Serving the most vulnerable for 75 years

This year, the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) celebrates 75 years of serving the most vulnerable through the ministry of Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).

The origins of our church’s overseas aid and development ministry started at Bonegilla Migrant Centre near Albury, where Rev Dr Bruno Muetzelfeld, a local Lutheran pastor, began offering pastoral and practical care to thousands of European Lutheran refugees following the end of World War II.

In time, the ministry expanded to focus on supporting the most vulnerable overseas. Today, our church works through ALWS to provide practical care to vulnerable people in 14 of the poorest countries … food for the hungry, education for children and support to grow resilient families.

Inspired by the faithful generosity of Australian Lutherans, ALWS is celebrating its anniversary with four major events and the ambitious goal to support 75,000 children with the essentials for a happy, healthy life – food, school and safety.

All are invited to join ALWS at a celebration event and to make a special 75th donation that will change the future for a vulnerable child impacted by poverty and war in Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Bangladesh, Nepal and Ukraine. Together, we can ‘Step out so a child can step up’!

Anniversary celebrations will commence with a commemorative event at Bonegilla Migrant Centre on Saturday 22 March 2025. Join ALWS and enjoy guided tours of the migrant facilities, live cultural performances and a historic Walk My Way to the old Bonegilla Rail Station, and hear stories, songs and reflections honouring our church’s legacy of care.

A thanksgiving service, led by LCANZ Bishop Rev Paul Smith, will be held on Sunday 23 March at St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Albury. Celebration events will also be held in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane.

75th-anniversary celebration events

• Saturday 22 March – Albury/Bonegilla
• Sunday 30 March – Melbourne Walk My Way
• Saturday 3 May – Adelaide Walk My Way
• Saturday 10 May – Brisbane Walk My Way

Each celebration event will include a community hub with live performances, food stalls and activities for children. Attendees might also choose to participate in the Walk My Way challenge.

Visit www.alws75.org.au to register as an attendee or walker for any of the events and discover more about the legacy of our church through ALWS.

Together, let’s give thanks to God for 75 years of Lutheran service through ALWS and commit to changing the future for 75,000 vulnerable children impacted by poverty and war.