Refugee Ministry Support
In 2006 over 150 African refugees were worshipping with Lutheran congregations in Victoria and Tasmania. They came with a variety of needs that presented new opportunities and challenges to these congregations. The Migrant and Refugee Ministry Support Committee was set up in late 2006 under the auspices of the Council for Ministry Support to gather information and links to help congregations with refugee ministry, to provide opportunities for other congregations to help with refugee ministry, and to coordinate refugee ministry within the Victorian and Tasmania District.
This web site provides links to the following:
A web based resource that provides information to pastors and lay people who might be assisting recently arrived migrants and refugees. This resource includes information pertaining to welfare needs such as: Housing, Finance, Health, Legal, and Education matters. In addition it provides support to congregations in relation to Worship and Fellowship.
Background information: including statistics from the Demartment of Immigration and Citizenship showing: where refugees have come from, the languages they speak and where they have first settled in Victoria.
General Guidelines for Congregations Assisting African Communities
Stories from congregations in the Lutheran Church of Australia, Victorian and Tasmanian District about the involvement of refugees in their congregations
Readings and Prayers for Refugee and Migrant Ministry.
Practical Ways you can support the church's work with Refugees and Migrants both here and overseas.
The full terms of reference for the Migrant and Refugee Ministry Support Committee
Further questions and comments about this site may be directed to the Pastor for Congregational Support Pastor Allan Heppner
allan.heppner@vic.lca.org.au