No images? Click here
DISTRICT eVOICES
Devotional Message from Pastor Brett Kennett
Signed, Sealed…
by God Alone
Pexels Image
Text: Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Have you ever had to sign one of those fine-print contracts? You know the kind—30 pages long, filled with clauses and footnotes, and right at the end, a dotted line to sign on. Sometimes it’s a credit agreement, a phone plan, a mortgage. Whatever it is, the deal usually goes like this:
If you agree to the terms, then you get the benefit.
If you keep your side of the deal, then the company will do its part.
It’s conditional. Transactional. That’s how contracts work.
And if we’re honest, that’s often how we assume God works too.
Read More...
News of the Victoria and Tasmania District
New Members Welcomed at St John's, Wodonga
Pr Brett Kennett with Wodonga's new members.
Photo supplied by Chair Alex Sweetman.
Great things are happening in the Wodonga Lutheran Parish—thanks be to God! ...
I am pleased to share that on Sunday, 16 March, the Wodonga Lutheran Parish welcomed five new members into our church family. ... The Rite of Welcome was performed during the traditional service in the beautiful new St John’s Lutheran Church and officiated by Pastor Brett Kennett, District Pastor for Congregational Support from Melbourne.
Read More...
Closure of Altona, Martin Luther
Items are removed from the Sanctuary at the close of the service. Photo supplied by Aiden Schier.
It was with some sadness, joy and thanksgiving that approximately 60 people gathered for the final service of Martin Luther Congregation, Altona North, at 4pm on Sunday 23rd February.
The Martin Luther parish was officially founded in 1956 and has served the surrounding area for almost 70 years! The Martin Luther Church building was dedicated on the 14th of February 1960 - 65 years ago.
Read More...
A Special Cross-Cultural Weekend at Our Saviour's, Knox
Some Cross-Cultural Workshop participants.
Photo supplied by Erin Grainger.
Last weekend (21-23 March) saw Our Saviour’s Knox experience 3 special cross-cultural occasions: on Friday Parish youth hosted the South Sudanese youth for a Freestyle dance session, on Saturday Erin Grainger led a Cross-Cultural workshop, and on Sunday a multi-lingual joint worship service was held with the Finnish Lutheran congregation (who share use of the Knox church building).
Read More...
LHG Visit to Aged Care Homes
LHG CEO, Tim Chia, addresses the residents' meeting.
Photo supplied by Brittany Rutherford.
The transition towards Lutheran Homes Group (LHG) becoming the new Approved Provider for Sunnyside in Horsham and Eventide in Hamilton is on track.
As part of this process, some members of the senior LHG leadership team recently visited both homes, meeting with residents and staff over morning/afternoon tea, Monday 24 through Wednesday 26 March.
Read More...
Walk My Way at Tarneit,
Sunday 30 March
Melbourne Walk My Way is this Sunday, 30 March, at Good News Lutheran College, Tarneit.
Join with members from across our District as we step out to change the future for children impacted by war and poverty. Through ALWS we'll provide the essentials for a happy healthy life – food, safety and shelter.
Walkers (3km and 12km) depart at 1:30pm. Arrive from 11.00am to enjoy the live performances, food stalls and kid's games.
Register today! - Register HERE
Read More...
Lenten Appeal 2025
By now you will have seen the Lenten Appeal brochure for 2025 at your church.
If you haven't already, please prayerfully consider donating to one or more of the ministries listed (some are tax-deductible).
The brochure is also available HERE.
If you have queries, please email Erin: erin.grainger@lca.org.au
or call: 03 9236 1241.
Reminders
See this eNews, and recent eNews editions, for more information on the following reminders:
- Submit AGM Reports to District Office.
- 2024 LCA Statistics are now overdue - submit via LAMP2, or contact District Office for assistance.
- Update LAMP2 with changes to your Office Bearers (or contact them to update any out-of-date information).
- Child Safety Standards Self-Assessment & Safety Plan DUE NOW.
- Update your WWCC: with the new District Office address - 711 Station Street, Box Hill 3128. [Note: Pastors & others working in LEVNT schools, etc, need to also list any associated LEVNT bodies - school, kinder, LEVNT.]
What's happening in your congregation or community? Please share your stories of celebration, encouragement, appeal or collaboration and innovation with us.
Congregational Support - Pr Brett Kennett
Growing Together in Prayer
iStock Image - Credit: Kalawin
We have received very positive feedback from the LCANZ District Mission Directors Collaborative Learning Zoom session (held on 11 Feb 2025).
If you missed it, the PowerPoint notes and video of one of the sessions are now available.
PowerPoint Notes: HERE
Video: HERE
With a focus on Spiritual Growth, this event provided an opportunity for leaders to reflect on prayer’s transformative role in personal faith, congregational renewal, and mission.
