Trust, Love, Listen … Wisdom
This was the theme of our recently retired President, Wendy Habel’s President’s Reflection twelve months ago. Throughout this past year, we’ve all needed to draw on the strength we gain by the trust we have in a loving Lord and Saviour who listens to our prayers in these times of concern, for the health and safety of our country. So, have we become wiser? We’ve heard from government and health officials almost daily. I pray we’ve all learnt from each other, to show care and understanding during these trying times.
I’ve penned some of these words in the days we had all planned to be together in Horsham, meeting under the theme “Being Strong in the Lord”. We thank Wendy and her executive team of Leonie, Linda, Irene, and Irma, who were faced with many challenges in their on-going planning, with the “goal posts” seeming to be forever moving in face of the pandemic. Then, in the end, plans and preparations were all ‘snuffed out’ when they were guided to make the final decision to keep all safe by cancelling the convention.
The triennial convention of Lutheran Women of Australia has always concluded with a service and handover to the incoming executive. How might this happen? So, the transition/handover to the new executive team has been like never before! As your executive team from South Australia, together with the extra committee member from Lutheran Women of Western Australia, we came together for the Installation Service at Concordia Chapel in Unley, South Australia, on 3 October (see report page 12).
Now, moving forward, in the words of Proverbs 16:1 We may make our plans, but God has the last word. As we remember and pray for you our members and friends, may we all be faithful and diligent in our service to our Lord, our church, and our communities. We also ask for your continued prayers. There will still be times of restrictions which may limit our gathering together, so remember then to make that phone call, or send a text message or email of encouragement and support. Only God knows what blessings this contact will bring. We give praise to God for the places where coming together for times of Bible study and fellowship have been able to almost resume fully.
We are at the beginning of another church year, and the days of the Advent Season. A time of preparing our hearts for the coming of the Christ-child. In uncertain times, we have the hope for the future, remembering the birth of our Saviour in a humble manger in Bethlehem.
A blessed Christmas to all.
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