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Award recognises a lifetime of service

Mr Maurice Heidrich was recently presented with the LCA Servant of Christ Award for 2021. A member of Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland, New Zealand, the 92-year-old was recognised for having ‘worked tirelessly for the Auckland congregation for most of his adult life’, according to the citation for his award.

While the award celebration was delayed and changed due to COVID-19 sickness in the congregation, Mountainside Pastor Nich Kitchen – who presented the award on behalf of New Zealand Bishop Mark Whitfield – said the presentation ‘truly honoured Maurice for his service to the Lutheran church’.

Maurice has served the church in many roles, as a committee member, chairperson, elder, warden, property manager and, since his retirement from work with NZ’s Telecom in 1990, virtually full-time in media ministry. He was also one-half of the church-based Foodbank distribution team, along with his wife Linda, for 22 years.

The Chinese-language members of Mountainside also made Maurice special banners of blessing, recognising him as a true servant of Jesus, with a servant heart.

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Scripture, study and song under the desert sky

About 30 people were registered to attend the first Finke River Mission (FRM) Bush Course for 2022, when it was held outside Mount Liebig community, some 325km west of Alice Springs.

That number was to include FRM staff and volunteers. However, around 60 people turned up to participate in the study sessions.

There were many women and a group led by Pastor Russell Bryant, who had travelled more than 2500km from the Yalata community in South Australia, among the attendees.

The topic for the bush course was ‘The Letters to the Seven Churches in the book of Revelation’. During the day, Dr Stephen Haar, Australian Lutheran College (ALC) senior lecturer and vice-principal, taught on Revelation 1–3, while Pastor Paul Traeger of FRM interpreted into Luritja and David Strickland (Australian Society for Indigenous Languages) interpreted into Arrarnta.

‘God promises great blessing to those who listen, trust and respond to the message of the Book of Revelation’, Dr Stephen said, reflecting on the course. ‘Pastors in the Centre wanted to learn more about how to read and teach what this beautiful book has to say for the church.’

As with all bush course experiences, some moments stand out. For Stephen, one such moment occurred at lunch on the first day when more than 100 people turned up to share the meal; including one less-welcome visitor – a king brown snake! ‘There was no shortage of advice in many languages about how to dispatch the danger’, Stephen said. ‘Thankfully, one senior Ingkata (pastor) was mighty in both word and deed.’

The next bush course ALC will lead in partnership with FRM is scheduled for September.

This story is adapted from one which first appeared in ALC eNews. Subscribe to receive the monthly updates via https://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/enews-subscription-management/  

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Change of course brings blessings

A change in academic direction has provided an extra blessing for Australian Lutheran College (ALC) student Darcee Anker, who is this year’s recipient of the Margaret Pech Memorial Scholarship.

Established by the late Pastor Herman Pech and his wife Elizabeth in memory of their daughter Margaret, ‘who never let disability and disadvantage deter her’, the Margaret Pech Memorial Scholarship is awarded to benefit one woman a year in her theological studies at ALC. Darcee, who is studying a Bachelor of Theology, is the 26th woman to have received the scholarship since its establishment in 1995.

Darcee joined the ALC community midway through 2021 after beginning a degree in Paramedic Science, which she quickly realised was not for her.

‘As with many others who begin studying theology … I began due to a fervent need to understand my faith better, and to learn more about our loving and merciful creator’, Darcee said. ‘I am absolutely loving my studies, although they are very demanding. I have found it a great help to be constantly surrounded by the word of God and an abundance of faithful Christian mentors.

‘I am not sure what I will do with my theology degree once I have completed it. With that said, I am incredibly passionate about the biblical role of women in the church, and particularly in the area of deaconess ministry, which provides a structured space for women to serve their Lord and spread his word as their vocation, whilst honouring the God-ordained differences between men and women.’

This story is an excerpt of one which appeared in ALC eNews. Subscribe via https://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/communications/enews-subscription-management/  

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Sharing support as drought continues

In 2022 flood disasters in Queensland and New South Wales have been more front-of-mind for many Australians than droughts. However, with more than 60 per cent of the Sunshine State still experiencing drought, Lutherans in Queensland are also rallying together to support families and businesses in rural and regional areas of the state who are struggling after years without enough rain.

