6 March 2013

Prayer points
• Delegates preparation for the Convention of Synod
• the Church’s ministry to tertiary students and staff
• Thanksgiving for Lutheran Community Care services
• Thanksgiving for congregations of the LCA

I am currently in Sydney attending my final Heads of Churches and National Council of Churches meetings as President of the Lutheran Church of Australia.

GENERAL CONVENTION AND ALIVE!175
The General Convention of Synod of the Lutheran Church of Australia is being held 21-24 April 2013 under the theme of ‘Where Love Comes to Life’. The Synod opening service and Alive!175 are being held at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday 21 April, with business sessions following 22-24 April at Immanuel College Novar Gardens. The Synod opening service will begin at 10.00am on Sunday 21 April. Following lunch Alive!175 will be a combination of live performances and multi-media presentations will transport you through our Lutheran history in Australia, celebrate how God is working in our Church in the present and look with hope to how he will lead us into the future. Please note that as no food is allowed to be brought into the Entertainment Centre lunch will be available for $5 – no need to register for this. Further information on meal options will be available on the website soon. Formal proceedings will conclude at 4.30pm and following this why not meet Archivist Lyall Kupke out the front of the Entertainment Centre, and he will lead you on a short 10 minute walk to the Lutheran Archives nearby where you can view the exhibition, 175 years of Lutheran mission, at the Lutheran Archives. While you are in Adelaide attending synod, why not also take part in the Luther League Reunion (20 April), Lutheran Women’s Convention (18-19 April), Lutheran Men’s Convention (19 April) or Novo Camp (19-22 April).  Further information available via the Synod website www.lcasynod.org.au.

LAY MINISTRY SEEKS NEW DIRECTOR
The position of Director for Lay Ministry is vacant after some 11 years with James Doecke at the helm.  Under his guidance and vision, the effectiveness of the Board for Lay Ministry in providing support to lay workers and their employing congregations has grown enormously.  At the beginning of 2012, two Lay Worker Formation Officers were appointed to do most of the field work to release the Director to focus on the vision, policies and administration of the Board, and leading the staff team. 
The Board for Lay Ministry is currently seeking applications for this exciting position of Director.
Do you have??
•    experience with lay ministry
•    exceptional communication skills
•    good organisation management
• track record in sound relationship management
• ability to work with a vibrant staff team
• committed to lay ministry
The successful applicant will be an active member of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
For further information and a job description, please visit
www.lca.org.au/employment-opportunities.html or contact Chris Pfeiffer on 0413 610 265.
Please email applications to erika.mills@lca.org.au
Closing date is 15 March 2013”

MEDIA MINISTRY MOVIES
Look out for the first two movies coming out in March on www.facetoface.org.au
‘Grace Notes’ going live on the 17th when we interview Matt Huckel about his experience as a Music Therapist working with people in vegetative and minimally conscious states as a result of severe brain injury. When does a person cease to exist? That will be closely followed by a Good Friday special, ‘Fenceposts of Hope’, that looks at how the cross, a means of horrific death, has been transformed into a symbol of comfort and hope for people.

EASTER RESOURCES
Send an Easter E-Card to your family and friends.  Go to www.lutheranmedia.org.au/easter
Colouring in pages will be available on www.happyland.com.au for Easter and the school holidays.

175 STORIES
where history comes to life!
As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations next year, we’re compiling a collection of 175 stories that will together reflect the history of Lutherans in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and South-East Asia. These stories will be about everyday Lutheran men and women who exemplified service or who figured in significant events in our Lutheran narrative. The stories, which will be about people now deceased, will tell not only what they did but also something of their personality and faith. Lay people will feature prominently in the collection. We realise that not everyone can write confidently, so suggestions and ideas for stories are also invited. Examples of stories are available at www.lca.org.au/175-stories.html Please send stories (around 500 words), with a photo if possible, and suggestions for stories to Dr John Koch: John.Koch@lca.org.au or 34 Gallery Road, Highbury SA 5089. Also include the author’s name and contact details.

LCA LEADERS PREPARE FOR ROYAL COMMISSION
Leaders representing LCA districts and ministries met in Adelaide on 21 February to discuss the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia. They focused particularly on the Letters Patent (Terms of Reference) that were released by the Federal Government on 11 January. The LCA leaders discussed issues pertaining to communications and pastoral care, and agreed to establish a working group that will coordinate the LCA's engagement with the Royal Commission. The Royal Commission will deliver its interim report by 30 June next year, and is expected to hand over its final report by 31 December 2015.

CALL INFORMATION
EXTENDED
Paul Smith Pacific College Caloundra QLD to Greensborough VIC
Mark Vainikka Concordia College Toowoomba QLD to Moorabbin/Dandenong VIC
Mark Blackwell Geelong VIC to Mount Barker SA
Matthew Anker Goulburn VIC to Dernancourt SA
Albert Gast Wagga Wagga Primary School NSW to Cornerstone College Mt Barker SA
Ben Hentschke Birdwood SA to Bunbury WA
Mark Vainikka Concordia College Toowoomba QLD to Burrumbuttock NSW

ACCEPTED

DECLINED
Steve Liersch Onkaparinga SA to Wodonga VIC
Ben Hentschke Birdwood SA to Horsham VIC

PARISHES IN THE CALL PROCESS
New South Wales: Albury; Burrumbuttock; Griffith/Leeton; Sutherland;
New Zealand: Manawatu;
Queensland: Ipswich;
South Australia/Northern Territory: Ceduna, Dernancourt, Eudunda, Morphett Vale, Mount Barker - St Marks, Mt Barker - Cornerstone College, Salisbury, Wudinna
Victoria: Greensborough; Horsham; North West Regional, Wodonga
Western Australia: Bunbury

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LAY MINISTRY
Youth Worker - St Stephen's Congregation, Adelaide - 0.2FTE
National Director – LCA Board for Lay Ministry, Adelaide – full time
For more information please visit the LCA web site: http://www.lca.org.au/employment-opportunities.html