Closure of Holy Trinity, Leopold

Holy Trinity, Leopold. Photo supplied.

On 22nd October 2023, the members of Holy Trinity celebrated the 50th Anniversary, which recalled much history in the Lord's
mercy and grace. Now, eighteen months later on 27 April 2025, we came together to observe the Rite of Closure.... it is with thanks that we acknowledge the Lord's
mercy and grace in the work of the founding members, and life of the Congregation.
Read More...

Installation of Pastor Sue Westhorp

From left: Pr Nathan Hedt, Pr Neville Otto, Pr Janos Debasy, Pr Brett Kennett, Pr Sue Westhorp, Pr Phil Haar, Pr Greg Pietsch.  
Photo supplied by St Paul's Box Hill.

On Sunday 18 May, Pastor Sue Westhorp was installed as pastor to St Paul's Box Hill. The rite of installation was performed on behalf of Bishop Lester by District Pastor for Congregational Support, Pr Brett Kennett, and included greetings from several pastors.
Read More...

LWVT Convention hosted by Moorabbin-Dandenong

Participants at the LWVT Convention.
Photo supplied by Jenny Pietsch.

What a joy it was to welcome delegates & visitors to St James Moorabbin, for the 58th LWVT Convention. The theme was “Let Not Your Hearts Be Troubled” John 14:1. 
... A very big thank you to all the members who assisted greatly in the months leading to the convention, for those who donated all the food, as well as being present and serving in numerous ways during the convention.
Read More...

Continuing Education Retreat
20-22 May 2025

Photo supplied

This year, our annual CEP - Continuing Education Program for Pastors and Lay leaders - incorporated times of 'Retreat', so became the CER - Continuing Education Retreat.  Recognising the demands placed on us all in these days, we purposefully slowed down the pace and allowed time and space to breathe—to be renewed by God’s grace and strengthened for the journey ahead. Attendees were treated to times of:

• study on the book of Acts, led by Dr Pr Dean Zweck
• meditation, Bible reading and prayer, using the 'Sacred Space' resource
• worship, including a Taize service one evening
• fellowship - over meals, wine & cheese, and between scheduled items
• sharing of resources and information

Read More...

Lutheran Homes Group (LHG) to become the new Approved Provider of Sunnyside and Eventide

As of Sunday, 1 June 2025, Lutheran Homes Group will become the new Approved Provider of Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village in Horsham and Eventide Lutheran Homes & Hamilton Village in Hamilton. This transition will ensure the continuation of quality Christian Aged Care at Horsham and Hamilton into the future.
This expansion marks LHG’s growth into Victoria, adding 135 residential care beds and 184 independent living units. As a result, the Lutheran Homes Group community will grow to over 2,000 residents, supported by a workforce of more than 1,300 staff and volunteers.
LHG Chief Executive Officer, Tim Chia, said the organisation is looking forward to this new chapter. “We are excited to welcome Sunnyside and Eventide into the LHG community and to share our commitment to high-quality Christian aged care.”

Bonhoeffer Seminar Review

What sort of challenges do we face to our faith in our community?
So began the Bonhoeffer Seminar hosted earlier this year by the St Paul’s congregation in Warragul / Darnum for the 80th anniversary of his death.
After outlining several faith challenges at home and abroad, David Ingham helped us to explore the challenges Dietrich faced, the development of his thinking, study and action.
Read More...

Vic-Tas District Strategy Morning

Participants at the Vic-Tas District Strategy morning.

On Saturday 10 May, leaders from across our Vic-Tas District came together to share and discuss their thoughts on the strategic direction for our District. Updates were presented by Pr Brett Kennett (Congregation Support), Sabine Haeusler (MMC), Alex Muschamp (LYV), Colin Minke (LEVNT), and Stephen Mildred (DCC Secretary).  DCC Chair, Tony Vong, then led the group in capturing their thoughts and ideas on many post-it notes, on current opportunities/issues, and future long- and medium-term options. These will feed into the Strategic Plan for our District, which will help to guide District Church Council, and the District as a whole, on where and how to focus attention in coming years.
Read More...

