Greetings in Christ Jesus,
After an exhaustive search to find a Chinese Lutheran Pastor from overseas for the Auckland congregation we have taken a different option. Tat Ming Tsui has a BA Theol and a PostGrad Dip in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care from the University of Auckland. He is a trained counsellor and has been a lay liturgist and preacher in the Anglican Church. As a lay worker/vicar Tat will be employed by Botany Lutheran Church for a year. Following that year, and a theological interview, he will be a candidate for ordination. Though all licensed laypeople are under the direction of the President, Pastor Milton Fritsch is acting as his immediate mentor. God's blessings to Tat and his wife Irene. He says his friends often call him Ming.
Adrian Stolk is a vital lay member and leader at our Wanganui congregation. He is also one of the Lutheran Church of Australia's Twenty20 leadership trainees. Adrian has been an active member of the congregation, lay reader, parish visitor, and a member of our LCNZ Financial Advisory Committee. He will be licensed for a year for Word and Sacrament Ministry at the congregation in Wanganui. He and Phil Husband make up a leadership and ministry team. Harrison Street Community Church (St John's) has completed extensive strategic planning and is enthused about the future. At a general parish meeting it was ratified that the Wanganui congregation would leave the Marton Parish to work independently, yet regionally.
As we continue to pray for those who have suffered from disasters around the world, and here in New Zealand, we also know that recovery is a long time coming. I am especially happy that Rev Glenn Merritt Director of Disaster Response Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod World Relief and Human Care is coming to Christchurch and willing to give training May 16.This arrangement happened quickly and Pastor David Lipsys and I are hoping that other churches may also have and interest in attending. It will deal with several areas of disaster response and after care. Wayne Drogemuller and I will be joining the meeting. Wayne can combine this with a Treasurer's visit.
There are still some reports that need to be submitted for the Synod Book of Reports. After they are in we can post it out.
Also, today (May 13th) is the deadline for The Olive Tree articles.
God bless you in Christ Jesus,
President Robert Erickson
