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DISTRICT eVOICES
Devotional Message from Pastor Brett Kennett
Who is the Son of Man?
Image: iStock - rudall30
Matthew 16:13
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
Lately I’ve watched a couple of movies where the question: “Who are you?” comes up at a critical point in the story. Usually, it’s one of those tales where a lone hero finally confronts the leader of the bad guys. The villain, suddenly realising that he is going to be on the receiving end of justice at the hands of the hero, asks: “Who are you?”
It’s a question about
identity - and about power.
Who is this person who has suddenly changed everything?
In this week’s Gospel reading Jesus turns the question around.
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
Read More...
News of the Victoria and Tasmania District
Installation of Dr Michelle Kearney
Photo shared by LEVNT.
At the beginning of August, Bishop Lester was welcomed at Good Shepherd College in Hamilton for the Installation of newly appointed Principal, Dr Michelle Kearney. We extend our congratulations to Dr Kearney and wish her every blessing as she begins her journey with the Good Shepherd community.
Murtoa 60th Commemoration
Photo via the Murtoa and District Advertiser (9 July, 2026).
Last month, the Murtoa congregation celebrated the 60th anniversary of the dedication of St John's Lutheran Church and Zion Hall. The service was led by Pastor Colin Huff with assistance from Pastor Peter Welke, Criag Schodde and Jan Schmidt-Loeliger, and attended by around 140 people. Congratulations to the Murtua congregation on this significant milestone!
What's happening in your congregation or community?
Please share your stories of celebration, encouragement, appeal or collaboration and innovation with us.
Starting from this District eVoices edition, we will be shining the spotlight on particularly special stories from our region in a monthly feature. This month, I spoke with Judy Bowman from the Ringwood Knox congregation about her experience helping to organise the inaugural Eastern Metro Youth (EMU) group event in July. The story is a reflection on innovation and change, and the exciting opportunities that can arise when we move beyond the familiar.
Judy
Bowman noticed a problem. She looked around the youth group she coordinates monthly for the Knox congregation, and realised there was something missing...
Read more here…
LCA Vic-Tas District Synod News
District Convention of Synod 2026
The 43rd Vic-Tas District Convention of Synod Dates: 2-4 October 2026.
Venue: Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, Croydon Hills.
Reminders:
- Registrations will open this Friday 28 August. The registration link will be published on our website. Registrations close Friday 18 September.
- If you are not a delegate, you are welcome to register for the Convention Dinner and panel conversation. More information below, register using the same link.
- The Book of Reports will be published on our website on Friday 11 September. It will also be emailed to all registrations submitted by this date with a valid email address.
If your congregation has conducted a first vote to move to LM-A and the vote passed, then you may have a conflict of interest, in which case you should not be a delegate to the LCA Vic-Tas Convention. If you have any doubts please call (03) 9236 1200 to discuss.
Keep an eye on the Vic-Tas eNews for further information, and check updates on our Synod website page: HERE.
Congregational Support
'EMMY'
Explorations in Mission and MinistrY (EMMY)
Online Conversations for Pastors and Leaders from across Australia and New Zealand
Facilitated by the LCA District Mission Directors, EmmY is an opportunity for shared reflection, storytelling and encouragement.
The LCA website has links to all previous gatherings, and future dates, links, and topics - HERE.
25 August – Better together: building mission partnerships in your community
22 Sept – All ages on mission: passing faith forward
20 Oct – The front door of grace: hospitality as mission
You’re invited to join the conversation — live when you can, and online when you need.
NCLS Survey
2026 National Church Life Survey (NCLS) for all LCANZ congregations
Thank you for registering the 2026 NCLS. Your surveys will be out in the mail soon. The surveys will contain more information on next steps, or you can check the 2026 NCLS website here.
Events in the District
St Paul's Box Hill 24-7 Prayer Room
Imagine praying non-stop for one hundred years? Twenty-five years? What about an hour? As part of a worldwide, interdenominational effort to bring non-stop prayer to the world for a whole week, 24-7 Prayer have called for pray-ers to pray synchronously, all over the world for 24 hours a day for a whole week! Come Holy Spirit!
Learn more or register here!
Victorian Intergenerate event
Click on the image for more information.
Freshwater Creek - 160th Anniversary
ST DAVID’S LUTHERAN CHURCH,
FRESHWATER CREEK
160th ANNIVERSARY
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
Sunday 11 October 2026, at 2.00pm
followed by afternoon tea.
Past members and friends are welcome.
RSVP: 1 October 2026
For information, contact:
livingfaithgeelong@lca.org.au
LYV 60th Anniversary
Registrations are open for the
LYV 60th Anniversary!
Venue: Tandara Lutheran Camp, Halls Gap
Dates: 18 - 20 September 2026.
Email: admin.lyv@lca.org.au.
This camp is open to all ages. Registrations will close on Friday 4 September.
Click here to register.
