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141

Never too old to be baptised

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by Neville Beelitz

At 97, Michael Haas is living proof that you’re never too old for baptism!

I first met Michael in mid-2022. He had moved to our community of Waikerie in South Australia’s Riverland to live in a local aged-care facility that is visited regularly by our pastoral assistants.

Because he had previously attended Lutheran churches and knowing my connection with the parish, a family member of Michael’s contacted me, asking for assistance with getting him to church. Despite his age – then 96 – he was an active person and keen to walk the 450 metres to church on a fine day if he was accompanied. So, church members established a roster of helpers to pick him up or walk with him to worship.

It is always a treat to sit and chat with Michael about his life. He will proudly tell you he was born in the same year as the late Queen Elizabeth II. Born in Romania but having moved to Germany in his teens, he lived through much conflict in Europe, including fighting and being a prisoner of war during the Second World War.

Michael and his family migrated to Australia in 1966. Despite all that he has gone through, he has continued to display his faith in Jesus and cherishes the gift of grace and eternal life.

However, after discussions with Michael and some research, we realised that, due to various life circumstances, he’d never been baptised. Well, this didn’t seem right! Could we do something about it? Yes, we could and would!

So, on 1 October 2023, Michael was baptised, aged 97, at Waikerie Lutheran Church by Pastor Julian Bayha. My wife Sue and I were honoured to be Michael’s sponsors and celebrated this joyful occasion with him and our whole congregation. All praise be to God!

Neville Beelitz is a member of Waikerie Lutheran Church in SA.

142

LCANZ Convention of General Synod 2024

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ELECTION OF DELEGATES

Parishes have been advised that they must elect their delegate/s for the 2024–27 synodical period and return the appointment form to the Secretary of the Church by 31 March 2024. Parishes must elect a delegate for the synodical period even if that person is unable to attend Convention of General Synod in October 2024. It is strongly recommended that parishes appoint an alternate delegate at the same parish meeting that the delegate is elected. It is important to note that delegates serve the LCANZ for the full three-year synodical period, commencing at the 2024 Convention through to the commencement of the 2027 Convention. Parish members and those people nominated for the important role of delegate should be familiar with the responsibilities of delegates.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DELEGATES

www.lca.org.au/convention-general-synod-2024/delegates

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

The following LCANZ entities may submit proposals to General Synod: congregations, parishes, LCANZ boards (provided the matter is within their terms of reference), General Pastors Conference, General Church Board or its Executive, the Synod of any District, the Church Council of any District or the Pastors Conference of any District. Proposals must be submitted no later than 31 March 2024 using the proposal template.

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

www.lca.org.au/convention-general-synod-2024

Nominations for people to serve on the LCANZ’s boards, commissions and committees will be called for in early 2024.

143

Time with God December 2023 – January 2024

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Resources for your time with God

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

–Lisa

DEVOTIONS

A kingdom of followers by Neil Bergmann

Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over (Mark 3:7).

Read Mark 3:7–19.

How good are you at sharing responsibility and delegating tasks? I admit that I’m not very good at this. I prefer to do things myself rather than trust others to do a job the way I like it. Surprisingly, when a task is just too big to do alone, and I have to rely on others, they always do a much better job than I would have! Also, when we do stuff as a team, it is much more enjoyable.

Imagine then what it was like for Jesus during his earthly ministry. Everywhere he went, crowds appeared and were hungry for his message of forgiveness and the physical and spiritual healing he offered.

But Jesus’ time was short, and he needed helpers to spread the word and continue his work after he had gone.

How could Jesus trust his disciples to continue his work when they continually seemed to miss the point of his preaching? Yet, it is what Jesus did and continues to do.

As children of the light and followers of the risen Christ, we are called to join in proclaiming the good news – the coming of the kingdom of God, here and now, on earth as in heaven. Jesus knows that we need help, and so the Holy Spirit comes to guide our words and our actions.

