ALWS 75th Anniversary
Serving the most vulnerable for 75 Years
This year the Lutheran Church of Australian and New Zealand (LCANZ) celebrates 75 years of serving the most vulnerable through the ministry of Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).
The origins of our church’s overseas aid and development ministry started at Bonegilla Migrant Centre near Albury where Rev Dr Bruno Muetzelfeld, a local Lutheran pastor, began offering pastoral and practical care to thousands of European Lutheran refugees following the end of World War II.
In time the ministry expanded to focus on supporting the most vulnerable overseas and today our church works through ALWS to practical care to vulnerable people in fourteen of the poorest countries… food for the hungry, education for children and support to grow resilient families.
Inspired by the faithful generosity of Australian Lutherans, ALWS is celebrating its anniversary with four major events, and the ambitious goal to support 75,000 children with the essentials for a happy, healthy life – food, school and safety.
All are invited to join ALWS at a celebration event and to make a special 75th donation that will change the future for a vulnerable child impacted by poverty and war in Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Bangladesh, Nepal and Ukraine. Together we can ‘Step out so a child can step Up’!
Anniversary celebrations commenced with a commemorative event at Bonegilla Migrant Centre on Saturday 22 March, where attendees enjoyed guided tours of the migrant facilities, live cultural performances, a historic Walk My Way to the old Bonegilla Rail Station and heard stories, songs, and reflections that honour our church’s legacy of care.
A Thanksgiving Service, led by Churchwide Bishop Rev Paul Smith, was held on Sunday 23 March at St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Albury.
Celebration events will also be held in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.
Lutheran churches and schools in the Victorian Tasmanian District are invited to join the local celebrations at Melbourne Walk My Way on Sunday 30 March at Good News Lutheran College, Tarneit. A Thanksgiving service will be held at St Philips Lutheran Church at 9:30am and the Walk My Way festivities will commence from 11am.
Come and enjoy the multi-cultural community hub with live cultural performances, food trucks and kids’ activities. You might also choose to participate in a 3km or 12km walk along alongside the picturesque Werribee river trail.
To register for the Melbourne Walk My Way event, and to discover more about the legacy of our church through ALWS, visit www.alws75.org.au.
Together, let’s give thanks to God for 75 years of Lutheran service through ALWS and commit to changing the future for 75,000 vulnerable children impacted by poverty and war.
