Welcome to the April eNews!
2026 Calendar Competition now open…
Yes, it’s on again! Calling all photographers.
We’re offering you the opportunity to be included in our 2026 Lutheran Media calendar. Do you have an inspiring and original image you would like to enter in our competition? Cash prizes are awarded to the top 3 entries. Entries close 31 May 2025.Enter Here
Join us for lunch in the Barossa
Please join us for our ‘Thank You Lunch’ on Saturday 21st June at Kies Family Winery. Tickets are now available for individual and group bookings.
Set in the picturesque wine region of southern Barossa Valley, you will be treated to a two-course lunch (wines included), with silent auction, wine wall and guest speaker, Des Kalisch.
Purchase your tickets at www.lutheranmedia.org.au/events where you will find more information about this event and others coming up this year to celebrate 80 years of Lutheran Media.
Friends of Lutheran Archives (FoLA) Thursday 24 April at 7.30pm Immanuel Lutheran Church, 139 Archer St, North Adelaide SA 5006
Memories of Koonibba Mission
Speaker: Elizabeth Buck, who grew up in Koonibba on the West Coast of South Australia, where her father was a pastor missionary. Supper, $5 donation.
The event can be watched on-line as it happens, or later.
LIVESTREAM on FoLA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@friendsoflutheranarchives9644/live
Due to recent updates to the membership of the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations (CTICR), vacancies exist for two lay members and one pastor member.
CTICR engages in the study of theological matters and inter-church relations at the direction of the College of Bishops as they arise in the LCANZ. It also provides guidance to the members of the church on current matters through its published documents. Public statements made by the commission are provided following approval from the College of Bishops or the General Church Board.
Members of the commission must hold a tertiary degree in theology; have knowledge and experience on a broad range of issues from a Lutheran theological and confessional standpoint; be able to write from a pastoral perspective; have ecumenical engagement and understanding of global Lutheran churches and organisations.
It is important that the membership includes a mixture of backgrounds and perspectives, as well as the relevant skills, qualifications and experience, to enable the commission to fulfil its role.
If you are interested in serving on the commission, know someone who may be interested, or require further information, please contact CTICR Secretary Maria Rudolph at cticr@lca.org.au
Please complete the nomination form here and send it to nominations@lca.org.au by Monday 21 April.
READ MORE STORIES ABOUT appointments, Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations, nominations
Pastor Mark Schultz, the LCA's Assistant to the Bishop, International Mission, has encouraged our Lutheran family in Australia and New Zealand to pray for the people of the earthquake-devastated Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar. He says: 'Please keep the nation, people and our partner churches in Myanmar in your prayers after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake last week on Friday 28 March. Pray for those who mourn, those who are waiting for news, those still trapped, and the courageous search and rescue workers who are tirelessly working around the clock to find survivors. Please also pray for those grieving the loss of life in the tower collapse in Bangkok, Thailand.'
'In the coming days, we will launch a special appeal to help our partner churches in Myanmar,' Pastor Mark says. 'Please stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, we invite you to donate via ALWS' Emergency Action appeal.’ DONATE NOW READ MORE
As Lutheran Media celebrates 80 years of blessings in 2025, hear a special message from manager Dr Tania Nelson, inviting you to celebrate at three key events in SA and Qld. For more information or to register, go to lutheranmedia.org.au/about-us/events/
To order your copy of the Lutheran Media history book, go to lutheranmedia.org.au
Hundreds of LCANZ members and friends have gathered to thank God for the 75th anniversary of Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) at the places where the church’s overseas aid and development agency had its beginnings.
The weekend of celebration and thanksgiving events in March centered around Albury in the New South Wales Riverina and at Bonegilla, just over the Victorian border, where ALWS’s ministry of practical love and care had its roots in the service of a Lutheran pastor almost eight decades ago.
Bonegilla was a migrant reception centre and camp that became a temporary home to approximately 300,000 post-World War II refugees and migrants from 1947 until its closure in 1971. In its early years, many at Bonegilla spoke German, and a high percentage were Lutheran, so Pastor Bruno Muetzelfeldt, who served at nearby Albury, was asked to minister to the new arrivals.
On Saturday 22 March, almost 200 people joined the commemorations and celebrations at Bonegilla, with some travelling from as far as Mackay, North Queensland, 2000 kilometres away. Former residents, some who had not previously returned to Bonegilla, shared memories of their time at the camp.
On the same day, 105 people participated in Bonegilla Walk My Way, walking all or part of the 10 kilometres return to the Old Bonegilla railway station. Through this and multiple other campaigns across 2025, including Walk My Ways in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, Executive Director Michael Stolz said ALWS aimed to support 75,000 children whose lives are affected by war or poverty.
Also contributing to funds being raised are proceeds from the book Table of Eight, which was launched on the anniversary weekend. It is the memoir of Dr Brian Neldner, whose own remarkable legacy of service in international aid and development began at Bonegilla.
Michael said more than $16,700 had been raised, supporting 668 children. Adding to this will be an offering from the anniversary thanksgiving service at St Luke’s Lutheran Church Albury, on 23 March, at which LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith reflected on the origins of ALWS and the Christian life in service of others ‘whoever they are’, done in response to the saving message of the gospel.
Upcoming events
Upcoming Walk My Way events will be held in Adelaide on 3 May and Brisbane on 10 May. The Adelaide event will include two Walk My Way courses and a chance to farewell the churchwide Lutheran precinct at North Adelaide, including tours of ALC buildings and a garage sale. It will also include the launch of Brian Neldner’s memoirs, Table of Eight. In Brisbane, the ‘Riverside Ramble’ event will feature Ukrainian food and culture.
To read the latest eNews, copy this link
http://lcaenews.online/250401
Young Life Barossa Update
wyldlife: Years 5-7, 1st of April from 6pm, for more information contact Tiffany on 0466039463 or email tiffanyvoigt@younglife.org.au.
Club: years 8-12, 8th of April from 6pm. To find out more contact Sophie on sophie@younglife.org.au
Young Life Cans & Bottles Run
The Young Life Barossa team will be rallying together on April 16th to collect local Can & Bottle donations to raise funds that support us in taking local Barossa young people on the annual Young Life Australia national Summer Camp.
We are calling out to anyone who has a stash of cans and bottles that they haven’t had the chance to take to the recycling plant. We would love to take these off your hands.
If you are keen to support us in this venture of supporting young people in our local community, then please get in contact with Tiffany Voigt at tiffanyvoigt@younglife.org.au to organise a collection of your donations on the morning of April 16th.
Jesus Walk
The Jesus Walk is located on the east side of the Faith Lutheran College tennis courts. It offers a peaceful space for reflecting on Jesus' journey to the cross and his resurrection. Flyers with more information are available at the entrance.
The Walk is wheelchair accessible, though you'll need to enter through the oval as there is a gate at the main entrance.
Parking is available on the road, and you'll need to walk in. The gate will be unlocked over the Easter weekend, but please remember to close it behind you.
If visiting during school hours, kindly stop by the front office to notify them of your visit. For any questions, please contact Judy at 0422 742 984.
A variety of services will be held at the Walk over Easter. Please contact Judy for information.