Nov2020
Blessed beyond belief
When Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church, Western Australia, began a church-planting journey more than four years ago, they knew they couldn’t source all the necessary funding from within their community. But the Holy Spirit had things in hand.
Nov2020
Stawell stalwarts get choppin’
by Helen Beringen
Chopping firewood at the foot of the Grampians range in Victoria is a regular winter pastime for hardy members of St Peter’s Lutheran Church in Stawell, as a fundraiser for their 26-member congregation. Since 2014 woodcutting has become a major fundraiser for the fellowship.
Nov2020
Discover God’s call – no matter who you are
by Pastor James Winderlich
The only attribute defining a ‘typical’ student in Australian Lutheran College’s Discover program is a willingness to complete theological study while engaging in a local ministry to explore God’s call. The first student cohort includes women and men, young and old, and full-time and part-time.
Nov2020
Embracing change for his kingdom
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.
Oct2020
Christ’s love knows no borders
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.
Oct2020
The miracle of your care
by Pastor Stephen Schultz
This year the Lutheran church celebrates 70 years of reaching out in love to people in need through ALWS. Pastor Stephen Schultz says he was privileged to witness the fruit of this work last year at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya and the way it has helped change people’s lives.
Oct2020
A stitch in time builds lives
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.
Oct2020
Side by side, every step of the way
Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) was formed 70 years ago so that our Lutheran family could walk alongside people in need. Today our church through ALWS works in 11 countries. Last year the ALWS family helped 297,498 people with the same spirit of service as 70 years ago.
Sep2020
Free to walk for others
With ALWS Walk My Way community events cancelled due to COVID-19, four Year 11 students from Concordia College in suburban Adelaide thought creatively about raising funds to support the education of children in refugee camps. They raised enough to help 143 children to go to school.
Sep2020
Candles light a fire for ministry
by Helen Beringen
A box of cardboard candles falling from a church storage cupboard sparked Elisabeth Clarke’s unique ministry almost a decade ago. Since then she has been creating inviting and interesting spaces in church foyers, presenting a peaceful and welcoming entrance to bless all those who walk through.
