Grace to you and peace,
This is our first Update for the year and I hope and pray that those who were able to have holidays during this time have been refreshed physically and spiritually for the year ahead. My wife Betsy and I were able to enjoy time with family in Brisbane. It was a true blessing. It rained most days we were there. However, when we returned to New Zealand on January 6th we had no idea of the magnitude of flooding that would soon transpire.
Further ChildSafe training is coming up soon for the LCNZ. We have Judi Sykes from the South Australian and Northern Territory district of the LCA coming over to provide training throughout the LCNZ. Judi oversees ChildSafe in that district and is very qualified to deliver this training here for us.
ChildSafe is based on the principle that those who care for children and young people must act in the best interests of children and young people. They must take all reasonable steps to ensure the child or young person’s safety. The training will cover the expectations the LCNZ has when you work with children and young people, ensure that you understand and comply with the code of practice and enable you to think through your role as a part of a ChildSafe team. The ChildSafe training is compulsory for anyone who is involved in working in children or youth ministry.
The training will be delivered in a number of LCNZ locations all over the country. They are as follows:
· Auckland training on the 23rd Jan, at Mountainside, Auckland
· Palmerston North training on 26th Jan, at St Luke’s Palmerston North
· Wellington training on the 28th Jan, at St Marks Anglican Church, Basin Reserve, Wellington
· Christchurch training on the Feb, at St Paul’s, Christchurch
The training begins at 12:30pm and ends at 5:30pm at each venue.
For more information or questions, please email Pastor Lee Kroehn at leekroehn@inspire.net.nz.
Hopefully this covers enough information for everyone to be able to attend.
God bless,
Lee Kroehn
Pastor
Manawatu Lutheran Parish
Recent memos from our LCNZ Office:
Pastor’s salaries for 2011 (1.5% increase)
Pastor’s mileage allowance from 1 Feb is 30 cents a kilometre
Congregations are to supply their bank details to the LCNZ for electronic banking
New contact information for our LCNZ office is (04) 385-2540, P.O. Box 7606, Wellington 6242
Looking ahead:
February 6, Installation of Pastor Christopher Janetzki at St Paul’s, Upper Moutere 10:00am.
February 12, Joint meeting of Lutheran Laymen’s League and Financial Advisory Committee in Wellington
February 19, Lutheran Support Ministries Committee meets in Wellington
February 22-24, Church Workers Conference in Palmerston North
February 25-26, Council of Synod and Gateway Gift Trust Board meetings in Wellington
[President Rob is giving his apologies for the College of Presidents and LCA General Church Council meetings in Adelaide 21-25 February]
Opportunities to contribute to the Australian Flood Appeal
Our Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand have been collecting funds for the Australian food appeal. Worship resources and sample prayers have been distributed to all our churches. If you missed out on any of that information you can go to the Lutheran Church of Australia website: www.LCA.org.au
If you know any New Zealanders living in Australia who were affected by these floods please let our office know. At the time of this Update there is some question whether they will qualify for Australian aid -- although residents and taxpayers.
Prayer
Gracious heavenly Father, shock and sorrow is dominating our lives. Bring your hope among us. Help us as we ponder the loss of lives and property as a result of these events. Bring comfort to those whose lives have altered so much in the last weeks and who suffer greatly. Mercifully embrace those who are frightened. Look with love and compassion on those who mourn. And give strength to all who offer care, support and rescue efforts during this time. Help us and all others be your healing hands and comforting arms, so that all in need may experience your compassion, grace and mercy. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
(From a Service of Prayer, Comfort and Thanksgiving during Times of Difficulty, Pastor Richard Schwedes)
God bless,
Robert Erickson
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Rev. Robert A. Erickson
president@lutheran.org.nz
