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Closure of Altona, Martin Luther

It was with some sadness, joy and thanksgiving that approximately 60 people gathered for the final service of Martin Luther Congregation, Altona North, at 4pm on Sunday 23rd February.

The Martin Luther parish was officially founded in 1956 and has served the surrounding area for almost 70 years! The Martin Luther Church building was dedicated on the 14th of February 1960 – 65 years ago.

The closing service was led by Pastor Mark Tuffin, with the Rite of Closure lead by Pastor Brett Kennett, District Pastor for Congregational Support.

The attendees were current and former members, members from St Philips, Tarneit, and other western suburbs congregations, even from as far as Warrnambool and Alice Springs. Yoki Riedel gave a short oral history of the congregation, and after the service various attendees took the opportunity to reminisce on various aspects of the congregation’s history that had personal meaning.

There is a recording of the last Service on the Martin Luther YouTube channel, HERE (unfortunately, technical issues affected the quality).

Photos supplied by Aiden Schier.

Gippsland Parish Summer Sizzler

Our annual Summer Sizzler was held at Sale on Saturday 1^st February, and was attended by 26 adults & 2 children from across the Gippsland Lutheran Parish. A wonderful day of fun, fellowship and entertainment was enjoyed by all. More about food to come!!

It was lovely having Pastor Bob Wiebusch in our midst. Pastor Tony Castle was also able to spend a day of his LSL with us, which was great. After all, Tone’s Tones are part of the day!

Pastor Tony encouraged all who wanted to participate in the thong throw competition. Young James was among the keen competitors, but it was Maria Gerlach who took the honours!!

A delicious barbeque & salads spread was enjoyed (thanks for cooking, Daina and Chris), but we also made sure we had room for the “main event”!! There was a wonderful array of scrumptious desserts from which to choose, and many of us went back for 2^nd (maybe even 3^rd) servings!

Michael tried his best by adding mint to garnish his green jelly this year, but it was the pavlova attracting the most $’s! The generous donations for attending Summer Sizzler, and toward voting for desserts, meant that the amazing amount of $2,500 will go to support the worthy cause of Australian Lutheran World Service.

Following lunch we were entertained by “Tone’s Tones and Grove’s Grones”, who also challenged us with various song quizzes.

David’s talent shone through when he brought the tuba alive during his musical item, and Robert had us guessing with his jokes.

Thank you to everyone for making it such a special and richly blessed day!!

New Special Purpose Facility Opened at Historic Doncaster

Advent Sunday was a day of community celebration for the small and vibrant congregation of the historic Trinity Lutheran Church at Doncaster. The day marked a new beginning for the congregation with the opening of their new special purpose facility linking the heritage church with a period-built hall at the rear. Former District Bishop Pastor Greg Pietsch led the day’s celebrations with District Bishop Lester Priebbenow and Emeritus Pastor David Kleidon participating. The new facility now provides easy and unrestricted access into the church worship space, and opens the hall as a sanctuary for congregational fellowship and welcoming area for Christian affiliates and community support groups to gather for meetings. The development has kept faith with the congregation’s core values by demonstrating God’s witness through service to the community in giving access to the legacy of property assets bestowed upon it.

Members of the former Ivanhoe Holy Trinity congregation were instrumental in making this development possible through a generous grant of funds from the sale of their church property.

The dedication of the new facilities to the glory of God was following by a community lunch at which representatives from nearby congregations and special guests attended, including Manningham City Councillor Geoff Gough (a baptised member of the congregation), and Pastor Adrian Kebbe and his leadership team from the Doncaster Presbyterian Church who worship on-site, and will share in the use of the new hall facilities.

Mission Monthly: Building a Learning Culture

Earlier this month, approximately 60 participants from across LCANZ congregations joined together for another online collaboration and learning event titled: Cultivating Leadership for a Missional Future: Building a Learning Culture in Our Congregations. An initiative of the district mission directors, this time we drew on the gifts of Pastor Dan Mueller from Immanuel Buderim QLD.

Pastor Dan shared some extremely practical insights from his congregation, such as annual “Listening Circles” and the “Community Understanding Project,” which engage members across generations and strengthen ties with the broader community. A key takeaway was the importance of encouraging opportunities to prayerfully experiment, reflect and trust God to show us how to take ‘just the next step’ as we participate in his mission through our congregations.

