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Welcome to the September edition of
Cross-Cultural Ministry eNews
Greetings from the Cross-Cultural Ministry desk
Perhaps like me, you have been reflecting on your life in the light of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. So many people have commented on her servant heart and faithfulness. It is in moments like this that we reflect on running our own race.
I think about the day I will finally stand before the Lord – will I hear him say, ‘Well done – good and faithful servant’? My knees start knocking at the thought until I remember that (mercifully) he comes to live within us, so we do not run in our own strength. What is this race we run?
Craig Heidenreich
Cross-Cultural Ministry Facilitator
Our love for Jesus (and sheer wonder at his grace and acceptance) moves us to join him as he reaches out to those ‘sheep who have gone astray’. We join him in his mission to reach the lost and to see them grow in grace!
Our Local Mission team gets to hear how this unfolds in our wider church family. Many faithfully share the love of Jesus with those they meet. Some are using radio to get the message out to thousands. We hear about those who visit refugees and pray with them and a congregation showing hospitality to hundreds of itinerant workers from Samoa and Tonga (lonely men with nowhere else to go). We hear of a parish raising significant funds to support a mission ministry in another state. But most of all, we hear about the faithful actions of those who just ‘love the stranger’ without any great fanfare – because that is where they find Jesus.
LCANZ Local Mission is running its annual appeal and needs your support to reach out to people in your communities. You may have noted the Local Mission Appeal letters sent to every congregation these last few weeks. Please pray and support this appeal. The money raised will be used to encourage and embolden those who reach out.
God bless, and thank you for your faithfulness!
Our Local Mission teams are keen to generate conversation about how we can all live missional lives. Please email me at craig.heidenreich@lca.org.au if you have something to contribute or questions we can help you with.
Heart Talk booklet published and available
When we encounter a newcomer from another country, it can be hard to know what to say. The following quote from Rosemary highlights one way to win a heart:
I read your story about greeting people in their own language, and I think this is more important than many people might think. I often approach people and ask where they are from. I think that in every case, they are thrilled if you know a bit about their country or can say a few words in their language. The change in their faces is quite wonderful.
– Rosemary Winderlich, St Johns Tea Tree Gully
Email us to receive a copy of this resource with simple greetings in 40 languages.
Depth of joy by Pamela Dalgliesh
I have interacted with different cultures, but it was not until I was involved in Cross-Cultural Ministry in the Lutheran Church that I was able to really appreciate the simplicity and complexity of different cultures.
A ministry partnership is birthed
On the last weekend of July, something special happened in Freeling SA as the Light Parish hosted some new friends from Shepparton. The weekend will be long remembered by all who were there.
Using what we have to bless strangers
When Pastor Stephen Trautwein noticed the hundreds of itinerant Pacific Islander workers coming into the South Australia Riverland, he reached out to offer them a place to meet and worship.
New government program focusing on refugees
Recently, the Australian Government has agreed to a new program, CRISP, which allows small groups of Australians to directly sponsor refugee families from camps overseas.
Minor grants
The Cross-Cultural Ministry department offers Minor grants (up to $1000) to support congregations to engage new arrivals. Applications can be made throughout the year, and guidelines can be found on the Cross-Cultural Ministry webpage.
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