Southern Zone Rally – NSW

The theme for the 2019 Southern Zone Rally was Who Am I? hosted by St Stephen’s Church Women’s Fellowship, Culcairn, in the Uniting Church, 56 participants attending. President Betty Scheetz opened proceedings and introduced Pastor Kees Sturm, who based his devotion on the theme. Our identity in Christ is set out in St Peter’s letter to the churches in 1 Peter 1:1–25. Pastor Kees opened his message with the worldly, earthly names that describe us, like Australian; our surname; nurse; mother; student, etc. These labels identify us and are the …

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The open bible for devotion

Devotion – September 2020

Giver God Journal Entry 3/05/2020 Of all the days spent in isolation, Sundays are the hardest. They’re the loneliest and they are the days I am most aware of what this season has cost us. To preface, I’m in a bad mood today. I’m sad. The kind of sad that has me waking up with a headache but doesn’t see me cry. I miss my friends, I miss my church, I miss café breakfasts, I …

The Bible - the word of God

Bible Study – September 2020

Let Your Light Shine Read Matthew 5:14-16. Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray that you would enlighten our hearts and minds today. Amen. This is the greatest compliment from Jesus, who commands us to be what he is: his light into this dark world. Never before do we need his light, in our world, as we do now. The abundance of the many self-help books is not what people really need. Furthermore, Jesus’ light is FREE. …

Let us not grow weary in doing good … The story of a humble servant

Myrtle had a real servant heart and was always quick to be there for those who needed help. Among many interests she had a passion for sewing and used this to help people of all ages, shapes and sizes. She always wanted her sewing (in fact whatever she did) to somehow bring honour and glory to God. After completing her primary school years Myrtle left school and started to sew. Once she had a family Myrtle sewed, and sewed and sewed, for the family and for others; not just because …

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Life in Retirement

My husband Gil, and I, had a wonderful life living in Loxton, in South Australia’s Riverland, where we raised our three children. Eventually, Gil had a transfer to Adelaide, so we made the move to the city. We settled into our lovely home in Valley View, with beautiful gardens and entertainment areas. We missed our country lifestyle but enjoyed the family benefits the move created. As I write, I contemplate the thankfulness that overwhelms me, as later, Gil and myself were offered a retirement home in the Lutheran Homes Incorporated …

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An elderly women's hands are laid in her lap. She is wearing a checked gingham dress and a green cardigan. Her hands are wrinkled, and gnarly from age.

In everything give thanks – for Ministry with the Ageing

When the Committee for Ministry with the Ageing was being developed, it was initially to be called the Committee for Ministry to the Ageing. However, due to a lightbulb moment, and the realisation that ministry is a two-way process, the current name was selected. We know that we are an ageing church. The latest Australian census told us that nearly one in every six people is aged 65 years and older. The average age of people in the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) and New Zealand is 60 years. We …

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Immanuel Women’s Guild, Woden

A chance remark from a mother to her daughter resulted in a wonderful invitation to members of our Guild. That remark was along the lines of “I wonder if anyone will invite us to a ‘Seniors Luncheon’ when we’re too old to continue this service ourselves”! As is the situation in many areas around Australia, the average age of our group keeps creeping up with the oldest member approaching 90 and others, in, or approaching their eighties. Younger members of the congregation work, have other commitments, or don’t feel the …

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Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson – Book Review

Ernest Pettigrew is a retired, widowed army Major living in the small rural English village of Edgecombe St Mary. He leads a quiet, respectable, and predictable life with a small circle of friends and a slightly distant relationship with his only son, Roger, who is upwardly mobile and ever on the lookout for ways of advancing himself. A chance meeting with the village shopkeeper, Mrs Jasmina Ali, just moments after hearing of his younger brother Bertie’s death, turns the Major’s life upside down. The pair discover they have much in …

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Warracknabeal Guild

We had a lovely start to the year 2020 with our Guild meeting held at Warracknabeal. Lorna Mills turned 100 on 31 January and, as our tradition when anyone has a big 0 birthday, we make a cake and celebrate with them. Lorna is an active member of our Guild, lives in a nice unit and loves caring for her garden. She plays cards on Monday, goes to Planned Activities Group at the hospital three days a week, and church on Sundays. We also celebrated our very efficient Secretary, Bev …

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President's Reflections

President’s Reflection – August/September 2020

Are you ready to serve …? These last couple of months have put challenges before us. Have you been connecting with your friends by phone, text messaging or by online devises – emails. Have you been able to “head to church” in your pyjamas and been spoilt by church “hopping” to several congregations throughout Australia? I have been blessed to have the technology to be able to worship, at sometimes up to four different church services on a Sunday, and during the Easter period I had been watching on YouTube …

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On the cover – August/September 2020

Old age is like a sunset proclaiming the wonder of the Creator in a final burst of glorious splendour before the night falls and we wake to a heavenly dawn. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:22 (NIV) Photo: Uluru by Rhiannon Evans

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