Participants were also introduced to the devotional practice of Dwelling in the Word—a way to deeply engage with Scripture in community. This practice has been resonating with many as a tool for nurturing spiritual growth and discernment. For those interested, you can access a guide to this practice here: Dwelling in the Word

We’ve received a positive response to this event and plan to continue hosting these collaborative Zoom sessions regularly. If you missed this session, you can watch the full video or listen to the audio recording using the links provided here: audio and video

Additionally, examples of the tools shared, including instructions for a SWOT analysis and insights on integrating learning circles into your congregation, are available for download here:
Learning Circles have been used in worship

Thank you to everyone who participated, and to Pastor Dan for sharing local wisdom so generously. I give thanks to God for the many gifted mission-minded leaders across our church, women and men, and I’m looking forward to using their gifts in upcoming learning events.

Let’s keep learning, listening, and leading for God’s glory!

For more information on these LCANZ Collaborative Learning Zoom get-togethers (!), please reach out to me at brett.kennett@lca.org.au

Podcast Review – Undeceptions

Engaging Faith and Culture with John Dickson

At our recent General Pastor’s Conference in Adelaide, I was blessed by a presentation from the team at the ‘Undeceptions’ podcast. We’ve used members from this group at one of our recent District Pastor’s Conferences too.

“Undeceptions” is the brainchild of John Dickson, an Anglican pastor and scholar. John and his team have produced Undeceptions to help Christians have thoughtful, faith-based conversation that don’t shy away from tough questions.

Before the presentation I had only listened to a couple of episodes, but I’ve been playing catch up ever since.

It really is a remarkable resource, and I commend it to you. You can listen HERE

Dickson himself explains, “Every week on Undeceptions, we’ll explore some aspect of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that is either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten. With the help of people who know what they’re talking about, we’ll be trying to ‘undeceive ourselves’, and let the truth ‘out’.”

Undeceptions is Australian based, with rich content. John has a way of making complex and sometimes “meaty” topics accessible to all listeners.
He approaches his subjects with a winsome balance of truth and grace, presenting Christian perspectives with a calm and compassionate tone.
He doesn’t shy away from controversial or complex issues, but instead tackles them with a respect that invites skeptics to listen. Recognizing that people outside the church often have legitimate questions or even doubts, Dickson meets these questions with honesty and intellectual rigor.

This ‘style’ of presentation is helpful in modelling what it is to be winsome in our presentation of the gospel.

Many episodes might offer a starting point for Christian leadership teams to explore challenging issues, potentially forming the basis for small-group or team discussions.

For laypeople, Undeceptions offers several opportunities for spiritual growth:

Expand Faith and Understanding:
Listening to Undeceptions exposes listeners to various cultural, ethical, and historical perspectives. This awareness can help Christians better engage in respectful conversations about their beliefs with those outside the faith.
Engage in Personal Study:
The topics covered often act as springboards for deeper study. Listeners might explore related Scriptures or theological texts and dive deeper into the topic.
Practice Listening and Curiosity:
John Dickson models the importance of deeply listening and asking the right questions – and offering genuine answers to people’s real questions, not just rehearsed responses.
Discuss in Small Groups:
Introducing Undeceptions to a small group could open the door to honest discussions, where people can grapple with challenging issues in a safe, understanding environment.

Have a listen soon. “Undeceptions” is a great guide for any Christian who wants to think deeply, listen well, and communicate truth with grace.

ALC – removing barriers to study

You may not be aware but there is no longer a need to be in Adelaide to study with ALC. We are now fully in distributed learning mode, which means classes are attended online, from wherever you are. Here are some updates from current students.

Lauren Krenske

Lauren grew up in Queensland and has been a member of the Lutheran Church all her life. She became a teacher because she was inspired by the excellent teachers she had during her own schooling, who connected with her and encouraged her to do her best. Her teaching career to date has included positions at Bethania Lutheran Primary School, Redeemer Lutheran College and most recently, at Lutheran Ormeau Rivers District School (LORDS), where she serves as the Pastoral Care Coordinator for Years 7-9.

I am currently studying a unit through ALC as part of LEA’s Leadership Development Program but over the past 3 years have also completed a number of professional development offerings through ALC. I have learnt a lot from these courses, which have helped me develop as an educator and leader.

Adam is a candidate in the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program who is currently serving in two congregations across Adelaide, while completing his theological studies part-time. He has spent the past 20 years working as a church worker in various roles within the Lutheran Church. In fact, you may have even met him when he was working for the LCANZ Church Worker Support Department a few years ago. It was during this time that he became aware of congregations struggling to fill pastor vacancies and became aware of the SMP program. It was also during this time, that his mother passed away from cancer.

