On Saturday 25th June District Church Council members joined with District Office and LEVNT staff and representatives from District boards and bodies to review the current DCC Strategic Initiatives. District Bishop Lester presented on ‘the state of the synod’ – a snapshot of the pastoral ministry in our District, followed by Pastor for Congregational Support Brett Kennett speaking to Renewing Churches with specific reference to our District context. Rev Dr Tim Stringer spoke to Digital Engagement for church context and we closed with some discussion about the Eastern Region Review which opened up into broader areas such as engagement with Lutheran Schools, congregational and parish partnerships, sharing of successes, and even the function of the Council for Ministry Support.
District Church Council Strategic Initiatives
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DCC meet with Regional Church Leaders at Shepparton
On Saturday 30 August, leaders from a number of regional congregations met at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shepparton. Leaders were asked to each share their ministry opportunities and congregational concerns with the members of District Church Council (DCC).
Twelve leaders attended the day, from the congregations/parishes of: Goulburn Murray Parish (Shepparton/Echuca), Wangaratta-Benalla, Wodonga, Bendigo (Bendigo/Castlemaine), and Mildura (attended online). Apologies were received from Swan Hill.
Each group presented their thoughts and experiences either side of a fellowship lunch together with DCC. Leaders of the congregations appreciated the opportunity to share and hear ministry experiences that were useful, uplifting, and/or shared in common with each other.
DCC also held their August meeting before and after the presentations, meeting in one of the rooms available at St Paul’s African House.
On Sunday morning, 31 August, members of the Council attended worship throughout the area.
DCC thanks all leaders and volunteers for their time and efforts in ensuring an instructive and informative time together in Shepparton.
‘Lutherans Live! Online Church’
Announcing a new initiative! – ‘Lutherans Live! Online Church’
In response to requests for support from LCA members, the LCA Vic-Tas District is preparing to host an online Worship and pastoral gathering for those feeling unsettled or adrift.
The gathering will be designed to provide pastoral support to people in situations where they find it hard to get support from a pastor, worship together with others, or find a community, and to create a space to listen, pray, and walk together.
Our plan is to gather online and join the Sunday morning Bendigo Lutheran Church livestream. This will be followed by online fellowship conversation, led by Pr. Gordon Wegener.
We will offer a safe and confidential space where you can share – if you wish – or simply be present and receive encouragement.
Our hope is to offer comfort and fellowship, and support you pastorally.
You are warmly invited to express interest in joining with us and get further information by contacting Trudi.
Thomastown Lutheran Church celebrating 166 years of worship
The Thomastown Lutheran Church has been open for 166 years this month. We have been worshiping monthly on the 4th Sunday since lockdowns but have recently gone back to the 2nd and 4th Sunday over the summer months. There are still no utilities connected (and no toilets) but we still love to gather in this historic little church for worship and fellowship.
Many in attendance on Sunday 13th November were descendants or connections of the original German Lutheran settlers in the region. We often have people who are touring the pioneer precinct poke their heads in for a look at the living history taking place before them.
Rather than using the elevated pulpit above the altar, Pastor Tim usually sits for the sermon, a different perspective than the attached photo!
February 2022 District Church Council update
From the DCC Chair
District Church Council (DCC) met for the first time in 2022 on February 10th via video conference. The mix of virtual and face-to-face meetings is saving considerable travel time and proving to be very efficient way of doing business. Our District Office staff have returned refreshed from Christmas leave and are looking forward to serving you again in 2022. With an eye on 2022 and beyond we have started planning our Strategy Day for June and District Convention of Synod (30 September – 2 October).
View the LCAVD 2021-2024 Strategy HERE
In general, our congregations, schools, aged care and camping facilities are coping with the Omicron wave and continuing effective and safe operations. We thank God for those workers and volunteers that continue to work tirelessly to keep our people safe. We continue to work with LEVNT as they consolidate and implement their Incorporation strategy. Most schools are embracing the governance change, whilst a small number are engaging in constructive dialogue.
Read more about Schools Governance and Incorporation HERE
We have supported a loan application for the Slovak congregation to upgrade their kitchen – a key form of community for them. We received the final report from the Eastern Region Review (Metro) taskforce and are supporting the formation of a regional cooperation body to continue to extend the good-will and collaboration developed through the Review.
Read an update on the Eastern Regional Review HERE
And finally, thanks to Andrea Cross for her enthusiastic and passionate service to DCC, who has stepped aside to focus on local and family priorities. Subsequently we are looking to make a short term appointment to DCC to fill the gap until the District Convention of Synod, and we are also looking to appoint a HR professional to our People and Safety Sub-committee. Please contact District Office if you are interested.
God be with you. David.
