Wodonga Lutheran Parish News
The Now
It is with long awaited excitement and anticipation the Wodonga Lutheran Parish will, God willing, very soon, be moving into their new worship centre. The building, which was completed at the end of February, is still waiting for the power to be connected by Ausnet (at early June). The hope is that by District Convention we will have a date for when we can open and consecrate this beautiful place of worship. All in God’s timing!
Forward into the Future
Late in 2023, the Parish Council formed a ‘Moving Forward’ team. The MF team began looking at ways in which the Parish could continue in their mission and ministry in Wodonga and, most importantly, how to use the wonderful new building in the area of West Wodonga and to the Victory Lutheran College community. The Lutheran Church is the only church in West Wodonga and so the Lord’s harvest is well and truly ready.
The members of the Parish were asked for their input into how they saw the Parish moving into the future. There were many amazing ideas, suggestions and thoughts, most of which, in time, will become with God’s help and blessing, a reality. At the moment we are focusing on what we can do well with the human and material resources we have now.
The Moving Forward Team presented to the Parish the need for a Ministry Coordinator to oversee the outreach ministries of the Parish. At a Parish meeting at the end of 2023, it was decided to employ someone to fill this role.
The financial support from the LLL Mission Outreach Grant for $25,000 to partly fund this vital position was a real blessing for the Wodonga Lutheran Parish.
On 10th March 2024, Mrs Lisa Enever was installed into the position of Ministry Coordinator for the Wodonga Lutheran Parish, by Pastor Joshua Muller.
Lisa has been very busy since her installation meeting with Pastor Josh and planning for the future. Working in a confined space (the only space the Parish has at the College) together with the Administration Officer has not been ideal so moving forward plans are on hold until the move but is ready to hit the ground running as soon as that happens.
Even though the Parish has employed a Ministry Coordinator, members of the Parish are being encouraged to use the gifts God has given them to reach out to those He has sent to us. There will be many ways in which all members, whatever their age, can minister to others.
There is a plan to have the church open for the school hours so that anyone can pop in at any time for a chat and coffee and many other activities such as mid-week service, Bible study, Ladies Fellowship, craft groups etc.
A Friday evening family service is also being planned where families can come and worship in the style of the College chapel service and to enjoy a meal together.
One very small change that will be implemented immediately when we move, is that all ‘duty rosters’ will be referred to as ‘Ministries’. Members will see that being ‘rostered on’ is not a duty but an opportunity to minister to God’s people and in the end a service to God.
Working Together
Early 2022, a Parish/College Mission and Ministry team was formed to implement ways in which the Parish and College could work together in Mission and Ministry.
Over the past years the Parish and College have supported each other in many ways including
- members go to the College library and cover books every week
- members provide morning tea each Friday morning after the junior chapel service for parents and friends
- together we organized a very successful Walk My Way fundraiser
- a coffee station for the Parent/Teacher interviews was provided
- invitation to Award ceremonies, beginning and end of year services
- together in a Carols at the College evening
- Victory Sunday
In the future
- having the junior chapel services in the church
- displaying children’s artwork in the foyer of the worship centre
- inter-generational activities
- class visits to the church
The joint mission and ministry between the Parish and the College after a slow start is now working really well. The Parish worshipping in Luther Hall for the past twelve months and having the College community seeing the building of the new church progress over the months has brought the two communities together – two communities, one mission.
The Wodonga Lutheran Parish has certainly been blest with a very generous member who faithfully followed the Lord and gifted us our beautiful new worship centre. The Parish took a step in faith to accept this gift and now has the responsibility to use it to proclaim God’s glory in our community.
In everything we do ‘to God be the glory’.
