LCNZ Update 4 April 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Good Friday … Good Easter … All’s Good
It’s a bit of roller-coaster weekend, this one we’re about to embark on … supper together … a betraying kiss in the garden from a friend … a trial of sorts … a rooster … “no, I’ve never met him before” … a bloke called Barabbas … crucify him crucify him … a cross, some nails, a green hill outside a city wall … “my God my God why have you forsaken me?” … “it is finished.”

One of the prayers we will use in worship this Good Friday says this –

Friday is sacred and labelled as “Good” because of what you came to do for us on the cross, Lord Jesus;
die for our sins only to rise again from the dead.
Today we ponder your words from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
On account of this cry, Lord Jesus,
you remind us that you know our human pain and abandonment;
Continually remind us that nothing, not even death itself,
can separate us from your love for us.

The Pharisees and scribes remember that the one that had just been killed claimed he would rise again after three days. So a guard is placed on the grave, but three days later comes an announcement from that resting place of death – he is not here; he has been raised.

Friends, this weekend, roller-coaster as it might seem … through all sorts of emotions and twists and turns … is a good weekend. The message you will hear in our churches this weekend, from pulpits, from pastors and lay-worship leaders, will be the proclamation of the Gospel – Christ on a cross for sinners, for the forgiveness of sins.

Together with the Easter morning acclamation – he is risen; he is risen indeed, alleluia! – it is all good news and raises those who hear it to new life.

May you hear this message again and live!

Celebrating the Easter Weekend in the LCNZ
Here’s what’s happening in terms of worship during this holy weekend in our churches around Aotearoa. If you’re holidaying around the country and away from home, consider setting aside some time to worship somewhere else –

Botany
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Service (foot-washing, stripping of the altar)
Good Friday 7.00pm The Supper / reflection on the way to the cross (at Formosa Camp Site)
Easter Sunday 10.00am Service at Botany (lighting of the paschal candle)

North Shore
Easter Sunday 5.00pm Easter Worship

Mountainside
Maundy Thursday 6.45pm Passover Service
Good Friday 10.00am Passion Narrative
Easter Sunday 10.00am Easter Worship (followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the kids)

St Matthew Lutheran Church Hamilton
Good Friday 9.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday
 8.45am Fellowship Breakfast
 10.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Whakatane Lutheran Church
Good Friday 9.30am Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday 9.30am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Kawerau Lutheran Church
Good Friday 11.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion
Easter Sunday 10.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion

Tauranga Lutheran Fellowship
Easter Sunday 10.00am Divine Service with Holy Communion

WhanganuiGood Friday Easter walk with other churches around Whanganui East
Easter Sunday 9.00am Easter Worship

Marton / Halcombe
Good Friday 9.00am Community Good Friday walk (starting at Living Hope, continuing to Roman Catholic Church, the Gospel Chapel, The Square, finishing at Elim for refreshments)
Easter Sunday
 9.00am Worship with Holy Communion
 11.00am Worship with Holy Communion (Halcombe)

Manawatu
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Worship with Holy Communion
Good Friday 9.30am St Lukes Palmerston North
 10.00am Trinity Feilding – Ecumenical Event at the Civic Centre
Easter Sunday 9.00am Trinity Feilding (with Holy Communion)
 10.30am St Lukes Palmerston North (with Holy Communion)

Wairarapa
Good Friday 5.00pm Fellowship Tea and Worship (66 Park Road, Carterton)

Wellington
Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Worship with Holy Communion
Good Friday 10.00am Worship
 8.00pm Good Friday Vespers – Membra Jesu Nostri (Buxtehude) as part of the Bach Cantata Vespers series of worship services offered at St Pauls
Easter Sunday 10.00am Worship with Holy Communion

Upper Moutere / Hope
Maundy Thursday 7.00pm Worship
Good Friday 9.30am Worship
Easter Sunday 9.30am Worship