- LCANZ Prayer Gatherings are currently being run fortnightly (via Zoom) on Thursdays, 8.00pm (AEDT).
We continue to pray for God to pour out his Holy Spirit, for a revival of mission and evangelism in the LCANZ, for God to send out harvest workers...
Please contact Pr Nathan Hedt if you are interested in taking part.
Gospel Fluency
Do you ever feel awkward or unprepared to share the gospel? What if you could feel more confident in sharing the good news of Jesus?
Introducing Gospel Fluency Workshops, offered by the Department for Congregational Support. These workshops are designed to equip you and your congregation with the vocabulary, context, and practice to share the gospel in word and action.
Read more...
And read about the recent Workshop held at Wodonga (8 Feb) HERE.
Missional Stewardship
Being good stewards of all God has blessed us with is one of our callings as Christians. But what does that mean for our everyday lives? How can we be the best stewards of God’s gift of creation and our individual blessings of time, talents and ‘treasure’ or finances?
Missional Stewardship - Bible Study and Giving Plan
The Mission-Shaped Stewardship 4-part Bible study is designed for congregations to explore the biblical concept and practice of stewardship. It culminates in the practical exercise of filling out a personal giving plan to encourage and empower Christian stewardship, generosity and intentional giving.
The Bible Study and Giving Plan can be downloaded from the LCA website: HERE.
Events in the District
LYV Easter Camp
Easter Camp is a 5-day camp aimed at young adults aged 16+. The weekend includes worship, small group discussions, and fellowship.
When: Thu 17 Apr, 7:00pm - Mon 21 Apr, 12pm.
Where: Araluen Lutheran Camp, Anglesea.
Register HERE (we recommend you use a computer to register).
Lutheran Media Celebrates 80 Years!
To kick off its 80th anniversary celebrations, Lutheran Media has launched a history book called Lutheran media ministry in Australia and New Zealand: 80 years of blessings, which is available now for purchase. Lutheran Media is also hosting several key events to celebrate the milestone – all are welcome.
Read more...
LWVT Convention
Continuing Education Retreat (CER) 2025
Getting Our 'Acts' Together - rest, replenishment, and renewal in God’s Word.
A three-day residential retreat (1 full day, 2 half days) Tue 20 - Thu 22 May 2025 at Holy Cross, Templestowe. Designed for ministry workers in the Vic/Tas District, both lay and ordained.
Presenter: Dr. Dean Zweck
Includes:
- Unhurried personal reflection
- Communal worship
- Grace-filled rest, reflection and guided conversations
- Exploration of the Spirit’s work in the Book of Acts
- Opportunities to nurture connections and relationships with others in Ministry
- And, of course, good food and drink!
A registration link will be sent to Ministry Workers soon.
Important Dates in the District - 2025
now Congregational Statistics overdue
28 Mar District Church Council (DCC) Meeting
30 Mar ALWS Melbourne Walk My Way (Tarneit)
end-Mar Child Safety Standards Self-Assessment and Safety Plan due
17-21 Apr LYV Easter Camp
20 Apr Easter Sunday - the eastern & western churches share a common Easter
25 Apr ANZAC Day (public holiday)
27 Apr Ordination - Sue Westhorp, at Luther College, Croydon
28 Apr Installation - Pr Nathan Hedt, at Luther College, Croydon
SAVE THE DATE:
03 May LWVT Convention, Moorabbin-Dandenong (register by 20 April)
09 May District Church Council (DCC) Meeting
10 May District Strategy Day
20-22 May CEP (CER) Retreat for Pastors & Lay workers (Templestowe)
22-24 Jul District Pastor’s Conference (Templestowe)
02 Oct Korus Connect Celebrates 80 Years
To Note:
Appointment requests with Bishop Lester - please contact Peter Russell: email or ph: 03 9236 1201. (Peter also manages the Bishop's mobile phone.)
eNews enquiries, dates and stories - please direct to Keryn Middelmann: keryn.middelmann@lca.org.au (LCAVD reserves the right to edit submissions before publishing.)
Pastor Calls and Vacancy (Vic-Tas)
Installations
Pastor Nathan Hedt as School Pastor, Luther College, at Luther College Chapel, Croydon, on Monday 28 April 2025, at 9:00am.
Ordinations
Sue Westhorp, at Luther College Chapel, Croydon, on Sunday 27 April 2025, at 2.00pm - assigned by CoB to serve at St Paul's Lutheran Church, Box Hill.
Congregations and schools in the call process:
Greensborough Thomastown multi-site.
