Praise God! The ladies of LWQ CQ were permitted to gather around the Word of God and for fellowship at Calvary Lutheran Church in North Rockhampton, hosted by Calvary/Living Waters Ladies Fellowship on the weekend of 27 and 28 March 2021. 32 ladies attended from Mackay, Brisbane South Gold Coast, and places in between.
The church with apron hand made by Dianne Krenske’s Grandmother hanging on the pulpit. The one on the Baptism font is made by Dianne at Primary school.
Under the theme Apron Strings and Other Things, we were literally taken back in time to when some of us, and many of our mothers/grandmothers regularly wore aprons. Aprons adorned the worship centre walls and were tied to the inside ends of pews. Many different styles were admired and … those memories!
Heather Behrendorff relayed thanks from recipients of donations from 2020 Gladstone Rally – Sandy Prizeman, Chaplain at Gladstone Trinity College; ALWS; and Redeemer Lutheran College Biloela assisted a family following an accident.
Dianne Krenske spoke of the year that had been since the 2020 Gladstone Rally with the fortuitous theme FROG (Fully Rely on God) from which APRON (Apply Prayer Regularly On Needs) continues on. There were no meetings or get-togethers for several months, and very little fundraising.
Zone Projects are School Chaplaincy in Rockhampton and Yeppoon, and Religious Instruction programme in Rockhampton. It was decided to continue donating to Redeemer Lutheran College with the College Principal to decide on the recipient student/family most in need of assistance.
Rally 2022 will be held in Biloela.
The memorial hymn 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) was sung.
Bible Study, led by Pastor Peter Noble introduced the Lutheran Doctrine of Vocation and Martin Luther’s thoughts on secular work. In being so intent on serving God we can cease to serve others. God does not need our good works, our neighbour does. Pastor Peter referred to the “Apron” being a visible symbol of service by the wearer. God calls us to serve others. Here I am Lord was sung to follow Pastor Peter’s sharing.
The apron on the lectern is made by Dianne Krenske’s Grandmother. The guest speaker at the lectern is Ute Graz
Yvonne Strauss shared her story. She wanted to be a teacher, but circumstances changed with the death of her father when she was 15 years old. She married and had six children, worked in schools with primary and secondary students, teaching religious education etc.
Ute Graz spoke on her vocation as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist and related the rally theme of Aprons as putting on the full armour of God. An apron is used in her workday for communication with some of the young people seeking her assistance. It contains a velcro strip with pictures able to be pulled off to help share messages. Ute spoke of the many forms of communication used to help with understanding by young ones with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. All of those she assists can perceive situations differently, with differing reactions. Her work involves assessing a young person’s situation and deciding how to best communicate and support the child to manage difficult situations.
Samantha Whittington is a Scripture Union Chaplain at Allenstown, The Hall, and Stanwell State Schools. Samantha spoke about speaking hope into young people’s lives with positive behaviour learning and a reward system being used, and with intervention programmes such as anti-bullying. She encourages students to believe that what happens now, can affect their futures.
Raelene Robinson is Co-ordinator for the Religious Instructions Gift Fund and a Guidance Officer. About 3,000 children per week are hearing the Word in the Rockhampton region through RI. The programme is provided to students by volunteers and paid instructors. We viewed a video about the RI programme with volunteer Mrs Blakeley and puppets. Raelene advised more funding is required to provide the RI programme and encouraged tax deductible donations to the RI Gift Fund.
Closing devotion by Pastor Peter was on the Gift of Prayer for blessing of others/neighbours and confirmed there are many biblical verses referring to praying. We are called to a vocation of prayer – pray for family and all in our circles. The references are not to, IF you pray, but WHEN you pray as in Matthew 6:5. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect, James 5:16.
The installation of Office Bearers was conducted by Pastor Peter, and Dianne Krenske thanked her team for assistance in organising the rally, and the Zone Committee.
Following dinner, Lyn Patterson and Don McCall (Rockhampton-Yeppoon SMP) conducted a very competitive Trivia Night. No-one was able to twist Lyn’s arm on trivia questions, though we tried.
We were very blessed with great company, great food, hearing the Word, and interesting guest speakers. Our bag of goodies included an apron-adorned water bottle. Sewing ladies must have had some late nights.
Many attended Sunday morning worship with communion led by Pastor Peter, followed by a sharing from Jeff Greene, ‘Everyman’s Soldiers Welfare Ministry’.
Sue Hebel, Reporter
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