Christchurch
Maundy Thursday 7:30pm Informal Holy Communion and stripping of the altar
Good Friday
 9:00-9:55am Christ’s Passion service
 10:00-noon Annual “Journeying with the Cross” inter-church pilgrimage via 4 Burwood churches (starting at 212 Burwood Road; finishing with hot cross buns at St Paul’s, 130 Burwood Road; offering received for Christchurch Women’s Refuge)
Easter Sunday
 6:30-7:00am “Son Rise” Celebration
 7-8:30am Easter BBQ Breakfast
 9:00am Easter Celebration with Holy Communion

Nau Mai / Haere Mai
Last Sunday the members of St Pauls Wellington welcomed Pastor Robert and Lynette Wiebusch back to New Zealand. Robert and Lynette are offering a short locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington (including the Wairarapa) from Sunday 1st April to Sunday 15th April. And welcome also to Pastor Martin and Liz Schirmer who have arrived in Auckland just in time for the busy Easter weekend. They will serve in locum ministry from now until the end of May. May the Lord bless your time and your ministry amongst us.

Call News
On Sunday, St Pauls Wellington issued a call to Pastor Vince Gerhardy (Caboolture, Queensland) to be their next pastor. The call committee at Mountainside has been interviewing possible candidates with a view to conducting their next call meeting sometime after Easter. Please continue to pray for the Spirit’s leading and guidance on these call processes.

Bach Cantata Vespers
8.00pm Good Friday – St Pauls Wellington
If you’re around Wellington over the Easter weekend, why not come along to the special Bach Cantata Vespers for Good Friday at St Pauls?

Membra Jesu Nostri
Dietrich Buxtehude

Ensemble Abendmusik

Lisette Wesseling, Anna Sedcole & Rowena Simpson sopranos
Emma Drysdale alto & Mark Whitfield counter-tenor
John Beaglehome tenor
Timothy Hurd bass
Richard Apperley director

Lord, In Your Mercy: Hear Our Prayer
Can I suggest the following for inclusion in your prayers –

• The people of Fiji in the wake of flooding and storms
• Protection of lives and property here in New Zealand as we prepare to experience the same weather system that has affected Fiji
• Pastors, worship-leaders, musicians and anyone with the responsibility of leading us through a wonderful weekend of worship
• Pastor Vince Gerhardy as he considers the call to St Pauls Wellington
• All Kiwis – as they pause and holiday this weekend – that somehow, somewhere they might get an idea of what the weekend’s really about and catch a glimpse of the Lord Jesus who has died and risen again for them
• Those who are about to be joined to Christ and his death and resurrection through Holy Baptism – that they and we all may continue to daily die to sin and be risen to new life with him

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 23 March 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Give Way
This coming Sunday at 5.00am, New Zealand drivers will have to start operating with two new give way rules. The TV and media campaign has been underway for some time now telling us that we need to change the manner in which we drive and the way we treat other users of the road. Things will be different from this Sunday; we’re been asked to give way in a new way.

I think the Lenten season we’re journeying through at the moment also suggests that we change. It’s a bit of a directional thing as well, much like driving. It’s a season for doing the U-turn … turning away from those debilitating and wayward directions we may have been (have been!) travelling in (that’s sin for you!!), back towards a gracious and loving, full-of-compassion and forgiving God. I suppose it’s a bit of a ‘give up; give way’ thing too … giving up our sinful past and our sinful present, and giving way to the kind rule and tender directing of God in our lives … welcoming the one who knows the way because he is the way, the truth and the life, and inviting him to set our paths and directions straight.

Coincidently, this coming Sunday is also the ‘xx^thb’ anniversary of the day that by the power of the Holy Spirit my life changed direction forever through the water and Word of Holy Baptism. And so, along with dear Pastor Luther, may I also encourage you to begin each day by giving way … giving your life back to the gracious God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in whose name you were claimed and eternally blessed.

