Greeting is Christ Jesus,
Some People have been asking how my wife Betsy is doing. Thanks for your prayers and concern! This Friday she will be having her final chemotherapy treatment and then there are a few weeks before she commences with several weeks of radiation. If you have gone through breast cancer, or know someone who has, you know that the whole thing isn’t much fun. Yet, I am proud of how well Betsy is handling it and we are thankful for your prayers.
As I prepare for Good Friday and Easter preaching I think of what a wonderful gift God has given us, the gift of eternal life. As President I encourage all congregations here in our Lutheran Church New Zealand to make sure their website, signs and phone answering machines have clear messages about worship times. During Good Friday and Easter visitors and irregular worshippers do need that clear information.
As the year progresses we draw closer to our Synod to be held in Wellington on the 18th through the 19th of June under the theme: “When Love Comes to Life”. Nomination forms have been sent to congregations, and Synod registration forms will be coming very soon. Three people are retiring from the Lutheran Support Ministry Committee so please consider nominations there. I have been asked to remind everyone that Synod reports need to arrive here at the LCNZ office by the end of April so they can be incorporated into the book of reports. Even if your congregation plans a short Synod presentation (PowerPoint or otherwise) you still need to send in a written report. I have also posted a draft of our Synod Agenda on our blog: www.goo.gl/rvRSO
Mountainside Lutheran Church Auckland is seeking expressions of interest for the position of Family and Community Worker. This is a full time position with duties split evenly between the Family Ministry and the Community Worker.
The Purpose of the position:
Family Ministry:
Ongoing development of strategies and teams for the different age level Ministries for the congregation and the local community.
Community Worker:
To build on links already made with the local community (Panmure, Mount Wellington and Ellerslie) and in doing so discover what community needs Mountainside can fulfill.
The successful applicant will be offered a two year contract (beginning July 2011). Mountainside will be prepared to help with some relocation costs. Salary will be in accordance with the Lutheran Church of New Zealand’s Lay Worker Salaries and Allowances.
For enquiries and complete Position Description contact
Pastor Milton Fritsch on Ph. 09 5794490
or by email mfritsch@clear.net.nz
Applications close on 6/5/2011.
ChildSafe Training: Maureen Gunston has been doing ChildSafe training in our LCNZ in her role as Project Officer for New Zealand. She is leading another workshop at St Paul's, Wellington on April 13th. About 15 people are enrolled to do the mandatory child protection training for all staff and volunteers who work with children in our churches. http://childsafenz.org.nz
God of compassion,
you sent your Word into the world to announce the dawn of salvation. Do not leave us in the depths of our sins,
but give to us the fullness of your redeeming grace; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
President Robert Erickson
Lutheran Church of New Zealand