The volunteer-run drought relief project Lutheran Drought Aid Queensland (LDAQ), which operates under the LCA Queensland District’s Mission & Ministry department, has for several years been offering financial and material assistance to people facing hardship in drought-ravaged regions.

However, the assistance the group offers those in need is far more than just money or goods, Vickie Schuurs, one of LDAQ’s four volunteer coordinators, said. ‘We don’t just give people money to help them, we actually talk with them about what they need and often give them help with a particular project’, she said.

‘It’s about listening to their stories. People know about the floods and we’re looking at what we can do to help those people too but 60 per cent of Queensland is still drought declared.’

LDAQ is still supplying ‘Crates of Hope’ to assist people through short-term emergencies and demonstrate to those on the land that they are still being thought of and remembered. And they are inviting people to donate specified goods in the next few months so that crates can be assembled and be ready for emergency delivery. You can find out more on the LCA Queensland District website at https://qld.lca.org.au/2022/04/19/ldaq-crates-of-hope/

Monetary donations and prayer support are always needed. For information on giving, or to apply for assistance or nominate someone to receive help, go to: https://lutherandroughtaidqld.org.au/

To support the LCAQD’s Flood Response appeal or request help, go to: www.qld.lca.org.au/support/2022-floods

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Sharing support as drought continues

In 2022 flood disasters in Queensland and New South Wales have been more front-of-mind for many Australians than droughts. However, with more than 60 per cent of the Sunshine State still experiencing drought, Lutherans in Queensland are also rallying together to support families and businesses in rural and regional areas of the state who are struggling after years without enough rain.

The volunteer-run drought relief project Lutheran Drought Aid Queensland (LDAQ), which operates under the LCA Queensland District’s Mission & Ministry department, has for several years been offering financial and material assistance to people facing hardship in drought-ravaged regions.

However, the assistance the group offers those in need is far more than just money or goods, Vickie Schuurs, one of LDAQ’s four volunteer coordinators, said. ‘We don’t just give people money to help them, we actually talk with them about what they need and often give them help with a particular project’, she said.

‘It’s about listening to their stories and relating to what’s going on for them. People know about the floods and we’re looking at what we can do to help those people too but 60 per cent of Queensland is still drought declared.’

LDAQ is still supplying ‘Crates of Hope’ to assist people through short-term emergencies and demonstrate to those on the land that they are still being thought of and remembered. And they are inviting people to donate specified goods in the next few months so that crates can be assembled and be ready for emergency delivery. You can find out more on the LCA Queensland District website at https://qld.lca.org.au/2022/04/19/ldaq-crates-of-hope/

Monetary donations and prayer support are always needed. For information on giving, or to apply for assistance or nominate someone to receive help, go to: https://lutherandroughtaidqld.org.au/

To support the LCAQD’s Flood Response appeal or request help, go to:
www.qld.lca.org.au/support/2022-floods

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Preparing the church for Synod

At least three items of business on the General Synod agenda are likely to generate a good deal of interest and conversation. Each one is of significant importance in the life of the LCANZ, and for each one there is also a wide variety of viewpoints and opinions across the church.

With this in mind, the General Church Board (GCB) has requested the Churchwide team to prepare a pre-Synod engagement and communications plan, by which all church members and especially General Synod delegates will be able to learn about each of the topics and to understand why they are on the Synod agenda. The GCB also wants every member to have the opportunity to add their voice to these conversations.

The 20th Convention of General Synod is being held in two parts for the first time. Due to COVID meeting restrictions, the first part was held online (1–2 October 2021). God-willing, the second part will be held in person in Melbourne, from 9 to 12 February 2023.

As delegates prepare to engage and vote at the in-person sessions, they will be asked to read background materials and view a video on each of the three key topics: (1) Ecclesiastical Discipline Review, (2) Constitution Review and (3) Ordination of both women and men. Discussion guides will be provided. Online ‘town hall’ meetings are also being planned.

LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith says, ‘We want delegates to come to General Synod knowing better how their congregations and communities are responding to these three topics. We also want the delegates to be well-versed in each of the topics, so they can contribute in a meaningful way to the discussions at Synod and make informed choices when they are asked to vote. And of course, we do all this with prayer, asking our Good Shepherd to guide his people.’

Information about these pre-Synod engagement and communications opportunities will be advised in The Lutheran and also in LCA eNews (sign up at www.lca.org.au/enews). Your General Synod delegate or alternate is receiving updates regularly, regarding these and other Synod-related matters, at their LCA email address.

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ALC welcomes new academic dean

There have been several changes at both governance and leadership levels at Australian Lutheran College (ALC) in early 2022, including a new academic dean and board members.

Dr Stephen Haar, who has served as the college’s academic dean for 14 years, has relinquished the full-time role to begin a transition toward retirement. Lecturer in Education Dr Merryn Ruwoldt, also ALC’s former Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching, succeeds Stephen. He will continue to serve ALC as a part-time lecturer and will remain as its vice-principal.

Merryn, who has a teaching background, completed her secondary teacher training in Adelaide at Lutheran Teachers College, one of the three training institutions which merged to form ALC in 2004. Her interest in the history of the relationship between the LCA and its schools and the impact of Lutheran theology on Lutheran schools, led to postgraduate study exploring the dialogue between theology and education. She joined ALC as a lecturer in education in 2011.

At the governance level, a new ALC Board was recently constituted for the current synodical term until 2024. Following appointments made by the LCANZ’s General Church Board (GCB), the new members are human resources and business support leader Sharryn Cook from Queensland, health services manager and former aged-care services CEO Phillip Schmaal from South Australia and LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith, the latter of whom holds an ex-officio position on the board.

Continuing their service are Cheryl Bartel (vice-chair), Pastor Peter Miller (secretary), Pastor Greg Pietsch and Andrew Long. The service of retiring directors Glenine Hamlyn and David Prenzler and ex-officio member LCANZ Emeritus Bishop John Henderson ended when the new board was constituted.

Read the full story and more about Australian Lutheran College in the ALC publication Saints Alive, included with this month’s print edition of The Lutheran and available to download at www.alc.edu.au/connect/publications/saints-alive

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Most LCA pastors deal with family violence situations: survey

Almost six in 10 Lutheran pastors in Australia have dealt with domestic and family violence (DFV) situations and all LCA clergy have responded to victims of abuse, national survey findings suggest.

The recently published findings were collated from responses to the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) Leader Survey 2016. Domestic and family violence is a serious and widespread problem in Australia and the full survey findings support the belief that it occurs in all communities, including communities of faith.

Ninety-three per cent of Lutheran pastors who responded to the survey reported having dealt with victims of abuse, by counselling them (82 per cent), referring them to specialist services (68 per cent), and/or conducting a safety risk assessment with the victim (18 per cent). More than half of Lutheran respondents (54 per cent) either had counselled perpetrators, referred perpetrators to a service agency or did both (46 per cent counselled, 25 per cent referred).

Around half (54 per cent) provided marriage or couples counselling in relation to DFV situations. However, NCLS Research suggests couples counselling in such situations is problematic. Victims of domestic violence and support services maintain that couples counselling is ineffective and unsafe, as it fails to address the unequal power in an abusive relationship and can place the victim at increased risk.

Overall, two thirds (67 per cent) of senior local Australian church leaders from 14 denominations and movements who participated in the 2016 NCLS reported dealing with DFV situations.

The full domestic and family violence survey results have been published in a peer-reviewed paper in the academic journal ‘Religions’. The paper, ‘Domestic and Family Violence: Responses and Approaches across the Australian Churches’, reports on actions that church leaders have taken when responding to DFV situations and on views about the approachability of Australian churches for those experiencing DFV. The first Australia-wide, cross-denominational survey study to do so, it is available online at www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/3/270

In 2017, the LCA launched its Campaign for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence under the tagline Hidden Hurts Healing Hearts. Visit the campaign website at www.preventdfv.lca.org.au for more information and resources.