Twenty20
Last weekend 14 people from throughout the LCNZ met at the National Office in Wellington for the T20 Administration workshop, led by Katharina Borszik. Here’s what I wrote in an email to the participants this morning –

First, I want to express huge appreciation to Katharina for her energy, enthusiasm and leadership for the T20 workshop on the weekend. Katharina – we appreciate your love for the church and your desire to see things done well so that the ministry of the gospel can be supported wherever we are! Thanks to your “honey” as well; Daniel – thanks for your support of Katharina.

And to the rest of you – it was great to spend the weekend with you, laughing, learning, sharing, eating and worshipping together. I trust that the weekend was a blessing to you, and that through you it will be a blessing to your congregations.

A Church That’s Keen To Grow
Last week I seemed to spend a fair bit of time on the road, visiting and talking with some great people around our church. Early in the week I had a wonderful meeting in Marton with the folk from St Martins Marton, Trinity Feilding and St Lukes Palmerston North. Why? Because people from those congregations want to explore ways of doing ministry in even better and more effective ways throughout their region … and they want to help each other, and work in ministry together. Exciting eh!

Later in the week I met with some equally lovely and committed people on the North Shore of Auckland. What a beautiful place, and what wonderful passion and vision these people have for seeing the church grow in that part of Auckland. It’s early days at this stage (although the North Shore will tell you that they have been dreaming and waiting on God for 38+ years now), but we’re keen to explore how God might use us the LCNZ grow his kingdom in this part of Aotearoa and bring more people to the saving love of Jesus Christ. Exciting eh!, he says again … and he says it again, because this is the sort of stuff that makes a President’s heart leap for joy.

Keep praying for all this Spirit-inspired enthusiasm that is in our church.

Special Servants Of Love
Next week we will farewell Pastor David and Barbara Wundersitz from Auckland; their 2 month locum ministry at Mountainside will come to an end. We thank God for them and for their ministry of love and encouragement amongst the members of Mountainside. Travel back safely to Australia, and come and see us again soon … and thanks David for your continued support of all things black when it comes to sport!

At the end of next week we will welcome back to New Zealand Pastor Robert and Lynette Wiebusch. Robert and Lynette will serve a short locum ministry at St Pauls Wellington (including the Wairarapa) from Sunday 1st April to Sunday 15th April. We’re looking forward to welcoming them back to a place they called ‘home’ for many years, and we know that that their ministry will be blessed also.

And Pastor Martin and Liz Schirmer will arrive in Auckland to begin their locum ministry at the beginning of April through to the end of May.

We are so blessed and so grateful to God for the way he continues to look after us even during pastoral vacancy situations.

Which Brings Me To Calls
St Pauls Wellington will conduct their next call meeting on Sunday 1st April. Mountainside is in the process of interviewing possible candidates with a view to conducting their next call meeting sometime after Easter. Please continue to pray for the Spirit’s leading and guidance on these call processes.

National Office
This week Petrus Simons, member of St Pauls Wellington, began a short-term assignment of assisting in the National Office. Petrus’ main task is to take care of administrative matters and little tasks about the place that haven’t been able to be attended to during the period the National Office has been without a permanent Administrator. We’re very grateful for Petrus’ willingness to help in this way. We will also soon begin the advertising process for the new Administrator.

Bach Cantata Vespers
8.00pm Good Friday – St Pauls Wellington
If you’re around Wellington over the Easter weekend, why not come along to the special Bach Cantata Vespers for Good Friday at St Pauls?

