Anmatjere

Farewell, Kwementyay Haines

There were only two windows of opportunity for me to meet and get to know Kwementyay Haines, who passed away earlier in 2024. I’d like now to tell the story of our small interaction with him, as he performed final checks of two Gospels in Anmatyerr, John’s Gospel in 2010 and Luke’s Gospel in 2018…. Read more

German missionaries visit Anmatyerr communities

Recently we received visitors from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria (ELCB), Arnim Doerfer (Missione Eine Welt – Mission One World) and Martin Klein. It was to be a full weekend in terms of Indigenous ministry – three communion services in three communities, from Laramba to Ti Tree, a round trip over 650 kilometers. Though… Read more

‘Galloping words’ to Anmatyerr Hymn

After sitting through eight one and-a-quarter-hour teaching sessions at a Bush Bible Course, the brain seeks a bit of rest and rejuvenation. However, at the recent Bush Course at M’Bunghara, linguist David ‘Stricko’ Strickland was talking with some Anmatyerr language-speaking young men. They decided to use their spare time to translate the lunchtime hymn, ‘Spread… Read more

Synod welcomes Finke River Mission delegates

Melbourne’s city skyline was a stark contrast to the vast verdant landscape of Central Australia for four Aboriginal delegates attending the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s 20th Convention of General Synod from 9 to 12 February 2023.

God at work at Anmatyerr

Since starting work part-time with Finke River Mission last November, it has been challenging to establish any kind of routine. COVID restrictions and family commitments have created interruptions to my ministry in the Anmatyerr area, where there are about a thousand speakers of the language.

FRM welcomes new support worker

It is with great joy that we welcome longtime SIL linguist David Strickland, who has joined the Finke River Mission team as a support worker in the Anmatyerr Language Area.

Six baptisms – and a surprise visitor

During a Holy Communion service in early February, six baptisms took place. These were the first baptisms for a long time at Nturiya (Ti-Tree Outstation), a small community 200 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

Anmatyerr Mini-Bible is dedicated

We have been celebrating the publication of the Anmatyerr Mini-Bible in style!

Meet Pastor Darryl Mattner

Pastor Darryl Mattner was installed to work in the Anmatjere and Alyawarr region. The area is about three hours north-west, three hours north and about four hours north-east from Alice Springs.