Congregations and schools vacant (not actively engaged in the call process):
Footscray; North-West Melbourne Ministry; Holy Trinity College Horsham; Wangaratta-Benalla; Good News Lutheran College Tarneit.
General Notices
LEVNT / LLL School Bursary Program
Financial Support for Christian Education!
Do you know a family facing financial hardship who would love to send their child to a Lutheran school?
The LLL School Bursary can help!
• Covers 50% of tuition fees (up to $5,000 per year).
• Open to Christian families, with preference for Lutheran members.
For more details, contact your nearest Lutheran school. Don’t miss this opportunity to support faith-based education!
Applications for 2026 Bursaries close on 30th September 2025.
Church Promotion Flyer available HERE.
More information HERE (LLL website).
Application Form HERE.
Praying through Lent and Easter
Lent began on 5 March. This traditional season of preparation before Holy Week echoes the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. It offers an invitation to us: in the midst of our own wildernesses, how will we meet with God?
Explore resources to help you pray during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter:
Lent and Easter Prayers
(24-7 Prayer International)
Lutheran Tract Mission -
Easter Resources
Solo Art Exhibition by Dr Flo Peitsch, SA
For those heading to SA in the coming months, you may be interested in visiting the new solo art exhibition by Dr Flo Peitsch, inspired by Lobethal’s Onkaparinga Woollen Mills.
Dates: 11 April – 25 May 2025
Where: FABRIK Arts + Heritage,
1 Lobethal Road, Lobethal, SA.
Download the flyer HERE.
Each time you hold a congregational or parish Annual General Meeting, please send a copy of your AGM Reports to District Office as soon as practical.
Email to: keryn.middelmann@lca.org.au
Also, please inform LAMP2 of any changes to office bearers (lamp2@lca.org.au).
LCA Statistics for 2024
Each year, the statistical returns provide a picture of the District, which in turn assists District Office and the Churchwide office to better understand the demographics and resource needs for our members. An accurate picture can only be seen when statistical returns are completed.
Statistics for 2024 are now due.
Congregations can now enter their statistics data for 2024 into LAMP2.
There are help guides available for statisticians. PART 1 shows and explains how to get to the Statistics App within LAMP 2.
PART 2 shows and explains how to enter statistics, download a statistics form, and more.
Office Bearers and Statisticians with access to LAMP 2 can access and edit Statistics.
If you cannot access LAMP2 or require assistance, contact the Vic District office: admin.vic@lca.org.au, or 03 9236 1200.
Please advise LAMP2 if your statistician has changed.
Employment and Volunteering Opportunities in wider Christian networks
Safe Church
What’s special about
31 March 2025?
…. It’s 340 years since composer Johann Sebastian Bach was born
…. It’s 136 years since the Eiffel Tower was opened
…. It’s 26 years since the movie The Matrix was released
AND it’s the day LCA Child Safety Standards for Congregations work should be submitted by all congregations of the District.
This is part of our commitment to the children and young people in our care and it’s how we demonstrate our love in action.
Find more information on the LCA website HERE.
If your congregation has no children in regular attendance, you may be eligible to submit a Child Safety Standards Assurance (provided certain conditions are met).
All other congregations must complete a Self-assessment and Action Plan.
If you are underway but unlikely to meet the deadline, or even if you haven’t started, you will need to address this as soon as possible. We understand that for some congregations this work might be challenging, for a number of reasons.
Please let me know if you need assistance to complete this work, or if you require an extension. It’s important that you communicate with us.
denise.muschamp@lca.org.au
Mob 0437 180 928
Our CSS Implementation and Support Officer, Nicole Hall, is waiting to be swept off her feet by submissions this week!!
Safe Church Training
Safe Church Training is completed online via webinars (in real-time with trainers) or via iLearn (self-paced).
Click below for more information, and registration links to your choice of training mode.
Child Safety Standards Self-Assessment & Safety Plan
A reminder that congregations need to have their Child Safety Standards Self-Assessment and Safety Plan submitted by end-March 2025.
Extensive information can be found at:
Child Safety Standards - Lutheran Church of Australia
LCA News & eNews
Help us to keep you informed
Many congregations hold AGMs around this time of year and may elect new council leaders.
If your church has new office-bearers – or even if they've stayed the same – please ensure the details are up-to-date in LAMP2. That way, you won’t miss out on any important information from your district and the Churchwide Office.
Read more...
LCA eNews
There are many areas of the LCA providing resources and updates about ministries and activities on a regular basis. Click HERE to go to the LCANZ website to subscribe and discover more about the ministries of Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. As well as informing you, eNews will inspire and encourage you. Some of the recent eNews are linked below.
Prayer List
Prayer
(Luke 13:1-9)
Turn to God, with honest hearts
Turn to God, with open hearts
Turn to God, with hungry hearts,
Turn to God, with all your heart,
ready to worship, heal, grow.