Membra Jesu Nostri
Dietrich Buxtehude

Ensemble Abendmusik

Lisette Wesseling, Anna Sedcole & Rowena Simpson sopranos
Emma Drysdale alto & Mark Whitfield counter-tenor
John Beaglehome tenor
Timothy Hurd bass
Richard Apperley director

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

Special LCNZ Update

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Death of Pastor Romans Reinfelds
Pastor Romans Reinfelds – long-serving Pastor of St Mara’s Latvian Lutheran congregation in Christchurch – has died in Wellington aged 97. His funeral will be held at Lychgate Chapel, 306 Willis Street, Wellington tomorrow (Wednesday) 14th March at 11.00am.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 8 March 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Sheltered From the Storms
Last weekend many places in the North Island were hit by a weather bomb – a storm that had its genesis in the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria, a storm that increased in intensity as it crossed the Tasman with the Long White Cloud in view. It had its most destructive effect in some parts of Whanganui and Southern Taranaki, and even as I write (almost a week on) some 1000+ homes are still without electricity.

At the same time we’re hearing about destructive flooding in parts of Australia, destructive twisters in parts of the US, and fairly recently seriously cold temperatures in Europe resulting in a number of deaths.

Some of the storms that come our way and hit us are not of the climatic variety. At the moment I’m aware of a number of folk who are experiencing various forms of storm in their life – bereavement, illness, ageing and wearying, job and vocational uncertainty, personal relationship issues, financial concerns, etc.

I recently encouraged a good friend with these storm-protection words, and I offer them to you too, just in case you’re experiencing a storm or two at the moment –

You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress;
    my God, in whom I trust.’
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
    and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge
Those who love me, I will deliver;
    I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
    I will be with them in trouble,
    I will rescue them and honour them.
With long life I will satisfy them,
    and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:1-4,14-16)

Ecumenical
On Sunday 26th February Leanne and I were guests at the Liturgical Farewell to Bishop Thomas Brown, Anglican Bishop of Wellington. I found that a very inspiring event for a number of reasons, but mainly because it helped me reflect on the call the church has placed on me to be ‘bishop’ – to be pastoral and shepherding in my servant-leadership of you in the LCNZ. It seemed from everything that was said at this service, that Bishop Tom had been a great bishop; a servant at heart with a pastoral love for his people … and I came away thinking – Lord, please help me be like Tom … loving and pastoral.

Earlier this week I attended my first National Heads of Churches meeting in Wellington. We’re a small player in the NZ church scene, but well-respected and valued. Many around the table remember with great affection and appreciation the contribution that Steen Olsen made during his time to this forum, particularly as chairman. And so I was warmly welcomed by other church leaders. I was impressed with the spirit of unity in the group, especially the unity of purpose we share with respect to sharing Jesus and his love with the nation. We received the final report on the Engage campaign which saw churches throughout New Zealand offering hospitality in the name of Christ to visitors and communities during the recent Rugby World Cup. This ecumenical ministry initiative was considered so successful that the NZ Engage team has been asked to oversee the same ministry for RWC 2015. One of the exciting things to look forward to is the bicentenary celebrations of the arrival of the Gospel to Aotearoa in 2014.

Twenty20: Administration Workshop

• LCNZ National Offices, 14 Oxford Terrace, Mt Cook
• 17th and 18th March 2012 (Sat + Sun) … opportunity to worship at St Pauls on the Sunday
• See the website for more information

Luther’s Works For Sale
The complete set of Martin Luther’s writings in 54 volumes including a Companion Volume with an introduction to the evangelical writings is for sale (published by Concordia Publishing House in St Louis, Missouri). The seller was planning to offer them on EBay and/or Amazon at about NZ$600 but would much prefer that they stay in New Zealand for, say, $NZ500. If you are interested, please contact the National Office of the LCNZ.

Locum Ministry
Pastor Norm Bergen and Kay completed 10 weeks of locum ministry at St Pauls, Wellington and St Francis, Mauriceville West last Sunday. We’re so grateful to God for providing pastors to our church during vacancies, and thank Norm and Kay for their time and ministry of love. At the same time, we continue to thank God for Pastor David Wundersitz and Barbara who are serving in locum ministry at Mountainside.

Call News
Pastor Matthew Wilksch informed members of the Auckland Lutheran Parish last weekend that after prayerful consideration he believed that God was leading him to decline the call to Mountainside. So, that call process continues, and St Pauls Wellington is working towards holding a call meeting on Sunday 1st April.

