District Notes. A word from the President... Pastor Greg Pietsch District President

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1 District Notes Victoria/Tasmania District 27th July 2011 The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. - Matthew 13:44 A word from the President... Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Hidden treasure that s God s work of grace. For a person walking over the field, they wouldn t even know there was anything special under their feet. But something of immense value lies buried for those who have ears to hear the wonderful gospel of God s love and forgiveness for us rotten sinners, all for Jesus sake. The gospel is constantly to be discovered and dug up so we can benefit from it. Nothing else is more important the man sold all he had in order to secure that treasure. That s the way it is to be for us in all those places where we think there is no hope, no joy, no peace. The gospel changes all that but we need to yearn for it, search for it, sacrifice for it, or else it will stay hidden from us. I encourage you to keep looking for God s grace in the waste lands of your life using all the resources he has given the church God has it in waiting for you, to bless you and give you joy. One of God s great resources for discovering the gospel is our pastors. So it s with real joy that we thank God for moving Pastor John Weier of Greenock in South Australia to accept the call to Minyip-Warracknabeal. That parish has been vacant for a long time and I thank the people there for their patience, and Pastor Colin Huf for his faithful service on average every three weeks in the vacancy. The parish can now look forward to Pastor John s installation on 27 th November the First Sunday in Advent and a new journey together. Looking back this time, at a 10am Bach cantata service this Sunday (31 st July) St John s Southgate ( City Road to older ears) celebrates the 150 th anniversary of the beginning of that congregation when a small group separated from the Trinity Lutheran Church, East Melbourne, over confessional differences. Services were initially held at Friedensruh, the Doncaster home of Gottlieb Thiele and now of descendents Paul and Eric Collyer. I m reminded of the separation of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15) and the way the Lord extended his kingdom through both of these great missionaries, even though at odds for a time before they were later reconciled. God s work of establishing the kingdom of heaven goes on. God bless you as you search for its treasure. Pastor Greg Pietsch District President

2 DISTRICT CALENDAR 9th July 2011 LWV retreat (Hopetoun) 30th-31st 31st July 2011 District Study Retreat, Geelong CANCELLED 13th August 2011 LWV retreat (Pakenham) 6th 8th September 2011 District Pastors Conference 10th September 2011 LWV retreat (Bendigo) 14th 16th 16th October 2011 LWV retreat (Araluen) 5th May 2012 LWV Convention (Warrnambool) 17th 19th 19th October 2012 Vic/Tas District pastors Conference 19th 21st October 2012 Vic/Tas District Convention Calls Pastor John Weier has accepted the call to the Minyip/Warracknabeal Parish Pastor Robin Zadow has been called to the Tabor Parish Prayer Points Pamela Dalgliesh (Community Development Facilitator) and family. Pamela s mother passed away on Friday 8th July. Pastor David Spike (Deputy Principal, Good Shepherd Primary) and family. Pastor David s father passed away very recently. Our vacant, calling parishes, particularly those which have been vacant for an extended period of time. Pastor Peter Ghalayini (Ringwood-Knox Parish) and wife Sharon who recently celebrated 25 years of marriage! Lutheran School of Theology (LST) The igod retreat scheduled for July in Geelong has been cancelled. Please contact Cheryl Bartel for more information on cheryl.bartel@vic.lca.org.au Subscribe to District Notes If you would like to know more about what s happening in our District and are interested in having your own copy of District Notes sent directly to your address, please the words, Subscribe to Notes to elissa.havjar@vic.lca.org.au. We also send District Notes via post! Please contact the District for more information. If your congregation would like to advertise an upcoming event, or needs to get a message across to the wider District, please the details to elissa.havjar@vic.lca.org.au

3 The Servant of Christ Award Call for nominations!! The Servant of Christ Award recognises outstanding service given by lay members of the Lutheran Church of Australia and is administered by Australian Lutheran College (ALC) on behalf of the LCA. Districts, committees, agencies and members of the Church through their congregation or parish, are invited to nominate candidates for the award in According to the regulations of the award, a recipient shall be one who has: (a) (b) (c) given long and faithful service as a member of the LCA; has rendered this service in a humble and selfless spirit; has sought to bear witness to the gospel in word and conduct. Nomination forms are available from ALC reception or by contacting the Executive Assistant to the Principal on (08) Forms can also be downloaded from the ALC website and the LCA website Completed forms must be received at the office of the Principal,104 Jeffcott Street, North Adelaide SA 5006, no later than Friday, 26 August 2011 or ed to principal@alc.edu.au. Vacancy on District Church Council The long vacancy on District Church Council for a member from the Wimmera/Malee zone continues despite efforts to find a suitable representative. Expressions of interest or nominations are welcome please send to the Nominations Committee chair, Bob Menzel, at merlynj@vic.australis.com.au. VIRTUAL ORGAN CONCERT Friday 12 August, 8.00pm Australian Virtual Organs is presenting a virtual concert tour of world historic organs, played live at Calvary Lutheran Church, Oldstead Road, Greensborough (Melway 11C9) Featured will be pipe organs from Europe, England and America. Bruce Allen, Chris Parsons, and David Johnston will play selections from composers including Bach, Liszt, Elgar, Beethoven and Franck, specially chosen to reflect the style and genre of music for which each of the historic instruments is best known. A light supper will conclude the evening. Admission by donation: Adults $15, concession $10 Enquiries: This n That Community Store Committee Secretary Volunteer Opportunity We are seeking a Committee Secretary, whose main duties are taking minutes at meetings and circulating correspondence. The role does not require a huge commitment of time. It would suit a young person, perhaps a business student seeking practical experience, or an older person with time on their hands anyone with an interest in community involvement. Please see attached Position Description. Please direct enquiries to: Jan Collyer

