social issues

by Sarah Timu

Last month, Pastor Tanya Wittwer (St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Adelaide) and Emma Hansen (ALWS Community Engagement Officer) represented the Lutheran Church as part of an ecumenical delegation of women leaders to Parliament House in Canberra to advocate for a greater Australian aid commitment.

In response to a call from the Lutheran education community for teaching and pastoral care advice on identity and gender, the LCANZ has approved a cover letter to be read in conjunction with the ’Created and Loved’ Christian guide.

Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation has been introduced in Australia and New Zealand. As it is now a legal process, the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) has outlined how God’s people can respond to this practice.

On 21 July 2023, the General Church Board approved for publication the Doctrinal Statement and Theological Opinion (DSTO), Voluntary Assisted Dying.

Pastors are being invited to share their insights into how religious beliefs and practices have been misused in the perpetration of violence, as part of a research project initiated by the LCANZ.

by Helen Lockwood

You may have heard the words: ‘If this program has raised any issues for you, please call 1800RESPECT’? This national counselling service supports people going through abuse or who have been abused. Lutherans who work on the helpline say that they pray for the right words to say.