Random Musings
WA District
Convention –
Katanning
It is always nice to know that people are
thinking well of you and commending you to
God’s grace. Can I tell you that last weekend,
a whole lot of people were doing just
this for you!

People from all over the WA Lutheran
church gathered in the annual convention
last weekend. We met in the Great
Southern Wheat belt town of Katanning.
Interstate guests were also present: Mike
Semmler, the President of the Lutheran
church in Australia, Loyd Fyfe, representative
from the Lutheran Schools Association
of WA, NT and SA, and Rev John
Henderson, the principal of Australian Lutheran
College, the premier higher education
and vocational education provider of the
Lutheran Church throughout the Lutheran
church in Australasia.

There was a great moment when the
convention decided to show some sign of
their heartfelt support for the staff, students
and families of Ocean Forest. Way back in
the beginning, before the college was even
open, some money was loaned to the
interim board as part of the overall plan to
get Ocean Forest up and running. This
$7500 has always been seen as an
“outstanding loan” and has never been able
to be sorted out between college and state
organisation.

As a show of support and concern over the
“rough trot” we have had with two of
our senior staff dealing with cancer
and all the stresses this has caused
over the last couple of years, the
good folks of the Lutheran Church
unanimously decided to wipe that
money off in a tone of genuine encouragement.

Our Principal, Mike,was able to address the convention
and express out thanks.
We all need support in our efforts to educate
and love our kids. We as a college are here because
the WA Lutheran church cared and did
something about it. We are all here living and
breathing together because God cared enough
to bring us into being. God was not forced to
create us or love us – he just did and still does.
Easter is coming up. I can tell you that there are
people thinking well of you and praying for you –
praying that you would really ‘get’ the love and
kindness of God poured out in the life of Jesus
of Nazareth.

† News
†Cecilia’s—Note
CONVENTION WRAP
There was plenty of welcoming and positive
spirit was the flavour of this Convention. There
was also indication that the Lutheran Church of
Australia is in rapid transition – at least at its
theological and political centre. There is a new
inclusivity and willingness to engage people
from within and without as the church tries to do
justice to the task of living faithfully as God’s
gifted and gospel hearted people in Australia
these days.

The WA District is undertaking the most
substantial project for decades in the redevelopment
of St Johns Lutheran Church in Aberdeen
St in North Bridge. It is estimated that within 10-
15 years, this new three story office building will
bring in around $1M per year to the WA District,
once loans have been paid off. The need is for
WA Lutheran to raise a further $1M now and for
a long term tenant to lease the top two stories of
the new building when complete. The bottom
floor will house congregational and WA District
offices, catering and meeting areas and
teaching area for youth, children and family
ministry.

NEWS
† Pastor Greg Pfeiffer remains President and Pastor
Adrian remains Vice President of the WA District. Scott
Nuske remains a member of the WA District Church
Council.

† Easter is gearing up to be an excellent witne4ss in our
community with Maundy Thursday Passover, Good Friday
Ecumenical worship in the community hall and Easter Day
all taking shape with a team of around 15 people signed up
to get involved. Some of the local Dalyellup folks who are
part of the Grace Christian Church are going to cater for
morning tea after the ecumenical service to raise money for
the purchase of a wheelchair for a local person in need.
Great stuff!
† Pr Adrian will be taking 3 weeks annual leave immediately
after Easter. Our Pastoral Assistants are gearing up
for that.
† Gloria Kitson has been appointed as a “Carer” at the
college in a voluntary capacity. She works to provide care
and support in our community in Jesus’ name.
† The people responsible for the appointment of a new
college Principal are working hard behind the scenes to
ensure that an appointment of a new principal for our
community is made. Pray for them and for those considering
coming to work with us in this role. Especially pray for
the chair of the college board, Dean Pfitzner.
† The college board and spouses/families gathered for a
meal at Dean and Tania Pfitzner’s a few weeks back. It was
a great night of fellowship for all concerned. Thanks Dean
and Tania!
† The Executive of the college (including Pr A – he’s taking
the photo!) are working tirelessly to try and pull all the new
people and systems together in an attempt to make our
community more of a community in Christ. Pray for Jan
Daly (Head of our Primary School), Graeme Scales (Head
of Senior School), Mike Leske (Principal) and Margaret
Pfitzner (Head of Middle School) (oh… and Pr A! – head of
nothing but around the place!)
Updates/ News
Dear Pr Adrian and members of the OFLF
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to attend the
LCA WA District Synod Convention in Katanning.
Although I found myself in “deep water” when
asked to attend the convention, listening to the reports
of the leaders and different committees, as well as
their new proposals, got me really excited about the
future of our church in WA. All conversation was done
in line with the theme of the convention, being
“Gathered Under His Wings”. I was very impressed to
experience the structure in which things are happening
in the WA District and it was a privilege to meet many
of the important role players. There are so many arms
and legs working together to make our church function
as one body, it was good to see the faces of so
many dedicated people.
I guess we will have to wait for the minutes of the meeting
to make sure that the members of our congregation
are fully informed of all the decisions and proposals
made at the convention. However there is lots to look
forward to this year, youth camps in April & July and a
dads & lad’s camp in May to name a few. The District
also requested that all WA congregations should set
aside money for the further professional development
of our pastors. Another exiting project “Faith for the
Future” entails a new building being developed by St
Johns Court Northbridge aimed to celebrate the love of
God not just for St Johns but also for the local community
and the WA Lutheran District.
Thanks to the people of Katanning we experienced the
love and care of a “mother hen”. The food was great
and the people were warm and inviting. I would like to
challenge all members of our congregation to attend
the Synod Convention whenever given the opportunity.
If you are asked to deliver a speech make sure you
grab the opportunity otherwise you might just miss out
on a jar of Pastor Pukallus’s tomato relish!