Oct2017
Lutheran woman features in photo prize
A portrait of Docker River Lutheran Beryl Bell entitled ‘Beryl and Jesus’ has won this year’s $10,000 Australian Life photography prize. Amy Jean Harding took the photo of Beryl at Big Sing in the Desert in April 2016. In her artist statement, Amy Jean said: ‘Beryl has been able to entwine the ancient Dreamtime with… Read more
Oct2017
Tree planting commemorates Reformation
When LCA Bishop John Henderson planted a tree in Canberra last month, it was a simple, local act with global roots and international significance. The tree planting at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in the Australian Capital Territory was part of the worldwide commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, stemming from the birthplace… Read more
Sep2017
New bishop for NSW district
Pastor James Haak will be the next bishop of the LCA’s New South Wales District, following the retirement of Bishop Mark Lieschke at the end of the year. Pastor Haak, who has never served in the New South Wales District, was elected on 16 September at the Convention of Synod at Warrambui Retreat and Conference… Read more
Sep2017
Nice guys can Finnish first!
by Rebecka Colldunberg
Pastor Lauri Iso-Aho was shocked to receive a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his service to Mount Isa’s multicultural community, presented by a representative of Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk this month (September). The award was made to the shepherd of Immanuel Finnish Lutheran Church – and Mount Isa Parish – at the annual Mt… Read more
Aug2017
Awards for The Lutheran
The LCA’s national magazine, The Lutheran, won two gold awards and one silver award at the recent annual Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) awards ceremony held in Auckland. The first gold award for The Lutheran came in the Best Faith Reflection category, for Pastor Stephen Abraham’s piece on living with chronic pain, published in June… Read more
Aug2017
Ordination meetings draw 1200 members – and counting
Heading into the final month of the LCA’s ordination consultation meetings, 1196 people have so far been a part of the church-wide process. The meetings are being held in all LCA districts from March to October this year to consider draft documents presented by the LCA’s Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR) in response… Read more
Aug2017
LCA Bishop message re same-sex marriage
LCA Bishop John Henderson has released this message regarding same-sex marriage and the postal vote. These are turbulent times in Australian politics and social opinion. At the forefront of this turmoil is the matter of the recognition at law of same-sex marriages. The issue itself has been with us for several years, and through that… Read more
Aug2017
Pastoral ministry research paper released
In 2014 the College of Bishops commissioned Australian Lutheran Institute for Theology and Ethics (ALITE) to undertake a research project on the Pastoral Ministry in the LCA to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the LCA. The study was undertaken with the generous support of the LLL, with funds specifically set aside for 50th Anniversary… Read more
Aug2017
Full circle: Lutheran world leader meets African refugees in Australia
In his role as General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Rev Dr Martin Junge has seen firsthand the devastating human impact of the world’s refugee crisis. So the Geneva-based leader of the world’s largest body of Lutheran churches was ‘deeply moved’ on his first visit to Australia last month when he met a… Read more
Aug2017
Masterful faith-sharing resource launched
Rev Dr Noel Due’s book New Life New Love was launched, shared, and ‘mastered’ by 30 people at Salisbury Lutheran Church in suburban Adelaide last month. Participants began the New Life New Love Masterclass by joining the local congregation in Friday night worship. During the masterclass Dr Due said readers had the opportunity to dwell… Read more
