Feb2021
Ordination joy despite lockdown
Despite a COVID-19 lockdown forcing a last-minute change, Stanley Roberts was ordained in unique circumstances as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at Papunya in the NT. With LCA/NZ Bishop John Henderson unable to travel due to the snap lockdown, Stanley was ordained by another SMP.
Feb2021
Lutherans recognised in Australia Day Honours
LCA/NZ members Chris Halbert and David Mattiske have been recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List.
Dec2020
Christmas without all the trimmings
For many churches around the LCA/NZ, COVID-19 gathering and health restrictions may mean they are unable to host the large Christmas services or be involved in the big community events they usually do. Instead, faith communities have come up with new and innovative ways to worship.
Dec2020
Ordination joy despite lockdown
Despite a COVID-19 lockdown forcing a last-minute change of plans, Stanley Roberts was ordained in unique circumstances as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) at Papunya in the Northern Territory late last year.
Nov2020
Nostril dramas: How stray hairs can derail online worship ministry
by Jonathan Krause
When COVID-19 put a temporary halt to public worship, congregations were challenged to put a new emphasis on offering online worship. Many different people take part in the presentation of worship and are filmed in their homes, close-up. That’s where nostril hairs are important.
Nov2020
Embracing change for his kingdom
Like many churches, Mawson Lakes Community Church in Adelaide’s north has undergone dramatic shifts in its ministries during COVID-19. But rather than looking to return to ‘normal’, members are embracing sustainable change.
Oct2020
Christ’s love knows no borders
by Faye Schmidt
With COVID-19 having closed some state borders, Faye Schmidt applied to relocate from Melbourne to Adelaide to be near her daughter. This stressful ordeal highlighted for Faye what it means to live under God’s grace.
Oct2020
A stitch in time builds lives
by Helen Beringen
At the Lutheran Community Sewing Group, a volunteer team supports and teaches migrant women not only how to sew, but how to be loved and to make sense of an alien world. ‘The most important thing we do is equip the women with skills and confidence’, coordinator Helen Semmler says.
Oct2020
A stitch in time builds lives
by Helen Beringen
Imagine a life where you have no say, no voice and no choice. Now imagine being housebound in a foreign land, where people speak a language you don’t understand and lead a way of life very different from your own.
Sep2020
Free to walk for others
With ALWS Walk My Way community events cancelled due to COVID-19, four Year 11 students from Concordia College in suburban Adelaide thought creatively about raising funds to support the education of children in refugee camps. They raised enough to help 143 children to go to school.