My mother had openly shared with me, her belief that I would make a good pastor. When she died, this memory triggered something inside of me and I subsequently decided to enter a period of discernment to see if pastoral ministry was for me. With the support and encouragement of my manager at the time, I enrolled part-time in studies at ALC. At the same time COVID happened and more opportunities for online study became available through the College.

In 2022 Mawson Lakes Community Church were seeking expressions of interest from SMPs.
I was familiar with the use of SMPs in regional and church planting communities but not in the city and felt that God was inviting me to use this opportunity to gain an understanding of parish ministry. At the same time, my home congregation, Our Saviour Lutheran Church at Aberfoyle Park was entering a period of vacancy, and they were also interested in engaging an SMP. I now serve both congregations on a part-time basis.

I have found study at ALC to be both challenging and encouraging. I am particularly thankful that ALC has adjusted its learning model so that I can now access all my classes online and fit in study around work and family commitments. The online environment has allowed me to meet students, not just from Australia, but from all over the world and hear what amazing things God is doing in their churches and faith communities.

‘Women of Purpose’ – Gippsland Women’s Retreat

In October the annual Gippsland Women’s Retreat was held in the Lutheran church in Sale, with 19 women, one baby, and our pastor taking part. This event has always been a great blessing to those able to attend, and this time was no exception.

Representatives from our five (small to very, very small) congregations took part in the planning over the previous months. It was decided to alter the usual format, and have women preparing and presenting a series of shorter Bible studies, rather than one longer pastor-led study, which has been the main part of the morning program previously. Pastor Tony led the opening devotion. We also managed to surprise him with an impromptu role in the afternoon program (see photo).

The theme “Women of Purpose” was explored through the lives of four women in the genealogy of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 1. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba were each used by God and recorded for all posterity as significant forebears of our Saviour, in the fulfillment of God’s purposes for all humankind. Their very colourful and challenging stories were explored.

The afternoon program included monologue-type skits by four Biblical women, whose stories are inherently part of the story of their husbands, without the Bible giving much, or even any, information about them. They would have been women whose life also was fulfilling God’s purposes, and we could easily imagine the situations those roles may have put them into. Mrs Noah, Mrs Job, Mrs Jonah and Mrs Pilate led us on journeys of humour, along with serious musings that all still pointed to God’s love for His people.

An offering in support of the training of youth ministry leaders in LCANZ raised $485. Singing and other activities filled out the day. Shared lunch and cuppas before and after the program gave opportunities to catch up with friends, get to know others, and strengthen ties between the far-flung congregations of our parish.

Big thanks are due to everyone there, and especially to our Heavenly Father whose Word is an unending source of treasures, and who has a special purpose for each person in His big story.

Continuing Education Program

A successful combined District Pastors Conference / CEP event (Continuing Education Program for pastors and lay workers) was held from 24 to 26 October under the theme: “Grace in a season of change”. It was lovely to be hosted by Holy Cross Templestowe once again, after a break of about four years (we last held CEP in 2019).

Pastors met on Tuesday afternoon for a condensed District Pastor’s Conference. They were then joined by lay workers on Tuesday evening, and the CEP component on Wednesday and Thursday. In all, fifty-one of us gathered for Worship, education, Compline and (much appreciated) fellowship over food together. We welcomed a number of participants to their first CEP, and many others attended for the umpteenth time!

Guest presenters were Rev Noel Due, who spoke about recognising and addressing changes in the culture in which we minister (“What on earth is God doing, for heaven’s sake?”), and Pastor Matt Thiele, who spoke about ‘Gospel Teamwork’ in the congregational setting.

There was a very good representation of both pastors/SMPs and lay workers in attendance (approximately half-half). This year, lay workers included some Congregational Leaders and Ministry representatives who attended for their first time. Feedback highlighted the value of the content from the speakers in particular as very relevant to their contexts. They also enjoyed the shared worship and meals.

Pastor and SMP feedback showed that most had attended previous CEPs, and highlighted their appreciation particularly for shared meal fellowship, Worship and Compline.

Overall, there was very even support for all the aspects offered at CEP. The only difficulty was managing to engage with it all in the time we had. Certainly, there was a lot of content! It is worth noting that both speakers have made their content available for revisiting, and we also hope to have recordings available soon.

Vicar Jacob – God’s Call Answered

More about my journey …

Towards the end of high school, I showed some interest in possibly studying to become a pastor, but I did not follow this up – although the idea of only working on Sundays was appealing!!

