Victoria Tasmania District of the Lutheran Church of Australia

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

Search Results for: church

Lay District Hospital Chaplain

The District Hospital Chaplain provides pastoral and spiritual care to patients on behalf of the Lutheran Church of Australia, Victorian/Tasmanian District, and we are blessed to be served by Lisa Burgermeister. In this role, Lisa is specifically called to visit Lutheran patients in Melbourne healthcare facilities.

Lisa has been credentialled by the Lutheran Church of Australia, Victorian/Tasmanian District, in line with the Spiritual Health Association’s Spiritual Care Providers (Community Appointed) Credentialling Framework 2021.

Lisa is suitably qualified and trained, and carries out her role professionally. Last year she successfully completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and she receives regular professional supervision for her ministry.

She is progressively becoming accredited for visits to various healthcare facilities, currently including:

  • Royal Melbourne
  • Epworth-Richmond
  • Cabrini-Malvern
  • St Vincent’s-Fiztroy

Having someone in this role enables us to provide pastoral care in places and at times that people most need it, which is valuable and appreciated.

To contact Lisa:
Ph: 0412 200 946
E: lisa.burgemeister@lca.org.au

Vic-Tas District Strategy Day

District Strategy Day was held on Saturday 29th April.  As the Chair of District Church Council (DCC) David Bergmann noted, ‘we are now in the third year of our current four-year strategy, and it is time to review if we are on track and is the strategy still fit for purpose?’

In total 26 people participated, including one via Zoom. Joining DCC were leaders from: Lutheran Education Vic, NSW & Tas; Council for Ministry Support (CMS); Youth and Young Adult Ministry (YYAM); People & Strategy SubCommittee (P&S SC); Finance Audit & Risk Subcommittee (FA&R SC); as well as staff from the Office of the Bishop (OOB).  A broad group of participants, with more acronyms that you can poke a stick at!

The short story is that the strategy is still valid, and that there will already be an update due in 2024.

Interestingly, it was agreed that the governance functions of Council for Ministry Support should be moved to the incorporated body – Lutheran Church of Australia Victorian District (LCAVD).  This proposal will free up the Council for Ministry support to focus on Mission and Ministry – a good outcome. This proposal will involve some administrative changes to our LCAVD Constitution, with the Victorian Constitutions Committee to bring the proposed changes to the next Victorian Convention of Synod, to be held during Term 2 holidays in 2024, at Good News Lutheran College, Tarneit. Note, it is being held early due to the National Convention of Synod to be held during the Term 3 school holidays in 2024, at Concordia College, Adelaide.

Cross-Cultural Conference – May 2023

Over 2 days, on 5-6 May, people from all walks of life met at the Cross Cultural Ministry Conference. It was a wonderful day of getting to know many different ethnic contexts.

Central to the event was the question: Would you like to consider how to better reflect the diversity of your Neighbourhood in your congregation?

We heard from: African- and South Sudanese-Australians, Finnish and Tamil Lutherans, ABC’s (Australian Born Chinese), thoughts from the perspectives of 2nd Gen’s, and iterations of Multicultural Church.

Most inspiring of all was the inspirational worship and the news that Australia’s population is on track to increase by record amounts – with two of the fastest growing suburbs right here in Melbourne. What an opportunity for to join in with God in mission to the stranger and new-comer in our midst.

What did you miss!? LOTS!!  Ask someone who went!

But here is a taster…

Getting to Know different ethnic contexts:

Adam (African Australians) and Pastor James (South Sudanese Australians)

Finnish Lutherans: How Pastor Tommi went from being the most conservative Finnish pastor to the most radical Australian pastor in one 24 hour flight.

Meeting Maha from the Tamil Lutheran partnership in Geelong.

Hearing from different ABCs (AustralianBornChinese)

2nd Gen’s :

  1. We find refuge with others who are also in between cultures (with other 2nd Gens)
  2. Being chameleon – learning how to code switch, depending on our contexts
  3. Internalised racism (‘I don’t want to be Filipino’)
  4. Seeing own culture or western culture as inferior/superior

and iterations of Multicultural Church!