Jesus knows that we won’t do a perfect job, maybe not even a good job, but he still invites us, over and over again, to join his mission to proclaim his kingdom through word and action.

In today’s reading, Jesus ‘called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him’ (verse 13). He wants us and calls us today. Will you come to him?

Lord, fill me with your Spirit so that I may answer your call, come to you, and help to proclaim the good news through word and action. Amen.

An invitation you can’t refuse by Pastor Reid Matthias

For many are invited, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).

Read Matthew 22:1–14.

Let’s face it – weddings can be a drag.

The fact that, in Jesus’ parable, the invitees to the prince’s wedding don’t want to come to the banquet resonates deeply in the 21st century. Be honest, like me, you’ve been to a wedding that is entirely about the photos. Or there is the professionally created video montage of a beautifully decorated bridal party placed in awkward poses with just the perfect lighting. The rest of the invitees engage in multiple hours of polite, if not painful, conversation with long-lost relatives or semi-inebriated friends of the bridal party.

I might be sounding curmudgeon-ish, but to me, that’s the way the invited guests sound in Jesus’ parable.

Maybe one invitee to the wedding asks another, ‘Are you going to the king’s banquet?’

The reply: ‘I thought about it, but the big game is on Saturday night. Oh, and I promised my spouse I would clean the boat this weekend. On Sunday, the kids have a birthday party to attend and …’

‘I know’, says the first. ‘It’s just one more thing … We’re just too busy.’

As the invitees do everything in their power to avoid attending the banquet (including killing the king’s servants), Jesus ends this parable with, ‘Many are invited, but few are chosen’.

In the 21st century, theologically, we might understand this parable is directed to the Jews who choose not to come to the king’s party and the Gentiles who are given the next go. In the 1st century, though, no one would turn down the invite. Thus, it’s a strange moral of the story. It feels like it should read, ‘Many are invited, but few accept’. Right? But chosen?

When someone is chosen, they are selected for a purpose or mission. Perhaps the invitation to the kingdom of heaven is an invitation to participate in God’s banquet celebrating Jesus’ love for the entire world. Perhaps Christians have been chosen to serve rather than simply attend.

What does your invitation look like? Are you too busy? What do you think you have been invited and chosen to do?.

King of the banquet, thank you for the invitation to celebrate and participate in Jesus’ work of bringing about the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

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

LECTIONARY READINGS

Week Sunday readings
3–9 DEC Isaiah 64:1–9 Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 1 Corinthians 1:3–9 Mark 13:24–37
10–16 DEC Isaiah 40:1–11 Psalm 85:1,2,8–13 2 Peter 3:8–15a Mark 1:1–8
17–23 DEC Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 John 1:6–8,19–28
24–30 DEC 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 Psalm 89:1–4, 19–26 Romans 16:25–27 Luke 1:26–38
31 DEC–6 JAN Isaiah 61:10–62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4–7 Luke 2:22–40
7–13 JAN Genesis 1:1–5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1–7 Mark 1:4–11
14–20 JAN 1 Samuel 3:1–10 (11–20) Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 John 1:43–51
21–27 JAN Jonah 3:1–5,10 Psalm 62:5–12 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 Mark 1:14–20
28 JAN–3 FEB Deuteronomy 18:15–20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1–13 Mark 1:21–28

For more prayer and devotional resources, including a listing of daily Bible readings for each day of the church year, go to www.lca.org.au/wpp/prayers-devotions

Lutheran Tract Mission also provides the readings in a booklet, which can be accessed electronically at www.ltm.org.au/tract/view/70579-daily-bible-readings-for-2023 or as a printed booklet through the LTM office (phone 08 8360 7222) for a donation of 20c per copy.  