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
• Update LAMP2 people, if needed
• Child Safety Standards Self-Assessment & Safety Plan is now overdue.
• Update your WWCC: with the current District Office address - 711 Station Street, Box Hill 3128.

Are you looking for your current Constitution? 
Constitutions can get out of date and need revising, as practical considerations change how congregations and parishes manage their affairs. If you are looking for your current Constitution, or need the current Model template, contact Keryn at District Office. You can also check the ACNC website, which should have your current document uploaded.

Undercurrents of Faith

There’s More to the Story

The narrative we often hear is that Christianity in Australia is in decline. But what if that’s only part of the story? A new McCrindle report reveals surprising “undercurrents”—unexpected movements of people toward faith, not away from it — God is clearly at work beneath the surface.

In this hopeful reflection, Pastor Brett Kennett unpacks recent findings and asks:
What might the Spirit be saying to us today?
Are we ready to notice—and respond to—the white fields of harvest right where we are?
Read More... (Full article by Pr Brett Kennett)
Read the full report HERE (pdf).

Access Excellent Mission and Ministry Resources

Looking for tools to enhance the mission and ministry of your congregation? Explore a site that brings together a rich collection of resources from congregations, districts, and across the LCA. This repository is designed to support and inspire the work God has placed on the hearts of His people.

We’d love your input! If you know of other helpful resources or links that would benefit this collection, please share them by emailing Pastor Brett. 
Check out the current resources HERE.

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? Gospel Fluency Workshops are available now. Offered by the Department for Congregational Support, the 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...

Bach Cantata Service

Ascension Day Vespers service, with Cantata.
When: Sunday 29 May 2025
Time: 7.30pm
Where: St Johns Southgate, 20 City Road, Southbank
(Click image to download full flyer)

CLW - July 2025

When: Monday 7 - Friday 11 July 2025
Where: Tandara Lutheran Camp, Halls Gap
BOOK HERE
CLW is a week-long camp for high school students, where you'll encounter God, grow in your Faith, play awesome games and meet new and old friends.
While we’ve had to make the tough decision to move from two camps per year to one, we’re still committed to bringing you an unforgettable experience filled with faith, fun, and friendship!
* The LCA Vic-Tas District, in conjunction with the LLL, have kindly helped subsidise the registration cost of camp for all campers for 2025.

Vic-Tas District Pastor's Conference

NOTE THE DATES!

When: 22-24 July 2025
Where: Holy Cross Centre, Templestowe

More information will be sent to all Pastors soon.

LTM Digital Spinner

Our LTM digital spinner is available for departments, churches, aged care and schools to put on their websites, as a ministry to all who look at the website. It is FREE and can be changed as often as wanted to suit the theme or season. (Click the image above for more details.)

Jeparit - 100th Anniversary

ST JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, JEPARIT VIC
100TH ANNIVERSARY
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
of church building dedication.
Sunday 7 September 2025, 10am
More details to come.
For information, contact:
Chair Wayne Werner 0428 972 044

Special Convention of the 21st General Synod

When: Saturday 18 October 2025 - online
Synod will consider a doctrinal statement on ordination, as resolved at the 2024 Regular Convention, along with matters of unfinished business. Delegates have been sent further information. No new business will be received.

LCANZ Local Mission Fund

The LCANZ Local Mission Fund application process for 2026 grants opens on 1 July 2025.

HOW TO START PREPARING NOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT

• Place the 2026 Local Mission Fund on your church committee meeting agendas.
• Read the application criteria available at www.lca.org.au/local-mission-fund
• Invite your members to start thinking and praying about the local mission opportunity God might be placing before your congregation.

