As 2020 draws to a close, there is little to be said about the effects of the COVID-19 virus that hasn’t already been said. The Concordia Ladies’ Fellowship had their program thrown into disarray. In spite of that, we managed some enjoyable social distancing activities. A lunch of winter warming soup and rolls was enjoyed at Dot’s place and a spring walk was followed by lunch at Kings Park in Perth. Another informal lunch meeting …
Getting ready – suitable clothing, comfortable shoes, food, road maps, making sure we have all we need for the journey. Getting ready for what we may encounter. Getting ready for when our Bridegroom comes to welcome us to his wedding feast. Getting ready. Do we have our lamps trimmed and burning and ready with extra oil to light the way, always prepared no matter what day or hour he arrives? Matthew 25:1–13 Anzac Bridge, Horsham, …
When I was asked to write an article about the vineyard, this text came to mind: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) I have been working in the vineyard for more than 40 years, together with my husband Wayne. In recent years, we have been joined by our son …
Our pastor, Adrian Kramer, has accepted a call to serve in Canada. The Ballarat congregation gave him and his family a farewell barbecue on Sunday 27 February. They have been with us for seven years and Pastor Adrian has been LWV Spiritual Advisor for that time. We thank him for his work with our congregation and wish him and the family many blessings as they begin their new life in Canada. The photo shows Pastor …
Being born into both “German/Polish and Lutheran heritage” I understand when (usually) at a church event outside one’s own congregation, you are asked, “And, what family do you belong to?” The person who may ask this is perhaps trying to connect me to a familiar surname or family member, perhaps in order to create conversation about something or someone in common that we possibly know. I realise this person could ask in interest, or to …
When making plans for the future, we often look back into the past. It is interesting to see what happened many years ago; to see what challenges and joys lay before the people making those plans. We have the privilege of seeing the results of the prayers, hopes and plans of Lutheran women as noted in our much-loved magazine over the last 54 years. Although our world and technology have changed dramatically over more than …
Getting ready! Joseph’s story In our last study we looked at Mary and Elizabeth, and how their getting ready for the next stage of their lives was disrupted by God for a different, greater purpose. They responded with joy and understanding that, through his interruption in their lives, God was bringing salvation to the world. Today, let’s consider Joseph. He too was getting ready: for marriage to Mary, for children – maybe a son or …
Are we There yet? Eternity is a tricky concept to understand or explain. We can think of it as a future possession, something we will attain one day when we leave this earth and join Jesus in heaven. This is certainly the concept presented in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). The gospel of John however doesn’t describe eternity like that. In John 5:24 Jesus says, Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my …
With acknowledgment to Felicity Bradford who forwarded these stories to Lutheran Women and with thanks to the families who shared them. Lovina Agnes Burger Lovina Agnes was born in 1911, the youngest child of Dan Juers and his wife Hulda, and was raised on the family’s farm at Charleston in South Australia with two sisters and two brothers. At school she excelled at needlework, art projects and maths. After leaving school after one term at …
Sometimes the winds of change in our lives blow fairly strongly and sometimes it’s merely a soft breeze. For me, when it comes to my career, it’s been a constant and welcomed wind tunnel! The concept of “career” and “working” has always been a cornerstone of my values, because being of service in the roles I chose (or that chose me perhaps …), has driven me from career to career for all of my working …
Bethany Home was established in 1966 and continues to provide training and an educational program for children and adults with special needs. As of April 2021, we have 117 children with special needs (intellectual deficiency, spastic, autism and epilepsy) coming from a multi-racial and multi-religious background. Activities/Events The COVID-19 pandemic affected many of our planned activities and events for the year 2020. Our activities were restricted due to the Movement Control Order and Conditional Movement …
Here’s the line-up of speakers for the 2021 LWA Convention.