New care services launch for Territory

Lutheran Community Care SA/NT (LCC) has launched two new support services in Hermannsburg, Northern Territory, 130 kilometres west of Alice Springs. The traditional land of the Western Arrarnta people, Hermannsburg is also known as Ntaria in the local language and has a community population of approximately 600 people.

Finke River Mission Parish Ingkarta(pastor) Rodney Malbunka and LCA SA/NT District Bishop David Altus recently blessed LCC staff Chris Safe, Selina Malbunka, Yvette Holt and Jane Silverton in a special service held at the Hermannsburg church.

Inkarta Rodney welcomed Lutheran Community Care to the community and read the lessons in Arrarnta, while Bishop David reflected on 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and encouraged the new staff to show the kind of compassion which comes from deep within, not just from the head and the heart.

After a reading from John 12 in which Mary anoints Jesus lavishly with expensive perfume known as nard, LCC Director Helen Lockwood placed the fragrance on the hands of the staff as a symbol of gracious service.

‘LCC is pleased to be able to work with the Ntaria community to support families and to mentor local people in the work place’, Helen said. ‘Seven years ago we held a dedication service for the opening of LCC’s services in Alice Springs office with four staff. Now that team has grown to 20 and can provide support to these new services.’

The new workers at Ntaria will provide support through the Intensive Family Support program and the Employment Mentoring program. LCC will work in partnership with the Hermannsburg congregation, Finke River Mission and the community to respond to local needs.

‘Our team will be building stronger families and a stronger community’, LCC Central Australian manager Barbara Cybulka said. ‘This fits perfectly within LCC’s mission of showing God’s love in all the work we do.’

Miranda Cirocco is Communications Coordinator for Lutheran Community Care SA/NT.