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13 February, 2014

HOW TO BEFRIEND A BABY KOALA

I was turning the ute into our driveway late yesterday afternoon when I saw this little guy near our letterbox. It was still stinking hot -- another of Adelaide's killer +40° days – and Baby Koala had just about had enough. He was panting. I dumped the groceries near the garage, found a bucket and filled it with water. BK just about jumped into it – he was pretty keen to get to the wet stuff. Then he sat there for ages, lapping and lapping, like he'd never tasted water before. Meanwhile, my frozen peas were melting, but I didn't care.

Later I reflected on how quickly I'd reacted to a thirsty koala's need. I think most of us would have done the same.

We're rolling out our LCA mission – to be a church where (God's) love comes to life, where every one of us can play a part. Yesterday I got a glimpse of how uncomplicated that can be, thanks to this little guy in need of a drink. Now, if only we could be as kind and loving to humans as we are to cute furry animals ...

SHARE IT AROUND

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So, if you have time to do only one thing from this fortnight's eNews, make it this: work out which people in your congregation need to be on this eNews list and ask them to sign up. Also, remember that you can forward this eNews on -- using the green button (top right) -- to your entire membership list if you wish. When you do, please invite your members to sign up for themselves.

'THE LUTHERAN' DIGITAL

You asked for it, and now you have it! The Lutheran App brings you a fully interactive The Lutheran for iPad and iPhone (from the iTunes Store) and for Androids (Google Play Store). It's sensational! Download the December edition to check it out. The February edition will be available very soon -- keep an eye out for it. Please promote this widely to your members. Free editions of The Lutheran Digital be available only until June.

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY - HURRY!

When the AFL comes to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval from March, car parking in nearby North Adelaide will be as valuable as gold. The LCA National Office is inviting Adelaide and near-Adelaide congregations, schools and other agencies to run a car-parking facility, utilising the office’s 30 parking spaces, as a fundraiser for their ministry and mission projects. This is offered free of charge by the National Office. Congregations and agencies interested in being on the roster should contact LCA Business Manager Debbie Venz. Don't delay - a number of roster spaces have already been booked.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

You're never too old to study. ALC has a training opportunity for everybody. Have a look through this list of Higher Education and VET study options, and call ALC for more information if you find something that might be right for you. Please make this notice available to your congregation members, young and old. Read related story. Please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested.

GROW MINISTRIES - NEW RESOURCES

TAKING FAITH HOME (TFH) Year A is still available. This is a weekly resource to help you connect your weekend worship with the faith life of your home. It includes Bible readings, prayers, blessings and faith-sharing ideas. NEW items in the 2013-2014 resource include Jpeg file version of each week's Taking Faith Home Bulletin edition, as well as the At Home edition and a black-and-white version of the Bulletin edition. Download the order form.

Passing on the Christian faith involves a partnership of generations, individuals and families within the Christian congregation. The Generations in Faith Together (GIFT) LENT resource provides skits, activity sheets and an event outline that provides an opportunity for people of all ages to explore God’s love for them through all-age worship, hands-on activities and fellowship, based on the themes of Lent and Easter. Download the order form.

We invite you to order or renew your Faith Inkubators membership now. Your 2014 membership will include access to all the FaithInk resources, including Faith Stepping Stones, BibleSong and Head to the Heart.  Orders received before 28 February will receive a FREE copy of the book Holding Your Family Together by Rich Melheim. Visit our online store to place your order.

If you have questions about any of our Grow Ministries resources, please email us.

MORE GOOD THINGS FOR YOU

2014 Yearbook
That little book that no LCA church worker or office-bearer can live without - the LCA Yearbook - is available now. $20 plus postage. Order online from Australian Church Resources or call 08 8177 2113.