Victoria Tasmania District of the Lutheran Church of Australia

1201 Riversdale Road
Box Hill South VIC 3128
Phone 03 9236 1200

Search Results for: camps/jonathan.m.westphal@lca.org.au

Mission Seeding Grants

Mission seeding grants – a little help to grow your big idea!

District Council for Ministry Support (CMS) and Council for Lutheran Community Care (CLCC) have funds available for new ideas to encourage local outreach. $1000 and $2000* grants are available to germinate local mission initiatives in the Victorian Tasmanian District.

Like the LLL Mission Stimulus Grant the criteria centers around local focus, reaching out from the Church to engage with those who are not in the Church. There are few other criteria so you are encouraged to be innovative and bold.

Applications that incorporate co-funding or congregational contributions will be considered more favourably but 100% funding applications will also be considered.

• Prayerfully consider your ministry and mission opportunities.
• Share this brochure with key leadership teams in your congregation.
• Get your Church Council Chair to sign off

Contact Council for Ministry Support Chairperson Sabine Haeusler for more information sabine.haeusler@lca.org.au

Mail: CMS Seed Funding Grant
LCA Victorian District Office
711 Station St, Box Hill VIC 3128

Successful applications will be asked to report to the Council for Ministry Support at least once in the 12 months after the grant has been made.

*Grants for overtly Christian activities are capped at $1000. Grants can be allocated for up to $2000 for community activities.

Position available, Administration Officer

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
St Johns Southgate (Lutheran Church), Southbank Vic
• Part-time, three days a week, possible expansion to four (flexible)
• Commencing March 2022
• Position Description
• Remuneration equivalent (pro rata) to LCA Lay Worker Award – Level 2 Paypoint 1 (exc. Super)
• Further information call (03) 9682 4995
• Applications to Chairperson, at stjohns.southgate.vic@lca.org.au

Churchwide and District Communications

The LCA Communications Department serves congregations and agencies of the LCANZ in a variety of ways, from the monthly publication The Lutheran through to website design and communication guides across topics like copyright, brand guides, Social Media information including the LCANZ Social Media policy and more.

The Communications department report to the 2021 General Convention of Synod included the challenge of not connecting at the grassroots level. At Churchwide and District level we continue to ask members in any kind of congregational leadership role to subscribe to both the LCA and District online newsletters. Many LCA agencies and departments now publish regular online newsletters (eNews) containing inspiring stories and resources that support Mission and Ministry. Click HERE to read more and view the complete list.

Another way congregational leaders are able to receive important and relevant information is by ensuring they complete and submit a LAMP2 form and then activating the lca email address when it is established. Read more at LAMP2. Scroll to the section What do you need to do now? to access forms.

Read more about the LCANZ Communications Department and how they can support you at the Communications webpage

We also love to share your ministry and mission stories and congregational celebrations with the whole of the District. Email Kate.Burke@lca.org.au with your stories and photos.

Constitutions

The LCANZ model constitutions for congregations and parishes were updated in 2018 to reflect more contemporary governance models. It is recommended church councils review their constitutions about every five years to ensure relevance and also in order to inform all members of the constitution and by-laws that govern decision making.

You can read more information on the LCANZ website at https://www.lca.org.au/services-resources-training/model-constitutions-parishes-congregations/

In the Victoria Tasmania District District Church Council have appointed a sub-committee to assist congregations through the review of constitutions. You can contact the District Constitutions Committee via District Administrator Stephen Mildred stephen.mildred@lca.org.au.

Download Cover Note to Constitutions HERE
Download Model Constitution HERE

Changes to the constitution must be presented to the Congregation at a properly convened congregational meeting. It is suggested that your Working Group share a draft with the Victorian Constitutions Committee, before going to a formal vote of your Parish/Congregation, to get any relevant input. When the Constitution has passed a formal meeting, please provide the revised constitution and the relevant minutes to District Church Council via the District Administrator, for formal approval.

The Australian Charities and Not for profit Commission (ACNC) will will require a copy of the minutes of the meeting at which the constitution was changed and they need to see that a ‘special resolution’ was passed (as required in the constitution for all constitution changes).

Once the constitution is approved by your congregation/parish two signed copies need to be forwarded to the District Office. It is then ratified and signed by District Church Council and then returned to you for lodgement with the ACNC. An electronic copy of the constitution is retained by the District Office.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
St Johns Southgate (Lutheran Church), Southbank Vic
• Part-time, three days a week (flexible)
• Commencing March 2022
• ADVERTISEMENT
• POSITION DESCRIPTION
• Remuneration equivalent (pro rata) to LCA Lay Worker Award – Level 2 Paypoint 1 (exc. Super)
• Further information call (03) 9682 4995
• Applications close Friday 18 February
• Applications to Chairperson, at stjohns.southgate.vic@lca.org.au

https://www.vic.lca.org.au/2022/02/03/9977/

Australian Lutheran College and Congregational Leadership Training

Australian Lutheran College offer a range of courses for Congregational leadership as  well as for those interested in lay and ordained ministry.

The previous format of Congregational Leadership Training has now been superseded by the new LCA Learning Hub in iLearn. For further information, visit the LCA Learning Hub web page or contact churchworkersupport@lca.org.au.

