Our Church, the Lutheran Church of Australia, matters. Many reasons could be given to justify this statement. Some might focus on our cultural identity and heritage. Others might focus on various spiritual and theological themes. In this edition of our eNews, I want us to focus on our feet. Before you read on, quickly glance at your own feet. Irrespective of their condition or shape all of our feet are made beautiful.

As we have each heard and to continue to hear and receive the gospel good-news of Jesus Christ, and as that good-news makes its home in our hearts and lives, our feet are made beautiful as they carry that same good news into the lives of other people.

At Australian Lutheran College we receive the beautifully ‘footed’ people whom you send to us. We don’t create them. They are already made beautiful through the washing, proclaiming, hearing and feeding of the Gospel. Our call is to prepare each of those beautifully ‘footed’ people for specific opportunities to serve in the life of our Church together with our partner Churches. It might be as school teachers, pastoral care workers, chaplains, parish workers, volunteers or as pastors.  It might be for specialist ministry areas such as people who care for the young or the aging. 

At Australian Lutheran College we help people to prepare their beautifully transformed feet to bring God’s gift of forgiveness, renewal and hope to people who ache for that same love. After all, that’s what matters to God hence St Paul’s four questions that begin with: How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed?

At Australian Lutheran College we are experiencing extremely difficult financial times. While our commitment to the care and formation of the beautifully footed people whom you send to us is as strong as ever, we are struggling under the weight of many financial pressures. 

Our student numbers are not growing. In some cases they are even falling. The costs of providing accredited tertiary education continue to grow, while our income from various sources diminishes. We have cut our costs and now we appeal to you for help. We are doing all that we can to remain viable and serve the Church that matters to all of us.

In May and June our 2016 appeal was launched. Appeal packages were sent to all congregations. If you have not received yours please contact us, or go to www.alc.edu.au/donate and make your donation directly there.  How are they to proclaim [Jesus Christ] unless they are sent?

At Australian Lutheran College we receive God’s beautifully ‘footed’ people who are sent by you. Following their time with us you, the church, will once again send them, equipped and ready to serve. That matters. Please help us.

God bless you,
James Winderlich
Principal

PS Thank you to those of you who have already supported our appeal. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

This June marks 40 years, since Roz Richmond (nee Albrecht)   joined the Refectory staff at 104 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide. During that time, Roz has fed many of the LCA's pastors 5-7 years' worth of meals, and has likely also trained many of them in the intricacies of food preparation and dish washing at some time or another - including the current ALC Principal.

On 17 June, Pastor David Gogoll, on behalf of the ALC Board thanked Roz for her long and faithful service to the college community and presented her with a certificate of appreciation.

Congratulations Roz – you are a valued member of our community and we appreciate your efforts.

Two new CertIV study units will be offered online through ALC as of Semester 2. These are: Missional Leadership (Unit code: V-BSBFLM312) and Creating Missional Communities (Unit code: V-BSBINN301). For more information or to enrol, visit the course information section on the ALC website or click on the links above.

The latest edition of Saints Alive carries the theme of ALC's 2016 annual appeal. Through the pages of this magazine, you will :

• meet a sample of our student community - studying both on and off campus;
• join us in farewelling a number of key staff;
• be given the opportunity to purchase a 'Chair' with a difference; and
• gain an insight into what Dr Vic Pfitzner plans to talk about at the upcoming Fritzsche Oration in August.

Look out for a copy of Saints Alive in the July edition of The Lutheran.

Together with teaching staff of Australian Lutheran College, Grassroots Training offers evening classes on a variety of topics each year. The next series of evening classes, commences on Tuesday, 6 September.

Evening classes are open to everyone and will be held at the college on a Tuesday from 7.00 to 9.30 pm, over four consecutive weeks in September. For the first time, ALC is also able to offer one of our classes - Theology in the public square - online via webinar.

At a cost of just $50 per person ($35 concession) for on-campus classes and $30 for those attending the webinar, these classes offer an affordable learning opportunity to all, with the short-term nature of the series appealing to the busy individual who does not want to overcommit themselves.

Topics being offered in this year's series are:

Theology in the public square: refugees, asylum seekers, and border control

Presenter: Dr Stephen Haar

Living...by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God: living with a biblical worldview

Presenter: Dr Stephen Hultgren

Luther then and now: looking at a selection of 'gems' from Luther's writings and exploring their impact for today

Presenters: Dr Stephen Pietsch

For more information:  http://www.grassroots.edu.au/customised-training/evening-classes/

Registrations for on campus attendance and for webinar registration: https://www.alc.edu.au/payments/grassrootstraining.html

Free Public Lecture being held in conjunction with the Luther@500 Conference - VIC
7.30 pm on 30 June
Catholic Leadership Centre, Melbourne
Professor Oswald Bayer will present on the topic:
Luther Ahead: Promise to Fulfilment

SMP Training - SA
8 - 12 August
Australian Lutheran College

Fritzsche Oration - SA
7.30 pm on 19 August
Australian Lutheran College
Dr Vic Pfitzner will present on the topic:
'Professorial Personalities - Luther Seminary's Early Years'

Evening Classes - SA
7.00 to 9.30 pm on Tuesday nights in September
Australian Lutheran College

Valedictory Service - SA
10.00 am on 11 November
Australian Lutheran College Refectory

Graduation Ceremony - SA
7.30 pm on 2 December
Immanuel College Chapel, 32 Morphett Rd, Novar Gardens