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
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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
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‘God’s Big Story’ speaks to the heart
In October a group of women gathered in the Alice Springs Lutheran Church for a one-day Bible course. The course, the first in a series on ‘God’s Big Story’, covered creation and the fall of humanity and its consequences. Importantly, we learnt how the results of human rebellion and mistrust of God have been reversed… Read more
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Areyonga Graduates soaring to new heights
Nungalinya College is proud to welcome several new graduates into its theology cohort. Completing either Certificate 3 or Certificate 4 qualifications in Christian Ministry and Theology, Nungalinya welcomes Hilda Bert, Makinti (Isabel) Windy and Carolyn Windy, all from Areyonga. Hilda, has been an energetic leader in her community and church, as well as a valued… Read more
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Literacy program in action
Over ten years ago, while I was returning to Alice Springs from Western Australia, I felt a direct calling from God. I was admiring the Petermann Ranges on the Tjukururu Road that runs between the community of Docker River and Kata Tjuta when the feeling hit me. I believed God was wanting me to contribute… Read more
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Farewell to Hermannsburg
Three years from now will mark 150 years since two German Lutheran Missionaries, Schwarz and Kempe, arrived at Finke River to bring the message of salvation to the Western Arrarnta Aboriginal people there. Joined by missionary Schulze the next year, the three missionaries struggled for the next 15 years to adapt to the harsh, isolated… Read more
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Christmas in Alice
On a mild 37-degree day in Alice Springs a wonderful cross-section of people came together to celebrate the birth of Christ at the Alice Springs Lutheran Church. We were blessed by the presence of young and old, locals and visitors from bush communities, interstate and overseas. It was a joy to be together. Our congregation… Read more
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‘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
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Love thy neighbour like Ayaiga
Each week at Yirara College, senior students lead the Chapel prayers and blessings. One time, one of the prayers highlighted the story of Ayaiga, an elder of the Alawa people from the Roper River Valley. More than 100 years ago, in 1911, Ayaiga was arrested. While crossing the flooded Roper River, still in chains, he… Read more
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Pastor Radke Installed
Based in Alice Springs Lutheran Church, Pastor Stephen Radke will focus on ministry in the Alice Springs town camps and across other Central Australian communities. The installation was conducted by Pastor Rob Borgas, a former Pastoral Support Worker in the Pitjantjatjara language area and a current member of the Finke River Mission (FRM) board. Pastor… Read more
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