Mid-week Service at St Paul's Box Hill
St Paul's congregation in Box Hill warmly invites you to attend their mid-week service. Currently running every first and third Tuesday of the month at 1pm. You are also welcome to join the group for a meal before the service, beginning 12.30pm in the St Paul's Cafe.
St Paul's Box Hill, 1201 Riversdale Rd, Box Hill South VIC 3128
Next service: Tuesday 2 August
2026 Gathering for Women in Pastoral Ministry
The 2026 Gathering of Women in Pastoral Ministry will bring together women from across Australia and New Zealand to support and encourage one another in their journey to ordination and in their ministry since ordination.
The gathering will be held from 2–4 September 2026 at Luther Heights Youth Camp, Coolum Beach, Queensland, and is open to women who are discerning a call, training for pastoral ministry or serving in pastoral ministry.
Read More...
Important Dates in the District
28 Aug District Church Council (DCC) meeting (F2F)
28 Aug Registrations open for District Convention - closes 18 Sept (link will be posted on the LCAVD website)
22 Sep EMMY - All ages on mission: passing faith forward
SAVE THE DATE:
18-20 Sept LYV 60th Anniversary, Tandara, Halls Gap (registrations open; notice above)
30 Sept-2 Oct District Pastor's Conference, Holy Cross Centre, Templestowe
02-04 Oct District Convention of Synod, GSLPS, Croydon Hills (website page: HERE)
22 Oct District Church Council (DCC) meeting (online)
To Note:
Appointment requests with the Bishop - please contact Peter Russell: email or ph: 03 9236 1200.
eNews enquiries, dates and stories - please direct to Taya Fittolani: taya.fittolani@lca.org.au (LCAVD reserves the right to edit submissions before publishing.)
Pastor Calls and Vacancy (Vic-Tas)
Calls extended
Pr Boyd Briese Greater Geelong, VIC, to Toowoomba, QLD.
Calls accepted
Pr Matthias Prenzler, Shepparton Echuca (LCA), to Shepparton Echuca (LM-A).
Congregations and schools in the call process
Hobart; Greater Geelong multi-site; Greensborough-Thomastown multi-site; Tabor.
Congregations and schools vacant (not actively engaged in the call process)
Footscray; Mildura; Natimuk; North Tasmania Parish; North-West Melbourne Ministry; Wimmera Lutheran College.
Safe Church - Denise Muschamp
Notice for Teachers registered with Victorian Institute of Teachers
- If you are using your VIT registration in lieu of a Working with Children Check for your role within any LCA congregation or agency, please ensure that your renewed VIT registration details (due 30th Sept) are forwarded to myself denise.mischamp@lca.org.au or the Safe Church helpdesk safechurch@lca.org.au so that your SMO record can be updated.
- Please also note that as a VIT registrant you need to inform Working With Children Check Victoria (WWCCV) of any other child-related work you do, including voluntary roles in the LCA. If you have not previously done this, or if you have changed roles, go to Service Victoria | Teacher notification.
LCANZ Policies and Procedures
Our LCANZ policies and procedures give us practical guidance to help us care for and protect God's people and encourage the good use of his gifts. Our policies and procedures reflect the LCA’s core values and help us to reflect God's love to each other and to all who come into contact with us.
You can find all of the LCANZ policies and procedures HERE.
Child Protection Week
In September, Australia celebrates National Child Protection Week. The theme this year is "Every Conversation Matters: Shifting Conversation To Action."
This theme resonates well with us in the LCA. Over recent years we have had many "conversations" about Child Safety...but do these conversations actually translate into meaningful actions, or do they remain in the realm of the theoretical? Are our Action Plans acted out?
Read more...
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.
Safe Church Service Desk
The new Safe Church Service Desk is your primary point of contact for any questions about the Child Safety Standards, Safe Church training, background screening checks and day-to-day safety management.
Contact the Safe Church Service Desk via:
- Website: www.lca.org.au/service
- Phone: 1800 418 588 (Australia only)
- Email: safechurch@lca.org.au
General Notices
Congregational Life Hub (LCA Website)
You can find a range of resources and support for congregations, councils, and church leaders in the Congregational Life Hub on the LCA website.
The Lutheran Magazine - Updated Subscription Link
Please find the link to The Lutheran subscriptions page on the dedicated The Lutheran website here.
Lutheran Tract Mission News
Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM) stock is now in storage until October 2026. Our range will not be changing, but during this time only a selected number of tracts will be available and accessible for ordering. These are highlighted on the homepage of LTM: "AVAILABLE DURING REFURBISHMENT". You can still use every tract as an ETRACT, to send electronically rather than ordering the physical copy. Those with 'Digital Spinners' can also still display any tract. Thank you for your patience.
Final Access for Microsoft Publisher
A reminder for those who use Microsoft Publisher within your congregations that you will no longer be able to use the program after 1 October 2026. Read more from Microsoft here.