PRAYER POINTS

3–9 Dec: The millions of Australians and New Zealanders living with disabilities on the International Day of People with Disability (3 Dec)

10–16 Dec: That the world’s leaders would act with respect for the wellbeing of all citizens on United Nations Human Rights Day (10 Dec)

17–23 Dec: Graduate General Ministry Pastors Jacob Fabich and Thomas Kitson, due to be ordained this month (3 and 17 Dec)

24–30 Dec: All people to know the Christ-child, whose birth we remember and celebrate at Christmas, as our Lord and Saviour

31 Dec–6 Jan: For a new year filled with hope and opportunities to share the joy of the gospel with those around us

7–13 Jan: Organisers, leaders and campers preparing for or enjoying youth gatherings across the LCANZ

14–20 Jan: All students, teachers and school staff in Australia and New Zealand, as they prepare for the new school year

21–27 Jan: Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal Australians on Australia Day (26 Jan)

28 Jan–3 Feb: Specific Ministry Pastors Jordan Bennett, Charlie Uebergang, Julian Mazzeo, Matthew Schubert, Timothy Chen and Malcolm Willcocks, who have been ordained in recent months

144

Aids for a subtle mission

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by Anne Hansen

Sometimes what you don’t say can be more effective than a multitude of words. A smile or a word of concern can bring more people to see Jesus in you just by who you are!

Lutheran Tract Mission has many resources to help in your subtle mission. Leaving a tract in a letterbox with the words ‘Thinking of you’ or an activity sheet for a fussy child waiting for their parents – these small things can express so much.

PUT A NEW SPIN ON IT

Most Christian churches, schools, aged-care facilities and other institutions have websites. But how many times is Jesus mentioned on your website? Does it actively share the gospel? Lutheran Tract Mission has developed a subtle way to refresh your website and highlight gospel resources or a message of good news – a digital spinner. The digital spinner is free to add to any website. Just contact me at anne.hansen@lll.org.au and I will create a link to get you started. You can choose from our 950 resources to put on your spinner, and it can be updated at any time, according to the church season or for any activity you may have.

Some of our Lutheran schools and congregations have already taken up this offer – see them on our website: https://www.ltm.org.au/resources/spinners

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Lutheran Tract Mission has many Advent and Christmas resources designed to share Jesus, ‘the reason for the season’. These include a downloadable Advent devotional, stand-up and magnetic nativity sets, children’s activity books and sticker calendars and tracts, Find these and more at www.ltm.org.au

Anne Hansen is Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer.

145

A world of Christmas traditions

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The 12 days of Christmas mark the period between the birth of Jesus and the visit from the wise men. For Christmas, LCA International Mission has provided Australian and New Zealand families with a resource they can use with their children during the 12 days of Christmas.

Entitled ‘Joy to the World – 12 Days of Christmas Around the World’, it shares insights into ways Christmas is celebrated among our partner countries and churches. It aims to encourage families to spend time reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.

The booklet also includes activities for readers to do and pass on to friends and relatives who aren’t Christian. So, this is designed to be both a faith-building and faith-sharing resource.

There are three parts to each day (and country) in the booklet – firstly, information about Christmas in that country; secondly, a Bible verse and a few words about the verse; and, thirdly, a craft, activity, or recipe to do or make related to the country and/or the Bible verse. The Bible verses tell the story of Jesus’ birth as you go through the booklet.

‘Joy to the World – 12 Days of Christmas Around the World’ is a reminder that Christmas is not just about carols, decorations, beautiful lights or the gifts that we give and receive. It is about Jesus Christ. Jesus’ birth fulfilled God’s promise that he wants to bring us into his loving arms forever.

Order your booklet by emailing lcaim@lca.org.au or by phoning 08 8267 7317, or download one at https://lcamission.org.au/joy-to-the-world-12-days-of-christmas/  

146

Give a gift with souls in mind

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LCA International Mission’s Soul Food cookbook is a great Christmas gift and family and community resource. A book of recipes from countries where the LCANZ’s partner churches are based, it contains instructions and ingredients to make 23 dishes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar, along with colourful photos. By ordering your copy (or copies), you support ministry done through hospitality among LCA International Mission partner churches, with all proceeds helping our overseas partners to share the gospel.

Order your book or some extra copies to give away for a donation of $20 per copy, plus postage.

