Oct2019
Heartland eNews 14 October 2019
by Bishop John Henderson
Dear Pastors, LCA Synod delegates, and wider LCA membership, Since the General Convention of Synod in Sydney last year, the leaders of the LCA at the District and Churchwide levels have been becoming increasingly aware of the complex and seemingly irresolvable dilemmas facing our church, particularly in relation to the question of ordination and the… Read more
Sep2019
Attorney General releases draft Religious Discrimination Bill
A Pastoral Message from the LCA Acting Bishop I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness (1 Timothy 2:1,2). The Lutheran Church of Australia regularly… Read more
Jun2019
Refugee Week 2019
by John Henderson
Did you know that 17-23 June 2019 is Refugee Week all around the world?
The sheer numbers of internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers and ‘irregular migrants’ in the world today are overwhelming.
May2019
National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2019
by Bishop John Henderson
Australia will once again observe National Sorry Day (Sunday 26 May) and Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June).
May2019
Australian Federal Election
by Bishop John Henderson
Next week Australians are facing a federal election. Each of us who is 18 years old or over needs to choose our candidates or parties and vote accordingly.You already know that the church is not going to tell you for whom you should vote.
Apr2019
Anzac Day 2019
by Bishop John Henderson
‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ (Psalm 23:4 KJV)
Dear Christian friends, ‘The valley of the shadow of death’ is a useful way of understanding what’s going on in our world this week.
Apr2019
Good Friday and Easter
by Bishop John Henderson
Dear Christian friends, On Tuesday morning, as the TV showed scenes of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral collapsing in flames, I couldn’t help reflecting, as perhaps you did, that of all the weeks for this tragedy to occur, Holy Week is the most poignant.
Mar2019
Heartland eNews – Annunciation 25th March 2019
by Bishop John Henderson
Lutherans don’t often celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, which marks the visit of the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38). We rightly emphasise Jesus, and so although the Feast of the Annunciation dates back one and a half millennia, we haven’t given it much airplay. For his part, however, Luther advises us… Read more
Mar2019
Heartland eNews – Harmony Day/Race Relations Day, Thursday 21 March 2019
by Bishop John Henderson
Thursday 21st March 2019 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Australians call it ‘Harmony Day’. New Zealanders know it as ‘Race Relations Day’. The day focusses on ‘building bridges’ with people who are different from us. It’s about committing ourselves to show courtesy and hospitality to people of other racial, cultural,… Read more
Mar2019
Heartland eNews – Christchurch Mosque attacks
In the wake of the ‘appalling act of mass murder’ in Christchurch yesterday, LCNZ Bishop Mark Whitfield and LCA Bishop John Henderson have issued a Heartland eNews, calling for prayers and for peace.
