEA Worship and Devotions Project Leader.

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Podcasts to inform and inspire you!

Are you a Laudio listener? If you haven’t yet caught up with the LCANZ’s podcast series, you can start today.

Aimed at Lutherans in Australia and New Zealand, Laudio was introduced on a trial basis in 2023 as part of the LCANZ’s efforts to shape our communications to the ways you like to receive information – as we know many people prefer to listen rather than read. The fortnightly podcasts have already covered a wide range of issues relevant to congregation leaders and members. These allow you to keep up to date with church news and the latest resources while you are on your daily commute, driving the header, or pounding the treadmill.

WHERE TO FIND LAUDIO

Some of you have been asking whether Laudio is available on third-party services, such as Spotify, Audible or Apple. Not yet. If it becomes clear that lots of people love Laudio and our Laudio eNews subscriptions increase, we’ll certainly consider graduating it to podcast platforms.

For now, to sign up to receive our email notifications when a podcast is released, access any of the 12 podcasts published so far, or check for new podcasts, go to the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/podcasts

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Sharing God’s love through social media

by Tania Nelson

Social media – some people love it, others hate it, and there are a range of opinions in between. Like many tools, social media can be used for good and it can be used for evil.

While social media can weigh people down or be used as a distraction from facing present realities, Christian content via social media platforms can lift people up and remind them that they are loved by a gracious God.

Lutheran Media uses platforms including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to share messages of hope in Jesus. It’s wonderful to see that many Christian congregations and organisations also use social media to shine the light of God into the world.

A WAY OF REACHING YOUNG PEOPLE

According to McCrindle research, the first faith encounter for new and exploring Christians is online. Almost half of Gen Z use social media as their primary source of spiritual life. So, if young people are going to social media for spiritual encounters, what are they seeing and where are we in that landscape?

In having an active online presence through social media, we are offering a voice of hope into the lives of people who are seeking hope in a hopeless world. Lutheran Media and its associated ministry Messages of hope posts daily on social media, sharing messages of hope in Jesus to more than 6000 followers.

NEW WEEKLY ONLINE GOSPEL RESOURCE

From 2024, Lutheran Media will post the gospel reading from the LCANZ’s lectionary readings each week on Facebook and Instagram. Lutheran Media would love you to:

  • ‘Like’ and ‘share’ these posts on your social media presence. By liking and sharing Christian content, a whole new audience (the audience of your friends and followers) hears of God’s love for us.
  • Have your church like and share the posts too.
  • Reflect on the gospel reading as preparation for your weekly worship.
  • Copy the post into your congregation’s or school’s PowerPoint slides, for example, as an introduction to the worship time or as a sermon/message slide.
  • Use the post in your church bulletin or school newsletter.

To find these posts, either follow Lutheran Media (and Messages of hope) on social media, or download the post directly from www.lutheranmedia.org.au/social-media

Another great thing about the posts is that they’re free!

WHAT CAN YOUR CHURCH DO?

Encourage your congregation to have a social media presence to bless your local community.

If your congregation wishes to delve into the world of social media, check out the LCANZ’s excellent ‘Social Media Policy’ found at www.lca.org.au/policies

My advice to a congregation that is considering a social media presence is to ensure that there are at least two administrators of your site, so that communication can be consistent and timely, and comments can be appropriately monitored.

Jesus tells us to ‘let your light shine before others’ (Matt 5:16). Social media is one means of doing just that.

Tania Nelson is Lutheran Media Manager.

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Church to explore domestic violence report findings

The LCANZ is continuing its efforts to prevent domestic and family violence (DFV) among its members, in the wake of the release of a report which finds that some religious beliefs about gender can be used to justify DFV.

Commissioned by the LCA in 2019, the Religion and Domestic Violence Report is the result of research done to help church leaders understand the core issues and address domestic and family violence in the LCANZ, and in our wider community.

‘It is important to note that the Religion and Domestic Violence Report is not a theological statement of our church’, said LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith. Instead, as the contribution of professional researchers, Bishop Paul said the report would help the people of the church explore how to better understand and address domestic and family violence, both in New Zealand and in Australia.

A 2015 directive from General Synod ‘to commit resources to address ‘the prevalence of family violence among us’, resulted in the domestic violence awareness campaign Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts and the establishment of LCA’s Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence.

‘Upon receipt of such a significant report, we need to determine how best to respond to its findings and recommendations’, Bishop Smith said.

At its December 2023 meeting, the General Church Board resolved to establish a Religion and Domestic Violence Report Response Group (RDVRRG), whose primary role will be to collate responses to the report and to present recommendations to the General Church Board. The group’s work is to be completed before the 2024 Convention of General Synod.

Invitations for membership of the RDVRRG are extended to the members of the LCANZ. Applications will be accepted and processed by the Nominations Committee. Applications close on Friday 16 February 2024.

Visit the Religion and Domestic Violence Report webpage at www.lca.org.au/rdvr to:

  • read the terms of reference for the RDVRRG and download a nomination form
  • read or download the Religion and Domestic Violence Report.
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ALC staff farewell faithful colleagues

Australian Lutheran College (ALC) have farewelled two dearly loved colleagues who have faithfully served the college over many years – ALC principal, Pastor James Winderlich and vice-principal and former academic dean, Dr Stephen Haar.

According to ALC eNews, during their time at college, both men ‘consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with servant hearts – often prioritising the needs and wellbeing of their team above their own, never seeking attention or recognition for themselves, and always caring for and encouraging their colleagues’.