Bach Cantata Vespers

• Saturday 10th March, 5.00pm
• Widerstehe doch der Sūnde (Stand firm against sin), BWV 54
• St Pauls Lutheran Church, 12 King Street, Mt Cook Wellington
• Music provided by Ensemble Abendmusik directed by Richard Apperley
• Cantor, Organist, and Preacher: Mark Whitfield

Let Us Pray
I encourage you to include in your prayers –

• Pastor Allan Heppner, Debra and their family, as we offer them to God for his protection during Allan’s illness. Allan continues to receive chemotherapy treatment.
• The family of Ray Meharg (Mountainside) as they mourn the death of Ray’s dad during the week, and the family of Shanon Peters (Wellington) as they mourn the death of Shanon’s mum in the USA recently.
• I would appreciate your prayers for our family too – my Dad, who has been unwell for many years, was admitted to Intensive Care at Whanganui Hospital this morning, struggling with breathing.
• Preparation for the T20 Administration workshop.
• Pray for the computer system at the National Office. About 2 weeks ago it crashed, and now we’re in the process of restoring/recovering everything to a new computer. I’ve heard from Wayne this morning that all our information has been restored to the new system; thank God for that!
• That God would provide in his good time –
• An administrator for the National Office
• Pastors for St Pauls Wellington / St Francis Wairarapa and for Mountainside

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 29 February 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Council of Synod Meeting
The Council of Synod (CoS) met on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February. What follows is a brief summary of that meeting and I want to register my thanks to Dennis Mollet for preparing this summary (As soon as CoS was finished, I packed my bags and headed off to Adelaide for College of Presidents and General Church Council meetings; that is why it has taken until now to get around to sending this update)

CoS members installed

• Pastor John Davison (Vice President)
• Pastor Chris Janetzki (Pastor Representative)
• Katharina Borszik (Lay Representative)
• Simon Lieschke (Lutheran Support Ministries Representative)

Service of Installation of Pastor Mark Whitfield as President of LCNZ

• Reflections on the special event held on 12 February

Twenty20 Workshop

• Workshop on Administration to be held on 17th and 18th March at the LCNZ Offices. This is an opportunity for those who are either currently or considering serving on congregation or parish leadership teams to gain valuable insight into the requirements.

Celebration 21 Statement

• Review of the statement was undertaken. Ways in which this can be better utilized to support and encourage mission were considered. Exposure in the Olive Tree as a regular article, and as the theme for each publication, and regional or a national event are to be considered by LSM.

Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM)

• The requirement of an administrator to provide the necessary support for the ministry to function appropriately
• Upgrading of the LCNZ website, including the updating by congregations/parishes of their pages
• Kogudus Retreats planned for April and September
• Child Safe compliance requirements

Church Workers Conference

• The most recent was held in Palmerston North in February. The 3 gatherings per year will continue as these provide vital pastoral support.

Professional Standards Unit (PSU)

• The requirements of the LCA will continue to be progressed by a task group. Pastor Mark will be seeking suitably skilled people for this.

Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Training

• Opportunities provided by Australian Lutheran College (ALC) are to be pursued.

Mission within congregations

• To assist CoS with its leadership additional information is to be sought from congregations and parishes, including a copy of the Annual Reports and a separate report on the benefits gained from all grant funding provided, these are to be provided annually.

LCNZ Administrator

• Reconsideration given to the duties. A revised job description is to be prepared and the position is to be re-advertised.

LCNZ Offices

• The current lease expires in October. A task force was established to gather options and submit proposals.

Christchurch Earthquake Fund

• Donations have been received from congregations/individuals of LCNZ, LCA and Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Peter Hentschel continues to administer the fund on behalf of CoS. Significant funds are still available and it is expected that requests will be made over the next 12 to 18 months.

