Speaking up for a ‘Safer World’

As a Lutheran Church, we are called to raise our voices for justice and compassion.

Last month, representatives from our Lutheran Church joined an ecumenical delegation of women leaders to Parliament House in Canberra. The delegation called for stronger, smarter Australian aid investment, including urgent humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.

Led by Micah Australia, the Safer World For All delegation met with federal politicians from all sides of parliament, seeking bipartisan support to increase aid spending to 1 per cent of the Australian budget (currently only 0.65 per cent).

The Lutheran Church was represented by Pastor Tanya Wittwer, pastor at St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Adelaide, and ALWS Community Engagement Officer Emma Hansen. As part of the delegation, Tanya and Emma met with Members of Parliament (MPs), including the Honourable Michael McCormack MP, the Honourable Kate Thwaites MP, Mr Simon Kennedy MP, the Honourable Tony Zappia MP and Mr Sam Birrell MP.

‘As I talked with these MPs, I felt so profoundly thankful for the opportunity to enter a place of such importance and the privilege I had to speak on behalf of so many forgotten and excluded voices from across the globe,’ Emma said, reflecting on the experience. ‘I am so grateful to live in a country where I have the democratic right to speak up.’

What a blessing that we, as a Lutheran community, can share our voices in places of influence, working side by side for a safer world for all.

Sarah Timu is a fundraising coordinator at Australian Lutheran World Service. She joined the team in 2024.