Devotion – April 2024

Have you any siblings? What do conversations with them sound like? Often children from the same family are described as being “chalk and cheese”. Is that so for you?

Mary and Martha seem like “chalk and cheese”. It would be interesting to know if they were of similar ages, or how they shared the household duties. I get the impression that Martha is older, and I wonder if she was bossy or just very responsible. Was Mary easily distracted from a task or even lazy? Whatever my questions, they both appear devoted to Jesus – Martha devoted to serving him and Mary devoted to listening to him.
And Jesus loves them both. Read the full devotion for April 2024 …

Combined LWQ Retreat and Convention 2023

Lutheran Women of Queensland retreat and Convention was held on 19 –21 May 2023 at Maroochy Waterfront Camp & Conference Centre, Maroochydore. Our theme throughout the weekend was Courage to tell our story, 1 Corinthians 16:13. Long-lasting Wondrous Quality-time or Love Wondrously Qualified were just two acronyms that could be used to describe our first ever combined LWQ Retreat/Convention. Sincere thanks and gratitude to the Legendary Welcoming Quirkiness of the West Moreton Zone for the …

On the cover – October/November 2023

Fruits of the Spirit The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a biblical term that sums up nine attributes of a person or community living in accord with the Holy Spirit, according to of the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful …

Lutheran Women of Victoria and Tasmania annual convention 2023

A cool yet sunny morning on Saturday 20 May could not dampen the spirits of those attending the 56th Convention of the Lutheran Women of Victoria and Tasmania (LWVT). It was hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church in Warrnambool and catered for by the parish ladies from Warrnambool, Ayrford, and Hawkesdale. The theme for Convention was Patient Endurance from Revelation 13:10b. Greeting everyone in the foyer was a stunning flower arrangement in autumnal colours of orange, …

Faithfulness in the storms of life

I was born with impaired vision. Following failed eye surgery at age 16, then told that no more could be done, left me devastated and scared for what my future would be.

My father was a uncompassionate man who had very high expectations which one had to meet. I tried very hard to do that, but I was never good enough . . . put down and declared a failure, never encouraged or felt wanted or loved by him. On occasions I witnessed violence aimed at my mother. At an early age I was raped by a family member. It was covered up. Never dealt with or spoken about again. Home was not a happy place. Read the full story …

Wide Bay – Burnett Zone Rally Day, 21 April 2023

St John’s Lutheran Church, Kingaroy was the setting where 30 ladies gathered for Rally Day, with the theme One body, one spirit, one hope. A welcome morning tea was followed with Holy Communion Service with Modern Liturgy, conducted by Orana Aged Care Chaplain, Jordan Bennett. The president of Kingaroy fellowship welcomed all to the rally with an apology from Zone President, Nola Zerner. Elected office bearers for 2023-24 were: President, Nola Zerner; First Vice President, …

Brisbane North & Sunshine Coast Zone Rally Day 19 April 2023

We gathered at Calvary, Glasshouse Mountains with the theme taken from Genesis 1:24,25: All creatures great and small. There were 38 in attendance to close off our year and make plans for 2023. After a cuppa we were welcomed by Zone President, Marilyn Jonas. All creatures great and small was the opening hymn. Pastor Tom Jantke opened with a devotion based on forgiveness. If you forgive sins, they are forgiven. Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed …

St Petri Women’s Fellowship

Our fellowship has been very busy with Bible study, outings, fundraisers, guest speakers and other fun activities. Our guest speakers have brought a range of issues to the forefront including dementia and school chaplaincy. A panel of ladies talked about dealing with the death of a loved one. Our soup and rolls luncheon was a great time of fellowship. Marie Heinrich shared with us the Diary of a Pioneer, which gave us an insight into …

Penola Women’s Fellowship

There are seven women in our fellowship, and we meet in Marlen Wittwer’s very comfortable home on the second Thursday of each month. In March 2022, we hosted the Penola World Day of Prayer. Maggie Mott from Naracoorte, originally from England, was our guest speaker. She spoke very passionately about her walk with Christ and his influence in her life as she moved from England to Australia. Twenty-five women attended the day and the offering …

Carlsruhe Ladies Guild 120th Anniversary

There are still a few of us who remember 50 plus years of guild. We were newly married young women trying to settle into a new life, in a new country area, mostly on farms. Very soon, we found we were “expected” to join the Guild, part of St John’s Lutheran Church, Carlsruhe, near Waterloo and Manoora and surrounded by farmland. In my case, my mother-in-law was thrilled to have another driver in the family, me! Thus, she did not have to ask her husband or sons to drive her to guild as they had in the past!

On the Cover – August/September 2022

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us What this means for us We don’t deserve anything we pray for. We sin every day, and all we deserve is punishment. But, in this prayer, we are asking: “Father, do not look at our sins or refuse to listen to our prayers because of them. Instead, give us everything we need simply out of your kindness.” In the same way, when people …

Wide Bay Burnett Zone Fellowship Day 2021

On 13 October, Faith North Bundaberg ladies hosted the day with the theme Under His Wings, text: Matthew 23:37. Fifty-two attended. Karen Bryce from “Faith” and Heidi Lane, Zone President warmly welcomed everyone. Pastor Ryan Norris opened the morning with a devotion from Isaiah 40:28-31. Pastor Ryan stated we should never forget God in our ability to hang on during tough times in life. Take time to remember God’s faithfulness as he is always there …