SA-NT

Two groups of former Papua New Guinea missionaries recently had double cause for celebration, as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) marks 140 years since the arrival of pioneering missionary Johann Flierl and 50 years since the church declared its autonomy.

by Erin Kerber

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea has been richly blessed through the faith and commitment of Australian Lutherans who responded to God’s call to serve in Papua New Guinea.

After 36 years of ministry, creativity and service, Verena Johnson has retired from the LCA. From pioneering children’s ministry to writing dramas and worship resources, editing ministry publications and supporting church workers across the LCANZ, Verena’s faithful service has blessed countless people in the church.

by Aaron Glover

After months of preparation, prayer and practical support, members of St John’s Lutheran Church Unley welcomed a Somali refugee family to Adelaide through the CRISP program. Their story reflects God’s love in action – a love also shared through ALWS as we support vulnerable refugee girls in Somalia.

A new journey has begun for St Michael’s Lutheran Primary School with the official opening of a wonderful new early learning centre that is set to benefit the littlest learners of Hahndorf SA and the wider Adelaide Hills community.

More than 200 people – mostly from Central Australia and Australia’s Top End – gathered at Alice Springs Lutheran Church late last month to witness the installation of Pastor Stephen Radke as the first-ever assistant bishop for the Northern Territory in the LCA’s SA–NT District.