Yirara College: many languages, many histories
Many of the students of Yirara College come from communities served by Finke River Mission (predominantly Central Desert). But most students come from remote communities beyond Central Australia that are not connected with the Lutheran Church.
Read moreAreyonga: one of the most vaccinated communities
The low rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in Indigenous Australians continues to cause concern for politicians desperate to reopen borders, but one community near Alice Springs has turned that on its head with 94 per cent of the eligible population having received at least one dose.
Read moreThe bush course we thought would never happen
Way back in 2019 the Aboriginal pastors agreed to hold the 2020 winter Bush Course at Tara, which marks the northern-most edge of the FRM service area.
Read moreHuge learning experience on the Hugh
In March this year, I joined the Lutheran Mission Development (LMD) Board. This board was established to support and promote the aims, beliefs and articles of faith of the Lutheran Church of Australia.
Read moreRecords continue to change lives
What continues to amaze me working at Lutheran Archives is the myriad stories contained in the archive, the stories in one item or one box of records, and the myriad ways those stories or records have impacted lives.
Read moreGreat-Great-Grandma comes to confirmation
Four young ladies confirmed their baptismal promises and confessed their faith in the Triune God at a confirmation celebration at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hermannsburg on 8 August 2021.
Read moreYirara College Sharing Languages Project
In term 3 we began the Sharing Languages Project at Yirara College. Students from every community have been invited to share their languages with their teachers.
Read moreCoober Pedy Lutherans remembered
On 4 May, the historical Lutheran presence in Coober Pedy was commemorated with the unveiling of a plaque on the site of the former Lutheran church hall, which is now part of the TAFE campus. In April 1959, Pastor Fred Traeger arrived in Coober Pedy with his wife Gertrude to serve the spiritual and physical… Read more
Read moreTeaching course at Papunya
The first FRM teaching course for the year was held on the outskirts of Papunya from 11 to 15 April. People came from as far afield as Kiwirrkura (450 km), Irweltye (550 km) and Docker River (600 km). Numbers fluctuated between 17 and 42, averaging around 35. Many women attended the course.
Read moreSix 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.
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