Wherever this enews finds you I pray that some part of it may touch your heart, provide support, bring hope or provide a whisper from God...

Stay humble, focussed and at peace knowing....

It is not the church of God that has a mission in the world but the God of mission who has a church in the world.  Tim Dearborn

May you be mission and ministry encouragers where God has placed you.

Families are weird and wonderful things.
The weird part is that unquestioningly, we grow-up sharing a house with a bunch of people, strangely familiar in some ways, but very different in many other aspects. Different people, some of whom we may not like very much, but there we all are, just having to get along the best we can, while all the time observing how wonderful and/or woeful each of these people are.
Time passes and the members of the family grow older and leave the house to pursue their own passions, abilities and interests.
Over time though, there are regular occasions that draw the family members back together. Some look forward to these coming-togethers. Others turn up only because its family and that’s what one is supposed to do. This second group may find themselves looking at the other attendees and wondering if they would ever bother mixing with such people if they weren’t related to them.
I’ve caught myself musing on this very point more than once over the years. I am one of 6 children. In some ways I know my siblings intimately. I know many of their faults and short-comings. The times they’ve lied and cheated, been judgemental, acted despicably and the times they let me down. Worse than that, I know that they know all these things, and more, about me!
Furthermore, as I and my siblings have gone our separate ways in life we have developed divergent views on politics, ethics, parenting and faith, just to name but a few.
Growing up, my family’s life revolved about the Church, the local Baptist Church. These days, no-one in my family attends a Baptist Church. Two siblings attend the Uniting Church of Australia, another attends a non-denominational community fellowship, one doesn’t have any interest in Churches of any description and I’m a Lutheran. Even my parents have moved on and now attend a Church of Christ.

You can imagine the interesting discussions, disagreements and occasional argument we have when we get together. That’s when the wonderful part of family shines brightest. Sure we know each other’s failings and weaknesses, we disagree on some crucial matters and in general, there are probably more things driving us apart than holding us together, but we stay together regardless. Even though we are spread out across South-eastern Australia, we make the effort to get together, regardless. We care for one another, forgive one another and love one another – regardless. Why? Because we are family, children of the one father (and mother!).

Garrison Keillor, of A Prairie Home Companion radio show fame (http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/) has a wonderful article in the February edition of National Geographic, entitled, “NO PLACE LIKE HOME” where he touches on this theme –

“I come home and feel so well understood.
I almost don't have to say a word.
I was not a good person.
I have yelled at my children.
I neglected my parents and was disloyal to loved ones.
I have offended righteous people.
People around here know all this about me,
and yet they still smile and say hello,
and so every day I feel forgiven.
Ask me if it's a good place to live,
and I don't know-that's real estate talk-
but forgiveness and understanding,
that's a beautiful combination.“

Regardless of all that may tear us down and apart, may we always remember that we are family, all with the one same Father. Whilst we may find ourselves standing apart  on crucial matters may we ever be drawn together under Grace with hearts filled with forgiveness and understanding.
And may we never lose sight of our most crucial reason for being – to effectively connect with the community we live in so that all may see, hear and come to know the Grace and forgiveness of our Father  . . .  to grow his family.

On the morning of March 16th 2014, Maxi was suddenly taken from this life, to her heavenly home, where she is enjoying perfect peace and joy, in the presence of her Heavenly Father.

As a Lay Ministry community we acknowledge Maxi's work for many years as a Parish Nurse at St Petri Congregation in Nuriootpa. We farewell Maxi knowing the hope in her Saviour Maxi carried through her life is now a reality. Well done good and faithful servant!

“Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of one of His Saints”

Maxi's Eulogy

Just a reminder that the Lay Workers handbook has been updated and includes an easier to use contents page. The handbook is detailed and contains very useful information and resources for Lay Workers, Pastors and Congregations. . Click here to request a copy

I acknowledge I have been pestering each of you for photos to add to our Lay Worker Hall of Fame wall here at our office. These photos generate a lot of discussion from people passing through the corridoor and are a great way to "see" the LCA Lay Workers...to us they are images reminding us of the hearts of the beautiful people answering God's call to be his people in mission and ministry in their communities. I also use the photos for the enews. Below is a list of people I have displayed a photo of. If you're not there...I'd still really love you to send through a picture! I've ordered them using first names so James Ziersch isn't listed last again!