More information: HERE

2026 Lutheran Media Calendar Competition

Are you a budding photographer with an eye for capturing inspirational images? Enter your best original and uplifting images in the 2026 Lutheran Media Calendar Competition! Your image could be featured in the 2026 Lutheran Media Calendar, and you could win one of the cash prizes for the top three entries.
Entries close 31 May 2025.  Read more

ALC Winter Classes

Enrolments for Australian Lutheran College’s winter classes close on 16 June.
Face-to-face intensives on Christian mission, preaching and moral theology are happening in June and July this year at St John’s Lutheran Church Southgate in Melbourne, Victoria. Enrolments for Semester 2 are also now open.
Read more

Walk for Truth: 25 May - 18 June 2025

Yoorrook Justice Commission invites you to be part of the Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament.
Everyone is invited to join when Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett, Kerrupmara Gunditjmara, walks from Portland, where colonisation began, to Parliament, where we can transform the future.
Starting on Sunday 25 May on Gunditjmara Country at Portland, the Walk will finish at Parliament House on Wednesday 18 June.
You can join sections of the Walk along the way. You can also join community events. Register to find out more.
More information HERE.

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.

Reminder to submit AGM Reports to District Office

iStock Image - Credit: Shendart

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

Statistics for 2024 are overdue.
Congregations can now enter their statistics data for 2024 into LAMP2.

There are help guides available for statisticians: PART 1 / PART 2.  
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.

Calls, Employment Opportunities and Volunteering Opportunities in the LCANZ

Employment and Volunteering Opportunities in wider Christian networks

LCANZ’s Privacy Policy
and related guidelines

Royalty-free photo by Dayne Topkin - Unsplash

This month I want to highlight the LCANZ’s Privacy Policy and related guidelines. 
Caring for our people and protecting their privacy demonstrates our love “coming to life.” There are many ways in which congregations need to manage privacy.

Australia is governed by the “Australian Privacy Principles” and these apply to every congregation. Church Councils are responsible for ensuring the principles are met.
There are a number of LCANZ documents which provide useful guidelines for our congregations, and I heartily recommend them, especially the Privacy Guidelines. In fact, I suggest that Church Councils review them annually.
Please contact me if you require assistance in managing privacy and in locating these resources.
Read More... (includes links to the LCANZ documents and guidelines)

Safe Church Training

Safe Church Training is now completed online, via webinars (in real-time with trainers) or via iLearn (self-paced).
Click the Training button for more information, and for registration links to your choice of training mode.

LCA (Churchwide) eNews (27/05/25)
Ordination: FAQ Videos HERE (11/02/25)
LCAQD Community (Qld) eNews (21/05/25)
SA-NT Online Together eNews (07/05/25)

ALC Annual Appeal eNews (28/05/25)
LDS Community Autumn eNews (02/05/25)
Lutheran Aged Care, Retirement Living & Community Services eNews (20/05/25)

Prayer for the Gift of Unity
O, Lord, who gives unto each nation
its place and time and mission:
grant us the gift of unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace,
that the ancient church,
and all Christians of this land,
each loyal to their confession,
culture and nationality,
may discover new forms of common
Christian witness,
and stand before the divided world as
a united and humble fellowship.
O Lord, who commanded your disciples
to pray both for their neighbours
and their enemies:
give us such love for one another,
that with one voice and one
heart we may glorify your name,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
(Source: Dr Ion Bria,
Romanian Orthodox Church. WAGP p. 161)

Prayer Point Calendar (June)
27 May - 03 June Reconciliation Week (HERE)
01 Jun Global Day of Parents
04 Jun International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
​​​​​​05 Jun World Environment Day
07 Jun ​World Food Safety Day
08 Jun World Oceans Day
12 Jun World Day Against Child Labour
14 Jun World Blood Donor Day [WHO]
15 Jun World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 
17 Jun World Day to Combat Desertification & Drought 
20 Jun World Refugee Day 
23 Jun International Widows' Day

Links to information on these and other dates are HERE.

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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