Financials

• LCNZ for the year ended 31 Dec 2011 – deficit of $20,000, excluding the capital loss on sale of the Hawtrey Tce manse.
• Mission & Development for the year ended 31 Dec 2011 – deficit of $20,000 (grants in excess of income received during the year funded from prior year surpluses). With use of significant amounts of the capital funds for purchase of the President’s manse there will be considerably less income available for grants in the coming year.

Gateway Gift

• New trustees appointed; Pastor John Davison, Pastor Chris Janetzki and Gerhard Hoppe – now a full complement of trustees.
• Review to be undertaken in conjunction with congregations where the ongoing support grants are not directly mission focused.
• The annual grant to the PNG mission has been reviewed. Advice has been received from LCA Board for Mission of the ongoing need for support and the board has determined that this will continue.
• Reports are to be requested from all congregations which have received a grant in 2011 outlining the benefits from the funding.
• Financials for 2011 – surplus of $77,000. Grants for 2012 exceed projected income and there is considerable uncertainty of the interest that will be received from investments that mature during this year.

Installation
It’s now over two weeks since I was installed as President of the LCNZ. What a wonderful occasion it was too! About 150 people packed into St Pauls on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon and the karanga (call) to the Holy Spirit was made – Haere mai e te Wairua Tapu whakakīia ngā ngākau o āo tāngata whakapono whakaūria ki roto i a rātou te kāpura o tōu aroha – Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

The installation was as much about the call of God to you, the people of the LCNZ as it was a call to me as your President … a call for us to journey together, partners in God’s love and in the ministry of that love to our nation. Thank you to you all for your presence, your greetings and prayers, and your love.

You might also like to check the story Anna Kroehn wrote on my installation at the LCA website.

Lay-out Editor Needed for the Olive Tree
If you have the skills needed for this job, or if you know of someone who might be able to help, please let us know – in the National Office or Olive Tree Editor Dan Carswell.

T20 Workshop: Administration
The National Office computer system is currently out of action.  If you have indicated via the lcnz@clear.net.nz email address that you intend coming to the workshop, that message might not have got through to us yet.  So could you please re-send your enrolment email to Wayne Drogemuller so that we can make sure we have all the names and registrations?  Thanks.

Statistics
And this is just a gentle reminder that all congregational statistics for 2011 are due to be entered into the LAMP database by the end of this month (29th February). Thank you to the many congregations who have already completed, or are in the process of finishing entering the information. A downloadable workbook is available on LAMP to assist you collecting the appropriate data. If you need any assistance entering your statistics into LAMP please contact your District LAMP help person or email help@lca.org.au.

Bach Cantata Vespers
You are invited to the first Bach Cantata Vespers for 2012:

• Widerstehe doch der Sūnde (Stand firm against sin), BWV 54
• Saturday 10th March at 5.00pm
• St Pauls Lutheran Church, 12 King Street, Mt Cook, Wellington
• Music provided by Ensemble Abendmusik directed by Richard Apperley
• Cantor, Organist, and Preacher: Mark Whitfield

Let Us Pray
I encourage you to include in your prayers:

• Pastor Allan Heppner, Debra and their family, as we offer them to God for his protection during Allan’s illness
• Pastor Matthew Wilksch, Sandra and their family, as they continue to consider the call to Mountainside
• Preparation for the T20 Administration workshop in March
• That God would provide in his good time:
  • A lay-out editor for the Olive Tree
  • An administrator for the National Office
  • A new pastor for St Pauls Wellington / St Francis Wairarapa
• A deep desire in the hearts of the faithful to return to the Lord during this Lenten season to receive his grace and mercy and compassion

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 28 February 2012

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

For Unto Us Them a Child is Born
Today I got the text message that I’ve been waiting to receive for over a week now … announcing the birth of Jonah Tobias Mark Kroehn … a son for Pastor Lee and Anna … a brother for Owen and Imogen … a gift from God. We rejoice with you, Lee, Anna, Owen and Imogen and join you in thanking God for Jonah. Along with the psalmist we can say – we praise God because Jonah is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

