Congregation and care services commemorate 60-year partnership

Members of St Mark’s Lutheran Church Mount Gravatt in Queensland recently celebrated Christian Service Sunday, commemorating a 60-year relationship with Lutheran Services.

The service in September brought together congregation members, staff and volunteers from Lutheran Services Support Centre, Trinder Park Aged Care, Keystone Disability Services and aged care and hospital chaplaincy, to reflect on their shared mission.

St Mark’s congregation has more than 60 years of shared history with care arms of Lutheran Services. Congregants shared their joint experiences of service and care, highlighting experiences related to governance, aged care, disability and chaplaincy. There were many memories of service shared, which reflected on the blessing that they have been to many.

During worship, Lutheran Services staff, including case managers and chaplains, shared insights into their current work – highlighting the organisation’s continued commitment to serving and caring for others. The services offered by the organisation support local communities, particularly in the areas of aged care, disability, domestic violence and mental health.

Director of Chaplaincy and Ministry Development at Lutheran Services, Rev Dr Russell Briese said this coming together in a local congregation mutually affirmed the caring services the organisation provides and their roots in local congregations and the faith of ordinary Lutherans. ‘Lutheran is who we are. Serve is what we do. It is that straightforward’, he said. ‘Our work continues to hold serving at its core just as Jesus said he came not to be served but to serve.’

Chaplain Jo Corney described Lutheran Services as ‘a grassroots movement growing from Lutheran congregations who, from their foundation of Christian faith, responded to need in their community to provide help and care’. ‘They were motivated by their belief in God’s great love and value for humankind shown in his sending of Jesus to serve us in his life, death and resurrection’, she said. ‘This shows us that, from God’s perspective, no-one is spare. All people are valued regardless of their circumstances. This is still core to us in Lutheran Services.’

The understanding of the long-term giving, care, commitment and appreciation the congregants have for this support and care were deepened by the service, Jo said. ‘A tangible expression of this was the offering of prayer and blessing for the staff and volunteers present’, she said. ‘This service was a beautiful reminder of the power of shared service and mission, the strength of community, and the shared history that underpins and continues to support connections between St Mark’s congregation and Lutheran Services.’