Handmade Collective
Handmade Collective, a group of Adelaide-based Christian musicians bringing together music, faith, and a passion for worship have released their first album. It has been produced for congregations to use in worship- they have developed lyric videos and are in the process of putting together resources so congregations can play with their own musicians.
Give the album a listen here.
Find their available resources here.
LYV Kid's Camp Coordinators Needed
Lutheran Youth of Victora (LYV) are taking on the development and running of Kids Camp. We are calling for Volunteers to assist with coordinating future Kid's Camp events. People of all ages are welcome to consider this opportunity to help build and grow Camp Ministry in Victoria.
Read More...
Calls, Employment Opportunities and Volunteering Opportunities in the LCANZ
Employment and Volunteering Opportunities in wider Christian networks
LCA News & eNews
LCA eNews
There are several 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
Loving God, You came among us not with the power of empire, but with the courage of love.
When we are tempted to protect ourselves above all else, turn our hearts towards your way.
When fear whispers that compassion is too costly, grant us the quiet strength to remain faithful.
Teach us to carry
hope rather than resentment,
mercy rather than control,
truth with humility,
and love without counting the cost.
May our life together become a blessing to the world,
a living witness that your reign is growing through justice, kindness and peace.
We follow Christ, who leads us not into fear, but into abundant life. Amen.
Victorial Council of Churches eNews, 24 August
Reflection based on Matthew 16:21-28
Prayer Point Calendar - September
30 Aug International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
31 Aug International Day for People of African Descent
5 Sep International Day of Charity
5 Sep International Day of the World's Indigenous Women and Girls
8 Sep International Literacy Day [UNESCO]
15 Sep International Day of Democracy
17 Sep World Patient Safety Day [WHO]
20 Sep World Cleanup Day
21 Sep International Day of Peace
24 Sep World Maritime Day
Links to information on these and other dates are HERE.
Congregations and agencies in our district
06 September Laverton Slovak congregation - Pastor Jan Havjar & Martina; Lutheran Campsites - Anglesea Araluen Lutheran Camp - Manager Darren Linke, Kerry Linke, Kym Schilling & staff team; Tandara Lutheran Camp - Manager Justin Cozens, Emma Cozens & staff team;
Youth Camps Australia Limited (YCAL) Board.
13 September Lutheran Education Vic, NSW & Tas - Executive Director Colin Minke, Shane Paterson, David Hausler, Kate Hill, Tammy Hughes, Powell Bincang, Odette Lo Castro, Kimberley Powell, Lisa Sadler, Caitlin Scott, Pastor David Spike, Dolly Tiscia.
20 September District Pastors’ Conference (30 Sept – 02 Oct) – Pastors and Leaders; District Convention of Synod (02 - 04 Oct) – Leaders and Delegates.
Lutheran Schools, Colleges, Kindergartens, and Early Learning Centres:
Croydon) Luther College - Principal Jacqui Layfield and staff team, Pastor Nathan Hedt & Yvette, Chaplains Anita Foster and Simone Turner; (Croydon) Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School - Principal Daniel Weller and staff team, Pastor Mark Greenthaner & Christine; Geelong St John’s Lutheran Kindergarten - Service Leader Tegan Saliaris and staff team; Geelong Lutheran College – Executive Principal Tsae Wong (interim, from 5 Aug – Richard Davies from 5 Oct) and staff team, Chaplain Georgia Pearson; Grovedale St Paul’s Lutheran Kindergarten - Service Leader Tegan Saliaris and staff team; Hamilton Good Shepherd College – Principal Michelle Kearney (from 5 Aug) and staff team;
Hamilton Good Shepherd Early Childhood Services - Service Leader Christine Sanders and staff team; (Hobart) Eastside Lutheran College - Principal Steve Illingworth and staff team.
27 September Lutheran Schools, Colleges, Kindergartens, and Early Learning Centres (continued): Mildura Trinity Lutheran College - Principal Lisa Robinson and staff team, Chaplain (TBA); (Pakenham) Lakeside College - Principal Robert Tassoni and staff team, Chaplain Fiona Scheffer; Portland St John’s Lutheran Primary School – Principal Sharon Kotzur (interim, from 5 Aug) and staff team, Chaplain Rebecca Greening; 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 - 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).
Click HERE for the 2026 Prayer List (Jul - Sep)
The prayer list for Oct - Dec should be available by end Sept.
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 23 September (note earlier date).
Items due by: Monday 21 Sep (midday).
2026 Dates: 23 Sep (note earlier date), 28 Oct, 25 Nov, 16 Dec (note earlier date).
What's happening in your congregation or community?
Please share your stories of celebration, encouragement,
appeal or collaboration and innovation with us.
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1201 Riversdale Road, Box Hill South VIC 3128
P: (03) 9236 1200
E: admin.vic@lca.org.au
W: www.vic.lca.org.au