So … is the Drought really over?

Australia is indeed blessed!

We have weathered the global pandemic better than most countries and are now in the fortunate position of re-opening our doors to the rest of the world, gradually restoring a sense of normality in our daily lives.

Throughout the pandemic Australia was fortunate to be home to some of the best food and textile producers in the world, enabling us to feed and clothe our own with confidence despite closed borders and halted imports.

In a heartbreaking twist, sadly, some of the same farmers who continue to feed and clothe us even to this day, are doing so while struggling to feed and clothe their own families.

In 21st Century Australia how can this be happening?

2021 Convention Offering Thank You

Thank you to the kind-hearted and caring women, of Lutheran Women of Australia, who have contributed a total of $20,979.30 to the 2021 Convention Offering which has been shared equally between the Women’s Care and Counselling Centre in Malaysia and the ALC Women’s Auxiliary.

We pray for God’s blessings on the work through this centre in Malaysia and for the auxiliary at ALC as they assist with refurbishing of the units occupied by pastoral ministry students and their families at North Adelaide.

From the LWA Executive

Welcome to a New Year

By the grace of God, we are at the beginning of another year of service to Lutheran Women of Australia and you, our valued readers. Without your support and interest there would be no magazine, and it would be a lonely time for many. So … what has 2022 in store for us? Many changes have taken place in the production of our magazine in the last six months. Perhaps the most significant for our …

On the cover – February/March 2022

Praying through the Year Our Father in heaven God encourages us to believe that he is really our Father, and we are really his children. So, we can pray to God with complete confidence just as children speak to their loving parents. Hallowed be your name God’s name is already holy, but in this prayer we are asking: “Father, help us keep your name holy”. Luther’s Small Catechism   Stained glass window, Vancouver Anglican Cathedral, …

As we see it

This (print) issue of our magazine marks the last for this year … and what a year it has been! Our hearts have ached for our dear sisters in Christ and their families and friends who have endured many hardships; perhaps the worst being separated from loved ones and inability to worship in your church families. Postal delays, industrial troubles and with our October issue a machinery breakdown (all beyond our control) have caused us …

Saudi Sojourn (Part Two)

Some reflections on life as seen and experienced The classic questions of mankind often begin with where, why, or what. Especially through these last years of fire, flood and Covid-19, these questions can multiply into anxiety, loneliness and sometimes despair. What is the latest newscast telling me? Where is God? Why is this happening to me? What is the point? I am blessed to be a member of Bethlehem Sanctuary Guild and recently my husband …

Installation of New LWA Committee

The installation of the new LWA Committee took place at Concordia College Chapel, Unley SA, as a part of LCA General Convention livestream Worship Service on Sunday 3 October 2021. (If you wish to view this service, please go to: http://www.generalsynod.lca.org.au/business/livestream/ then go down to ‘Sunday worship service’ This was a very special and memorable day for the new committee. Beginning with the safe travel that brought us together at Concordia Chapel for the service, …

Advent Traditions

Since the sixth century, the season of Advent has been set aside as a time of preparation for Christ’s coming. The word Advent is Latin for “coming towards” (“ad” meaning towards and “vent” meaning “to come.”) Most Christians around the world observe four Sundays of Advent. Counting four Sundays back from Christmas Day determines the date of the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, churches light one candle each Sunday on their Advent wreath. The candles …

Reaching out via Media

Thanks to your support and partnership, people are responding to your Messages of Hope every day. More than 52,000 people responded in 2020 – more than 1000 a week. Messages of Hope shares real stories of the hope Jesus Christ offers us all. These stories reach out, engage, and nurture people, including daughters Sonya and Ripley who are caring for their mum and dad: Sonya: Good on you, my dad is doing the same with …

Saudi Sojourn (Part One)

My introduction to life in a Muslim country My husband, Robert, is involved in medical research and had made two shorter visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I had not previously accompanied him, but as this was to be a three month stay with the possibility of ongoing collaborations, we decided I should accompany Robert. Since our visit, Saudi Arabia has opened for tourism, and from 2019 people from 49 countries have been encouraged …

The Strength of Gentleness

Closing Devotion at LWSA-NT Convention, May 2021 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. John 7:37-39 (NIV) As I reflect on the …

A Final Report from your Lutheran Women of Australia Executive

Three years ago, we were elected as your executive and took over from the LWA executive from Queensland. They had done a wonderful job leading the women’s guilds and fellowships throughout Australia.

The following is a brief rundown of our activities over the past triennium. At present, your LWA Executive consists of five members from Victoria and two Spiritual Counsellors who have been overseeing the activities of the State committees and organising the Convention that was due to be held at the end of September this year.