Council of Synod Meeting
The Council of Synod (CoS) met on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February. What follows is a brief summary of that meeting and I want to register my thanks to Dennis Mollet for preparing this summary (As soon as CoS was finished, I packed my bags and headed off to Adelaide for College of Presidents and General Church Council meetings; that is why it has taken until now to get around to sending this update)

CoS members installed

• Pastor John Davison (Vice President)
• Pastor Chris Janetzki (Pastor Representative)
• Katharina Borszik (Lay Representative)
• Simon Lieschke (Lutheran Support Ministries Representative)

Service of Installation of Pastor Mark Whitfield as President of LCNZ

• Reflections on the special event held on 12 February

Twenty20 Workshop

• Workshop on Governance to be held on 17th and 18th March at the LCNZ Offices. This is an opportunity for those who are either currently or considering serving on congregation or parish leadership teams to gain valuable insight into the requirements.

Celebration 21 Statement

• Review of the statement was undertaken. Ways in which this can be better utilized to support and encourage mission were considered. Exposure in the Olive Tree as a regular article, and as the theme for each publication, and regional or a national event are to be considered by LSM.

Lutheran Support Ministries (LSM)

• The requirement of an administrator to provide the necessary support for the ministry to function appropriately
• Upgrading of the LCNZ website, including the updating by congregations/parishes of their pages
• Kogudus Retreats planned for April and September
• Child Safe compliance requirements

Church Workers Conference

• The most recent was held in Palmerston North in February. The 3 gatherings per year will continue as these provide vital pastoral support.

Professional Standards Unit (PSU)

• The requirements of the LCA will continue to be progressed by a task group. Pastor Mark will be seeking suitably skilled people for this.

Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Training

• Opportunities provided by Australian Lutheran College (ALC) are to be pursued.

Mission within congregations

• To assist CoS with its leadership additional information is to be sought from congregations and parishes, including a copy of the Annual Reports and a separate report on the benefits gained from all grant funding provided, these are to be provided annually.

LCNZ Administrator

• Reconsideration given to the duties. A revised job description is to be prepared and the position is to be re-advertised.

LCNZ Offices

• The current lease expires in October. A task force was established to gather options and submit proposals.

Christchurch Earthquake Fund

• Donations have been received from congregations/individuals of LCNZ, LCA and Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Peter Hentschel continues to administer the fund on behalf of COS. Significant funds are still available and it is expected that requests will be made over the next 12 to 18 months.

Financials

• LCNZ for the year ended 31 Dec 2011 – deficit of $20,000, excluding the capital loss on sale of the Hawtrey Tce manse.
• M&D for the year ended 31 Dec 2011 – deficit of $20,000 (grants in excess of income received during the year funded from prior year surpluses). With use of significant amounts of the capital funds for purchase of the President’s manse there will be considerably less income available for grants in the coming year.

Gateway Gift

• New trustees appointed; Pastor John Davison, Pastor Chris Janetzki and Gerhard Hoppe – now a full complement of trustees.
• Review to be undertaken in conjunction with congregations where the ongoing support grants are not directly mission focused.
• The annual grant to the PNG mission has been reviewed. Advice has been received from LCA Board for Mission of the ongoing need for support and the board has determined that this will continue.
• Reports are to be requested from all congregations which have received a grant in 2011 outlining the benefits from the funding.
• Financials for 2011 – surplus of $77,000. Grants for 2012 exceed projected income and there is considerable uncertainty of the interest that will be received from investments that mature during this year.

Installation
It’s now over two weeks since I was installed as President of the LCNZ. What a wonderful occasion it was too! About 150 people packed into St Pauls on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon and the karanga (call) to the Holy Spirit was made – Haere mai e te Wairua Tapu whakakīia ngā ngākau o āo tāngata whakapono whakaūria ki roto i a rātou te kāpura o tōu aroha – Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.

