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50th Anniversary at Lilydale Immanuel Lutheran Congregation

On Sunday November 20, 2022, OELC members and visitors, including a number who were part of the establishment of the Immanuel Lilydale congregation, joined together for a special thanksgiving service with Holy Communion. The service, led by Ed Blow, included a ‘profession of our faithfulness’ and a ‘litany of thanks’.

After the service, Chairperson Darron Jensz spoke of the history of Immanuel and the amalgamation of Open Door Croydon and Immanuel to form Outer Eastern Lutheran Church. John Walkenhorst, one of the original church councillors, spoke of the early days and said both he and his wife, Margaret, were overjoyed to see that the chapel was almost unchanged since they moved to Ringwood many years ago. A number of written greetings were read, including from Una Micken, the wife of Immanuel’s first pastor.

A light lunch followed, with lots of reminiscing of the old days as the group watched two videos supplied by David Modra – one of a very early church service and another of a casual get together at the Modra’s farm, entitled ‘Chariots of Fire’. And the members who had been wondering for some years where the Immanuel photo albums were finally saw them on the big screen thanks to the work of Lutheran Archives. What a day of thankfulness for the life of the Immanuel (and OELC) congregation.

(photo by Adolph Wurm)

Intro to Islam – a course offered by OM

Recently OM (Christian Mission Organisation) offered a course for Christians who wished to learn more about Islam and those who practice it to enable them to be better able to reach out to their communities. Increasingly we Christians are neighbours to those of Islamic background. Data from The Department of Home affairs states that the top three source countries of humanitarian entrants to Australia in 20-21 were Iraq, Myanmar and Afghanistan. I’m a mum to three children who all have friends of Muslim faith. I want to be a good and respectful friend to their families, your family might also! and so I attended the course… Here’s some things I learnt:

Each of four weeks we met together for a meal and heard from various speakers. The meal was inspired by dishes typical of regions where there is a strong Muslim presence – Pakistan… Afghanistan. For me, a lot of the practical advice was really pertinent in developing friendships with my neighbours and not creating offense. I was interested to learn that alcohol and pork products are taboo in strict Muslim homes and that having these in your home might mean invitations to visit may be refused. There are also other things that may spark a “no” – inviting my daughter’s friend over by herself when there is any male in my home (like my son) equals a “no”. Better to ask a whole family at once at a time there are to be other families and a mix of genders also there or make it clear that only the female members of the home are to be there. I also worked out that holding one of my kid’s birthday parties in my Church facilities also meant a no to attendance from some of her strict Muslim friends. Going into, or being seen to go into a Christian Church, for any purpose at all can be problematic for a strict Muslim, especially if the Church is located in the community they reside in.

Another interesting point was to do with “yes” and “no”. For some of Persian (e.g Iranian) background, offers of food or drink need to be repeated at least three times to be considered “real” offers. There can be offense if I accept a first or even second no! (I wonder too, if my accepting a first offer of hospitality might cause surprise… note to self – be sure offers of hospitality are not just “polite”!)

There were many other interesting things to learn about the history and cultures of the area where Islam was birthed. Other sessions focused more on history and the Islamic beliefs themselves and the relevance of Christianity for those coming to it from this background. There are some good books recommended on some of these things for more info I have included these below. But for me, I’m starting with being better educated to be a friend.

by Erin Grainger
Congregational Support and Migrant Ministry Officer
Chair – LCANZ Cross Cultural Ministry Committee

Resources:
Storyteller: Bringing Muslims Home – Bernie Power
A storytelling approach to sharing the Gospel with Muslims
Touching the Soul of Islam- Bill Musk
An insight into the influential Arab culture in the Middle East
Understanding Jesus and Muhammad – Bernie Power
An outline of the lives and teachings of both Jesus and Muhammed
The Hidden Half: Women and Islam – Stuart Robinson
Walking together on the Jesus Road – Richard and Evelyn Hibbert
Discipling people from various cultures

About Dr Natasha Moore

Dr Natasha Moore is a senior researcher and trainer from the the Centre for Public Christianity, a Sydney based media company that serves the church by offering a Christian perspective on contemporary culture and public life.

