Jun2014
A woman of firsts
by Rachel Kuchel
She came from a remarkable family. She married a remarkable man. There was perhaps little room for her to be anything other than remarkable—and that she was! The story of Agnes Dorsch, nee Heyne, is a series of firsts: the first woman to receive a scholarship to the University of Adelaide (and the third to… Read more
Jun2014
Make it better
by Reid Matthias
She couldn’t have been more than two years of age. Her bright, blond curls bounced like springs as she took bounding little steps towards her mother, who was absently thumbing her way across her phone. The little girl approached her mother, right index finger pointing straight into the air. Obviously, this finger had absorbed the… Read more
May2014
Inviting others to believe
by Rev Dr Steen Olsen
Sometimes we are told that you become a Christian when you invite Jesus into your heart or life. But I am not sure that it is helpful to think of conversion in this way. The Bible never speaks of non-Christians inviting Jesus in, making him their Lord, or dedicating themselves to serving Jesus. Now, don’t… Read more
May2014
LSF: Soul care for students
by Rachel Kuchel
This year, Lutheran Students and Friends celebrates its 60th anniversary—although it hasn’t always been called that. Just like its name, the group has evolved over the years to reflect its changing aims and environment. In 1944 a study group for tertiary students belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (UELCA) had already been… Read more
May2014
A good dance by the font
by Reid Matthias
On the day of the service, Carl texted me at 8.00 am: ‘Make sure you watch out for roos.’ With eyes peeled, I drove the speed limit thinking about Carl Thiele’s regularisation service. I thought about Carl and his own journey, of living with and through God’s call … how we all have different sensory… Read more
Apr2014
Captain Compassion
by Rachel Kuchel
The South Australian town of Hahndorf was settled 175 years ago by 52 Lutheran families who arrived on a ship called the Zebra. They were part of the contingent of migrants we tend to call ‘Kavel’s people’ (although strictly speaking they were not members of Kavel’s congregation), leaving Prussia to seek a country where they… Read more
Apr2014
The inherent danger of rules
by Reid Matthias
I have a friend named Louise, who, to all intents and purposes is a pretty good driver; slightly irrational, because she is terrified that a semi will throw a tyre into her windshield at any moment—but basically a good driver. Louise follows the road rules, uses her indicator, checks her mirrors at all times—but she… Read more
Apr2014
It doesn’t depend on you
by Rev Steen Olsen
‘What text in the Bible first comes to mind when you think of evangelism?’ It is a question that I like to ask congregations and other groups. Invariably the answer is the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 19,20), where Jesus says, ‘Go! Make disciples! Baptise! Teach! … and I will always be with you’. We become… Read more
Mar2014
Murdered in New Guinea
by Lyall Kupke
During World War II the courage of one missionary enabled him to defy both the Australian and the Japanese authorities so that he could continue to serve the people of New Guinea. But ultimately he paid the supreme sacrifice. Adolph Wagner was born in 1912 in New Guinea, the son of the German Lutheran missionary… Read more
Mar2014
Mourners – or midwives?
by Reid Matthias
In 1872, in a small corner of the world—London’s Hyde Park, to be exact—a new breed of orators stepped up to speak about their own specific agendas. Whether political, scientific or religious, these ‘soapbox orators’ opened themselves up to praise or ridicule, all while standing on a crate. From the 19th century to the 21st,… Read more
