Hope in a broken world
At times, the world can feel heavy. We see it in the news, wars, cost of living increases, in the divisions and uncertainties people carry, and in the struggles present in our communities and schools. Brokenness is not abstract; it is part of everyday life.
And yet, into this reality, we come again to Easter.
Easter does not deny the darkness. The story begins with grief, fear, and uncertainty. But in the quiet of the morning, something new begins. The stone is rolled away. Life rises. Hope speaks again.
This is the heart of the Christian story: God does not stand distant from human brokenness. In Jesus, God enters it fully. And in the resurrection, God declares that brokenness does not have the final word.
For those of us in Lutheran education, this hope shapes how we understand our work. Each day in our schools, we see small but significant signs of life, moments of care, curiosity, courage and connection. These are not insignificant. They are signs of hope doing its work.
Easter reminds us that hope is not naïve optimism. It is a deeper confidence that even in uncertainty, God is at work bringing life where we cannot see it.
It is a defiant hope.
As we journey through this Easter season, may we notice those signs of hope in our schools, families and communities. And may we continue the shared work of forming young people who carry hope into the world through kindness, courage and love for their neighbour.
Because even in a broken world, life is still rising.
Have a blessed Easter.
Jodie Hoff
Executive Director
National Dialogue on Addressing Antisemitism in Australian Schools
On 17 March, Jodie Hoff joined education leaders from across government and non-government sectors at the NSW Department of Education for a national dialogue on addressing antisemitism in Australian schools. The conversation brought together educators, policymakers and community leaders to reflect on the responsibility schools carry in shaping safe, respectful and informed communities. Read more here.
With thanks to our Lutheran schools
Principal Brad Moss, Jodie Hoff and students of Victory Lutheran College, Wodonga Victoria
Over recent months, Jodie had the privilege of visiting many of our Lutheran schools, including Victory Lutheran College (pictured above). Read her reflection here.
ENGAGE: For non-teaching and non-ministry staff in Lutheran education
Suzanne Jessen leads an Engage workshop at Church House, Adelaide
Engage continues to be developed and reviewed by the Working Party with oversight of this new professional learning program. Please look out for updates in future eNews editions and via LEA Facebook.
Christian Studies curriculum project
The Christian Studies Curriculum Design and Writing Group meets again in April for the next intensive writing block. Our weekly LEA Facebook posts and the Regional Office emails during term 1 continue to share the Core Concepts for our new curriculum. Watch out for our term 2 posts, where responses to the questions received from people during term 1 will feature.
Connect facilitators
LEA is developing a national register of Connect facilitators. If you have not yet contacted the office with the name/s of your facilitator/s, please do so by emailing lea@lutheran.edu.au by the end of term 1, 2026.
Introduction to Ministry in Lutheran Education:
3-day workshop
We are excited to share that this workshop is going ahead in 2026! As it will be held at Church House in Adelaide, we are including some visits to significant sites as part of our workshop program. This workshop is to be completed by ministry staff in your school who have not attended previously, and as they work towards their Accreditation for Ministry (Am) in Lutheran Education. For more information on Accreditation for Ministry (Am), visit Policies and guidelines.
Registrations for this 3-day workshop are open and accessible via the flyer.
The next offering of this workshop will be in 2028.
Germany Study Tour 2027
We have an exciting opportunity for leaders in Lutheran schools in mid-September, 2027! Click here for more information.
Expressions of interest close on 3 April 2026. Express your interest today.
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