Adam Morris, Angela Uhrane, Anneliese Stepowski, Annie Pfeffer, Ben Grulke, Buay Keudel, Charlie Reif, Cheryl Reif, Christine Heinrich, Dallan Lieschke, Dania Ahern,Danielle Robinson, Darren Linke, David Peake, David Spanagel, Donna Gunn, Emma Graetz, Erika Mills, Fiona Weckert, Glenice Hartwich, Glenn Schultz, Hanna Schulz, Heidi Smith, James Ziersch, Jennie Jones, Jenny Wood, Joanne Chamberlain, Joanne Schache, Jodi Brook, Julie Holiday, Keren Loffler, Kerry Linke, Leanne Miller, Linda Macqueen, Lynda Henstridge, Lynette Wiebusch, Malcolm Willcocks, Maria Price, Mark Thiel, Michelle Broom, Michelle Filipovic, Mitch Winkel-Davis, Nevin Nitschke, Pamela Dalgliesh, Robyn Downey, Robyn Wuttle, Rosemary Davidson, Rosie Schefe, Russell Veerhuis, Ruth Olsen, Sarah Kubenk, Sean Conry, Shannon Schuster, Sharon Minge, Steve Burger, Sue Westhorp, Tim Oestmann, Tim Hensel, Tom Schmidt, Valdis Andersons, Verena Johnson, Wendy Begg.

65...over a third of the way there!

Are you looking for some training for your leadership/ministry/mission team in your congregation? The Lay Ministry Team can offer training workshops in:

Building effective staff team

Engaging your congregation

Discovering your Spirital Gifts

Love Languages

Self Care

Church without Walls (mission into your community)

Contact us for more details

Lay Workers National Conference May 18-22, 2015.      

Michelle Broom has been installed and commenced as the Congregational Care Co-ordinator with the Portland-Heywood Lutheran Church on 3rd February 2014
Michelle has extensive experience in Pastoral Care, church and mission work locally and overseas.  She has served as a team leader with YWAM, leader of the outreach team in Portland-Heywood, Life Group Leader and as a member of the Portland-Heywood Lutheran Church.

James Ziersch was also installed at the Glynde homes in Adelaide as their Chaplain on February 2nd. James is one of our long serving men of God in Lay Ministry!

Blessings in your roles Michelle and James

I’m writing in the hopes that you can help me source a great story for The Lutheran magazine! I write the ‘Where Love Comes to Life’ column every month. Perhaps you have read it, in case you haven’t the column features stories about ordinary Lutherans doing small acts of love to help change the lives of others for the better. Some examples are: schools raising money for mission abroad, churches helping the local community, couples doing outback mission and even a honeymoon pair who spent it helping in a Lutheran orphanage.
Do you have anyone in your community you think we could write a story about? A youth group (or class) raising funds or working in the community, a choir visiting the elderly, a congregation member knitting or cooking away to give to others? It doesn’t matter how big or small, how young or old the person, or how big or little the cause … I would love to hear about it! It’s all about seeing faith in action!
On another note, I am always on the hunt for ‘page 2 people’ – all I need for that is:
-          A photo of someone in your community
-          Where they worship (or attend school)
-          What they do
-          What they enjoy doing (2 things)
-          Favourite Bible verse

Any help you could give would be fantastic! Thank you so much:)
Rebecka Colldunberg

Lutheran Media has produced a series of 5 new mini movies that are being released every couple of weeks. The series is called "Chronic". It tells the story of Pastor Stephen and Therese Abraham and is designed to give people hope in the midst of suffering.
Please go to www.facetoface.org.au to watch a 30 second clip promoting the series about the upcoming Chronic Pain series. It's also on www.youtube.com/luthmedia and called "Introducing Chronic". You may also like to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss them.
The first mini movie is planned for release on the 14th March 2014 on the Face to Face website and our YouTube channel. Please make people aware of this resource along with the other Mini Movies that we have also produced for you to use. There is also a free booklet on Chronic Pain that you can order by emailing us at luthmedia@lca.org.au.
We pray that these Mini Movies bring the hope of Jesus Christ to people.

We know Lay Ministry can be extremely rewarding and we also know it can be demanding and lonely at times.

Do you need help in your ministry with any of the following areas....?

• working as a team
• developing an effective ministry plan
• gaining a support team, pray team, mentor
• understanding study options
• clarifying working conditions
• connecting with others in similar ministries
• someone to be a listening ear

as well as finishing a position well and review options......

We can and do help....contact the Lay Ministry Office