For more information or to order, contact Erin Kerber at erin.kerber@lca.org.au or phone 08 8267 7317.

You can also watch a video about the book, which features testimonies from our overseas mission partners at https://vimeo.com/617489062  

147

Worship resources

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Needing Christmas resources? LCA Music Resources Volume 4: Songs of the Church for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany contains 100 hymns and songs, in a spiral-bound hard copy or individual digital downloads. Available at www.shopacr.com.au

  • The LCANZ Worship Planning Page (lca.org.au/wpp) includes resources to help with worship preparations this time of year.
  • The Commission on Worship is calling for songwriters and composers to contribute new songs and liturgical settings. For more details: simpfy3@gmail.com
148

Launch of Year B for Grow Kids

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by Jodi Brook

Grow Kids from Grow Ministries now has another year’s resource available, with the launch of its Lectionary Year B content.

Designed as a teaching curriculum, Grow Kids has many components from which to choose. A thoughtful choice of menu items will help to provide the best experience for your group. Users can tailor sessions to suit their audience. For example, the creative response is a suggestion; if you have a better idea, make whatever tweaks and changes you need to meet the needs of the children in your group.

FROM SUNDAY SCHOOL TO CLASS DEVOTIONS …

If you are looking for a Sunday school curriculum. Grow Kids can help with that, too. And should you need a school classroom devotion, you can use the story of the week, the prayer and the blessing for your students. There are excellent background notes about the Bible story to help understand its context. The delivery of these stories ranges from a simple re-telling to a creative drama.

CATECHISM FOCUS OR MESSY CHURCH

Perhaps you would like to focus on Luther’s Small Catechism. With Grow Kids, children can be introduced gradually to the basic teachings of the Christian faith. Each session has a Catechism Spotlight. In this menu item, a specific portion of Christian teaching, which relates to the story and the focus of the week, is covered.

Grow Kids provides a catalyst for creativity and joy in learning about Jesus. It can be used, too, for Messy Church – it has the Bible story, a craft and everything in between.

For more information or to order Grow Kids – Year B, go to www.growministries.org.au/product-category/childrens-ministry/

 Jodi Brook is the director of Grow Ministries. 

149

Incoming principal for ALC announced

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by Linda Macqueen

The LCANZ General Church Board and the Australian Lutheran College (ALC) Board last month announced the appointment of Rev Dr Tim Stringer BTh/BMin DMin as the next ALC principal. He will succeed Pastor James Winderlich, who is returning to parish ministry after nine years in the role.

Early last month Dr Stringer informed LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith, the General Church Board and ALC Board Chair Cheryl Bartel that he had accepted the call and on 5 November he advised his congregation, Calvary Lutheran Church Greensborough and Thomastown, in suburban Melbourne.

Dr Stringer is also currently assisting the Office of the Bishop in the Victoria–Tasmania District (0.2FTE) and is a sessional lecturer at ALC, teaching ‘Preaching the Word’.

‘I have a deep passion for ALC, where I studied to prepare for pastoral ministry in the church I am called to serve’, Dr Stringer said, adding that he is looking forward to working closely with the ALC Board and LCANZ leaders to continue to implement ALC’s strategic direction Towards 2028.

Dr Stringer completed his Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Preaching through Luther Seminary in St Paul Minnesota in the US, in 2020. His thesis was titled Reaching the Diaspora: Streamed Worship and Preaching in the Lutheran Church of Australia, Cultivating Koinonia and Ecclesia.

In welcoming Dr Stringer to this important church leadership role, LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith said: ‘I thank our gracious God that Rev Dr Tim Stringer has accepted the Lord’s call to serve as our ALC principal. Tim has had broad experience in our church, and he has shared with me his deep sense of call to this role as principal.’

As well as having strong practical and academic qualifications in theology and pastoral ministry, Dr Stringer brings high-level governance experience to the role. He has served on the LCANZ General Church Board since November 2018 and is a member of the LCANZ Standing Committee on Nominations and Church Worker Support Advisory Committee. Dr Stringer also serves on the Victoria-Tasmania District Church Council and People and Strategy Sub-Committee.