The installation was as much about the call of God to you, the people of the LCNZ as it was a call to me as your President … a call for us to journey together, partners in God’s love and in the ministry of that love to our nation. Thank you to you all for your presence, your greetings and prayers, and your love.

Lay-out Editor Needed For Olive Tree
If you have the skills needed for this job, or if you know of someone who might be able to help, please let us know – in the National Office or Dan Carswell.

Statistics
And this is just a gentle reminder that all congregational statistics for 2011 are due to be entered into the LAMP database by the end of this month (29th February). Thank you to the many congregations who have already completed, or are in the process of finishing entering the information. A downloadable workbook is available on LAMP to assist you collecting the appropriate data. If you need any assistance entering your statistics into LAMP please contact your District LAMP help person or email help@lca.org.au.

Bach Cantata Vespers
You are invited to the first Bach Cantata Vespers for 2012:

• Widerstehe doch der Sūnde (Stand firm against sin), BWV 54
• Saturday 10th March at 5.00pm
• St Pauls Lutheran Church, 12 King Street, Mt Cook Wellington
• Music provided by Ensemble Abendmusik directed by Richard Apperley
• Cantor, Organist, and Preacher: Mark Whitfield

Let Us Pray
I encourage you to include in your prayers:

• Pastor Allan Heppner, Debra and their family, as we offer them to God for his protection during Allan’s illness
• Pastor Matthew Wilksch, Sandra and their family, as they continue to consider the call to Mountainside
• Preparation for the T20 Governance workshop in March
• That God would provide in his good time:
• A lay-out editor for the Olive Tree
• An administrator for the National Office
• A new pastor for St Pauls Wellington / St Francis Wairarapa
• A deep desire in the hearts of the faithful to return to the Lord during this Lenten season to receive his grace and mercy and compassion

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand

LCNZ Update 22 February 2012: Ash Wednesday

Kia tau ki a koutou, te atawhai me te rangimarie o te Atua.
Grace and peace to you from God.

Let Me Hear Joy And Gladness
A year ago today Christchurch and the Canterbury province were hit by a devastating earthquake that killed 185 people, destroying much of the central city and causing widespread damage and devastation. Quakes have continued since that day.

Once again this Ash Wednesday we were inscribed with an ashen cross and, as these words were spoken over us – remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return – we were reminded of our mortality … in much the same way as when a loved one dies, or when our body slows down and wears out, or when we experience brokenness in relationships and community … or when the earthquake strikes again.

Isn’t it a little strange that we would want to receive this further reminder of our mortality and human brokenness … a black ashen cross?

Or maybe not.

Maybe the fact that we want to hear this dust to dust word and receive this ashen cross indicates that we have also heard and trust the Word of God’s beautiful promise, in the first reading for Ash Wednesday –

Return to the Lord your God, for the Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. (Joel 2:13)

Or –

Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Or in the psalm for Ash Wednesday –

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. (Psalm 51:8)

As Christchurch and New Zealand kept silence this afternoon to call to mind brokenness and loss, once again we entered the Lenten season – a journey that while it acknowledges human brokenness and loss, also looks forward in hope to restoration, repair and forgiveness gained for us through the broken Christ of the cross.

Christchurch, we pray with and for you –

Eternal God, who loves us with an everlasting love, and can turn the shadow of death into the morning; help us now as we wait upon you. In the silence of this moment speak to us of eternal things, that we may have hope, and be lifted above our darkness and distress into the light and peace of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth; blessed be the name of the Lord, now and forever. Amen.

(Prayed at the Service of Prayer for Christchurch at St Pauls Lutheran Church Wellington on 1st March 2011)

Friends, once I return from meetings here in Adelaide to the Land of the Long White Cloud, I’ll prepare and send out a more regular update. Please accept my apology for not having this ready for the beginning of Ash Wednesday.

Mā te Atua koe e tiaki
God be with you.

+MARK
President – Lutheran Church of New Zealand