4 Lutheran Welfare Trust Applications Open! The Lutheran Welfare Trust was created in 1972 to provide an opportunity for individuals and congregations to contribute towards the support or establishment of welfare projects primarily within the Church. The Lutheran Welfare Trust is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient and as an Income Exempt Charitable Entity. Its source of funds has been generated over the years via bequests and Individual donations. In 2010 the Trust distributed around $23, 000 to various organisations within Victoria. Recent disbursements have been allocated to aged care organisations, as well as to community welfare requests for educational and refugee support. The Trustees are currently seeking applications for funding for welfare related projects that are tax deductible. Please forward a written application to the Trustees of the Lutheran Welfare Trust C/- the Secretary Dr E Hoffmann, PO BOX 89, Halls Gap, Vic, Please have regard to the attached checklist in preparing an application. Applications close on 31 August CD MUSIC PRODUCTION Producing a music CD is exciting and rewarding. It is also a challenge and time consuming. The District s African Mission and Migrant Reference Group (AMMRG) is seeking support for the possible production of a CD of music to raise funds for African ministry in congregations. The plan is for the CD to feature experienced musicians from within the District and to be sold throughout the District, the LCA and beyond. AMMRG is seeking expressions of interest from persons who may be able to help with, for example, becoming a member of the CD production group. recording studio and recording expertise. CD artwork. promotion and marketing. CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS EXCITING AND REWARDING OPPORTUNITY? Contact the Community Development Facilitator Pamela Dalgliesh on or Pamela.dalgliesh@vic.lca.org.au Dandenong Lutheran Sudanese Fellowship can you help? The DLSF has undertaken a planning session for their Children and Youth Ministry and the vision for their future has been voiced. A plan is now in place to move forward and there are opportunities to serve and be enriched by the Fellowship group. A Sunday School Teacher mentoring program is being developed to support and develop seven (7) African teachers who are committed to provide Sunday school for their rapidly growing Sunday school. The youth of the fellow ship have voiced their need to meet and increase their understanding of Christian life and the Bible. Music is part of their vision to enhance their worship. A Sunday School Coordinator, a Youth coordinator and Mentors are urgently required to walk with the DLSF to achieve their vision for their children and youth. What is needed? The passion to serve the African community Leaders to coordinate and empower teachers, children and youth Compassion and patience to mentor Interest in enhancing African Choir and music during worship Openness to learn and be enriched by the African community. If you wish to know more about the opportunity to walk with the DLSF provide please do not hesitate to contact Pamela Dalgliesh on or pamela.dalgliesh@vic.lca.org.au

5 Lutheran Women of Victoria Wimmera/Mallee Zone Rally Thursday 25 th August, 2011 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 233 Scott St, Warracknabeal 8.45am Registration 9.00am Opening Worship THEME: Faithfulness In Adversity (Text Job 2:10b) Guest Speaker: Corrine Heintze Cost: $8 Lunch (to be confirmed) Afternoon Tea-gold coin donationcontact: Shirley Pilgrim Storytelling Day Saturday 20 th August 2011 Calvary Lutheran Church 1 Oldstead Rd, Greensborough 10.00am 3.15pm Theme:- Many Nations, One Lord Contact Pearl Nisbet on TARRINGTON BRASS BAND TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS The Centenary of the Tarrington Brass Band, formed in 1911 will be celebrated on the weekend of August 27 th and 28 th All former players and supporters of the Band are invited to attend a variety concert in the Tarrington Hall on the Saturday night, and a special worship service in St. Michael s Lutheran Church on Sunday. The variety concert will include items presented at the 50 th Anniversary Concert in 1962, and a music piece performed in the first Band concert in Further information contact; Lis Uebergang - Conductor ( ) or Colin Huf - Chairperson ( ) colinhuf@westvic.com.au

6 St Johns Southgate worshipping community warmly invites you to join in celebrating The 150 th Anniversary of St Johns Congregation at a service at St Johns, 20 City Road Southbank on Sunday 31 st July 2011 commencing at 10am The service will incorporate Bach cantata BWV 100 Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan with the St Johns Bach Choir and Orchestra. A festive luncheon will follow. Clergy are invited to robe (white alb and a red stole) and join the procession. Parking is available in the Southgate public car park. Please present your voucher for validation by St Johns ushers. RSVP stjohnssouthgate@internode.on.net or Office : ASAP