Pastor Gordon Wegener is the District Hospital Chaplain to the inner city hospitals of Melbourne. After many years of parish ministry, he enjoys the privilege of pastoral care to Lutherans who come to the city hospitals, usually in need of critical care. Sometimes their stay may be short, while for others it is a slow and complex return to health, where their lives are forever changed.

 

In every encounter, the Chaplain comes entering the presence of God and the presence of the person in their vulnerability. The Chaplain also brings the presence of God's grace through their presence, word and prayer. To walk alongside or sit with the person in their pain and sickness is sacred ground, the sign that nothing separates us from God's love in Christ.

 

The Chaplain encounters people from across Victoria and the nearby states, sometimes active in the Church, but all wanting Lutheran pastoral care during their stay in hospital. A time in hospital means being away from normal life, particularly if this means being from the country. It is difficult because they are separated from their families and home in a city and medical environment that is often a strange and unfamiliar world. Please contact the Chaplain, with the patients permission, to inform him of those who desire pastoral care when coming to one of the city hospitals. Please also appreciate that for privacy reasons, feedback can only be given with the patient's consent.

 

For all Hospital Chaplaincy in the inner city hospitals, please contact Pastor Wegener. He is assisted by two Assistant Chaplains, Jean Klier and Marcia Smith, who assist in covering some of the Melbourne hospitals.

 

Hospital Chaplains:
	Hospital Chaplain Rev Gordon Wegener 0412 220 946 / 03 9372 6718 gordon.wegener@vic.lca.org.au / servicewitness@vic.lca.org.au
	Assistant Hospital Chaplain Marcia Smith 0402 281 991
	Assistant Hospital Chaplain Jean Klier 0401 031 664

 

On request, chaplaincy can be provided to other Melbourne hospitals, or delegated to the Lutheran Pastor serving the area.