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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)

2^nd Gen’s :

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

and iterations of Multicultural Church!

Monocultural: a biological family
Friendship: a shared house
Partnership: an intercultural engagement
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.

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

On 6^th 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!

Lutheran Women of Victoria & Tasmania Conference

The 55^th Annual Convention of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Tasmania was held on Saturday 14^th 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 55^th 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

Pr John Heidenreich (em) celebrates 50 years of ordination

On Sunday 26th December 2021 the 50th anniversary of Pastor John Heidenreich’s ordination was celebrated at the Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Burnie, North Tasmania. Below are the milestones of Pastor John’s ministry and with special mention of Pastor John’s wife Vonnie and her role in Pr John’s ministry.

We give thanks today for John Heidenreich, who 50 years ago was ordained into the holy office of the public ministry. We praise the Lord for calling his servant to work in his church, and for sustaining him in his work through God’s holy Word, his precious sacraments, and the holy people of God who have encouraged him through the conversations and consolations of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

By God’s grace, John has served the Lord’s people at:
• Bunbury-Collie, WA between 1972 – 1976,
• Hobart, Tas between 1976 – 2000,
• Nhill, Vic between 2002 – 2009 and
• North Tasmania, Tas, between 2009 until his retirement in 2014.

John also served the wider church by serving as a Zone Counsellor in the Wimmera/Mallee zone and here in Tasmania. After his retirement he’s served as a locum in a number of parishes.
He preached the Word of God and administered his holy sacraments faithfully and well. He’s been a loving pastor and shepherd of the flock of Christ and has dedicated himself to ‘being there’ for people in their time of need. God has blessed his church through his ministry.
Vonnie has also been a faithful wife and partner to John in his ministry. She has supported him and his family with patience and humbleness. Her love for John and her trust in her Lord and Saviour has been clearly evident as she serves beside her husband and participates in the work of the church.

Zoom afternoon tea for pastors and lay workers

With the arrival of lockdown six, a regular weekly opportunity to gather for a cuppa via Zoom (a ‘virtual’ afternoon tea) has been offered to all the district’s pastors and layworkers.

These have been relatively small gatherings, but feedback has been strongly appreciative by various participants. It’s been a chance to check in with colleagues in ministry, and share (and normalise) the frustrations of lockdown with its continuing uncertainty and associated fatigue.

Participants have also shared various coping strategies, commiserated with each other, and for one pastor newly arrived in our district, it’s been a great opportunity to simply meet others.

One theme that has emerged from these gatherings is the high emotional climate that many ministry workers are working in. Passions can run high on both sides of the ‘for’ and ‘against’ lockdown debate. Ministry workers are often finding themselves the meat in the sandwich. Getting together and realising that we are not alone has been a blessing from these arvo teas.

It’s good also to laugh together and to be reminded of some down to earth realities and simple gifts – thanks Pastor Sam for sharing your cows!

Pastor Brett Kennett
District Pastor for Congregational Support

16 September District eNews

This week’s District eNews features an encouraging message from District Pastor for Congregational Support, Pastor Brett Kennett, Stories from the Gippsland Parish and Eventide Lutheran Homes, find out about District events like CLW@home and the Pastor & Lay Worker events coming soon, learn more about the LCA Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), participate in the LLL annual survey and access the District Prayer list

Go to the District News page to read more

ALC: Equipping people in and for ministry service

It used to be that the majority of students at Australian Lutheran College (ALC) were preparing to commence service in the church after they completed their theological studies and had graduated. This is no longer the case. The majority of ALC’s students are now undertaking study while already serving in congregations, schools or agencies of the church, in all districts of the LCANZ.

In the Victorian/Tasmanian District, Erin Grainger has been serving as Congregational and Migrant Ministry Support Facilitator in the District Office while completing her Graduate Diploma in Divinity, and Pastor Sue Westhorp has been serving the Box Hill congregation alongside Pastor Neville Otto, while she completed her Master of Theology degree. Both women have recently graduated, celebrating their achievements along with other ALC and University of Divinity students at a ceremony in Melbourne last month. Congratulations!

Pastor Sue Westhorp (left) and Erin Grainger (right) receive their degrees.

Juggling work, study, and family can be very demanding, but it can also be extremely rewarding, and ALC provides flexible pathways for those choosing to complete an award part-time.

On reflecting on her own learning journey, Erin said, ‘I’m so grateful to be blessed by working in a team at the District Office that honours God and endeavours to keep in mind both Gospel and service. Having recently completed my Graduate Diploma in Divinity with ALC, I’ve now enrolled in a Masters in Theological Studies, so I can keep learning. The studies lend depth, nuance, perspective and unity as we remind each other of the context of why we do what we do. Study has also given me confidence that it’s God honouring to struggle and wrestle, and that in doing so, you don’t just lose the energy of your own will trying to push back on God, you rediscover that God is absolutely bigger and better!’

‘For those of you who are currently working in an agency of the church and thinking of enrolling in study at ALC, I say, just do it! ALC staff are great and are both approachable and supportive! Talk to them. We at the District Office really want to support you too! Ask us questions…tell us what gets in the way of you wanting to study but not getting to it formally. It’s a conversation all the way.’

Enrolments for Semester 2 are now open, so now is the time to start that conversation: contact enquiries@alc.edu.au. And if it’s finances that are holding you back, ALC has scholarships and grants available, including a scholarship specifically to assist students who are already working in a congregation, school or agency of the church. To find out more about what types of scholarships are available, visit https://alc.edu.au/study/higher-education/scholarships/.