‘The ALC Board gives thanks to God that Tim has accepted this call’, Cheryl Bartel said. ‘He brings to the principalship a reflective, practical and adaptive approach; and understands through personal experience, the nature, benefits and challenges of building community in a distributed learning environment.

‘He has a deep understanding of the LCANZ and the position ALC holds in the life of the church. Tim has the necessary skills and scope of experience to continue to build the relationships and partnerships critical for ALC to flourish in a challenging environment. He is committed to ensuring that the college is a safe place for all to work, learn and engage with the issues facing the church.’

Cheryl also thanked Pastor Winderlich for his service. ‘He has fulfilled his responsibilities with the highest level of integrity, competency, and grace’, she said. ‘We will be deeply saddened to see him depart but know that God has a clear plan for the next stage in his journey of pastoral service.’

Dr Stringer grew up on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, where he completed an apprenticeship as an auto electrician. Moving to Roxby Downs, he worked in the underground diesel workshop for 10 years.

He studied at Luther Seminary/Australian Lutheran College from 2001 to 2005, where he completed his BTh/BMin. After ordination, he was assigned to Outer Eastern Lutheran Church in Melbourne, where he served from 2006 to 2013. He has been serving the Calvary congregation at Greensborough and Thomastown since 2014. He has a particular interest in digital ministry and preaching mentoring.

He is married to Terri, and they have three adult children.

‘People all over our church are waiting for labourers to step into ministry roles’, Dr Stringer said. ‘I pray that God will continue to call and raise up people to serve in myriad roles already existing and those opening up in our church. With God’s help, the preparation he has done in me throughout my life on the different roads I have travelled will stand me in good stead as we walk together into a bright and Christ-centred future.’

Dr Stringer will commence in the role of ALC principal in February 2024.

Bishop Smith encouraged the church to pray for Tim and his family, and ‘for our ALC community as they farewell one principal and welcome another’.

150

North Adelaide properties to be placed on market

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At its meeting on 17 November, the General Church Board (GCB) resolved to place the LCA’s North Adelaide properties on the market. The land package encompasses Australian Lutheran College (ALC), including the student housing, and the Churchwide Office.

‘The land and buildings are no longer serving the church well and they are unlikely to meet its future needs, with ongoing maintenance costs being significant’, Brett Hausler, Executive Officer of the Church, said. ‘While the North Adelaide site has been a blessing to the church over many years, it is appropriate to review its purpose.

‘ALC has moved to a distributed learning model and has indicated its desire to vacate. There is limited or no utilisation of some buildings and others are no longer fit for purpose. The Churchwide Office, located in a sprawling 1930s building, is inconsistent with modern workplace design and practice.’

‘So it is timely that we explore options for how we can be the best stewards of what we have been blessed with’, Mr Hausler said.

GCB reached the decision to put the properties on the market after 12 months of careful deliberation.

Significant work has been undertaken over the past year, including: reviewing the heritage and planning requirements such as listed buildings and significant trees; clarifying the needs of local council and heritage bodies; obtaining subdivision approval for the existing land to provide flexibility for either sale or redevelopment; and exploring buildings around Adelaide that might be suitable for a possible relocation.

The church is advertising for a property manager to assist in matters relating to these properties, including potential relocation of ALC and Churchwide Office. The job description for the role is available at www.lca.org.au/employment

Meanwhile, Catherine Court, a former boarding facility for female students of Lutheran Teachers College, recently sold with a favourable outcome. The 1960s three-level, 12-unit block on Wellington Square, North Adelaide, had been tenanted to the public, with ALC receiving rental income. The decision to sell the site was made as it had not been used for any LCANZ or ALC operations for a number of years, and capital and maintenance costs were expected to increase. In the interests of good stewardship, the proceeds from the sale will be invested so that the legacy of Catherine Court may live on.