Dr. Moore has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Cambridge and is the author of For the Love of God: How the church is better and worse than you ever imagined (the 2020 Australian Christian Book of the Year).

She has worked for the Centre of Public Christianity since 2014 and written and made presentations on topics that include books, movies, politics, food, domestic violence, scripture in schools, war, thanksgiving, the second World War, freedom of speech, death, and taxes.

We’ve been hearing a lot about how hostile Western culture has become towards the church. Dr. Moore’s presentation will consider the reality of this challenge, and at the same time offer some hopeful ways for us to respond. In the midst of polarisation, tribalism and much social upheaval we have the gospel of Jesus, and this enables us to make a crucial contribution to the common good as we witness to our faith.

Whether the culture is welcoming, apathetic, or hostile, Dr. Moore will invite us to recognize surprising places where God is inviting us to wade in and make a difference.

LLL Anniversary Grant funds a welcoming environment at Knox Our Saviours

Adding a welcoming place of respite for their community, @oursavioursknox refurbished the front entrance of their church thanks to an LLL 100 Year Anniversary Grant.

Members from both the church congregation and Knox Lion’s Club formed a working bee to prepare the corner space, digging out the old leaf garden bed in preparation for the concrete base for the artificial grass. They did an amazing job transforming the dusty garden bed into a sun-filled multipurpose space and added a community seat.

The refurbishment included the installation of a low-maintenance garden space, including an outdoor table and bench seating under the newly constructed verandah. The area has become more usable as well as aesthetically pleasing and inviting.

The Church’s youth members and Sunday School children have already made good use of the new space and the area will continue to serve as a welcoming zone that can be utilised to engage the community and its members.

#LLLAust #FinanceWithAMission

The Nature of Christian Love – Reflections on 1 Corinthians 13

[At the college of Bishops retreat in March, our chaplain led us into reflection on 1 Corinthians 13. Following that, each of us committed to reflecting further and sharing our reflections with each other as we thought about the issues before the church now. Here are my reflections]

There is an obvious progression of thought in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14, ‘concerning spiritual gifts’ (12:1). Chapter 12 is about the gifts themselves; chapter 13 begins with a description of the gifts without love, then reveals the nature of true Christian love; and finally chapter 14 shows how the Spirit’s gifts are exercised with love in the church.

Verse 11 is the key that unlocks chapter 12, ‘All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.’ Not everyone has the same gifts or responsibilities in the body of Christ, just as the parts of the human body each have unique roles. Gifts in Christ’s body are Spirit-given. They only have value when used, according to the will of God, to build up the body, hence verses 27-31. Christians should ‘desire’ only to play that part in the body that God wills and equips them to play.

The one gift that gives value to all others and to the body – the ‘more excellent way’ (12:31) – is Christ-like love. If exercised without Christ-like love, all other gifts lose their value completely. While human love will never be perfect, love motivated by the Holy Spirit teaches us to set aside desires motivated by the human spirit.

One way I find helpful to reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is to put an ‘even when’ phrase after each of the seven positive and seven negative descriptions of love.

Genuine ‘love is patient’ (long-suffering) even when patience is tried to the limit. Love continues to be ‘kind’ even when kindness is not shown or returned.

Love ‘doesn’t envy’ or desire what God gives to others but learns to rejoice with them, even when we wish we had what they have. Love ‘doesn’t boast’ about our gifts or assert our rightful place in the body, even when we feel we have good reason to do so.

Love ‘isn’t arrogant (puffed up)’ with thoughts of our own importance or superior gifts, even when praised by others. It ‘isn’t rude’; it offers others respect, thoughtfulness, and honour, even when we feel the same has not been shown to us. It ‘isn’t easily angered (provoked)’ even when our desires or expectations are not met.

Love ‘keeps no record of wrongs,’ even when those wrongs seem many or great. Love ‘doesn’t delight in evil but rejoices in the truth;’ it doesn’t compromise, deny, bend, or stand in opposition to the truth, even when the truth is hard to hear or understand.