Amen.
(Source: Sarah Agnew, Pray the Story)
Prayer Point Calendar (April)
2 Apr World Autism Awareness Day
7 Apr World Health Day [WHO]
14 Apr World Chagas Disease Day
20 Apr Chinese Language Day
22 Apr Earth Day
23 Apr English Language Day, Spanish Language Day
24-30 Apr World Immunization Week
25 Apr ANZAC Day, World Malaria Day, International Delegate’s Day
Congregations and agencies in our district
30 March Lutheran Schools, Colleges, Kindergartens, and Early Learning Centres:
(Croydon) Luther College - Principal Jacqui Layfield and staff team, Chaplains Anita Foster & Simone Turner; (Croydon) Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School - Principal Daniel Weller and staff team, Pastor Mark Greenthaner and Christine; Geelong St John’s Lutheran Kindergarten - Service Leader Nicole Fecchio and staff team; Geelong Lutheran College - Executive Principal Sue Ellis and staff team, Chaplain Georgia Pearson; Grovedale St Paul’s Lutheran Kindergarten - Service Leader Lisa Sadler and staff team; Hamilton Good Shepherd College – Acting Principal Sharon Kotzur and staff team; Hamilton Good Shepherd Early Childhood Services - Service Leader Christine Sanders & staff team; (Hobart) Eastside Lutheran College - Principal Steve Illingworth and staff team; Mildura Trinity Lutheran College -
Principal Lisa Robinson and staff team; Chaplain (TBA).
06 April Lutheran Schools, Colleges, Kindergartens, and Early Learning Centres (continued):
(Pakenham) Lakeside College - Principal Robert Tassoni and staff team, Chaplain Fiona Scheffer; Portland St John’s Lutheran Primary School - Principal Tara Pritchard and staff team; Sunshine Christian School - Principal Damian Pietsch and staff team, Chaplain Brent Pelton; (Tarneit) Farmhouse Kinder - Service Leader Ankita Solanki and staff team; (Tarneit) Good News Lutheran College - Principal Fiona McAuliffe and staff team, Chaplain Josh Hauser; Tarrington Lutheran School – Principal Jane Wiebusch and staff team; Chaplain Jane Crowe; (Wodonga) Victory Lutheran College - Principal Brad Moss and staff team, Chaplain Joel Klemke; Wimmera Lutheran College - (formerly: Nhill Lutheran School, Horsham Holy Trinity College, Dimboola St Peter’s Lutheran School) Executive Principal Jason Przibilla; Principal Damon
Prenzler (Nhill Campus), Campus Head Millicent Dent (Dimboola Campus), and staff teams, Wellbeing Officer Karen Prenzler (Nhill); Chaplain Kate Polack (Horsham).
13 April Melbourne Finnish congregation, Pastor Ian Vainikka and Katy, Melbourne Latvian congregation, Pastor Helga Jansons; Melbourne Swedish congregation, Pastor Katya Lin; Easter Camp (17-21 April) Leaders and Participants.
20 April Melbourne North West Region, Congregations of Melton, St Albans and Sunbury, Pastor Vacancy; Melbourne Outer Eastern Congregation - preaching place Lilydale, Pastor Vacancy.
27 April Melbourne Southgate Congregation, Pastor James Winderlich and Karen; Mildura Parish - Congregations of Mildura and Robinvale, Pastor Vacancy; Minyip Warracknabeal Parish - Congregations of Minyip and Warracknabeal, Pastor John Weier and Anne; LWVT Convention (3 May) Leaders and Participants.
Click HERE for the 2025 Prayer List (Jan - Jun)
eNews Publishing Dates
District eNews is published monthly, usually on the last Wednesday of the month.
Items are due by 12 noon on the Monday prior to publication.
Next publishing date: Wednesday 30 April.
Items due by: Monday 28 April.
2025 dates: 30 Apr, 28 May, 25 Jun, 30 Jul, 27 Aug, 24 Sep, 29 Oct, 26 Nov, 17 Dec.
What's happening in your congregation or community?
Please share your stories of celebration, encouragement,
appeal or collaboration and innovation with us.
You are receiving this email because you are a pastor or other church worker of the LCA/NZ, or you have signed up to receive it, or have indicated to us you wish to receive it.
- To subscribe to other eNews lists, click here.
- To unsubscribe from this list, click here.
- To change your email address, click here.
(Note that pastors in active service and some other church workers are required to remain subscribed to this eNews, as it relates to their role.)
New Address:
711 Station Street, Box Hill Vic 3128
P: (03) 9236 1200
E: keryn.middelmann@lca.org.au
W: www.vic.lca.org.au