SA-NT

For many churches around the LCA/NZ, COVID-19 gathering and health restrictions may mean they are unable to host the large Christmas services or be involved in the big community events they usually do. Instead, faith communities have come up with new and innovative ways to worship.

Despite a COVID-19 lockdown forcing a last-minute change of plans, Stanley Roberts was ordained in unique circumstances as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at Papunya in the Northern Territory late last year.

by Jonathan Krause

When COVID-19 put a temporary halt to public worship, congregations were challenged to put a new emphasis on offering online worship. Many different people take part in the presentation of worship and are filmed in their homes, close-up. That’s where nostril hairs are important.

Like many churches, Mawson Lakes Community Church in Adelaide’s north has undergone dramatic shifts in its ministries during COVID-19. But rather than looking to return to ‘normal’, members are embracing sustainable change.

by Faye Schmidt

With COVID-19 having closed some state borders, Faye Schmidt applied to relocate from Melbourne to Adelaide to be near her daughter. This stressful ordeal highlighted for Faye what it means to live under God’s grace.

by Helen Beringen

At the Lutheran Community Sewing Group, a volunteer team supports and teaches migrant women not only how to sew, but how to be loved and to make sense of an alien world. ‘The most important thing we do is equip the women with skills and confidence’, coordinator Helen Semmler says.