True Christian love ‘bears (suffers) all things’ humbly and quietly for the sake of others, even when we feel we have suffered too long or too much. It ‘believes (trusts) all things;’ it trusts in the goodness and sovereign will of God and speaks well of others, even when we feel there is just cause to doubt God’s will or be suspicious of their motives. It ‘hopes all things,’ resting in God’s all-conquering grace and provision, even when our human hopes are not realized. It ‘endures all things (perseveres),’ – does not give up on, or right others off, even in the face of disappointment, discouragement, or hurt.

Finally, ‘love never ends’; it remains eternally alongside – but always greater than – the gifts of faith and hope, even when our gifts, knowledge and foresight are temporal and incomplete. Love rests in and is motivated by the gracious eternal truth that we are fully known by God.

Just as the words, ‘And I will show you a still more excellent way’ (12:31b) knit chapter 12 to chapter 13, so the words, ‘Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts’ knit together Chapters 13 and 14. 1 Corinthians 14 shows us how ‘love comes to life’ when God’s people gather for worship.

Christ-like love shows in the loving, orderly exercise of the spiritual gifts for ‘building up the church’ (14:1-25) and in orderly worship practices, showing reverence for God’s will as revealed in his Word and godly respect for one another (14:26-40).

Pastor Lester Priebbenow

District Bishop, Victoria and Tasmania

Local Mission, a department of the LCA

Background
Local Mission in the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) is about
‘growing as God’s people’ and ‘going as God’s people’ – the first
two priorities in the LCA Our Direction 2018-2024.

How we serve
Local Mission provides leadership and support to nurture a growing
missional culture in the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.
We promote, resource and coordinate participation in God’s mission
in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to all people. We assist
individuals, families and communities to lead people to Christ and
to grow people in Christ.

Under the oversight of the Council for Local Mission we are
organised as mission ‘departments’, each of which is supported
by a mission-focused committee:

Contact us
Local Mission Executive Office
• information about church planting,
creating missional communities,
and forming missional leaders
• advice on renewing congregational life,
going as God’s people, growing as
God’s people, and communicating Christ
• suggestions for improving intergenerational
and cross-cultural ministry, and ministry
with the ageing.

General Enquiries
localmission@lca.org.au
08 8267 7300

Tertiary Chaplaincy

It goes without saying that the past 2 years have been especially challenging for Tertiary education and universities and TAFE colleges. Nevertheless, ministry and pastoral care still occurred on and off campus during that time with Tertiary chaplains of all faiths and denominations finding creative and meaningful ways to maintain their connections to students – through the challenges of isolation and on-line learning. An interesting podcast on the role of tertiary chaplains in Australia, especially through the pandemic years, is available via the following link: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/godforbid/university-chaplaincy-in-a-changing-world/13790532 . This podcast gives a wonderful insight into the ministry with tertiary students and staff and what current chaplains believe to be their most important responsibilities and challenges, along with the great rewards in their ministry.
I have been privileged to continue to represent our Lutheran church on the CCTI (Council for Chaplaincy on Tertiary Institutions) in Victoria during this time, and to hear and listen to the challenges and issues that chaplains have been experiencing during the pandemic. I continue to give thanks for those who have given their time and energies to maintaining the connections that have been even more necessary during a time of isolation for many students and staff. One of the main purposes of CCTI is to accredit and professionally support chaplains on all campuses in Victoria. With the return of students to campuses again this year, CCTI had multiple applications for new chaplains to be accredited and it was exciting to be part of interviews with prospective chaplains of different faiths and hear their enthusiasm for sharing faith and passion for journeying with tertiary students through a most significant and important time in their lives. While there is some disappointment that we don’t currently have any Lutheran chaplains on campuses here in Victoria, it was nevertheless gratifying to know that our District continues to support work of chaplains on campuses through allowing me to remain a presence on the CCTI. The relationships that I am able to maintain with many of my previous chaplaincy colleagues enables a small ‘Lutheran’ connection, with the hope that we again in the future will be able to encourage members in our church who may have the time to spend on campus, to take up the call to this ministry.

