Our Lutheran family steps out for the kids

More than 1,300 LCANZ members and friends have stepped out on the footpaths, roads and tracks around Australia in this year’s Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) Walk My Way events held to support children impacted by war and poverty.

To date, approximately $190,000 has been raised to support more than 7,500 children with food, schooling and shelter in countries including Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Bangladesh, Nepal and Ukraine. The events are part of an overall ALWS campaign to support more than 75,000 children this year as the LCANZ’s overseas aid and development agency celebrates 75 years of serving vulnerable people, including refugees.

The most recent Walk My Way, held in Brisbane on Saturday (10 May), saw almost 600 participants take part in a ‘riverside ramble’ and has, to date, raised almost $72,500, which translates to support for around 2,900 children.

The Adelaide event on 3 May doubled as a public farewell to Australian Lutheran College’s (ALC) North Adelaide campus and drew more than 600 visitors and walkers, who have raised almost $79,000 to date, supporting almost 3,150 vulnerable children. Along with the LCANZ’s Churchwide Office, ALC will relocate to the new Church House in the Adelaide CBD this year.

Like the Bonegilla event near Albury–Wodonga, which was held on 22 March as part of the launch of ALWS’ 75th anniversary celebrations and commemorated the origins of ALWS, the Adelaide event offered a unique opportunity for reminiscing and giving thanks. Attendees were able to walk through the ALC campus, including its historic buildings and library, to say goodbye to a site that has served the Lutheran community for a century. Many other Lutheran ministries also had stalls at the ALC-based festival hub, as part of the event.

It was an important acknowledgement of the role of the site in the history of the LCA, ALC Principal Dr Tim Stringer said. ‘This event not only supported the work of ALWS but provided an opportunity for those who have been connected with the campus over the past century to visit, reminisce and say their farewells,’ he said.

A Walk My Way event was also held in Melbourne in late March. More than 300 walkers participated in the two March events, and to date, have raised more than $38,000 together, supporting more than 1,500 children. At least five Lutheran schools are hosting Walk My Ways in 2025 and are adding to the funds raised, as are people doing individual walks.

ALWS Community Action Manager Jonathan Krause said it was ‘a joy to be part of a church willing to step out to bring love to life’. ‘It was a privilege for ALWS to bring together so many Lutheran ministries, each of us standing on the shoulders of our shared history, but looking forward to what we are called to be in today’s world.

‘For ALWS, seeking to support 75,000 children to give thanks for 75 years of ALWS service, was a bold step of faith.

‘Yet, as has happened so many times before, the love and compassion of our Lutheran family shine through – quietly caring for others, humbly doing the hard work no-one but our Father sees, authentically living the values our faith unlocks in us. Following where the Spirit leads, we can look forward in confidence.’

There is still time to donate and help ALWS reach its goal of supporting 75,000 children. To donate, go to www.alws75.org.au