New Church History Published

For those interested in the history of our church, a new book has been published by Friends of Lutheran Archives. ‘The Other Kavels’ tells the story of the first Lutherans who emigrated to Australia from Prussia in 1838, led by Pastor August Kavel.

Through the lens of various members of the Kavel family, the story is told of the persecution of the Old Lutherans in Prussia who refused to join the king’s union church, the difficulties of gaining permission and funding to emigrate, and the challenges of establishing themselves and their church in the infant colony of South Australia.

The result of years of meticulous and exhaustive research into previously untapped sources, the book provides many new insights into the foundational narrative of the Lutheran Church in this country. It also tells the human story of the little-known members of the wider Kavel family, Pastor Kavel’s parents, three brothers and sister, who witnessed and participated in the events of those turbulent years. The author, John Schubert, is a descendant of Pastor Kavel’s sister, whose husband August Fiedler was Kavel’s right-hand man both in Prussia and South Australia, and who pioneered the Barossa Valley wine industry.

The book will be launched in Tanunda, South Australia, on 25 October.

Books can be obtained from Friends of Lutheran Archives ($35 plus p/h); email: fola@lca.org.au (please include your postal address). Books will be posted and an invoice emailed. All proceeds will go towards the work of Lutheran Archives.

Chinese Alpha Graduation at Nunawading-Waverley

The 11^th of August 2025 was a special date for the Nunawading-Waverley Lutheran Church in Glen Waverley, Victoria. After more than three months of learning about God and faith and studying the Word, we celebrated with five of the eight participants in our first ever Chinese language (Mandarin) Alpha Course.

The group included a mix of people wanting to explore faith, new Christians, and those who have walked with Christ for a while but wanted to connect with others. It was led by our passionate and inspiring evangelist, Sherry Hong.

The service was an emotional and up-lifting multi-cultural service led by Pastor Tim Castle-Schmidt, and with interpretation by Sherry and most slides in two languages. Tim reminded us that this is how the church started at Pentecost, with everyone speaking in their own tongue. While speaking in your native tongue, or “heart language”, makes it easier to connect with God, He really does transcend languages and cultures and brings us together to be one family.

Pastor Tim presented each participant with a certificate of recognition of their Alpha Course journey, and a holding cross to support them as a reminder of the nearness of our Lord. Then, as a token of appreciation from the Alpha Group, Sherry presented Pastor Tim with a framed Mandarin text, reading ‘God Loves the World’, and gifts to each of the congregational members who had provided refreshments throughout the course.

After the service, many of us gathered for a celebratory lunch together. This provided a great opportunity to enjoy delicious Chinese food, and to share stories, thus continuing to bridge our two communities.

Again, many thanks to both the LLL and the LCA for their substantial financial support and encouragement and prayers, which have enabled our multicultural ministry at Nunawading and Waverley.

Our participants have developed a strong connection to each other and desire to keep meeting. The plan is for this group of new-found friends to continue to get together regularly as a life-group. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to grow in Christ, and as our congregation continues to seek to be a welcoming place that spreads the Good News across cultural boundaries.

LWVT Convention, Hosted by Moorabbin-Dandenong

What a joy it was to welcome delegates & visitors to St James, Moorabbin, for the 58^th LWVT Convention. The theme was “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled”, John 14:1.

On Friday night approximately thirty-five people gathered for a BBQ and a time of fellowship. The food was delicious, and people enjoyed the time chatting.

Saturday morning, Louise Renfree, Vice-chair of the Moorabbin-Dandenong Congregation, welcomed sixty-nine delegates, visitors, and helpers to St James. Opening Worship was led by Pastor Matthew Huckel on the Convention theme. Jenny Gellert, President of LWVT opened the Convention, followed by greetings and apologies. Jenny Pietsch then gave a brief overview of the St James Crafty Chat Group.

After morning tea, Pastor Lucas Matuschka led the Bible Study on “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled.” We then heard about Creative Word Fellowship, an independent Lutheran teaching mission that exists to equip people with the life-giving Word of Jesus Christ. Pastor Matthew Huckel gave a presentation titled, “Ancient Biblical and Stoic wisdom for ‘heart quakes’ ” – a very interesting presentation on ‘human emotions’.

After lunch we were entertained by Nyawarga Sham who sang Kumbaya & Amazing Grace in Nuer language. Nyawarga delayed her attendance at a wedding to be at the Convention – thank you Nyawarga.

Nyawarga pictured with Anne.

We heard reports on the work of Lutheran Media & LCA International Mission. Memorial candles were lit to remember those members who had died in the last 12 months.

Lexi Bourne made the trip from Tasmania with her young daughter to share news about the podcasts “Here She Stands.” This is an online platform where Lutheran women across Australia can come together as a community, sharing their stories and talking about ‘that which is true noble, excellent, and praiseworthy’ (Philippians 4:8). More information HERE.

Bishop Lester Priebbenow gave a report on the District, and led the closing devotion and installation of office bearers.

The offering for the day was given to the Moorabbin-Dandenong Congregation to support the ministry and welfare of the Sudanese community. All attendees received a small gift bag which included a Prayer Square; these were kindly donated by Jeanette Cox who uses these as ‘Prayer Ministry’ – if you would like any Prayer Squares, they are available from Jeanette (Email).

A very big thank you to all the members who assisted greatly in the months leading to the convention, for those who donated all the food, as well as being present and serving in numerous ways during the convention.

The feedback has been extremely positive about the smooth running of the day, the catering, and the suitability of the premises.

Thanks, to all!

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