The National Council of Churches’ listing of domestic and family violence resources is at: https://www.ncca.org.au/safe-church-program/domestic-andfamily-violence

GET HELP

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic and family violence, visit www.anrows.org.au/get-support or call 1800 RESPECT (24-hour National Sexual

Assault Family Domestic Violence Counselling Service), or Lifeline Counselling (24 hours) 131 114. In an emergency, call 000.

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Lutheran Nurses name joint award winners for 2022

by Bob Wiebusch

The Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia (LNAA) has named joint winners of the 2022 Lutheran Nurse of the Year award – Fred Miegel of Alice Springs and Gillian Mibus of Adelaide. Both have made an outstanding contribution to their profession over many years, including in the past year. The awards were announced last month on International Nurses Day, 12 May.

Gillian is a practitioner at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide and a member of the Australian College of Neonatal Nurses (ACNN). This college has several Special Interest Groups, including one focused on low-resource countries, where there is a high rate of infant and maternal mortality. Helping Babies Breathe is one such program and, using guidelines by the World Health Organisation, ACNN focuses on Papua New Guinea (PNG). Under this program, Gillian has made 10 weeklong visits to remote PNG regions such as Goroka, in her own time and at her own cost, to instruct local midwives and birthing assistants on basic practices to improve health outcomes. Due to COVID, visits were not undertaken in 2021, but the program continued with remote support. Gillian is a member of St Stephen’s congregation in Adelaide.

After arriving in Alice Springs in 1995, Fred was responsible for establishing a palliative care service at Alice Springs Hospital. For many years, he was in charge of this service, recruiting and employing doctors and nurses to provide palliative care in the community and to support hospital staff in delivering appropriate care in a challenging cross-cultural setting. He has also delivered quality palliative care training. Fred was heavily involved in the design and establishment of the stand-alone palliative care facility, which opened in 2018, on the hospital campus. In 2021, Fred received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his years of work in quality palliative care nursing in Central Australia. In 2004 he was named Northern Territory Nurse of the Year in the Acute Services Section. Fred is a leading member of the Alice Springs congregation and served as its chairperson for seven years.

The Lutheran Nurse of the Year award was launched in 2020 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of modern nursing. It recognises faithful and outstanding service rendered by a Registered or Enrolled Nurse who is an active member of a congregation of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.

Pastor Bob Wiebusch is editor of the Lutheran Nurses Association of Australia’s In Touch publication and a former editor of The Lutheran.

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Walk My Way on the road for 2022

Walk My Way is back for 2022 and is already having a big impact on the lives and futures of children living as refugees – with almost $33,000 raised as of 18 May.

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is this year again hoping to raise more than $260,000 through its walking challenge – enough to support 10,000 refugee children to go to school. Last year more than $368,000 was donated nationwide, through approximately 4,000 people taking part in the more than 30 events. In 2022, there will be congregational, school and group walks, along with a Lutheran Education Australia-supported schools and community event planned for Friday 21 October. Individuals and families can also take part in their own walking challenge, where and when it suits.

The first group walk of 2022 was staged by Year 9s from Encounter Lutheran College Victor Harbor, south of Adelaide, on 3 May and, as of 18 May, had raised $9,720 to support children in East Africa and Myanmar. Students walked 26 kilometres as a service component of their year-level camps – the boys along the Heysen Trail on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and the girls at Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia’s north.

The second group walk for 2022 was organised by members from St John’s Lutheran Church Unley in suburban Adelaide and, as of 18 May, had raised $19,902 to support refugees from Ukraine. St John’s member Jodi Brook said organisers were overwhelmed by the response to the event, which brought together 70 people of all ages and abilities for three walks ranging between 3 kilometres and 7.6 kilometres on the streets near their church.

One of the walkers, Meagan Schwarz, said: ‘We were able to talk to our six-year-old about why we are doing this and to give thanks to God for all the things we take for granted which made this walk possible.’

Community Education Coordinator for Walk My Way, Kirra Lewis, said that since 2019, Walk My Way had helped 62,500 refugee children go to school.

You can still donate to the Encounter or St John’s walking teams, to other walkers or teams, or organise your own walk. See https://walkmyway.org.au for details.

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