Dr David Bergmann
Chairperson District Church Council LCAVD
Consecration in the age of COVID – St James Lutheran Church Moorabbin
Consecration in the age of COVID
With an equal mixture of joy and sadness we consecrated the redeveloped St James worship centre on Sunday the 12th of September. Joy at finally arriving at this point after 10 years of planning and strategy then being homeless for just over two years, and sadness from not being able to share it in person with our members and friends. To be able to worship again albeit with a small number of folk in what is a wonderful space was truly a blessing. We are fortunate in that the congregation supported the installation of the technology to make live streaming possible and so we were able to share it digitally. Having spoken to several members since it was well received and they simply cannot wait to see it in person. We are looking forward to that day with much anticipation when that celebration will dispel the sadness.
St James Lutheran Church Moorabbin forms part of the Moorabbin Dandenong multi-site congregation along with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Dandenong.
Induction of Peter Demuth at St. John’s German Lutheran Church, Springvale
Since its formation in September 2022, a Recruitment team has been working with determination to find a new Pastor for St. John’s German Lutheran Church, Springvale, during a time when the world is experiencing a critical shortage of ministry leaders.
Their prayers were answered in January when the Recruitment team received an application from someone well known and loved by the congregation … their former Pastor Peter Demuth!
Peter Demuth, who had served a parish overseas since concluding his prior call at St John’s, was overwhelmingly elected by St. John’s members as their new Pastor at a Special General Meeting (SGM) convened in February this year.
A special worship service of induction of Peter Demuth into his role as Pastor of St. John’s was held on Sunday 13th October. Bishop Lester and DCC chair Tony Vong represented the Vic/Tas District at the service.
Photo supplied by Deidre Priebbenow
25 Years of Worship, Learning & Fellowship – Bethlehem Lutheran Church Bendigo
On Sunday 22 May, visiting Pastor, Rev Mark Tuffin lead the worship service commencing a 9:00am where we gave thanks to God for the past 25th years of worship, learning and fellowship at our Spring Gully site. A letter of greetings from Rev Lester Priebbenow, Bishop of the Victorian District, was read to the congregation.
Following the conclusion of the service a professionally catered lunch was held in our hall and this was attended mostly by local members. At the conclusion of the lunch members were invited to share their recollections and stories about the purchase of the Spring Gully property and the extensive renovation work required on our Church building. The renovation of the building, and property landscaping works, were largely carried out by our then members, some of which were present at this celebration event.
The day was a joyous occasion for our Parish and it was particularly appreciated that we able to come together for lunch on this occasion as prior to covid-19 these were a regular part of our Parish calendar and have been largely absent for the last two and a half years.
by Craig Linke
Bethlehem Congregation Secretary
LCA Victorian District Church Council’s Encouragement to be COVID-Safe communities
As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease across metro Melbourne and regional Victoria, LCAVD are looking forward to a time when we can fully recommence face-to-face word and sacrament worship services. It is here that we can welcome others, share community and express Gods love and grace for all.
The path out of lockdowns and restrictions will be challenging, with likely set-backs, outbreaks, stress and anxiety. Based on the government’s vaccination goals and restriction settings, we will be living, working and communing in a society that will continue to have the SARS-CoV-2 virus circulating.
It is important that we navigate our return to in-person worship safely and in line with public health orders. We encourage congregations to consider and implement ways of gathering for worship that protect the vulnerable and respect the values and circumstances of all who wish to attend. Working within the health orders will require us, for now, to potentially create worshipping environments in a variety of settings to include all people, with consideration of their vaccination status. This will be challenging as we seek to live out our calling as one body in Christ and share Gods love with all people.
We have learned many new ways of worshipping and staying in contact during this Pandemic, and we wish to encourage these to continue. Please support and encourage our Pastors, Layworkers, Volunteers and each other as we continue to reach out in new ways to safely care for our people and communities so that they can safely receive God’s Word and Sacrament and participate in the life of the church.
Discussed, amended and approved in principle by LCAVD CC 22 October 2021.
Finalised by Bishop Lester & Chair David 29 October 2021
Last available Safe Church Training for 2020
For those pastors and leaders who are required to complete Level Two Safe Church training, there are only four more opportunities to complete this during 2020.
SP3L Safety Management for Leaders (live webinar) is scheduled for:
Wednesday 7th October, 7:00 – 9:30pm
Wednesday 14th October, 12:00 – 2:30pm
Monday 2nd November, 7:00 – 9:30pm
Wednesday 2nd December, 7:00 – 9:30pm
Please note the daytime session on October 14th.
Registrations are required. Go to https://www.lca.org.au/departments/ministry-support/professional-standards/training-prof-standards/
