Nov2018
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
This year the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women falls on Sunday 25th November. I encourage LCA congregations and members to recognise this day as a contribution to reducing the incidence of violence in all its forms. Acts of violence are widespread across society and they take many forms. It affects both… Read more
Nov2018
Heartland eNews – post-Convention message to the church
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in… Read more
Nov2018
Remembrance Day 2018 – 100th Anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4 NRSV) This coming Sunday, 11 November, will be Remembrance Day. 2018 marks 100… Read more
Oct2018
National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
This email follows on from my earlier message issued on 27th September 2018 Next Monday, 22 October 2018, Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, will rise in the National Parliament in Canberra to deliver a National Apology to people who as children were sexually abused in religious and non-religious institutions. Hundreds of victims of… Read more
Sep2018
National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse – Monday 22 October 2018
In just over three weeks—Monday 22 October—Scott Morrison, the Prime Minister of Australia, will rise in the National Parliament in Canberra to deliver a National Apology to people who were sexually abused as children in religious and non-religious institutions. This landmark apology is a major outcome of the 5-year-long Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to… Read more
Sep2018
International Day of Peace, Friday 21 September
In divine service we regularly speak the words, ‘The peace of the Lord be with you’, responding, ‘And also with you.’ Peace is both a comfort and a constant challenge to the people of the world in their spiritual lives, and in their daily lives. It breaks down all too readily. True peace, we know,… Read more
Aug2018
World Humanitarian Day 19 August 2018
Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. [Luke 30:31 NRSV] We all acknowledge that the world is a better place when people do good, rather than evil, and practice love toward… Read more
Jul2018
Heartland eNews 16 July 2018
From Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th July 2018 over 230 Lutheran pastors from across Australia and New Zealand met at St Michael’s Lutheran Church and School in Hahndorf, SA, for the triennial General Pastors Conference of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Pastors gathered in table groups, ably led by the Conference Chairman, Assistant LCA Bishop… Read more
Jun2018
National Redress Scheme (Australia)
Yesterday the General Church Council (GCC) resolved that the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) will join the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced child sexual abuse in institutional settings. Established by the Commonwealth Government, the scheme is a direct result of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It will… Read more
Jun2018
Report of the Religious Freedom Review and the Australian government’s response
The Australian government will soon release the report of the recent Religious Freedom Review, along with its initial response. In late 2017, following the national debate on ‘same sex marriage’, the Turnbull government commissioned Philip Ruddock and an expert panel to conduct the Review to investigate its implications for religious freedom. The government selected the… Read more