From time to time ALC also offers single session presentations from ALC lecturers and other suitably qualified personnel. See the ALC website alc.edu.au

Annual General Meetings

Annual General Meetings. Annual General Meetings are held in order that the congregation can learn about the ministries, mission, activities, and assets and finances of the congregation and vote on the current and future issues. For the most part the congregation’s Constitution and By Laws will guide what happens when.
Brief expectations are

  • that sufficient notice is given – often two weeks.
  • that the Book of Reports is made available in good time, including minutes from the last meeting.
  • that financial reporting and budget proposals are clear and accurate. Congregation and Parish financials should be audited.
  • that there is a understanding of quorum for decision making. Attendance should be taken and the achievement of quorum be recorded in the minutes.
  • that the nomination and electoral process is clear and open for all elected positions.
  • that there is a clear voting process. Where a decision is extremely significant leadership may opt for a higher than usual passing vote percentage. Scrutineers should be appointed.
  • that accurate minutes be taken and the minutes are presented and approved at the subsequent congregational meeting.

Please provide a copy of the Book of Reports including financials and the minutes of significant resolutions to District Office as soon as practical after the meeting has taken place.

The secretary of Church Council should update office bearers to the LCA LAMP 2 database. Find out more at LAMP2 – Lutheran Church of Australia (lca.org.au)

An update from Denise Muschamp, the District Professional Standards Officer

2022 will be a busy year for Safe Church activities in our District.

At this time, many congregations are holding their AGMs or have recently held them. Now is a good time to review the training status of all persons appointed to roles within the congregation. Where training is required, I urge members to register for one of the scheduled workshops or for online training. Information about persons required to train and all workshops registration information is on the LCA Safe Church Training page Safe Church Training – Safe Church Training – Lutheran Church of Australia (lca.org.au)

If your congregation is interested in hosting a workshop, please let me know.

Training records for all members are held on the Safety Management Online database. At present there is an error with the traffic light system in SMO. Please disregard the traffic lights and use the detailed training notes instead. We are working with the SMO administrators to resolve this issue. Please ring or email Denise (details below) to clarify training status if you are unsure.

The following is an updated schedule of face-to-face workshops to be held over the next few months:

Level One

  • Saturday 25th June, 9:00-4:00pm Northern Tasmania (Venue to be confirmed)

Level Two

  • Sunday 20th March at Nhill (Date and details to be confirmed)

Refresher

  • Saturday 18th June, 9:00-12:30pm at Box Hill (Registrations not yet open)
  • Sunday 20thMarch, at Nhill (Date and details to be confirmed)
  • Sunday 26th June, Northern Tasmania (details to be confirmed)

Please contact me if you have any questions or require assistance.
denise.muschamp@lca.org.au  Mobile 0437 180 928

Safe Church

A big “thank-you” to all of you in our District who have shown your commitment to Safe Church, by your hard work and engagement with our established LCA safety practices. Thank you also to those who have engaged in Safe Church training this year, either for the first time, or by way of a Refresher, in both face-to-face workshops or via the online platform.

2022 is shaping up to be a very busy year for Safe Church.

The LCA Child Safety Standards will be rolled out next year and every congregation in the LCA will be required to work with these, including congregations which do not regularly have children in attendance. We are working very hard to provide as much resourcing and support as possible for congregations.

Safe Church training remains an effective method of informing and equipping our members for service. Workshops already scheduled for the first part of the year are as follows:

Saturday 22nd Jan, Level One at Box Hill (registrations opening this week)

Saturday 29th Jan, Level Two at Moorabbin

https://cvent.me/WY1Vaa?RefId=Moorabbin_Dandenong20220129

Saturday 5th Feb, at Level One at Warrnambool

https://cvent.me/0Ko0Qe?RefId=Warrnambool20220205

Sunday 13th Feb Level One Refresher at Natimuk (registrations not yet open)

Saturday 26th Feb Level One at Stawell

https://cvent.me/Gz3xQV?RefId=Stawell20220226

Thursday 3rd/Friday 4th March Level one at Tabor (registrations not yet open)

Saturday 5th March, Level Two at Tabor (registrations not yet open)

Saturday 19th March Refresher at Nhill (registrations not yet open)

Saturday 19th March Level Two at Nhill (registrations not yet open)

Sunday 20th March Refresher at Nhill (registrations not yet open)

Sunday 20th March Level two at Nhill (registrations not yet open)

If you or your congregational members are due to update your training, please register for one of the scheduled workshops or for online training. All workshops registration information is on the LCA Safe Church Training page Safe Church Training – Lutheran Church of Australia (lca.org.au)

If your congregation is interested in hosting a workshop, please let me know.

Similarly, contact me if you have questions or require assistance. denise.muschamp@lca.org.au  Mobile 0437 180 928

Soul Food

Eating with others can be a profoundly spiritual act, when it is used as a way to express love through a focus on hospitality, community and mission.
LCA International Mission has published Soul Food, a book of recipes from countries where the LCANZ’s partner churches are based. Along with colourful photos, it contains instructions and ingredient lists to make 23 dishes from Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar.
All proceeds from Soul Food will help our overseas partners to share the gospel of Christ’s love and forgiveness as they welcome those who don’t yet know him as Lord.
Why not consider this as a Christmas present for friends and family members?
You can order Soul Food for a donation of $20 per copy, plus postage.
For more information or to order Soul Food, please contact Erin Kerber at erin.kerber@lca.org.au or phone 08 8267 7317.