  1. Monocultural: a biological family
  2. Friendship: a shared house
  3. Partnership: an intercultural engagement
  4. Integrated: a blended family

Thank you to the many people who presented, shared on a panel, sung, led worship, led as we Dwelt in the Word, contributed to table discussions and agreed to wear those funny hair nets and spectacular chef’s hats.

A special thank you to our MC Brett, our organisers Tania, Craig and Erin, our PowerPoint and logistics guru Olivia, and the Committee for Cross-Cultural Ministry for making it all possible.

See you in the neighbourhood!

Read the full report HERE.

Introducing Lisa Burgemeister, District Hospital Chaplain

Firstly, let me say how privileged I feel to be the Hospital Chaplain for the Victorian/Tasmanian District of the LCA.  Here is a bit of my story.

I was born into a loving Lutheran family and grew up in a town called Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. I was also born with a Congenital Heart Condition which was discovered by a doctor at a health check when I was 6 weeks old.

My life of faith was consistent as a child, I was baptised and then confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  In my early teenage years, I was not so connected with my faith, but during one of my hospital stays, as an older teenager, I had a couple of experiences that made me realise God had more plans for me.  I had a chaplain visit me just before my surgery which made me feel calm and at peace.  After the surgery I was told it was a struggle to start my heart again.  This made me realise I needed a closer relationship with the Triune God so I could hear his calling.

I moved to Altona, Melbourne in 1994.  I worship at St Philip’s Lutheran Church, which is now on site at the Good News Lutheran College in Tarneit, and it is part of the Wyndham and Hobson’s Bay Lutheran Church.

I had a working background in Administration and Finance before I confirmed the calling to be a chaplain.  I have since completed 2 Units of Clinical Pastoral Education studies.  I’m also currently studying a Bachelor of Ministry at ALC.

I believe my life, having not only my own medical experiences, but also those of my family and friends, has been God’s way of training me for the role of Hospital Chaplain.  I look forward to being able to sit with people, serving them with God’s presence, by listening to their stories and supporting them in their spiritual and faith needs.

You can reach Lisa on the District Hospital Chaplain number 0412 200 946 or email lisa.burgemeister@lca.org.au. The District Hospital Chaplain role is a part time role.

Thank you to volunteers

December 5th is International Volunteer Day when volunteers are recognised for their services around the world.

A very big “thank you” to all our wonderful volunteers in the District!  You are a great blessing to the body of Christ and our own LCANZ Church family.

I would especially like to record my thanks to all of you who have worked so hard and selflessly to support the work of Safe Church, so that our important work of mission and ministry can take place in a safe context.

And at this time of the year, may you have the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, to be filled with joy and wonder as we hear again the message of the angels, and also to be refreshed for further service in the new year.

Denise Muschamp, Professional Standards Officer LCAVD.

Rev Greg Pietsch (em) installed as Bishop’s Representative for South Sudanese Ministry.

On 6th November Bishop Lester Priebbenow installed retired Pastor Greg Pietsch as Bishop’s Representative for South Sudanese Ministry.  He did this at a service of the Greater Lutheran South Sudanese Fellowship (combining our Dandenong, Geelong, Frankston/Pakenham and Traralgon Nuer-language Fellowships) at St James, Moorabbin.

Pastor Greg’s voluntary role is intended to relate to and support the Fellowships, and in particular to oversee and support their Specific Ministry Pastors and pastoral leaders.  This is in addition to the regular church life and support provided by the local congregations to which the Fellowships and their members belong.

It was a joyful day as leaders gathered to receive Pastor Greg and give thanks to God.  Several members, including pastors James Ruei and Peter Deng, gave reports on their recent trip to Ethiopia to attend the opening of a new church for the Nuer-speaking South Sudanese people there – a mission project supported by the community here.  Some, like Pastor Peter Deng, travelled to their homeland too; it was the first time Peter had been back for nearly twenty years!

Introducing Keryn Middelmann

I am the new face at District Office, but not so new to Lutheran circles.  I have worked in administration for the Lutheran church for many years now, first at Ringwood-Knox Parish (2009-2017), and also at St Paul’s Box Hill (2014-2022).  I originally trained as a primary school teacher, completing a year at Lutheran Teacher’s College before working for 5 years at St Mark’s Lutheran School, Mt Barker SA.  However, since returning to work after bringing up my 2 sons, I have come to realise my affinity for and love of administration.