‘Together they have faced many challenging and difficult situations, throughout which they have supported, guided and ably led the ALC community’, the report said.

‘As they leave ALC to commence a new chapter in their life’s journey – James to return to parish ministry and Stephen to commence retirement – we pray that God will go with them and keep them safe in his care always. They will be missed!’

The new principal, Rev Dr Tim Stringer, will be installed on Sunday 18 February at the 9.30am service at St Michael’s Hahndorf in South Australia.

Sign up to receive ALC eNews at www.lca.org.au/enews under the Churchwide tab.

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NSW–ACT District provides oversight for LCNZ

With the Lutheran Church New Zealand (LCNZ) unable to elect a bishop at its 2023 Convention of Synod, the LCANZ’s College of Bishops has asked the NSW and ACT District to provide oversight for the LCNZ until the next synod in two years.

Leaders from the NSW District Church Council and the LCNZ Council of Synod have met twice, agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) of how this would work and approved the arrangement.

The MOU states that the NSW and ACT bishop will make a two-week visiting tour of all New Zealand churches twice yearly and provide other oversight by email, phone calls and internet meetings from NSW.

The two tours will coincide with the New Zealand Church Workers Conferences and two of the Council of Synod meetings.

The LCNZ assistant bishop will cover other occasional events, such as special anniversaries, the installation of pastors and pastoral care intervention.

NSW and ACT Bishop Robert Bartholomaeus has completed one trip around the 14 New Zealand churches, including meeting with pastors and leaders. He also attended the LCNZ Church Worker Conference, where people shared their learnings of mission and ministry.

Bishop Robert said he saw many things on his tour that would be useful learnings for the NSW and ACT District. He has also shared experiences from the NSW and ACT District with several New Zealand leaders.

NSW District Administrator Russell Veerhuis and Office Secretary Kaye Simpfendorfer assisted locally in NSW while Bishop Robert was away.

New LCNZ District Administrator Debbie Venz and all other administration staff meet weekly via internet conferencing system Zoom, working together to provide mutual support for each other and the LCNZ.

LCNZ Bishop Emeritus Mark Whitfield said the agreement reflected a Māori proverb or whakataukī. ‘Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourouka ora ai te iwi – which translates to “with your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive”’.

Bishop Robert, who served as a pastor in New Zealand from 1983 until 2001, said: ‘This whakataukī encapsulates the notion that while working in isolation might result in survival, working together can take people beyond survival and onto prosperity. It is with this expectation that the Lutheran Church of New Zealand and the NSW and ACT District are working together.

‘May God continue to bless our two districts as we share our “food baskets” – the gifts and capacities God has blessed each district with – so that the gospel may flourish and the people who receive it may thrive. May this partnership of love and support in ministry be a mutual blessing.’

‘Whakapaingia te Atua e whakamine nei i a tātou. Whakamoemititia te Atua kua kotahi nei tātou. Blessed be God who calls us together. Praise to God who makes us one people’, Bishop Emeritus Mark said.

This story is adapted from one first published in the December edition of the NSW and ACT District magazine Contact and is printed with permission.

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Lutheran nurses award nominations close soon

Nominations close next month (March) for the Lutheran Nurse of the Year award for 2024 – so get your nominations in now.

The annual award recognises faithful and outstanding service during the preceding calendar year by a registered or enrolled nurse who is an active member of a Lutheran congregation in Australia or New Zealand.

Nominations may be submitted by congregations, schools, aged-care facilities or other bodies or agencies within the LCANZ. More information and nomination forms are available from Pastor Bob Wiebusch via email at revbob@ozemail.com.au  or from the LCA website at www.lca.org.au/ministry-groups/lutheran-nurses/

Nominations close on 31 March 2024.

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Statistics due now!

Thank you to those who serve as statisticians for your congregation or parish. Please remember to enter the statistics for 2023 into LAMP2 by the end of February. If you need assistance, please contact your district office.

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Disciplinary and complaints trial framework approved

The LCANZ’s General Church Board (GCB) has provisionally approved a trial framework for a new LCANZ disciplinary system and complaints handling process.

The resolution, made late last year, is subject to the approval of General Synod, at its convention in October 2024, as amendments to the LCANZ Constitution and By-laws are required.

The new framework addresses the findings of the Review of the LCANZ’s Ecclesiastical Discipline, Adjudication and Appeals, and Provisions, Policies and Processes.

This review was requested by the 2018 General Synod and its findings were received at the in-person sessions of the 2021–23 General Synod held in February 2023.

In the new framework, roles and responsibilities are more clearly separated and defined than in the previous model, with the intention that disciplinary processes are as transparent, effective and fit for church purposes as possible.

A key change to how disciplinary matters are addressed is the separation of the LCANZ’s Professional Standards team from the process of substantiating accusations against church workers (including pastors), employees and volunteers. Under the new system, the team will still be the intake point for formal complaints, but a Complaints Triage Committee will review each complaint and determine whether an investigation is appropriate in the circumstances. Upon approval of the new framework by General Synod, applications will be invited from active members of the church who consider that their gifts are suited to serving on the committee.

To enable a trial of the new system to commence immediately, however, an interim Complaints Triage Committee has been appointed:

  • Michael Bowden, LCANZ HR Manager
  • Dianne Eckermann, retired, formerly Lutheran Education Australia Director of Leadership
  • Dr Nigel Long, Secretary of the Church.

The provisional Complaints Handling Policy and Complaints Handling Procedure are now available on the LCANZ’s website www.lca.org.au/policies

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