- Thanksgiving for Lutheran teachers and all who work in our schools
- Those who are suffering after the cyclone in Myanmar (Burma)
- For seasonal rain, for seedtime and harvest
Yes, it is frustrating as we would all like to help in the light of the tragic loss of life and property. The extent of the cyclone devastation is enormous. Australian Lutheran World Service will move the moment an opportunity presents itself. Please send any donations to ALWS at PO Box 488 Albury NSW 2640 or online at http://www.lca.org.au/action/alws. Please make any cheques out to ‘Australian Lutheran World Service’ and include a message to say that you would like your donation to go to Burma. In this way your gifts will go where needed and they will get through. Please be aware that well meaning parties may wish to bypass the Burmese government officials. If that is done there may well be less opportunity for longer term aid with the permission and knowledge of the government. Both ALWS and Lutheran World Service will work through official channels with a view to long term cooperation. Please do not risk jeopardising help to the needy of this country either now or in the future. Use ALWS, our official channel, which is in touch with this difficult situation. The Lutheran World Federation Acting General Secretary Rev Chandran Paul Martin is appealing to the authorities in the country to facilitate the entry and movement of humanitarian assistance so that a larger-scale disaster can be avoided. ‘I very much hope and pray that wisdom and compassion will prevail, and that the authorities in Myanmar will remove any unnecessary obstacles to the entry and movement of interaction humanitarian teams and supplies,’ said Martin in a letter to Rev Jenson Andrews, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Myanmar (Lutheran Bethlehem Church). The LWF Deputy General Secretary said the enormity of the disaster would require an international response mirroring that which followed the [2004] Asian tsunami. ‘Every hour of delay means more suffering’ he noted.
As aid agencies, governments and the UN respond to Burma, Australian Lutherans can provide 4000 refugee families in southern Sudan with Family Farm Packs of seeds and tools. These families cannot be forgotten because they literally have nothing, and children are already showing signs of malnutrition. The critical time for action is now as rains have started and there is only a 6 week window to plant crops for hope of a harvest in October.
The board of the LLL has announced the appointment of Mr Allen Kupke as Chief Executive Officer, effective from 1st September this year. The current CEO, Mr Richard Bartholomaeus, will retire on 31st August, after 31 years of outstanding service to the LLL, the last 21 of which have been in the senior executive position. Mr Allen Kupke is a qualified accountant and has held several positions at the LLL over the last 20 years. He is well known to many in the Church, through his involvement and leadership in various boards and committees.
The LCA and its schools celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week 18-24 May with the theme Engage, Connect, Build, Sustain. The theme is a reminder of the positive contribution that our schools make to their students, their community, our country and our church. There are 113 early childhood services and schools educating and caring for over 36,000 young Australians on a daily basis. This significant ministry of our church touches the lives of our communities in many ways. National Lutheran Schools Week is an opportunity to thank God for the gifts that he gives our church through our Lutheran schools, and for us to affirm our schools for what they do. This years’ theme also provides a focus for Lutheran Education Australia’s goal of reconnecting with Lutheran schools in Papua New Guinea. This reconnecting is in response to a request fro the Bishop of the ELC-PNG and has the full support of the LCA’s Board for Mission. For more information and further resources please visit www.lutheran.edu.au/public/content/ViewCategory.aspx?id=167.
A preliminary notice for your diaries. It is planned that Pastor Stephen Pietsch will be installed into his calling, as an ALC School of Pastoral Theology teacher, on Sunday 20 July at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Flinders Street Adelaide, at the 9.00am worship service.
Pastors and members of the LCA are invited to encourage suitably gifted and committed young men to consider a calling to become pastors of the church. Enquiries by email or phone are welcome. Applications may be made to the School of Pastoral Theology. Application forms are available on request from the Administrator, School of Pastoral Theology, Australian Lutheran College, 104 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide, SA, 5006; telephone 08 8267 7400; fax 08 8267 7350; email spt@alc.edu.au
The Journey of Healing Association of SA is holding a sorry day event in Victoria Square on Monday 26 May 2008 from 10.30am to 4.00pm. The theme for this year is ‘Stolen Generations Track Home’. There will be speakers from government and the general community, Aboriginal entertainment and a BBQ. The anniversary of Sorry Day has special significance to Aboriginal people as it is the day many Australian people said, and continue to say, ‘Sorry’ to help the process of healing and reconciliation.
Living Word Lutheran Church and Trinity College Ashmore QLD invite applications for the position of Chaplain and Discipleship trainer. This is a full time position for three years and involves two days a week with the College and three days with the congregation. The full position description is available at www.tlc.qld.edu.au www.tlc.qld.edu.au. All applications can be forwarded to Mr Tim Kotzur, Deputy Head of College, C/- Trinity Lutheran College, PO Box 322, Ashmore City QLD 4214. Applications close 6 June 2008.
Thanks to those parishes which supported the request for designated worship and prayers for good seasons for our land. If you have not yet done so, the resources are available on the LCA website for your own special service. This is important for Australia and New Zealand. A time to give thanks and a time to petition our gracious Lord and Creator.
EXTENDED
D H Preuss Tanunda Langmeil SA to Palmerston North NZ
G P Havelberg Gawler Zion SA to Esperance WA
E J Szabo Kingaroy Orana QLD to Toowoomba (St Pauls) QLD
N M Guthrig Ararat VIC to Southport QLD
W A Boehm Salisbury SA to Birdwood SA
C J Mann assigned Elizabeth SA
N A Kluge Para Vista SA to Loxton St Peters SA
R H K Lungwitz Grovedale VIC to Swan Reach SA
N E Hedt Nambour QLD to St John’s Southgate (responsibility for Tertiary and Youth Ministry) VIC
ACCEPTED
DECLINED
D H Preuss Tanunda Langmeil SA to Tabor VIC
OTHER PLACES IN THE CALL/EVALUATING CALL PROCESS
New South Wales: Forbes/Parkes; Gosford; Jindera; Lavington; Port Macquarie; Sutherland
New Zealand: Palmerston North, Upper Moutere (half-time)
Queensland: Bethania; Gympie; St Peters Lutheran College Indooroopilly (school pastor); Northern Rivers; Southport; Townsville
South Australia/Northern Territory: : Aberfoyle Park (senior and associate pastor); Birdwood; Ceduna; Concordia College (School Pastor); Glandore; Loxton St Peters; Mawson Lakes; Novar Gardens; Paringa; Swan Reach
Victoria: Geelong; Portland/Heywood; Ringwood/Knox; Tabor; Tarrington; St John’s Southgate (responsibility for tertiary and youth ministry); Southgate
Western Australia: Esperance; Geraldton
