We were welcomed to Horsham for the 53rd Zone Rally on a pleasant Thursday morning by the Horsham afternoon ladies guild president, Marie Bergen, who introduced the Mayor of the Horsham Rural City Council, Cr Mark Radford who extended a warm welcome to visitors to Horsham.
He spoke about some of the highlights that he had researched about the history of Lutherans in the Horsham area. He recalled a recent visit he had to the Pella Lutheran Church in the Yarriambiack Shire and was most impressed with the pipe organ.
LWA President Wendy Habel, LWV President Jenny Gellert and LWV Retreat President Merrilyn Koch were welcomed to the rally and they gave reports about LWA, LWV and LWV Retreats.
The rally was attended by 51 ladies, pastors and men representing 11 guilds within the Zone.
Pastor John Weier, Zone Counsellor from Warracknabeal, led the opening service which included the message being presented in the form of a dialogue with Horsham Pastor Geoff Schefe, the installation of office bearers and closing service. Pastor Weier also led the Bible Study for the day based on the theme: Treasures in Clay Jars and the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 4:7. Various ladies read Bible verses from the Old and New Testaments relating to the pieces of broken clay jars, and to our brokenness through fatigue, failure, fear, sorrow and anger. After each reading a piece of broken jar was pieced together. The theme hymn was ‘Have Thine Own Way Lord’.
Candles were lit in memory of past members and the memorial hymn ‘To God be the Glory’ was sung.
Guest Speaker Mr Darren Linke, Manager of the Tandara Camp at Hall’s Gap spoke about the various activities and the intern program which began in 2013.
Spot Speaker Mr Andrew Waldhuter, from the LLL, presented a comprehensive report about the LLL and the Lutheran Tract Mission.
Mrs Bev Miatke spoke about the Christian Emergency Food Centre in Horsham, which is organised by the various denominations of Christian Churches in Horsham and assists people as far as the SA border and north to the Mallee.
Principal of Holy Trinity Lutheran College, Mr Daniel Weller, spoke about the expansion of the college to a P-12 and, by 2020, they expect to have an enrolment of more than 620 students, some travelling by bus as far away as Nhill, Dimboola and Warracknabeal. Music teacher Tania Mock and two of the musical students presented items.
Mr Colin Puls and CEO, Denise Hooper, spoke about the beginnings of the Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village which now contains 75 beds and 44 self-contained units.
Reports were also presented from the LWV Stamp collector, Shirley Jorgenson, and Dimboola Bargain Centre, Menna Bamford.
Heather Huebner moved a vote of thanks to the Horsham Ladies and their helpers for a wonderful day of fellowship.
The offering for the day was divided between the Tandara camp program and support for children at Holy Trinity Lutheran College.
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