12 June 2013

Prayer points
• Thanks for those who carry out the church’s work in the world – through education, aged care, community and all other services
• For Chey Mattner as he begins his role as ALWS Executive Secretary
• For Yirara College of the Finke River Mission in Central Australia and its satellite schools in remote communities
• The homeless and those for whom winter is difficult

GORDON SAMUEL RECEIVES QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECOGNITION
Mr Gordon Samuel, retired Secretary for Mission, has received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the Queen’s Birthday honour roll. Mr Samuel received his medal for service to Lutheran Church of Australia in administrative roles, particularly for building our relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea. Congratulations to Gordon for the public recognition of your outstanding service to our Church.

THE LUTHERAN MEGA (SYNOD) EDITION
The 80-page mega-edition of The Lutheran, featuring all the stories from General Convention of Synod, is out now. This has been a mammoth achievement by The Lutheran team. Free copies have been posted in bulk to all congregations. These are for distribution to members who don’t subscribe to The Lutheran (please use this as an opportunity to ask them to subscribe) and/or to people on the fringes of your congregation. A number of congregations use the mega-edition as an opportunity to make house visits to people they haven’t seen for a while. If you have surplus copies, please don’t bin them or leave them lying around; they are too valuable for that. Instead, contact Linda Macqueen linda.macqueen@lca.org.au who may need them for congregations who require more copies.

AFRICAN MINISTRY APPEAL UPDATE
Rev Neville Otto, Secretary of the LCA/Mission Director reports: We give thanks to God for the approximate amount of $70,000 received to date in support of the African Ministry Appeal. This is a wonderful opportunity for us as a Lutheran family in Australia and New Zealand to give what we have been given. Through this fund, we will be able to provide ongoing support for the growth of ministry to African people. Each one should give, then, as they have decided, not out of regret or out of a sense of duty, for God loves the one who gives gladly. And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have enough for every good cause.2 Corinthians 9:7, 8. Thank you for your generosity and for encouraging others to join together in this way.

ALWS WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Chey Mattner is the new Executive Secretary of our church's aid and development agency, ALWS (Australian Lutheran World Service). Chey has worked with ALWS for five years, gaining experience across all of the eight countries where our church serves and partners with communities. Last year more than 3 million people's lives were touched through ALWS, and in 2013 ALWS will manage $5 million worth of aid from our Lutheran family and the Australian Government. Chey takes on the Executive Secretary role following Peter Schirmer's resignation to become Executive Officer of the LCA. We pray God's wisdom and support for Chey in this demanding role, and also for his wife Libby, and children Finn and Ruby.

THE LUTHERAN APP
The App is getting rave reviews—it’s terrific! The communications people in other churches are looking at it with green-eyed envy. Already you can download three FREE editions from iTunes (search: The Lutheran) and the May (mega) edition will be available very soon, also for FREE. From June, the cost of an edition download will be $3.99. Please get behind the App, and promote it often and widely within your congregation, extended families and communities, even if it’s not the sort of thing you are into yourself. Tablets (mobile digital devices) are the future communication media for Australians, without doubt, so please help our church to take the gospel into this marketplace. If you have an iPad (or know someone who does), check out The Lutheran App on iTunes, or get more information and view the promo video at The Lutheran website—www.thelutheran.com.au/our-app

TABLETALK
TableTalk is the LCA’s new web-based discussion forum. It is open to all members of the LCA who are keen to discuss contemporary issues with other Lutherans, including those before our church right now. To join the list, you need to agree to be respectful to others and to abide by the ruling of the moderators, but there is great scope for expression of opinion; you don’t have to agree with the policies or statements of the LCA, for example. Join TableTalk at www.tabletalk.lca.org.au

GRASSROOTS WORKSHOP: “EQUIPPING FOR LEADERSHIP”
Using Jesus as the perfect example of humanity, the workshop will examine the techniques, understanding and principles that Jesus employed when engaging with people and leading them towards Father God. Taking this understanding, it will connect the dots through exploring your leadership style, mentoring and equipping others for leadership, challenges in leadership and people management.
Brisbane: 28 June
Adelaide: 12 July
Register now with Grassroots Training.

ALC EVENING CLASSES
If you live in or near Adelaide, don’t miss this great opportunity. Classes are held at ALC by ALC teaching staff and are open to the general public. Six-to-eight week nights, commencing late July.
Connection. You will explore God’s mission to see all creation reconciled back to him, and how Jesus embodies this and gives us the example for mission to others.
The Christian Faith. This class offers an overview of the central beliefs and teachings of the Christian faith, from both a Lutheran and an ecumenical perspective.
Light in the Darkness. Theological and pastoral reflections on mental illness, suicide, grieving, life after death, and hope, peace and God’s grace in these situations.
For Faith and Freedom: the story of Lutherans in Australia. What’s our story? Knowing our story helps us understand who we are today and gives us perspective for the future.
Registrations close 12 July. Register now with Grassroots Training.

175 STORIES
where history comes to life!
As part of our 175th anniversary celebrations this 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.