Judy Bowman
(Judy is an accredited lay worker and member at Our Saviours Lutheran Church Knox)

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.

Trinity Lutheran congregation, Devonport celebrates 60th anniversary

At 2pm on Sunday 10th April, Trinity Lutheran church, Devonport celebrated their 60th anniversary since their formation as a congregation. Some former members, along with fellow parish members from Burnie and Launceston, joined the small number of current members to thank God for his faithfulness to them over these years and for blessing them through baptisms, confirmations, marriages, funerals and regular worship.

During the worship service, Pastor Stuart Kleinig reminded them of the pastors who had served them in the past and how their membership had grown and subsided a few times. No matter their numbers, they’re still ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’ (1 Peter 2:9). Many stayed for afternoon tea (which was well catered for, as usual) and looked over a display of some photos of their history. Some of these were taken at their Parker Street church (1962-2000), while others were of their Forbes Street church (2000-current).

Many attendees enjoyed sharing their memories during the conversations. Despite the small number of current members, they remain dedicated to continue worshipping fortnightly. Greetings were shared from some former pastors, such as Bob Kempe, Robert Voigt, Andrew Brook, Thomas Bohmert and Nich Kitchen, as well as Bishops Paul Smith and Lester Priebbenow.

Eventide, a diamond amongst aged care providers

Hamilton’s Eventide Lutheran Homes is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee, commemorating 60 years of Christian aged care to the city and its surrounds.

The idea for Eventide Lutheran Homes began in 1946 and gathered momentum until the land known as Abbots Field was purchased in 1958.

The foundation stone was laid in 1960 and the official opening took place a year later, witnessed by a crowd of some 700 people on a wet and blustery day.

The first eleven Eventide residents were welcomed in 1962. Since then, it has grown to the point where it now employs around 90 staff delivering a range of high-quality direct care and support services to 150 residents in both the residential aged care and in independent living.

CEO Tim Pitt-Lancaster says, “The community made this happen and the dedication of the community, the people of the Lutheran congregations, the Lutheran Women’s League of Victoria, the Lutheran Church Victorian District, and individuals came together to bring Eventide Lutheran Homes to life.”

“Now, on our 60th anniversary, we celebrate those who had the vision and fortitude to see this project through from its humble yet ambitious beginnings.”

“60 years is a significant milestone for Eventide, and we celebrate a warm, welcoming, and friendly home where our work continues”.

Eventide’s mission is to provide high quality accommodation and supportive care in a Christian atmosphere to all aged persons in a sustainable manner and it achieves this through focusing on providing an environment which encourages independence and maintains or increases its residents’ capabilities. Entry to Eventide is not limited by social circumstances or financial background”.

Its many services include residential aged care, respite care, retirement living, a chaplaincy program, a pastoral care program, social support and an activities program.

Tim says the standard of accommodation has changed dramatically in the last 60 years.

“The number of Aged Care rooms has expanded to 58 permanent individual rooms and one respite bed. Furthermore, all of our units are fully self-contained with one, two or three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. These are proving to be ideal for people who no longer wish to look after a large home or garden, with the security and lifestyle of the retirement village.”

Unit residents can access a variety of social activities and sometimes these are managed by the residents themselves. These include happy hour, movies, lunches, knit and natter, games and bus trips. Indoor bowls, exercise classes, podiatry, hairdressing and nutritious meals keep our residents healthy, active, engaged and beautiful. Church services are led by the clergy of a number of religions. Lutheran church services and Bible Studies are conducted by a part time Chaplain.

Eventide was founded by volunteers and, 60 years on, the volunteers continue to play an important role in our operations, supporting and extending the work of our staff, sharing their time with residents, and making a positive difference in those residents’ lives.

“Eventide is very much a part of Hamilton, caring for some of its most vulnerable citizens and maintaining an involvement in the local community through the volunteer program and our many religious and social activities”, Tim said.

“We are very proud of our 60 years of history and all the people who have contributed to it”.

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