I am really enjoying getting to know the District Office team and how the Lutheran church operates at a District level.  I look forward to serving everyone in the Vic/Tas District in my new role, primarily supporting Stephen Mildred and Kate Burke, and am hoping to meet many of you at the upcoming Convention of Synod at Luther College.

Worship Services in LAMP 2

District Office is currently entering the worship service times of Congregations in LAMP 2.

Please contact Keryn Middelmann with the information listed below so your congregational information is up to date.

Frequency (eg – weekly, fortnightly, monthly)

Regular Service time/s

Day of the week

Service type – from the selection below:

blended, contemporary, café church, ecumenical, family, informal, lay reading,

modern, multicultural, prayer, traditional, vespers, worship today, youth
OR

you can add a service type of your own – characters available are limited to 26

Holy Communion – yes or no
live streamed – yes or no – please provide streaming URL
venue name (if not at the church)

  • Address
  • Suburb
  • Town
  • Postcode

Language (if not English)

email keryn.middelmann@lca.org.au with your information

Lutheran Women of Victoria & Tasmania Conference

The 55th Annual Convention of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Tasmania was held on Saturday 14th May 2022. It was hosted by the Slovak Ladies Guild of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Seabrook. The Theme for the Convention was ‘Being Strong in the Lord’ based on Ephesians 6:10-18. Opening Worship was conducted by Pastor Jan Havjar from Seabrook, after which Anna Bovdis, Elena Lomen and John Sklenar, Chairman of Christ the Lord congregation, welcomed the 62 attendees and LWVT President, Jenny Gellert opened the Convention.

Guest Speakers for the day included Pastor Richard Fox, Director of Lutheran Media, Erin Kerber from International Missions, Anna Krohn, who spoke on the topic ‘The Witness of the Myrrh-bearing Women of the Gospel’ and Ross Smith, LLL Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of Pastor Lucas Matuschka, LWVT Spiritual Advisor, due to illness, Pastor Richard Fox conducted the Bible Study based on Ephesians 6. Grace Kroehn, President of Lutheran Women of Australia delivered her annual report.

Memorial Candles were lit in memory of 18 ladies who passed away during the year and the founding members of the Slovak Lutheran Ladies Guild of 45 years ago. The Seabrook Slovak Social Club, dressed in traditional costume and entertained everyone with traditional hymns and songs. An explanation of the significance of the costumes was provided by Elena Lomen and there were exclamations of surprise about the special bridal headdress. A display of Banners provided extra interest and Grace Kroehn also brought the LWA Banner. A special highlight of the day was the delicious and lavish food that the Slovak ladies provided, especially a 55th Birthday Cake to commemorate the occasion.

To close the day Bishop Lester Priebbenow provided an up-date of church news and conducted the closing devotion during which he presented special encouragement cards to the LWVT Executive Members, who are all serving for another year. The Offering of $2,475 went to ‘Good News Lutheran College’ Tarneit.

By Val Tischler
Secretary LWVT

 

Update on evangelist John Zhong

The members of Redeemer, Glen Waverley, part of the Nunawading and Glen Waverley congregation, received a grant from the Cross Cultural Ministry Department of the LCA. The grant was for the employment of a Chinese Evangelist to specifically work with the congregation in its ministry to the large number of immigrants from mainland China in Glen Waverley. For several years the congregation has reached out through an English Conversation class, held at the church. As well as English, students are introduced to Christ via a Bible study component. Members of the class have been invited to congregational events, such as a picnic, held every year, a café coffee club, special church services, especially at Christmas, amongst others. These opportunities have been taken up by the students and some good friendships have been established. It was with great joy that John Zhong was installed on Pentecost Sunday 2021 and, despite COVID restrictions last year, he wasted no time in establishing contact with several people. John has had extensive experience with ministering to groups of Chinese and the congregation has valued his perspectives on how best to reach these people, who come from a regime where Christianity is not understood. His cultural insights are invaluable and the congregation has been ready to support his work in the directions that he perceives as being important.

from Katie Lang of the Nunawading Waverly congregation