Local Mission widens focus on care

I’m excited to tell you about the LCANZ’s Care Ministries (incorporating the Ageing). It’s not a new department of the church, though the name is new.

Formerly Ministry with the Ageing, Care Ministries (incorporating the Ageing) will continue to support ministry with and alongside the ageing, and now will also advocate for all caring ministries. The change of name, and expansion of focus, is a natural extension of the work of Ministry with the Ageing.

Our Christian Care Sunday project, for example, was designed to be much broader than celebrating the care that occurs in aged care. This project celebrates all caring in our communities, by volunteers as well as paid staff. Because God loves, we care. A new year provides new opportunities to see those people and places around us who are providing care and support to the vulnerable, and to thank them! Even better, our church communities can get involved, and continue to bring love to life, by looking out for the needs of our family members, friends and the strangers we encounter, and meeting those needs as we can.

The Christian Care Sunday project invites every congregation to consider hosting a Christian Care Sunday celebration in 2022. Find all the resources you need to get started on the new Department for Care Ministries webpage.

The work of Care Ministries is supported by the Committee for Care Ministries, an advisory committee of the Council for Local Mission. The Committee:

• provides advice on ageing-related matters and ministry with the ageing
• provides advice on community care-related matters and ministry with vulnerable members of our community
• promotes the Lutheran ethos of aged care and community services.
• facilitates the development and promotes the use of relevant resources
• consults and facilitates communication with Lutheran agencies engaged in this ministry.

The Committee for Care Ministries is ably led by chairperson Colleen Fitzpatrick, alongside committee members Chris Hoey, Pastor Ian Lutze, Wendy Rocks, Phillip Schmaal and Naomi Zanker.

Please pray for our expanded ministry, as we seek to support you as you show God’s love in your community. And we’d love to hear from you! Email ideas or needs to careministries@lca.org.au

Dr Tania Nelson is LCANZ Executive Officer – Local Mission.