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:  THEOLOGY LECTURER POSITIONS
Australian Lutheran College (www.alc.edu.au ), a college of MCD University of Divinity, is the tertiary education provider of the Lutheran Church of Australia. ALC invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified persons to fill projected vacancies over the next three (3) years:
Lecturer in Church History (2014); Lecturer in Old Testament (2015); Lecturer in Systematics (2016). Lecturers at ALC are recognised scholars in their field of specialisation, committed to the Lutheran Confessions, teach in areas of theology additional to their specialisation, work collegially with other faculty and staff, and contribute to the vocational formation of students for ministry. Qualified persons will hold a research doctorate or relevant masters research qualification with significant related experience; demonstrate a record of research and publications; and hold a research Masters or undergraduate Honours degree in theology, or equivalent. A limited number of scholarships are also available for approved advanced theological studies to obtain such qualification. Further information and expression of interest forms are available from: Dean’s Office, Australian Lutheran College, 104 Jeffcott Street, NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006, Tel 08 8267 7400, Email dean@alc.edu.au. Expressions of interest must be lodged by Friday, 19 July 2013.

UPCOMING LECTURE AT AUSTRALIAN LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Rev Volker Dally, Director of Leipzig Mission will be giving a public lecture at ALC on Wednesday, 24 July from 12-1pm. The topic will be ‘One Bible—many churches: inculturation of the gospel as a challenge towards Lutheran theology.’ All are welcome to attend this presentation.

TOGETHER IN SONG HYMN COMPETITION
The Australian Hymn Book Pty Ltd, of which the LCA is a stakeholder, is delighted to announce its first international hymn competition as part of its work of gathering the finest congregational songs for its growing Together in Song collection. Full terms and conditions of the Competition can be found at www.togetherinsong.org. Entries close 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time 31 July 2013. The competition has two entry levels, either of which may be selected by an
individual competitor:
Level 1: General
The General Level competition is seeking texts that re-imagine Pauline theological emphases /
allusions / metaphors / images, expressing them as song texts that are accessible to, and understood by, twenty-first century worshippers.
Level 2: Specific Pauline Text(s) Focus
This competition level is planned to focus on Pauline texts, which deal with Paul's notion that
believers must experience a ‘crucifixion’ or ‘death’ of their old selves, before they can be fully
reconciled with God. The aim of this part of the competition is to elicit faith-based responses to one or other of the quoted texts. Each response will form a ‘story’ that should (a) ‘unpack’ the meaning of the text and (b) convey a sense of why the text is important to the author.
Texts for Consideration: 1 Corinthians 2.2 Galatians 6.14 Romans 6.6 Colossians 3.3
Prize: Winning prizes at each of the two levels will be AUD 1,200.
Closing date and address for submission
All entries must be submitted by 5pm on 31 July 2013 to:
The Australian Hymn Book Pty Ltd
International Hymn Competition
PO Box 128
PARKVILLE VIC 3052 AUSTRALIA
enquiries@togetherinsong.org

CLASSIC CASE 5
Lutheran Winemakers have released the much-anticipated Classic Case 5. It’s top-quality wine (90+ points) and fantastic value at less than $20/bottle. Proceeds from sales of the Lutheran Classic Case 5 will support Lutheran congregations to reach out to their local communities and welcome them with warm friendly Lutheran hospitality.
• Your ‘Best Reds Ever’ Lutheran Six Pack - $99
• Complete Classic Case 5 - $198
Plus postage and delivery.
Order online at www.lca.org.au/lutheranwinemakers
or call the National Office: 08 8267 7300
Hurry! Orders closing soon!

CALL INFORMATION

EXTENDED
James Haak Lockyer Valley (Gatton Ministry Area) QLD to Central Eyre Peninsula SA
Frank Rasenberger Gympie QLD to North West Regional Ministry VIC
Peter Faggotter Magill SA to Wodonga VIC
Steven Liersch Onkaparinga SA to Redcliffe QLD
Rodger Russ Woodville SA to Manawatu NZ
Peter Faggotter Magill SA to Burrumbuttock NSW

ACCEPTED

DECLINED
Chris Raatz Grampians VIC to Greensborough VIC
Andrew Brook Box Hill VIC to Mount Barker SA
Mark Nitschke Noosa QLD to Dernancourt SA
Stephen Schultz St Michaels Hahndorf SA to Salisbury SA
Wayne Kerber Mount Gambier SA to Katanning Narrogin WA
Stephen Schultz St Michael’s  Hahndorf SA to Middle Park QLD

PARISHES IN THE CALL PROCESS
New South Wales: Albury; Burrumbuttock; Griffith/Leeton; Sutherland;
New Zealand: Manawatu;
Queensland: Middle Park; Redcliffe
South Australia/Northern Territory: Birdwood; Ceduna, Dernancourt, Eudunda, Morphett Vale, Mount Barker - St Marks, Salisbury, Wudinna
Victoria: Greensborough; Horsham; Moorabbin/Dandenong; North West Regional, Wodonga
Western Australia:

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LAY MINISTRY
School Chaplain - St John's Lutheran Primary School, Portland, Vic - 10 hours/week
Youth Leader - Portland-Heywood Lutheran Church, Vic - 16-18 hours/week
For more information please visit the LCA web site: http://www.lca.org.au/employment-opportunities.html