While I completed my Bachelor of Health Science, I boarded at ALC, which is one of the ways that God shaped my faith – I was in a community of many young Christians, and also got to know the Pastoral students. When at ALC I tried to get to Chapel when my studies and workload allowed, which was followed by morning tea. One morning over a cuppa I bravely said that I had no pastors in my family, so I was safe – and it was mentioned to me that I would make a good pastor. So, I wasn’t quite as safe as I had thought!

After this many people commented to me that I would make a good pastor and asking me when I was enrolling. I kept saying that I wasn’t sure about it and that the Church needed good lay people too and I could contribute with music.

After finishing my degree in Health Science, I did a bit of work in the field, but didn’t really find my niche. I was offered full-time work at the ALC Refectory. My sense of call strengthened over the years that I worked in the Refectory, and a variety of people continued to encourage me to study at ALC. My response changed from “no, that’s not for me” to “yeah, next year.” That was the line for a couple of years. It was always “next year.”

In 2018 I had quite an experience of God’s protection when I was up in Cairns during the wet season. I went swimming and somehow I got caught in the current, although the water was not very deep. I then realized that I was going to bump through the rapids and down the waterfall. I prayed to God to protect me and my head as I bumped through the rocks. It was a very real possibility to me that I might not get out of this one. I was then caught under the pounding water at the bottom of the waterfall, and once again prayed for a breath of air. At the last moment, I got half a breath of air. I then had to swim across the canyon to a rock plateau before I went down the next waterfall. After giving a thumbs up to my aunt I then had the challenge of climbing out of the gorge (without my glasses or shoes!). At the top there were no footholds to get me over the edge, so I dragged myself over with my elbows. Amazingly, the only mark I had on my body was a small mark on my left leg. Psalm 91:11-12 came to my mind immediately: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”

As time went by, I continued to say that I’d work another year before starting studies. But God had different plans. On the Sunday evening on the 2018 Ordination service I was sitting with some friends who were over for Ordination – they asked if I was enrolling and I said “No, I want a good story and if God wants me he’ll have to make it clear” and one of them responded with “Well, when God wants you, He’ll get you there regardless”. The very next day I was made redundant.

It was almost as if a weight had been lifted off of me when I finally enrolled. Since studying I have enjoyed delving into God’s Word and learning how to share this with others. My vicarage at the Goulburn Murray Parish has been particularly enjoyable, and perhaps my favourite part has been making connections with so many people and walking with them on their journey.

Lutheran Women of Vic-Tas Annual Convention

The 56^th Annual Convention of Lutheran Women of Victoria and Tasmania was held on Saturday 20^th May 2023. It was hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church Warrnambool and catered for by the Parish ladies from Warrnambool, Ayrford and Hawkesdale. The Theme for the Convention was ‘Patient Endurance’ based on Revelation 13 v 10b. Opening Worship was conducted by Pastor Heath Pukallus from Warrnambool, after which Congregational Chairperson, Christine Sawyer welcomed the 76 attendees and LWVT President, Jenny Gellert opened the Convention.

The Guest Speaker for the day, Pastor Matt Anker, Assistant to the Bishop and International Mission, spoke about the work that Lutheran Women are supporting in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Later as Chairman of the Board of Lutherans in Africa he showed slides and talked about the combined work being done by the USA, Australia, Canada and Finland in Africa. A PowerPoint provided by Hanna Schulz about her translation work in New Guinea, was accompanied by a commentary read by Jenny Gellert. Maureen Turner, Vice President of Lutheran Women of Australia delivered the annual report and spoke about the Lutheran Women Magazine.

Pastor Lucas Matuschka, LWVT Spiritual Advisor, conducted the Bible Study based on the theme, where he reminded us that while the people of God constantly face attack by the devil, the world and our sinful selves we can win the struggle by fixing our eyes on Christ who has done everything for us. We need to remain under the umbrella of God’s protection, be patient and take Him at His word.

Memorial Candles were lit in memory of 7 ladies who passed away during the year. Greg and Helen Noll sang ‘Though our Life is like a Scroll’ and ‘There is a Time for Everything’ which was written by Stephen Starke in 2002 as a response to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre Towers in New York. The Warrnambool ladies sang ‘Seek, O Seek the Lord.’ A display of banners inside the church building, with explanations by Jenny Gellert provided extra interest.

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. The Offering of $2,010 was shared between Hanna Schulz’s project and International Mission.

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